An FBI investigation, the continuing sagas of school funding and Waterfront Park and much more occurred in 2025 in the Boothbay region.

Below are the newspaper’s picks for the stories from each month.

January

After 20 years of service, Evelyn Shahan, 83, has announced her retirement as president of Barters Island Community Association (BICA). BICA’s goal is to foster a sense of community and help neighbors in need. 

It brings great pleasure to share that Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library’s 2024 annual fundraising goal of $140,000 was surpassed thanks to the terrific support of Library donors and increased fundraising efforts led by volunteers, trustees and staff.

Boothbay selectmen reached a consensus Jan. 8 that a $197,000 annual road paving budget isn't enough. Selectmen began reviewing Town Manager Dan Bryer's initial 2025-26 Fiscal Year budget which calls for a 4% overall increase. Selectman Russ Pinkham injected concerns about road maintenance paving and suggested increasing the figure to $225,000. "That's a good point," Selectman Steve Lewis said. "Three or four years ago we increased it by $10,000, but nothing since. I agree we should increase it this year, and each following year by another $25,000 until we get to where it should be."

First National Bank recently announced the retirement of Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer Sue Norton on Feb. 14, 2025. Norton has dedicated over four decades to the financial industry, with a remarkable 33 years at First National Bank.

Sticker shock hit the Community School District (CSD) Board of Trustees Jan. 8. Estimates for prioritized repairs to both schools came in around $1 million higher than expected, mostly for a new dry sprinkler system at the elementary school. Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler and Director of Facilities Dave Benner updated the trustees: After further research and several bids from contractors, the total estimate had increased from around $1.66 million to around $2.7 million. Repair issues at the high school include the roof, a fuel tank, two entrances and the heating and ventilation control system. At the elementary school, projects include the roof and parapets, and another fuel tank. Kahler reported estimates totaling $734,564 at the high school and $1,923,150 at the elementary school. 

Around 10 a.m. Thursday morning, Jan. 9, two ice fishermen in Edgecomb reportedly found a wallet belonging to William "Nate" Robinson, 34, of Austinville, Virginia. Robinson is a murder victim whose body was found Dec. 3, 2024 inside a trash barrel at Schmid Preserve. The wallet was found frozen in a small pond near Old County Road. Nicholas Morley of Boothbay found it as he and a fellow fisherman, who asked not to be named, dug holes in the ice to fish. They immediately contacted Lincoln County Sheriff's Office reporting their discovery.

New court action around Eastside Waterfront Park continues into 2025. Jan. 13, Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation (BBHWP) filed an opposition with Lincoln County Superior Court against motions filed by abutters Joeseph and Jill Doyle in December.

A magnitude 3.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Maine Jan. 27 according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake happened around 10:23 a.m., with its epicenter a little over six miles southeast of York Harbor and at a depth of around eight miles. On social media, Boothbay area residents reported feeling the earth shake. The USGS originally reported the quake as a magnitude 4.1 but revised the rating.

After signing a letter of support last year, Boothbay Harbor's selectboard was asked to continue assisting efforts to bolster climate resiliency – this time with money. Jan. 27, Shri Verrill from Sunrise Ecologic updated the board on resiliency work in the region and requested capital reserve funds be set aside for future efforts.

February

Bobbie Robinson has worked 39 years as a full-time 911 emergency dispatcher and three years part-time, but later this spring she will end her career with Lincoln County. Communications Director Tara Doe told commissioners Feb. 4 of Robinson's decision to retire.  "She will be missed, and it is with deep regret I inform you about her decision." Robinson's retirement date is April 9. 

The Boothbay Region YMCA's Y Arts group were awarded two trophies in Sacramento at the iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival West, held over the weekend of Feb. 7-9. Trophies were for Excellence in Music for their adjudication piece, 'Finding Nemo JR' and for Outstanding Performance for their showcase performance of 'Madagascar KIDS!'  The group was asked to be one of four showcase groups to perform in the New Works Showcase on the main stage at the festival. Other trip highlights: Spencer Pottle received a callback audition for the itheatrics DVD shoots. Trey Tibbetts and Scout Martin were picked as All Stars for the event and invited to join in the finale of the final performance.

On Monday, Feb. 10 at 1:50 p.m., Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay, Edgecomb and Southport Fire Departments responded to a call for a structure fire at the Boothbay Harbor Sewer District. Fire crews arriving on scene found a two-story maintenance garage on fire, with flames engulfing the second story and penetrating through the roof. Boothbay Harbor Sewer District Superintendent David Pratt noted that “we were very fortunate in having such a quick and effective response by fire crews, and it could have been much worse. The waste treatment plant infrastructure was not damaged, and the collection and treatment systems are operating normally. While we don’t know the cause of the fire at this time, I was able to get our $150,000 support truck removed from the building before fire spread to the first floor.”

Edgecomb selectmen want residents to know a recent mailing wasn't sponsored by the town. On Feb. 13, several residents expressed dissatisfaction about a recent mailing asking for their input on controlling the rise in property taxes. The mailing was sent by a group of seasonal and year-round residents who complained about their property taxes last fall. Selectmen told residents the mailing didn't necessarily represent their view and the board would draft  their own response to clarify any "misrepresentations." 

The Campbell family came face to face with a nightmare Feb. 12 when a fire destroyed their home on Barters Island. However, even before the flames were out, Kristen Campbell said donations and support were coming in for her and husband Robbie. “The amount of support, there's just no words,” said Kristen Campbell at the Feb. 17 community lunch at Brady’s.

As a Lincoln County deputy sheriff, Jeff Rogers leads three programs: traffic coordinator, drone operations and patrol divisions. He can now add another one to the list. On Feb. 18, Rogers was named "Deputy of the Year" during the commissioners' meeting. 

From Boston Feb. 26 -  Antiques Roadshow will visit Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine, on Wednesday, June 18 for an all-day appraisal event as part of the series’ 30th production tour! PBS’s most-watched ongoing series will visit five cities across the country, stopping exclusively at distinctive, historic locations.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10:23 p.m., Lincoln County Emergency communications received a 911 call for a structure fire at the Brooks residence at 15 West Side Road, on Barters Island in Trevett. Boothbay Fire crews arrived on scene within five minutes to find a garage at the residence fully involved and in a condition that it could not be saved. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

Still standing after more than two centuries that included a Revolutionary War soldier, a murder, a ghost, a starring role in books, magazines and a Lifetime television program, and a move across the street to another property, a new owner will write Kenniston Hill Inn's next chapter. The Inn sits on a newly created 0.63 acre lot and was listed with Tindal & Callahan Real Estate for $179,000. On Friday, Feb. 28, J. D. Barnes Properties LLC sold it to Vintage Maine Homes, a Maine-based company headed by Patrice Cappelletti. Her work has been featured on Magnolia Network and in Downeast Magazine and Fine Homebuilding, among other publications.

March

Boothbay Region High School's Karen Higgins was the sole Seahawk to compete in the New England indoor track and field championships March 1 in Boston. Higgins placed 19th in the varsity two-mile run in 11:37.27.

Southport voters spent nearly two hours approving 58 of 59 articles during their March 3 town meeting. Voters approved a combined $4,020,000 municipal and school budget which is up approximately 5%. Voters also accepted a $657,000 bequest from Marge and Elliot Winslow Trust. The funds are designated for infrastructure and recreation. Selectman Gerry Gamage reported the funds would repair municipal floats and docks damaged during last winter's storms.

Voters passed a $2,134,343 budget for the 2026 fiscal year at the Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 annual budget meeting March 4. Around 50 residents from Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport and Georgetown participated at the Boothbay Region Elementary School gym. The total FY26 $921,536 cost to member schools is split between Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District ($541,310), Edgecomb ($190,758), Georgetown ($139,428) and Southport ($50,040). The CSD’s allocation increased 16.7%, Edgecomb’s increased 20.5%, Georgetown’s increased 10.3%, and Southport's increased 42.2%.

