Boothbay Selectman Steven Lewis hoped to change how county government operated. Last week, Lewis sought an appointment to fill one of the two vacancies on the Lincoln County Budget Advisory Committee.

However, on Sept. 11, Lewis was not chosen by his fellow selectmen representing District 1 from Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Westport Island, Edgecomb, and Southport. The District 1 caucus selected selectman George Richardson of Westport Island to fill a three-year term, and Ben Rines of Wiscasset to fill a one-year term.

Lewis announced his intentions to seek a committee seat during the Sept. 10 Boothbay selectmen’s meeting. Lewis wasn’t able to attend the caucus, but his name was placed in nomination at the caucus. Lincoln County selectmen convened at the courthouse to fill vacancies on the 10-person county budget advisory committee.

Lewis wanted to serve in an attempt to change two current policies. Lewis had previously objected to the commissioners about their receiving health insurance benefits, and how the county-run recycling facility in Wiscasset was run. He objects to the commissioners receiving both a salary and family health insurance plan.

Lewis said the commissioners’ duties include two monthly meetings, which shouldn’t entitle them to full-time benefits.

“It’s absolutely wrong they get free healthcare and almost $10,000 (a) year,” Lewis said. “I don’t believe they should have it. Can you imagine what the public outcry in Boothbay would be if we (selectmen) proposed having the town pay insurance for us and our families? There would be a public outcry, and justifiably so.”

Lewis has researched compensation around the state for other county commissioners. His research showed that some counties paid health insurance, but not all did.

Lewis also wanted changes at the Lincoln County Recycling Center in Wiscasset. He believes the fees charged to communities outside the county aren’t commensurate with the service.

“Why are we sending trucks to Georgetown and Warren?” Lewis asked. “I don’t think the county is charging enough for those services and what’s happening is the local taxpayers are subsidizing those towns. I don’t mind subsidizing towns in Lincoln County, but we shouldn’t be subsidizing non-residents. I don’t think it’s right, and those towns should be paying more.”

Lewis is the manager of the Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District. He said his experience indicated the county should charge more for non-resident services. When Lewis has asked past commissioners about their pricing, he said there responses weren’t satisfactory.

“What they told me is why I want to be on the budget committee,” he said.

While Lewis won’t be on the 10-person budget advisory committee, he still plans on advocating for changes..

“I know some of the committee members and I’ll be talking to them about my concerns,” Lewis said.

Each of the three districts nominated members to fill vacancies on the committee.

Each district has three representatives and a state legislator is the 10th committee member. The  commissioners will submit a budget to the committee no later than 90 days before the fiscal year’s end. The committee has 45 days to make recommendations before the fiscal year’s end.