Boothbay may go where no other Maine municipality has gone before. For a couple months, Boothbay has discussed entering into a 10-year broadband agreement with Spectrum which would provide expanded services to 141 households currently under- or unserved. On July 26, Town Manager Dan Bryer reported Spectrum may deliver a contract proposal as early as Wednesday’s selectmen’s meeting.

On July 14, selectmen met with Spectrum officials for their second discussion on the framework of a possible deal. Based on earlier discussions, Spectrum is proposing a 10-year deal to provide a hybrid coaxial and fiber broadband expansion to the 141 households. The town would pay Spectrum an annual set fee of approximately $25 per household. The town would handle billing and Spectrum would maintain the network’s infrastructure. During the discussions, Selectman Steve Lewis asked Spectrum why it was offering a deal which seemed too good to be true. Spectrum officials indicated the marketplace is trending toward this kind of deal and the provider is also negotiating with other municipalities for similar agreements.

“We may get the contract language as early as next meeting or maybe next month,” Bryer said. “We still need to figure out how expensive the billing is before making any decision. And of course, we would need our legal team to review it, too.” Spectrum recommended hiring a third-party contractor for handling monthly billing. Other options include the business office sending out monthly bills or adding a broadband charge to the annual tax bills.

Selectmen may place the proposal on this November’s referendum ballot. Spectrum officials said the expanded network could be in place 180 days after an agreement is reached.

In other action, selectmen approved the following three -year municipal appointments: James A. Tonon, Martin Page and David Steinmetz, board of appeals; William Wright, planning board; Larry W. Knapp, port committee; Craig E. Barter, Russell E. Pinkham and Brian Carver, shellfish committee; and Charles R. Cunnigham, Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District trustee.

Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 28.