Traffic at the U.S. Route One intersection of Cross and Cochran roads will become more intelligent by year's end. Edgecomb entered into a contract March 4 with Maine Department  of Transportation to install a smart traffic light system. The new system blinks when traffic is light and is solid red during denser times. 

Gale Willauer is one of over 50 Edgecomb residents who attended the Citizen's Tax Group presentation March 4 about the sharp rise in property taxes. In January, she received a mailing, "Why did your property taxes increase by 32%?" This question definitely sparked her interest. The group's analysis pointed toward large spending increases in the school and fire department and municipal offices as the biggest factor in double-digit budget increases. 

BRHS Drama struck gold in Class B (schools with fewer than 450 students) competition at the Maine Drama Festival’s regional One Acts tournament held at Medomak Valley High School March 8, with their production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (adapted by Henry Thomas, provided by Concord Theatrics), beating three other schools to bring home the gold trophy and winning the opportunity to advance to state-level competition March 21-22 in Millinocket.

Boothbay residents will have two competitive municipal elections this May. Three candidates are seeking election as trustee to the Boothbay Region Water District board and two candidates for the Community School District superintending committee. Holly Stover is seeking a second term as BRWD trustee. She has two challengers: Geoffrey Smith and Brian McDonald. Incumbent Bruce MacDonald isn't seeking re-election to the superintending school committee. Victoria Paxson and Riley R. Mitchell are running for the open seat.

A gift to Southport United Methodist Church may result in community housing for the island. In 2023, Marge and Eliot Winslow gifted over 20 acres to the church with an intent of providing community outreach, according to church board of directors member Smith Climo. The church debated among its members about possible outreach options. A consensus was reached to divide the property into eight to 10 tracts suitable for affordable housing. 

Thanks to a grant from the Mid Coast Parkview Health-LincolnHealth, Community Health Improvement Fund, students at Boothbay Region High School will have a new activity to access when they return to school next September. A Challenge Course (ropes course) from  High 5 Adventure Learning Center in Brattleboro, Vermont is scheduled to be erected next to Perkins Field (the school’s field hockey field) in early August.

An unusually large crowd came to the Community School District (CSD) School Committee meeting March 11. In response to posts on social media, many residents showed up to discuss the district’s policy on transgender students. Although no board action was taken, it appears to be the first of several discussions on the issue. Committee member Stephanie Hawke said she would like to revise another policy: ACAAA, Transgender and Gender Expansive Students, which was adopted in 2019. 

An Edgecomb man charged with murder will appear in Androscoggin Superior Court at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, according to the court. Luke  Krott, 26, of Edgecomb was charged with the murder of William "Nate" Robinson  of Austinville, Virginia. Robinson's body was found inside a trash barrel Dec. 3, 2024 at Schmid Preserve in Edgecomb. 

BRHS Drama, once again, has been awarded in Class B (schools with fewer than 450 students) competition at the Maine Drama Festival. Earlier this month, they took gold, winning the regional tournament and advancing to the state-level contest which was held Saturday, March 22 at Stearns High School in Millinocket. Their production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” took second place silver, beating four other schools before falling to Corinth’s Central High School’s (CHS) “Flora & Ulysses.”

Boothbay Selectman Steve Lewis didn't attend the board's March 26 meeting. Earlier in the day, he was placed on administrative leave at his day job as Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District's manager. March 27, FBI Boston confirmed agents were at the transfer station conducting what they called "routine law enforcment activity." Boothbay Selectboard Chairman Chuck Cunningham referred all other questions regarding the visit to FBI Boston. Julia Latter, the refuse district's treasurer, told the Boothbay Register on March 27 she asked board chairman Jody Lewis for a special meeting Wednesday morning (March 26). She declined to state the special meeting's purpose and directed questions to Jody Lewis. She said he would have to consult with their (district's) lawyers prior to commenting. She referred further questions to FBI Boston. Jody Lewis, not related to Steve Lewis, spoke to the Boothbay Register on March 27. He confirmed the directors held a special meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss a personnel issue. "It was a short meeting and we voted to place the manager on unpaid leave," he said. The Boothbay Register asked him why the media wasn't notified about the special meeting. "We didn't have to. Our bylaws allow us to call a special meeting without notice to discuss a personnel issue," he said.

On March 31, Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District received an appeal from Steve Lewis' attorney, Richard Elliott, regarding his client's unpaid administrative leave. The suspension grievance was addressed to Director Kurt Crosby who represents Edgecomb on the board. According to district grievance procedures, an appeal must be filed within five days and the personnel director must respond within 10 days of receipt. In his letter, Elliott requested a "full accounting, together with copies of all evidence considered in the suspension." Elliott also asked for a copy of notice to the public regarding the March 26 special meeting. "This information should include the name of the newspaper contacted and reason for having a meeting in less than 48 hours (if same was done)," wrote Elliott. "Please include proof that Mr. Lewis was notified of the hearing as is his statutory right in any executive session that a personnel issue is addressed."

Weather depending, Boothbay Region Development Corp. expects its first housing unit to arrive this week. Emily McConnell is the project's consultant and listing agent. She reported additional units would follow on a weekly basis. "The project is moving along as planned," McConnell said March 27. The 20 townhouse units are modular homes constructed off-site and delivered to Boothbay. "These homes are built in factory and shipped to the location when ready. This guards against being impacted by elements during construction," McConnell said.  "A new unit should arrive each week, and Phase 2 should be completed shortly after Labor Day."

Around 30 people showed up at the March 31 public hearing about the Community School District’s (CSD) $1.6 million bond for priority repairs to the Boothbay region elementary and high schools. Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor residents asked the Board of Trustees and Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler about the repairs and how they would be funded. Kahler explained the bond is for items the Trustees have identified as “life safety improvements and critical repairs,” matching language in previous bonds and conditions reports. Projects at the high school include the roof, a fuel tank, security upgrades to the teacher’s entrance, gym windows, and the heating and ventilation control system, totaling $593,000. The $811,000 worth of work at the elementary school includes the roof and parapets, food refrigerators and freezers, and another fuel tank. The bond also includes a $196,000 buffer for contingencies. The district estimated the bond would cost around $2,304,000 after paying back the principal and interest, assuming 4% interest and a 20-year repayment plan.

April

The Boothbay Region High School math team, coached by Ben Powell, took third place in Class D at the 46th annual Maine State Math Meet on Tuesday, April 1. There were 24 Class D schools competing.

After almost a decade owned by Paul Coulombe, Boothbay Harbor’s Oceanside Golf Resort and Coastal Prime Restaurant is changing hands to Lafayette Hotels. The sale was finalized Dec. 27. Lafayette Hotels also owns regional properties Seagate Motel, Fisherman’s Wharf Inn, Boothbay Harbor Inn, Tugboat Inn and Pier 1. Ramsey Lafayette said no major changes are anticipated. However, “Golf” will be dropped from the name. Lafayette will partner with local restauranters Erman Celikel and Metehan Sahin of Harborside 1901 Bar and Grill for Oceanside’s food and beverage services.

The FBI is calling it a "routine law enforcement action," but the Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District directors call it an "ongoing investigation." During the April 10 meeting, the Boothbay Register asked directors to explain holding a secret March 26 meeting to discuss a possible emergency action. During the meeting, directors voted to place station manager Steve Lewis on non-paid administrative leave. The same day, FBI Boston arrived at the transfer station. Director Julia Latter said she called for the emergency meeting and that the board's bylaws allowed holding a special session without public notification. The Boothbay Register asked where the special meeting provision was located in the bylaws. Latter didn't immediately find the provision before directors directed the reporter to contact their lawyer Linda Yarmosh of Boothbay Harbor. Yarmosh was contacted but has not replied. The reporter asked directors why Steve Lewis wasn't allowed into the executive session. Latter corrected the reporter. "There was no executive session," she said. Since there was no executive session, the board wasn't required to notify Steve Lewis. Since the special meeting was open to the public and no executive session was held, the Boothbay Register asked to see the minutes of the March 26 special emergency meeting. Jody Lewis directed the reporter to contact Yarmosh. "We can't talk about it due to the FBI investigation," Jody Lewis said. "Once it ends, we'd be glad to talk about it. Believe me, I wish we could be more talkative, but we can't."

