As part of upgrades to street lights in Boothbay Harbor, the town has options to make them more than just lights. Mark Carter from RTE Energy Solutions spoke to the selectboard July 28 about attachments that could be added to poles to provide additional services.  

A piece of equipment that acts as a miniature cell tower drew the most attention. Carter said the device provides a signal in a half-mile or mile radius and works with AT&T, UScellular and T-Mobile but not with Verizon. The next step in the process is to allow carriers access to the pole coordinates of the poles and overlay them on maps of their coverage to see where potential devices could be placed. For comparison, he said around nine such devices were placed in Rumford.  

He said the town would have to approve the plan if carriers wanted to proceed, could veto application of the equipment, and that service could begin as early as spring of next year. He said there is a small amount of revenue from the equipment, but “it's more an improvement of quality of service for your residents.”  

Carter also told the board about other equipment, called a UBIHub, that can support cameras.He said the devices have built-in artificial intelligence with connectivity through ethernet or cell service. He said they have applications including for police, parking enforcement, public works, license plate reading, or counting and differentiating bike, pedestrian, and car traffic.  

In addition, Carter said other devices could be added to the poles that can monitor weather conditions, air quality, or other environmental data.  

In other business, Latter said the kickoff meeting for the town’s comprehensive plan took place July 17, attended by the planning consultants and department heads. She said planners also want to form a 12-to-15-member committee to help guide the process. She added, there is a new contract with the Rural Infrastructure Strengths Evaluation program, which will focus on a parking committee for downtown business owners.

Latter also said the Bureau of Parks and Lands applied for a $100,000 grant to help fix the seawall at Barrett’s Park. She said the wall needs engineering services, and the funds would help assess what is needed for replacement work.  

Latter also updated the board on the new salt and sand shed, which she said is taking longer than expected. She said the town is still working on contracting and permitting. “I’m hoping, knock on wood, that by the time we order new salt it will go in that building.” 

In addition, the selectmen approved funds for a police cruiser, which included $41,487 for the cruiser and $33,131 to equip and outfit it. They also approved donating used fire hose to the Mars Hill fire department in Aroostook County, which responded to an open offer from the Boothbay Harbor department.