In open session, Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District Board Chairman Jody Lewis defended himself March 24 against allegations of alleged neglect of duty, misconduct and other acts that indicate unfitness to serve. Boothbay Selectman Dale Harmon hand-delivered Lewis a letter on March 19 seeking a meeting to discuss the allegations.

March 24, Lewis had the option of entering into an executive session to dispute the charges, but opted for the public forum. In the end, selectmen voted, 3-0, to dismiss the charges against Lewis, allowing him to continue in his appointed term.

Selectman Chuck Cunningham is also a Boothbay refuse district board member. Lewis was represented by Boothbay attorney Linda Yarmosh who asked Cunningham to recuse himself. Cunningham was the board member presenting evidence regarding Lewis' performance. Boothbay's lawyer Kristin Collins didn't believe Cunningham had a financial interest and advised he didn't need to recuse himself. Other selectmen Harmon, Russ Pinkham and Julie Roberts didn't see a conflict, and allowed Cunningham to decide.

Cunningham did recuse himself as a voting member, but he participated in the discussion.

Selectmen were concerned about recent refuse district decisions being  potentially made outside of regular meetings. On Feb. 12, Harmon, on behalf of all four district selectboards, requested refuse district board meetings be held at the Boothbay municipal building. Boothbay has the capability of livestreaming meetings, with on-demand viewings.

Harmon talked about concerns how the refuse board seemingly changed its mind regarding holding meetings in Boothbay after the Feb. 12 discussion. Then Harmon recalled refuse district board members, including Lewis, were "enthusiastic" about the proposal. Later, things changed and the refuse district board didn't want the first live-stream meeting in Boothbay. Lewis responded, board members who were generally enthusiastic about greater meeting transparency reached out to him stating concerns about the optics of meeting in Boothbay.

"I got a call from Curt Crosby (Edgecomb representative) who had concerns about the board being autonomous and shouldn't be meeting in Boothbay. Julia (Latter, Boothbay Harbor representative) also mentioned concerns. I called the other two who also made similar comments," Lewis said.

He then called Cunningham about how other board members wanted to proceed. "I called you back and told you 'the entire board asked me why the meeting couldn't held in Boothbay Harbor for the first meeting, and talk it over and make it an informed decision.' There was no vote, and nothing as of now has been decided."

Pinkham asked what difference does it make where the meeting takes place? Lewis responded that the current FBI investigation which began a year ago was the reason. "You have a member on your board (Steve Lewis, no relation), a selectman being investigated by the FBI. That was their problem sitting at this table. I'm not the one who brought this up. All the members came to me," Jody Lewis said.

Crosby told selectmen he was one of the members who had a problem with meeting in Boothbay. He then divulged the most information about the FBI investigation in public since the March 26, 2025 special meeting. The refuse directors held a special meeting in open forum discussing details of the FBI visit. No media or public received notification. Since then, the board has declined to discuss the investigation in public.

Crosby said, "You've got Steve Lewis, unbelievable! When it comes out, you are going to be ashamed!"

Kristin Collins served as Boothbay's legal counsel. She described what the directors did as "phone tag" and a violation of law. "A discussion taken off-line and any follow-up discussion should be taken at the board level," Collins said.

On the FOAA requests, Collins said the directors improperly delayed the minutes of the March 26, 2025 meeting. She said the directors could send a draft version or meeting notes to the media upon request. Directors waited until the official minutes were approved.

Directors also said they did respond to a FOAA request for a recording of the March 26, 2025 open session. Both the Bangor Daily News and Boothbay Register requested the recording. Refuse district officials said they responded stating the recording never existed.

Further concerns centered around Cunningham's removal as the directors' vice-chairman. Selectmen believed it was a retaliatory action based on a budget conversation between the selectboard and refuse directors. Cunningham questioned the district's financial figures because the formula wasn't properly constructed. This also led into a complaint that Jody Lewis didn't read or respond to emails.

Directors said Cunningham embarrassed them during the budget discussion and the next night changed their bylaws so they could remove him as vice-chairman. This occurred during the district's regularly scheduled meeting. Cunningham missed the meeting due to work requirements.

Jody Lewis said he didn't propose the bylaw change. "What is he supposed to do," asked Yarmosh. "You are micromanaging the way he runs the district. With all due respect, that is not your job."

Jody Lewis said Latter asked if she could bring the bylaw change to the board. "None of us knew this was coming," he said. Yarmosh defended Lewis' actions as chairman. "He runs the board meeting, but he can't change the way board members feel," she said. "And that's not fair to hold him responsible for that."

Selectmen Pinkham, Roberts and Harmon voted, 3-0, to dismiss the complaint. Cunningham recused himself. Selectman Steve Lewis didn't attend the meeting.

Prior to the vote, several residents urged the two boards to move forward without all the acrimony. Jody Lewis said he was a volunteer and works in the towns' best interest. He also said the hearing cost him $3,000 in legal fees.

The hearing drew a crowd of 35. Several residents commented. Chris Bertin said the two sides should "kiss and make up."