Boothbay Region High School has announced the names of the students in the Class of 2025 who will be receiving Mountain Valley Conference Academic Honors of Distinction at a reception on May 8. Congratulations to Neal Baldwin, Magen Burge, Abigail Clark, Ivory Cody, Lydia Currier, Zoe Curtis, Anna Gosselin, Hannah Hills, Bailey Lewis, Chase Mansfield, Harriet McKane, Madeline Orchard, Bella Orr and Cleyton Splaine.

On April 14, Town Manager Julia Latter updated the select board on two MaineDOT projects along Route 27. She said the MaineDOT sidewalk project, which will connect the sidewalks from Pinkham's Gourmet Market to Boothbay, is planned to begin in the fall and might be done by spring. In addition, she said MaineDOT is finishing work on Route 27.

With heavy hearts, the family of I.J. Pinkham shares the news of his passing on April 15, 2025. A beloved husband, father, Papa, friend, teacher and legendary basketball coach, I.J. touched countless lives both on and off the court. He fought the good fight, and in his quiet unassuming way, slipped peacefully from this life.

In an April 24 referendum, voters from the Boothbay region approved allowing the Community School District (CSD) to borrow up to $1.6 million. According to the ballot, this will cover “life safety improvements and critical repairs” at Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES) and Boothbay Region High School (BRHS). The results were: Boothbay: YES-166 NO-120; Boothbay Harbor: YES-155 NO-80

Boothbay Region TV and Media Center (BRTV) welcomed videographer, editor and producer Lang Sheppard as the new station manager. His career includes freelance editing and camera work for the PGA tour, CBS Sports, PBS Hawaii, Women's Tennis Association and surfing competitions, among others.

The Boothbay Harbor selectboard has walked back parking fees after a steep increase last year. April 28, selectmen approved fee decreases and a first-offense warning for many violations. As part of a suite of changes to town parking last year, many fees increased from $25 to $60. Now, selectmen have approved both a warning for the first violation and a fee reduction to $40 for several offenses, including overtime parking, double parking and exceeding a 24-hour limit. The full parking fee schedule is available from the town.  

After welcoming guests to Topside Inn for almost 11 years, owners Mark Osborn and Buzz Makarewicz sold the Inn and three other properties to SB Management, LLC of Wells on April 18. The other properties include a staff house on Eastern Avenue, a residence on Greenleaf Avenue and Mid-Town Motel.

May

Just over 50 Boothbay Harbor residents attended the annual town meeting May 3 where they approved a $6,404,935 total budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Voters passed all 29 warrant articles, but not without debate. After concerns were raised about the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service (BRAS) budget, voters agreed on a cut to the organization’s support. Overall, the total budget represents a $371,083 (6.15%) increase from last year’s. From the total budget, the $4,211,352 municipal budget is a $274,133 (6.96%) increase. Outside the municipal budget, voters also approved a combined $2,193,583 for hydrants, sanitation and community support community organizations including BRAS and the library. The amount is a $96,950 (4.62%) increase from the previous year.

All 34 referendum questions on the Boothbay municipal town meeting referendum were approved May 5. Most received overwhelming voter approval, but one nearly fizzled. Article 12 "To see if the town will vote and appropriate the sum of $10,000 for the town of Boothbay Harbor fireworks fund" was approved 251-248. In the municipal elections, all incumbents seeking re-election won. There were two contested races. The superintending school committee race pitted two first-time candidates, Victoria Paxson and Riley L. Mitchell. Paxson won 286-207. Incumbent Holly Stover won re-election to the water district board. She received 322 votes. Challenger Brian McDonald finished second with 95. Challenger Geoff Smith finished third with 79. Incumbent Russ Pinkham won re-election for selectman with 460 votes. Matthew A. Doucette was re-elected as a school trustee with 421 votes. Bernard MacPhee won re-election to the cemetery district with 432 votes.

Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor voters approved the first of two public votes for the Community School District (CSD) proposed $11.4 million budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

On April 12, the Boothbay Register issued a Freedom of Access Act request to the Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District directors for the March 26 meeting minutes. The directors held their special meeting at the Boothbay Harbor town hall without notifying the media. The special session discussed allegations of "theft and financial improprieties" at the transfer station. May 9, after directors approved the minutes, the Boothbay Register and Bangor Daily News received copies. According to the minutes, the "special meeting" was called to order at 9:03 a.m. with members Jody Lewis, Curt Crosby, Amy Harkins, Jay Warren, Chuck Cunningham and Julia Latter present. Lewis, who is the board chairman, explained Latter requested to discuss allegations she reported to the FBI. Latter is the board's treasurer and, according to the minutes, she discovered "multiple financial improprieties" implicating station manager Steve Lewis (who is not related to Jody Lewis). Her allegations were delivered in a letter to directors outlining the allegations. The letter was also sent to employees. The six directors voted unanimously to place Lewis on unpaid administrative leave. "The directors were informed the FBI would launch an investigation into the public corruption accusations immediately following the meeting hence the exigent need (immediate action) for a special meeting," according to the minutes.

The Southport swing bridge project's completion is now delayed until weeks into the boating season, according to Maine Department of Transportation. In a May 12 email update, MaineDOT Resident Engineer Sam Stilwell told local marinas and marine professionals the swing bridge will be unable to operate for marine traffic until mid-June. The update follows a previous schedule from MaineDOT, which said the bridge would be completed late May, as reported in the Register. Stillwell said product supply chain delays on necessary bridge operating machinery are causing the delay.

The newly formed "Future of our Schools" Committee is seeking a solution to a statewide concern about public education. The committee is focused on providing quality education during a time of rising costs and decreasing enrollments. Boothbay Town Manager Dan Bryer is a committee member. On May 14, Bryer updated selectmen about the committee's first meeting. On May 2, the committee made up of State Rep. Holly Stover, Boothbay Selectman Russ Pinkham, Boothbay Harbor Selectman Ken Rayle, Community School District Trustee Ron Campbell of Boothbay Harbor, former Boothbay Harbor school committee member Peggy Splaine, Rob Cronk of Southport, Superintendent Bob Kahler and Riley Mitchell of Boothbay met for the first time.

After 40 and a half years working at the Boothbay Harbor Hannaford, working her way up to manager of customer service, Beth Hardwick of Boothbay “officially retired” on Thursday, May 15.

After the first 90 minutes of the Edgecomb school budget town meeting May 17, residents had passed the second of a 21-article warrant. The remainder was a flurry of civil discourse and procedural gymnastics as voters and officials scrambled to finish business before the town referendum voting that afternoon. With no time to spare, Edgecomb voters passed the $4,158,653 FY26 budget. However, a $200,000 gap left some budgeting work to be done. Around 200 residents packed town hall for the 10 a.m. meeting. Primarily, residents spent time discussing proposed ways to trim the budget, including a $200,000 cut. Resident Stuart Smith claimed the school had a matching surplus, which could be used to lower taxpayer burden. However, school officials and others said the relevant audit has not been completed, so it is too early to tell how much of a surplus exists, if any.  The room paid special attention to Article 15, which raises and appropriates local funds, and Smith proposed reducing the recommended amount by $200,000. The vote, made by written ballot, passed 156-54, according to the moderator. The amendment created a $200,000 gap between approved expenses and funds raised. However, Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler said it is manageable. 

