Even before Gov. Janet Mills declared a State of Civil Emergency for all of Maine’s coastal counties on Jan. 11, Boothbay leaders were out surveying damage caused by two days of massive windstorms and high tides. Boothbay Town Manager Dan Bryer reported Jan. 10 to selectmen his preliminary damage estimation would likely surpass $2 million. He told selectmen the top priority is public safety in the early aftermath of the storm’s devastation. 

Bryer described several roads around town as “badly broken and unpassable” and locations in East Boothbay as the most imperiled. “We just had a horrific storm, and, in many places it's not safe for people to walk. People from Grimes Cove to Shore Road are effectively stranded, and our priority is making sure first responders have access to them,” he said.  

Bryer told selectmen the area, region and entire state would likely receive disaster relief assistance. Jan. 11, Mills declared a State of Civil Emergency for Lincoln, Cumberland, Knox, Hancock, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington and York counties. Mills’ decree mobilizes all state resources to assist in the recovery effort and positions Maine to receive federal relief funds.

“Once a declaration is made, I will contact Lincoln Emergency Management Agency and Maine Emergency Management Agency about relief funding,” Bryer told selectmen Jan. 10. “Right now, our priority is mobilizing our staff for the coming days.”

Bryer said public works crews began documenting damage for the town’s report to disaster relief agencies. “You can’t take enough photos in terms of accounting, and you can’t write down enough notes about what you did and when you did it,” he said.

Bryer contacted municipal attorney Sally Daggett Jan. 11 about procedures for seeking disaster relief funds. Bryer predicted Boothbay and the entire coast of Maine would “100% qualify” for federal assistance. Selectmen were concerned funding may be delayed up to a year and discussed taking out a 10-year bond to fund immediate priorities. “I don’t think it will take that long,” Bryer said. “There is a good start from Lincoln County EMA and MEMA (Maine Emergency Management Agency) due to the severity. I don’t foresee this as a long wait.”

The immediate priority is beginning a restoration plan for East Boothbay’s most troubled areas: Grimes Cove to Shore Road and King Phillips Trail. Recovery work will begin by hiring Crooker Construction of Topsham as an independent contractor, working in conjunction with public works. But not all the devastation is visible. Bryer reported hearing “hollow” spots in the roads. He implored the public to stay away while town officials surveyed the damage. “You walk, and hear ‘Ka-Tunk, Ka-Tunk.’ It makes me cringe seeing people walk on the hollow spots, and worse, seeing a car drive over.”

In other action, selectmen unanimously approved a Central Maine Power pole permit for Pension Ridge Road (formerly Bryers Neck Road). Bryer also introduced a rough draft of the annual town meeting warrant. He said all but one non-profit organization had submitted funding requests. The new warrant also has a couple minor changes from last year’s. There is no article regarding tax increment funding spending and no Maine Lobstermen Association funding request. “There are a few changed dates, such as when taxes are due, but nothing earth-shattering. I will have the preliminary budget next meeting after I have numbers for buildings and grounds,” he said.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24 in the conference room.