Steve Lewis didn’t care for how the select board was characterized in a recent article submitted to the Boothbay Register. He spoke during the July 27 meeting during public forum. Lewis believed the article’s author John DeSimone’s remarks regarding the board’s decision not allowing vendors to charge a Boothbay Common admissions fees were unfair. In his article promoting the 62nd annual Boothbay Region Antiques Show, DeSimone stated show managers were given permission by the town in January, but later told in May, the new rental policy prohibited admission fees.

In his July 14 article, DeSimone wrote “By that time, exhibitors had already made motel reservations. They had ordered a large tent, and had been advertising the show throughout New England. To cancel the show would have been difficult on the exhibitors, many of whom had chosen to exhibitor in the Boothbay show over others in New England. So the antiques show had a choice of canceling or having the show on an ‘admission by donations’ basis.”

Lewis believed DeSimone’s comment were out of line considering he didn’t live in the Boothbay region. Lewis believed the Common should benefit Boothbay residents. “Basically he said the town ‘screwed’ him,” Lewis said. “He is from out of town and taking advantage of town property during a busy tourist season. And he threw us under the bus, and made it sound like the Community Center would lose out on a major donation. For someone to come here and bad mouth us, bothers me,” he said. 

Earlier this month, Town Manager Dan Bryer addressed the antique show violating the no parking on Common condition for renters. Bryer reported vendors are allowed to briefly park on the grass while unloading. Bryer offered the antique show parking cones to assist in keeping cars off the Common. 

Under the new policy, the town manager, not selectmen, schedules Common space rental for events lasting less than three days. Board Chairman Chuck Cunningham reminded selectmen next year Bryer would decide whether the antique show can use the Common. “Dan will make that decision,  and he knows our concerns,” he said. 

In other action, Selectman Dale Harmon addressed a concern about improving street lights at the Corey Lane and Barters Island Road intersection. Harmon spoke to Dick Spofford about the fire chief’s concern about poor lighting. Spofford was also concerned about lighting near Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. “I think its a good idea. Dick spoke about this unofficially in the past, and I guess this is an official request,” Harmon said. Bryer explained better street lighting was considered when the town purchased LED (light emitting diode) street lights. “We tried identifying two poles on Barters, but they were set too far apart,” he said. 

Selectmen directed Bryer to seek a cost estimate for new lighting at the intersection and for Barters Island Road. Selectmen are also considering holding another joint-meeting with their Boothbay Harbor counterparts. Boothbay wants more discussion about changes to the school charter. The two select boards recently met with representatives from the Community School District superintending committee and building trustees. Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor officials are torn between two options. One is a charter “repeal and rewrite.” The other is making a “few minor changes.” Selectmen want their attorney to meet with school committee’s attorney to determine how long a “repeal and rewrite” may take. 

Selectmen approved two liquor license requests. The board voted unanimously renewing a Class I, II, III and IV restaurant liquor license for the Boothbay Harbor Country Club. The second approval was for a renewal for the Boothbay Harbor Country Club Wellness Club for a Class I, II, III, and IV restaurant license.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10 in the conference room.