The first time was a charm for Forrest Carver as he won his election to the selectboard. During Edgecomb's May 17 referendum and municipal election, Carver defeated former Selectman Stuart Smith, 213-90.

Laura Chapman is one of the most successful tennis players in Boothbay history. The senior has won three consecutive Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year awards. She is likely to win a fourth later this spring. Chapman never lost an MVC match playing as Boothbay's top singles player each year. She finished her season ranked as the third best girls' singles player in the state. May 17, she reached the state singles' tournament semifinals and lost to No. 2 Molly Tefft in a tight match: 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

The Boothbay Region High School boys tennis team defeated Winthrop, 4-1, to win the 2025 Mountain Valley Conference championship on Wednesday, May 28 at Maranacook. The Seahawks finished the regular season at 10-0 and Winthrop finished 9-3. Two of Boothbay’s regular season wins were over the Ramblers, 5-0 and 3-2.

Boothbay Region Water District trustees unanimously agreed May 27 to borrow $1,433,000 with 70% principal forgiveness from the Maine Municipal Bond Bank to fund part of the district's Hendricks Hill Road water main replacement project. The operation will convert 8,000 feet of seasonal water main along Hendricks Hill Road in Southport to a buried year-round main. 

June

The Waynflete Flyers upset the Boothbay Region Seahawks, 3-2, in the semifinal round of the Class C South boyd tournament on Tuesday, June 3 at BRHS. The Flyers, a perennial top tennis program, won the first and second singles matches and the first doubles match to move on to the regional championship. Boothbay suffered its first loss of the season (11-1) after dominating the Mountain Valley Conference. Boothbay was seeded first and Waynflete was seeded fifth in Class C South. Boothbay advanced in the quarterfinal round by defeating Mountain Valley, 5-0, and Waynflete defeated Spruce Mountain, 5-0, to advance.

Diplomas were handed out to the 39 members of the Boothbay Region High School Class of 2025 during Graduation Exercises in a humidity-filled Porter Memorial Gymnasium on Friday afternoon, June 6.

Community School District voters passed the $11.4 million CSD budget for the 2026 fiscal year June 10. Overall, voters approved the Budget Validation Referendum 310-273. Towns' results differed. Boothbay Harbor Town Clerk Michelle Farnham reported 129 "yes" votes and 86 "no" votes. Boothbay Town Clerk Andrea Lowery reported 187 "no" votes and 181 "yes" votes. The referendum is decided by the aggregate votes between the towns. This was the second of two public budget votes and followed the annual CSD budget meeting May 7.

Smiles, laughter and tears were all present June 12 as 37 eighth graders and their families said goodbye to Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES) during a recognition ceremony.

Steve Lewis is now officially the former station manager of Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District. The directors voted 5-0 June 12 to terminate Lewis on June 20. Chairman Jody Lewis said the date was determined based on the district's bylaws regarding personnel decisions. "The directors will inform (Steve) Lewis by mail of the board's decision," Jody Lewis said. The directors made no comment on the ongoing FBI investigation which began March 26 or why Steve Lewis was first placed on unpaid administrative leave and later terminated. Boothbay directors Jody Lewis and Chuck Cunningham, Boothbay Harbor directors J.D. Warren and Julia Latter and Edgecomb director Curt Crosby voted to terminate him. Southport director Amy Harkins was not present.

It is with great sadness that the family of George Harrington McEvoy, 86, announces his peaceful passing at his home on June 11, 2025. His next career pursuit took him in a different direction when he managed and owned a marine hardware store which transitioned, with the help of business partners, into the Tugboat Inn and Marina. At the same time, he was immersed in creating one of his most cherished legacies, the Boothbay Railway Village Museum. Opened in 1964, the museum highlights George’s passion for historical preservation. George remained dedicated to the museum for the remainder of his lifetime, reveling in continued museum improvements and conservation of Maine’s history. His love of preservation also led to the renovation of the 142-foot wooden schooner, Sherman Zwicker, one of the last schooners to fish the Grand Banks in Newfoundland. Adding to his preservation accomplishments, in the 1980s, George stepped in to save the lighthouse keeper’s house on Ram Island, located off the coast of Boothbay Harbor, where he invested considerable time and effort in preserving the house, illustrating to visitors the challenging lifestyle of a lighthouse keeper along the coast of Maine. These are only a sampling of George’s community commitments as well as commitments made possible through the Mildred H. McEvoy Foundation. While it is impossible to list all of his contributions, he invested his time and assets to the Boothbay YMCA, Maine Public Broadcasting, Boothbay Fire and Police departments and the Boothbay Harbor Footbridge Enhancement Project.

The rain came in fits and starts, but that didn't seem to bother the lines of people whose family heirlooms were toted in buggies, wrapped in plastic and tucked under multicolored umbrellas. On June 18, thousands flocked to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens for a chance to have their treasures examined by over 70 volunteer appraisers representing 23 different categories, as part of Antiques Roadshow's tour. Gov. Janet Mills made a brief appearance to have tickets from the 1965 fight between Charles “Sonny” Liston and Muhammad Ali in Lewiston appraised, according to Roadshow Executive Producer Marsha Bemko. There will be three episodes created from the Boothbay filming. The air dates will be decided in January. 

A high-profile Lincoln County murder case is likely heading to a new venue. On June 23, Tyler Witham-Jordan's defense attorney, along with the state attorney general's prosecution team and Justice Daniel Billings, will discuss the trial's new schedule. Part of the discussion, according to a Maine Superior Court associate clerk, is moving the trial to a different venue. The associate clerk confirmed June 20, a hearing is scheduled. The first trial ended in a mistrial Dec. 11, 2024, three days into the trial. Witham-Jordan, 31, of Edgecomb and Livermore, is accused of depraved indifference murder in the Christmas Day 2022 death of Makinzlee Handrahan, 3, of Edgecomb.

Nonprofits notified in mid-June of gifts from the $410,000 Winslow trust are: Community Resource Council’s (CRC) Community Fridge, Veggies to Table, Community Resource Council’s (CRC) Food for Thought, Boothbay Region Meals on Wheels, Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) Seahawk Food Closet, Boothbay Region YMCA’s (BRYMCA) Grab’n Go Fridge, Boothbay V.E.T.S., Rebuilding Together Lincoln County, Camp Bishopwood, Education Boothbay, Student Health Advisory Board, Community Resource Council’s (CRC) Set for Success, Boothbay Region YMCA’s (BRYMCA) Camp Knickerbocker Scholarship Fund, Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library (BRML) Next 100 Capital Campaign, Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, The Community Center, New Hope Midcoast, Community Resource Council’s (CRC) Addiction Outreach, Boothbay Region District Nursing Association, LifeFlight of Maine, Education Boothbay, Education Boothbay, Moore Music Fund, and Boothbay Region YMCA’s (BRYMCA) Y-Arts.

Boothbay region "Future of our schools committee" members Ken Rayle, Rob Cronk, Dan Bryer, Robert Kahler and Russell Pinkham met Friday, June 13 and agreed to bring the possibility of submitting an initial application to Maine Department of Education for a 9-16 school, "before each of the respective boards," Bryer said, which would include Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor selectboards, Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District (CSD) school board, Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD board of trustees and Wiscasset officials.

After 23 years of extraordinary leadership, Andy Hamblett has announced that he will retire as CEO of the Boothbay Region YMCA at the end of June 2026.

On June 28, the Miss Maine Scholarship Program hosted the 2025 Miss Maine and Miss Maine Teen Competitions at the Donald M. Gay Performing Arts Center at Edward Little High School. The winners included Miss Maine Teen 2025 Alana LaCourse (East Boothbay, Miss Boothbay’s Teen). LaCourse, from East Boothbay, is an alpine skier at Gould Academy. At age 15, LaCourse is passionate about helping the less fortunate and being a good role model for children. She has formed her own nonprofit called GIVE O.N.E., which helps raise funds to help aspiring ski racers in the Maine Junior Ski League acquire equipment needed for their upcoming alpine racing season.

