Roads were the topic of the day at the April 14 Boothbay Harbor selectmen’s meeting. The board discussed Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) project updates, a winter report, and concerns from the public.   

Town Manager Julia Latter updated the board on two MaineDOT projects along Route 27. She said the MaineDOT sidewalk project, which will connect the sidewalks from Pinkham's Gourmet Market to Boothbay, is planned to begin in the fall and might be done by spring. In addition, she said MaineDOT is finishing work on Route 27. Selectman Mark Gimbel asked if a historic granite marker noting "zero" will be preserved. Latter said it will be, but a surveyor needs to mark it.   

Public Works Foreman Nick Upham gave a report on what he called the busiest winter in his tenure. He said the town used 640 yards of sand and 360 tons of salt but stayed under budget for winter operations. He also said the department wants to use more salt than sand moving forward because it could reduce overall cleanup costs in the long term.   

“All in all, we finally got to have a real Maine winter ... We all survived it and made it through pretty well,” Upham said.   

Several residents also spoke up about roads in public forum. Sara Wilcox said a car flipped into the House of Logan parking lot last week because of a dangerous embankment. She said the driver was not seriously injured, but drivers get caught on the embankment one to three times a year. Wilcox also complained about the state of McClintock Street, saying it is falling apart.   

Latter said the town is aware of the issues and plans to propose a solution to the selectboard, which may include signage, building a wall, or temporarily shutting down the embankment area. She also said they are planning to work on McClintock Street and may consider culverting or other drainage mitigation.   

Resident Darrell Muller asked if more signage or sidewalks could be placed for pedestrian safety. Latter said MaineDOT recently worked on Townsend Avenue, a state road, and has chosen to proceed with what is currently there. However, he added MaineDOT is evaluating the three-way intersection by First National Bank.   

Betty Maddocks asked if a parking committee was formed, per previous plans by the selectmen. The board said it had not formed one, but had several parking workshops in 2024 and one coming up this year. “A lot of decent ideas were floated, but nothing concrete. Ultimately, what we have is not one solution ...," said Gimbel.   

In road-adjacent business, Selectman Ken Rayle requested the board accept his donation of a school champion sports team sign to be placed on Route 27 near the high school. According to him, people said the existing sign on Route 27 by Adams Pond is hard to read due to traffic speed. He has been collaborating with Boothbay Region Water District and the school athletic director to replace the sign with something closer to the school. The board decided to vote at a later meeting because Rayle needs to recuse himself.   

“It should be something that can give the town residents as well as all the students a little shot of pride and thanks for their hard work in earning those state championship banners,” Rayle said.  

In other business, selectmen received an unusual question from Boothbay Region Elementary School students. In a letter from Jessica Lessner’s third grade class, students said they are learning about Earth Day and asked what happens to the shells and debris from fireworks launched in the harbor. "Is it cleaned up? How do you help take care of our planet?” they wrote.   

Selectmen thanked the youth for their interest and said they would respond when they have the answers. “That's a great question. In all the years I've been on municipal service I've never been asked that,” Chair Michael Tomko said.   

Rayle also announced the formation of a non-municipal committee on education. He said citizens have gotten together to create the “Future of our Schools” committee to answer questions around the schools. Rayle, the committee's vice chair, said the meetings are public and will include an opportunity for people to ask questions or make comments. He said the next meeting is May 2 at Boothbay Town Hall.   

“I think we'll be able to add some real good, clear information about alternatives or the situation, the status of the schools, and try to add information so that people can make a good, informed choice when it comes time to make a choice,” Rayle said. 

Selectmen appointed John Oakes as the regional Emergency Management Agency director. Southport and Boothbay will vote on the appointment before it can be finalized.