On Aug. 25, Boothbay selectmen awarded Crocker Construction of Topsham the bid for summer road paving projects. Crooker bid $98 per ton for base and surface pavements. The town also sought bids from three other companies. All-State Construction of Windham bid $115.60 per ton for base and surface pavements. Pike Industries of Fairfield bid $129 per ton for all roads. Lane Construction of Washington did not return a bid.

The summer road project is for Gaecklin Road and costs are split between the town and Boothbay Region Water District.

Public Works foreman Mike Alley recommended selectmen accept Crooker’s bid. “With pricing and the fact, the water district, myself and (Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens) all have a longstanding positive working relationship with Crooker, I recommend awarding pavement work to them,” Alley wrote.

In other action, selectmen tabled signing a conservation easement with CMBG and Boothbay Region Land Trust. In 2018, Boothbay entered into a consent agreement with CMBG to settle two pending lawsuits. The easement is part of the agreement. The proposed conservation easement is a parcel between CMBG and Knickerbocker Lake. BRLT would monitor the easement and Boothbay code office would enforce any violations under the agreement. Selectmen decided to wait until language is completed before signing. 

The ongoing sidewalk project which began in 2011 to connect Boothbay Region YMCA to Clifford Park will resume shortly after Labor Day. Bryer reported a pre-construction meeting would be held Aug. 26 with Boothbay Harbor Town Manager Julia Latter and contractor Ranger Construction of Fairfield. The proposed start date is Sept. 7 and Nov. 20 is the projected completion date. Boothbay completed its portion of the project in 2017, the roundabout.

Ranger will continue the project by constructing a sidewalk from Pinkham’s Market to the YMCA. Bryer reported this section will cost approximately $500,000. Ranger will also install a conduit in case street lights are added later.

While the sidewalk project is back on track, the Clifford Park project is on hold. Bryer reported the town hasn’t received federal funds expected in June or July. Last year, Boothbay  qualified for a federal $250,000 Land and Water Grant, and another $250,000 from local businessman Paul Coulombe as part of a required local match. “We can’t start without the federal funds. If we used Paul’s (Coulombe) money to start, it would still require a $250,000 match once federal funds are received,” he said.

Bryer reported he hasn’t heard from Spectrum about a proposed “Community Wifi” program agreement which would expand broadband into unserved and underserved locations. The program would be a partnership between Boothbay and Spectrum. Boothbay would be charged a flat rate based on the number of households and Spectrum would provide town-wide broadband.

Selectmen are also seeking information about broadband from other providers. Great Works Internet President Kerem Durdag discussed the “ins and outs” of broadband expansion. His advice included making sure a provider could expand the band width based on projections 25 years into the future.

Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8 in the conference room.