July

Boothbay Region Ambulance Service (BRAS) said former EMS Chief Daniel Gardner no longer works for it as of July 1. BRAS President Robert Ham told the Register the issue is a human resources matter and, at the advice of their attorney, he would not discuss it. He confirmed it was a board decision that Gardner no longer works at BRAS, which, while supported with municipal funds, is an independent, self-governed organization. Gardner began the job in 2022. July 2, he was arrested for violation of a protection from abuse (PFA) by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). Ham confirmed BRAS’s decision was made before the arrest.

Boothbay Harbor Sewer District (BHSD) operator-in-charge Chris Higgins said July 15, a “significant” number of things need repair in the collection system department, including back-up floats and battery units. A comprehensive list is being compiled. Higgins said many issues can be repaired in-house, but some replacement parts will likely need to be bought, as BHSD lost supplies in the February garage fire.

Downtown Boothbay Harbor has become the locale for a multi-stage pirate treasure hunt hosted by the non-profit organization Lighthouse Education and Nautical Studies (LENS) to raise money for experiential learning opportunities for kids in the Alternative Organizational Structure 98 school system. The event will run until Sept. 30. The hunt officially kicked off during Windjammer Days, and Jones said the experience has been a great success, with 56 groups having participated and $800 raised at the time of writing. “I think it's going to take off. I really can see it as a destination for tourism.”

Two Bridges Regional Jail (TBRJ) Administrator James Bailey reported in May, there were 157 inmates housed at TBRJ: 53 from Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties, 53 from Penobscot County, 20 from Knox County, 24 from Waldo County, four U.S. Marshal boarders, 20 ICE boarders, and one from Border Patrol. In a July 17 email to the Register, he confirmed those numbers are mostly the same: “Our number remains about the same, we average between 20-25 ICE inmates at TBRJ.” According to Bailey, the process of housing ICE follows an official path. “ICE requests bed space from us and sends us information to review and approve prior to accepting. Inmates can come from many different places including Cumberland County Jail (where most ICE detainees in Maine are held). All our inmates are here due to criminal charges. TBRJ does not accept any administrative warrant detainers. The inmates are in different phases of the immigration court process,” he wrote. ILAP executive director, Sue Roche, Esq. also provided further information that Two Bridges Regional Jail (TBRJ) Administrator James Bailey was unable to answer for the original article. Specifically, asked where ICE detainees are sent upon prison release, her reply in a July 24 email stated: "This really depends on the individual case. The Immigration Court in Chelmsford, Massachusetts now has jurisdiction over removal proceedings for individuals who reside in Maine. There is also an immigration court in Boston, but after the Chelmsford court was opened last year, most Maine cases are held in Chelmsford.” Roche said ILAP has advised some individuals at TBRJ on civil (not criminal) immigration matters. And she took exception to Bailey’s report that, “All our inmates are here due to criminal charges.” Roche responded, “But most immigrant detainees are not there on criminal charges. They are there on civil immigration charges. In our experience, most of those being detained do not have criminal records.” When asked for clarification, regarding inmates specifically at TBRJ versus others across Maine, she replied, “Yes, this is regarding individuals we have encountered at Two Bridges as well as across Maine.”

Boothbay Harbor's appeals board ruled against Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation (BHWP) July 17 in a split vote that upheld a decision by Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Geoff Smith. Smith's decision required the organization to apply for a flood hazard development permit to make repairs at 65 Atlantic Ave. Representing BHWP, attorney Anthony Muri said the question was whether the organization is obligated to get a flood hazard development permit to repair or replace siding, roof shingles, doors and other items on a building. According to him, ordinances allow limited repair work without a permit. He argued that the two relevant, and somewhat conflicting, town ordinances could be harmonized by allowing BHWP to proceed without one. However, town attorney Dan Stockburn argued the board does not have jurisdiction because Smith did not deny an application or take enforcement action.

Whether it's graduations, town meetings or bake sales, for almost 150 years, the Boothbay Register has covered community news, big and small, for all 52 weeks of the year. Soon, all that history will just be a click away. In partnership with Boothbay Region Historical Society (BRHS), the Register is launching the “Your History, Your Story” campaign, whose goal is to digitize the newspaper, creating an easily searchable, electronic catalog on Digital Maine. Names of project sponsors will be enshrined on the cover pages for each year. The highest tier supporters and businesses will receive the equivalent of a 2/3-page ad space on said page where they can advertise or leave a special message.

A resident has complained to Maine Department of Transportation and more recently to the selectboard about Southport Swing Bridge. On July 22, Southport selectmen received an email from Debrah Yale. In her email to MaineDOT, Southport selectmen and over a dozen Southport and Boothbay Harbor residents, Yale requested noise mitigation at the bridge. In the email, she cited the bells ringing non-stop for 10 minutes July 19.

Boothbay selectmen tabled a proposed notice of violation July 23 due to receiving "insufficient background." The board reviewed Code Enforcement Officer Dan Feeney's letter sent June 5 to property owner Robert Reed regarding his 323 West Side Road property. Town Manager Dan Bryer prefaced the proposed notice of violation saying "this has been a problem for years" in that several letters sought a property clean-up which went unanswered. "We thought this might start a clean-up," Bryer said.

Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation (BHWP) filed a motion July 25 for the Board of Appeals to reconsider a July 17 decision against it. July 17, the board ruled against BHWP, upholding an April decision by the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO). The decision required the organization to apply for a flood hazard development permit to make repairs at 65 Atlantic Ave. Representatives from three affiliated parties, the town, abutters and CEO, presented their cases during the meeting. However, according to BHWP, the July 17 hearing, and events leading up to it, contained several irregularities and errors across several parties. Their arguments include allegations of improper document delivery, misleading information, unfair treatment, and mistakes in legal interpretations.

August

Lincoln County commissioners declined to apply for two Homeland Security Grants (HSG) Aug. 5, citing a new requirement for cooperation with federal immigration officials. County Administrator Carrie Kipfer had read the application and discovered a new provision requiring recipients to cooperate with federal immigration forces. She added that applicants had until Aug. 2 to apply, so she contacted two commissioners prior to their next meeting.

Boothbay selectmen had a room full of people during their Aug. 13 board meeting with seemingly nothing to say. A crowd attended in hopes of discussing the notice of violations regarding two West Side Road properties, but nobody spoke during the two public forums. Following the meeting, the Boothbay Register asked several residents why they attended and didn't comment. Lisa Burnham, Nicholas Morley and Matthew Burnham said they wanted to support a resident's right to private property. "Nobody spoke because we were waiting for it to come up on the agenda. We didn't know we were supposed to speak during public forums," Lisa Burnham said. Had they spoken, Lisa Burnham said the public would've spoken in favor of Robert Reed and Robbie Campbell whose West Road properties have received notice of violations. Campbell is working with town officials on rectifying his violations and is not, at this time, in danger of being fined.

The Community School District (CSD) moved forward on creating a new subcommittee during a meeting Aug. 12. The School Committee gave Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler approval to formalize an official Future of the Schools group under district leadership. Kahler said it is time for an official committee under the CSD School Committee and Board of Trustees. "(The process) should not be led by community members, and it cannot be led by them. It really needs to be led by the school committee.”

The defense and prosecution teams agreed Aug. 6 to resume the Tyler Witham-Jordan murder case in February 2026, but they are still considering locations to try the case, according to Lincoln County Superior Court records. Maine Superior Court Justice Dan Billings met with the prosecution and Witham-Jordan's defense team and reached an agreement of the February 2026 timeframe, but they haven't reach agreed on the date. Witham-Jordan was charged in the Christmas Day 2022 death of 3-year-old Makinzlee Handrahan. On Dec. 11, 2024, his trial came to a sudden halt in Lincoln County Superior Court after an emotional courtroom outburst by the victim’s mother.

Maine State Police have made an arrest in the murder of Levern Kelly, who was found deceased in a Waldoboro home, Aug. 9. Detectives tracked the man to Florida with the assistance of the MIAC in Maine and Volusia County, Florida. According to State Police, Detectives from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-Central obtained an arrest warrant on Aug. 15 for James Clark, 49, of Damariscotta, charging him with murder. The warrant was issued following several days of investigation into the death of Levern Kelley of Waldoboro.

The Boothbay Harbor Board of Appeals denied a reconsideration request from Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation (BHWP) at their Aug. 14 meeting. The move is the latest in a series of complications in ongoing conflict around the proposed Eastside Waterfront Park project. July 17, the board ruled against BHWP, upholding a decision made by the code enforcement officer (CEO) in April. The decision required the organization to apply for a flood hazard development permit to make repairs at 65 Atlantic Ave. July 25, BHWP filed a motion for the board to reconsider. The focus of BHWP’s arguments on Aug. 14 was documents and information presented during the July 17 meeting. BHWP lawyer Anthony Muri said information was presented too late to review and appropriately respond to while also focusing on the meeting business at hand. “There is good reason to doubt that due process was provided to Preservation when so much important material comes in so late in the game without an opportunity to rebut it. That makes for unfairness. That's the core of the legal matter from our point of view,” he said. However, Chair Wendy Wolf said she felt the board's decision was made on appropriate legal and procedural interpretations. “The board made a determination, and I feel that that was done fairly,” she said. “And it was done looking at all the materials submitted. And I don't think there was any undue influence from opinions from others, but it was purely a reading on our ordinances.” BHWP representative John O’Connell told the Register they are disappointed with the decision and are evaluating their options going forward.

Several Knickerbocker residents raised concerns about water quantity in the lake and other issues during an Aug. 12 Boothbay Region Water District (BRWD) trustee meeting. The main concern of the group was the decreased water level in Knickerbocker, and whether the lake can adequately replenish. As of Aug. 12, BRWD has withdrawn 19 million gallons, according to General Manager Weston Alley. Residents also raised concerns about drought awareness. BRWD said if drought levels progressed to where the public needed to be alerted, information would be on their website and in the Boothbay Register.

Edgecomb's code enforcement officer told selectmen Aug. 19, "It's going to take more than Marian writing another letter" to resolve a longstanding land use matter regarding Glidden Point Oyster Farms. Marian Anderson, Edgecomb's code enforcement officer, requested selectmen seek a legal opinion regarding the farm's operation. Anderson told selectmen she has sent a letter and email to Glidden officials regarding her concerns about the farm acting as a Class A restaurant without receiving town approval.

Aug. 20, 11 Southport residents took the selectmen up on their offer and showed up. This time, the group provided unofficial data recorded regarding the bridge's safety mechanism's operation. Thomas Yale acted as the group's spokesman and told selectmen how excessive noise and lights had diminished their quality of life. "The restored Southport Bridge has created significant noise, light and traffic disruptions for residents, exceeding reasonable standards and conflicting with state regulations," he said. The group sought selectmen's assistance in bringing Maine Department of Transportation officials together with residents to discuss possible solutions. Yale pointed out that MaineDOT modified the Barters Island bridge's operation after residents' complaints. The group claims an adverse impact from bright lights and excessive noise prevents them from using their porches or outdoor space. Other problems include sleep disruption from loud, prolonged bells extending up to 2,000 feet away, traffic backed up .2 of a mile which blocks driveways, blinding pedestrian hazards from excessive lighting and property values and impact on wildlife. "We support bridge preservation, but request common-sense modifications to restore community quality of life. Simple adjustments can maintain safety while respecting residential neighbors who have lived harmoniously with bridge operations for decades," Yale said. Selectman Smith Climo responded that there wasn't much town officials could do other than "rattle a few cages at DOT."

CSD board members continued discussions about their role as defined in the CSD Charter. They also talked about a recently formed Duties and Responsibilities joint subcommittee consisting of members from both the trustee and committee boards, which met for the first time on Aug. 5. “I think we have a lot to discuss, because our vote doesn't even count right now,” said trustee chair Sewall Maddocks at the Aug. 14 meeting. According to trustees, the 2023 charter diminished the board's role. Now, trustees and subcommittee members have reviewed proposed draft revisions that could return some duties before the legislative closure deadline. “I don't want to lose an opportunity to at least begin a change,” said trustee Paul Roberts. “I don't want to go through last year again, through 16, 18, 20 meetings, to get to a budget meeting to find out that whether I raise my hand or not doesn't matter.” The groups are also reviewing draft charter language that sets a new cost limit required to initiate a bond referendum. Currently, any amount over $250,000 must be approved by referendum. However, board members said the amount is too little for substantial repairs, and the process would be too slow for an emergency. They discussed raising the amount to align with the cost of emergency flood repairs in 2022, or a percentage of the total budget.

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, St. Andrews Village residents, staff, and invited guests came together to celebrate the retirement community’s 25th anniversary. On a picture-perfect Maine day, attendees enjoyed a gourmet Polynesian lunch on the back patio and lawn areas of the Inn. Guests’ attire complimented the luau-themed colorful affair. Jazz quartet Mickey Felder and Friends provided music.

The Adams Pond Road project is moving along, according to Boothbay Public Works Director Michael Alley. Alley said the new, freshly paved Adams Pond Road reopened Aug. 28. The project, a partnership between the town and Boothbay Region Water District (BRWD), moved about 1,000 feet of the road away from the pond onto adjacent water district land. The aim is to help protect the open public water source from potential pollutants, including road salts and sand, oil and other chemicals part of normal transportation.

September

Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office announce the arrest of people for aggravated drug trafficking in Edgecomb. Arrested were John Andretta Jr., 36, of Edgecomb, charged with aggravated trafficking Schedule “W” Drugs class A; Jeanna Gustafson, 42, of Edgecomb, charged with trafficking Schedule “W” drugs class B; and Wyatt Cannady, 21, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, charged with trafficking Schedule “W” Drugs class B. MDEA agents and LCSO have been jointly investigating drug trafficking in the town of Edgecomb.

It was past dark on the open ocean, and Boothbay captain Nicholas Morley and the crew of Locked n Loaded were in a fight with a fish the weight of a large grizzly bear. Matthew Burnham was on the bow with a spotlight, guiding the boat through a "minefield" of lobster traps while Morley’s father was at the helm. The others worked to bring in what would be a $50,000 bluefin tuna. The Boothbay Harbor Tuna Challenge took place Aug. 31 through Sept. 4, with a shutdown day Sept. 3. According to organizers, the 100 boats in the tournament brought in 45 fish, totaling 25,058 pounds over the four days of fishing. The five-man Locked n Loaded crew hooked the winning fish around 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1, the second day of the fourth annual event.

More than 125 players, making up 60 teams, competed in the Maine Cornhole Classic (MCC) fundraiser, formerly the Boothbay Cornhole Classic, Sept. 6 to benefit Special Olympics Maine’s Unified Champion Clubs and Augusta Area Food Bank. The event included both competitive and social team categories, and the return of the Airmail Challenge.

Sept. 10, Boothbay Selectman Russ Pinkham updated members on the "Future of Our Schools" committee work. Boothbay and Wiscasset are planning to submit a joint application to the Maine Department of Education to build a regional grades 9-16 school. The state is sponsoring a pilot program and seeking applicants for the experimental school.

A recent Boston Globe article caught the attention Newcastle resident Jan Schwartz which resulted in her attending the Sept. 16 Lincoln County commissioners' meeting. The Sept. 6 news article listed five New England locations as new facilities to house illegal alien detainees. Four facilities are in New Hampshire and the fifth was identified as Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. She asked county officials for more information about jail authority operations. County Sheriff Todd Brackett is a member of the 12-person Two Bridges Regional Jail Authority Advisory Board. Brackett told her he couldn't "speak on behalf of the board" and referred questions to Col. James Bailey, the jail's administrator. Brackett later commented on the jail's practices regarding ICE (Immigration and Custom Enforcement) prisoners. "We don't hold any ICE detainees on administrative warrants in the jail. They must have committed a crime in Maine or the U.S.," he said.

National Honor Society (NHS) welcomed six new Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) inductees Sept. 18 in the gymnasium. The new members, all juniors, are Allan (A.J.) Crocker, Ronan Drage, Cole Hyson, Casey Phelps, Sabine Pochee and Cale Rogers. The new inductees were honored in a ceremony by their peers and current members, all seniors: Madeleine Andreason, Rose Campbell, Sarah Harris, Hannah Kreft, Eleanor Marshall, Justine Marshall, Piper McKane (absent) and Abigail Orchard.

The driver of a 2024 BMW X5 drove through the Boothbay Harbor Walgreens store Sept. 22. The accident, which occurred a little after noon, left a hole in the building. First responders with the Boothbay Harbor Fire Department, Boothbay Harbor Police Department, and the Boothbay Region Ambulance showed up shortly after. According to Fire Department Chief Nick Upham said workers inside the building were uninjured because they had moved away from the point of impact shortly before the incident. Upham said there was no indication that the driver was under the influence.

Charges of violating a protection from abuse (PFA) order were dropped against former Boothbay Region EMS Chief Daniel Gardner Sept. 15, according to documents from Lincoln County Courthouse. Assistant District Attorney Kent Murdick signed the dismissal, citing insufficient evidence. July 2, Gardner was arrested for violation of a PFA against a former romantic partner by Lincoln County sheriff's officers. He was later charged with the dropped Class D offense. The PFA remains in effect until July 15, 2027. However, before the arrest, Gardner was dismissed from his job at Boothbay Region Ambulance Service (BRAS). “I was not given a fair shake,” Gardner said. "I wasn't allowed to talk to the board. They never asked me my input. Nothing. Nothing at all. I've had no write-ups. Never been disciplined. I was given a personnel review, (and) I got a pay raise. And I met with the board once a month. And I saw a majority of them pretty consistently. Nobody ever said anything about what was on that list that they terminated for. Never once.”

The Community School District trustees are on a mission to put right what once went wrong. On Sept. 24, Chairman Sewall Maddocks Jr. of Boothbay Harbor asked for Boothbay selectmen's assistance in restoring the trustees' authority under the charter. In 2019 and 2023, the charter was changed to remove outdated language and include a few updates requested by both towns' selectmen. Boothbay selectmen told Maddocks their understanding of the 2023 major charter changes included reinstating the budget validation vote by secret ballot and all expenditures over $250,000 would receive a public vote. But after voters approved the new charter in November 2023, the trustees lost powers and responsibilities they had from 1953 to 2023. Maddocks told selectmen the superintending school committee began performing duties trustees once had. "I read the '53 agreement, and it was pretty clear," Maddocks said. "In section 2, the school committee has the responsibility for hiring and paying teachers and the education curriculum. Everything else was handled by the trustees. We now wonder why there is even a need for a trustees board."

A handful of letters are at the heart of a Community School District (CSD) predicament since April, when the Board of Trustees discovered its budget vote potentially had no impact. Sept. 25, trustees passed several motions to move new charter language to the state legislature. In addition, a potential explanation for the initial changes has come to light. In an ongoing discussion, trustees and other elected officials have said the final version of the 2023 CSD Charter differed from what the town reviewed during the approval process. In public forums, the issue has been brought up at trustee, CSD subcommittee, and Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor selectboard meetings. The issue largely revolves around a line in the third section: “The board of trustees may act as a building and facilities governing committee, including authority in consultation with the district school committee over the budget for maintaining, repairing, replacing and improving the community school district's buildings and other facilities and over the district's capital reserve funds.” However, according to documents from the district, charter language approved by both school boards and selectboards in 2023 read “The board of trustees shall act as a building and facilities governing committee ...” That change from “shall” to “may” could have removed much of the trustees' authority, according to the trustees.

October

New Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 figures, alongside state data, show steady enrollment in recent years. AOS 98 recently reported that, as of Oct. 1, 656 students are enrolled in the district, one more student than at the same time last year. According to data from Maine Department of Education, overall enrollment has remained relatively steady for around the past seven years.

On Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2:28 a.m., Lincoln County Emergency Communications issued a mutual aid, 1st alarm fire call for a structure fire at a residence located at 79 Western Avenue in Boothbay Harbor, which is situated directly across from St. Andrews Urgent Care. Boothbay Harbor Fire Chief Nick Upham, who was first on the scene and arrived within minutes of the call, found the structure fully involved with fire showing from the first and second stories and penetrating through the roof. The Maine State Fire Marshal's Office reported Sunday night, Oct. 5 that following an on-scene investigation, officials determined the fire was electrical in nature and originated from the back side of the residence.

For only the second time in the program’s 50-year history, the Boothbay Region High School field hockey team has reached 10 wins in a season by winning its last four games. The last team to reach 10 wins was the 2017 team coached by Donna Jordan, which ended up 13-3 overall. The Seahawks, now 10-1-1 and in second place in Class C South, defeated Oak Hill, Winthrop, Spruce Mountain and Telstar this week.

Legal action around the $30 million referendum for renovations to Boothbay Region Elementary School continued this month as lawyers presented oral arguments to Maine Supreme Judicial Court Oct. 10 at Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland. The move is the latest in a dispute around the 2024 referendum to bond renovations at the school. June 2024, eight petitioners filed the lawsuit against the Community School District (CSD) and Board of Trustees, arguing their rights were violated when the district rejected a petition for a new referendum. They requested the court declare the petition valid and the district hold a new vote. In December, a Lincoln County Superior Court justice denied the plaintiffs' request. In the Oct. 10 hearing, attorney Kristin Collins said the plaintiff’s argument comes down to the intent of laws around reconsidering a referendum. She said the plaintiffs met requirements by submitting their petition for reconsideration by the deadline with the required number of signatures, and it should have been accepted by the district. After hearing arguments, the court adjourned. Justices said they will render their verdict on Patricia M. Minerich v. Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District. No timeline was provided.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, the Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame held their 18th annual Induction at the Rockland Elks Club. Two Boothbay Region High School graduates, William Tompkins, Class of 1969, and Katie Sibley, Class of 2003, and the 1983/84 BRHS Girls Basketball Team were all inducted.

November

The second-best field hockey season in Boothbay Region High School’s history came to a close as the fourth-seeded Winthrop-Maranacook Ramblers defeated the top-seeded Seahawks, 1-0, on Perkins Field, BRHS Saturday afternoon, Nov. 1 in a tournament semifinal of Class C South. The lone goal was scored by Sophie Shuman with 9:54 to play in the fourth quarter. The loss gave the Seahawks a final record of 12-2-2, only one less victory than the 2017 team. The Seahawks had advanced to the semifinal game with a 2-0 win over Traip Academy on Oct. 29.

Seahawk cross country runners exceeded predicted seed performances at the Maine Class C State Championships Nov. 1 in Augusta. Coach Nick Scott said, despite challenging conditions, the athletes surpassed expectations in the final meet of the season. Boothbay’s top male runner, AJ Crocker, was seeded 21st. He came in 11th, less than a second away from being in the top 10. Maddie Andreasen, the top female, was seeded around 30th and came in 17th. However, their performance doesn't come as a total surprise. Despite the losses, both teams were able to keep up their records. He said the girls won their fourth Mountain Valley Conference championship in a row, and the boys qualified for states for the 17th year.

In the fall of 1960, Walt Gorneau was the captain of the Hallowell High School football team. For the first 18 years of his life, tackling a ball carrier, hitting a pitch or shooting a basketball played a pivotal role in his life. Gorneau was a natural three-sport athlete and he co-captained the Hallowell baseball and basketball teams as a senior. But the one sport he didn’t play or coach will honor him in December with induction to the Maine State Soccer Hall of Fame. Gorneau is one of 11 who will become charter members. “I never expected anything like this. All I can say is this is all about longevity,” the 83-year-old Gorneau said. In 1972, he became a soccer official joining the Midcoast Board of Approved Soccer officials. He has officiated soccer for 53 years and has no plans to stop.

Towns in the newspaper’s coverage area mirrored the state result in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 Election Day referendum vote – no on Question 1 and yes on Question 2. Question 1, a Citizen Initiative, asked “Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?" Question 2, also a Citizen Initiative, asked “Do you want to allow courts to temporarily prohibit a person from having dangerous weapons if law enforcement, family, or household members show that the person poses a significant danger of causing physical injury to themselves or others?"

The Edgecomb Planning Board will take a closer look at a proposed oyster processing facility Nov. 15 with a site walk of 637 River Road. Owner Ryan McPherson is looking to expand his Glidden Point Oyster Farm operation on River Road with two proposals. During the Nov. 6 planning board meeting, McPherson’s application for an oyster processing barn and proposed oyster gear maintenance barn was tabled. Chairman Rebecca Graham said the application was tabled because the “applicant wasn’t ready.” The second proposal, for an oyster processing facility with associated access drives, parking, loading areas, utilities and storm water management infrastructure, will receive a planning board visit. Nov. 15. A site plan review is scheduled for 10 a.m. Graham said the board will discuss their findings at the next scheduled board meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 in the town hall.

Budget Committee member Joe McSwain made a direct request Nov. 12 to Edgecomb selectmen. He wanted the board to provide guidance in making budget recommendations for the 2026-27 fiscal year. "A couple years ago, you gave us a range, or not to exceed a certain figure. I'd like you to do that, again. That way, whatever we recommend wouldn't seem to be as 'mean,'" he said. Selectmen responded they would discuss their budget goals during a December workshop. "We really haven't had a chance to talk about our goals. We all have our own goals which I'm sure will be discussed," Selectboard Chairman Michael Maxim said.

The transfer station's "pick pile" will remain closed due to insurance liability concerns. Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District directors made that decision Nov. 13 after consulting with their insurance carrier. Chairman Jody Lewis said he and district officials had made repeated contacts with their insurance carrier about liability questions stemming from the pick pile. "They don't recommend doing it, but they won't tell you not to do it. It's a gray area," he said. Even with the uncertainty, directors discussed making improvements around the pick pile to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. In other action, Lewis reported the FBI visited the transfer station Nov. 3 to perform a "forensic audit." The FBI began its investigation of the transfer station and Giles Rubbish on March 26. Lewis confirmed the investigation continues, but he had no further updates. "All I can say is they were here. They don't tell us much," he said.

The Community School District (CSD) School Committee and Board of Trustees agreed on several proposed changes to the district charter at a joint meeting Nov. 13. The move is a step forward in a months-long process, after 2023 charter revisions removed much of the trustees' authority, according to members of both boards. The boards passed three motions by a wide majority in separate votes that proposed draft revisions. One stated the trustees “shall” have authority over the district's capital reserve expenditures and act as a building and facilities governing committee with authority over the budget for maintaining, repairing, replacing and improving the CSD’s buildings, facilities, and capital purchases, excluding instructional equipment. The proposed language also states trustees have authority over the district's capital reserve funds. In addition, the boards agreed on a joint procedure to prepare the annual budget. Draft language stated the trustees should prepare revenues and expenditures for the facilities and capital portion of the budget, and the committee should prepare expenditures for the operation portion. The boards also approved changes directing trustees to call a district meeting for capital bonds over $250,000. According to Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler, the process is the same as municipalities follow and would fulfill resident approval requirements without the cost of a referendum, which could be around $10,000. Board members also agreed that bylaws be created, as necessary, through a joint process with both boards to implement the charter.

A resident is organizing a public discussion regarding an evaluation of Pratt's Island drinking water wells. Nov. 19, Sarah Sherman discussed a letter she submitted to the selectboard and code enforcement officer regarding blasting on the south end of Pratt's Island. Sherman told selectmen she is already on her third water well and is concerned about an upcoming blasting project by her abutter. "There is no place for a fourth. A salt-water osmosis system starts at $60,000 which is something we can't afford," she said. "We are year round residents and not only are we concerned about our well, there are concerns about saltwater intrusion to the 20 other wells on the island." In the letter, Sherman wrote she has two main concerns. One is further blasting may create more saltwater intrusion into local wells. The second regards the structural integrity of "our homes, blasting can crack foundations, windows, and sheetrock."

Boothbay Region Water District (BRWD) General Manager Weston Alley reported Nov. 25, Bigelow Laboratory is working on a report about local water quality, using results from PFAS ("forever chemicals") testing conducted in the watershed. “The water quality of Adams Pond and Knickerbocker (Lake) is awesome compared to water bodies in the state ... The money that we've spent, and the time we’ve spent into (PFAS) testing has definitely paid off,” he said.

Nick Upham, Boothbay Harbor’s fire chief and public works foreman, was put on administrative leave Nov. 26, according to Town Manager Julia Latter. Latter said he is on leave with pay. Latter said she could not provide further details or an explanation because it is a personnel matter currently under review. She said more information will be released once a determination has been made. However, she confirmed law enforcement is not involved.

Charlotte Nutt of Edgecomb announces candidacy for House District 48 (Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, South Bristol, Southport, and Westport Island). Representative Holly Stover is serving her last term due to state term limits. The election will be on Nov. 3, 2026. Nutt will run as a Democrat.

What started as a gray, drizzly morning turned into a crisp, sunny day as a crowd of runners and walkers crossed the starting line for the 2025 Boothbay Region Turkey Trot. Around 160 people registered at Boothbay Region High School for the event, which raised almost $4,000 to support upkeep of the school’s cross-country trail.

December

On Dec. 2, Lincoln County commissioners unanimously approved a 2026 budget of $15,324,218 which reflects a 3.48% increase. Commissioners made a last-minute revision prior to passage. Commissioner David Levesque requested increasing Elder Care Network of Lincoln County funding by another $10,000. Commissioners amended the proposed $25,000 to $35,000 for the network.

Boothbay Harbor Fire Chief Nick Upham has resigned. The Boothbay Harbor Selectboard accepted his decision at their Dec. 8 meeting. “We accept the resignation and wish to thank Nick for his years of service,” said Chair Michael Tomko at the meeting. Upham had been employed by the town for over a decade and was appointed fire chief in 2012. Over the years, he has also served as a police officer, shellfish warden and harbor master. He resigned from his most current jobs as fire chief, public works foreman, and reserve police officer. Upham said he was resigning "due to personal reasons" Dec. 3 in a letter to Town Manager Julia Latter.

About two dozen Pratts Island residents attended, either in-person or via Zoom, a Dec. 3 informational hearing on potential risks to the neighborhood's clean water supply. The session was organized by Sarah Sherman, who has lived at her South End location for the past 28 years. Her family is on their third well after the prior two fell victim to saltwater intrusion. She is concerned about the impact on her well from a potential blasting on an abutting property. Sherman organized the forum to share information with island homeowners and municipal officials about the possible consequences on the island's other 20-plus freshwater wells from blasting. She is hoping town officials will delay the blasting long enough for a completed hydrology study.In an unexpected turn of events, Sherman learned Friday, Dec. 5 that the blasting project has been called off. “Friday morning, one of my neighbors contacted me with congratulations, that they decided not to blast. I then called the inspector and verified that this was true and she had told me that she had been notified by Maine Drilling and blasting on Thursday afternoon,” said Sherman.

Following a Dec. 4 public hearing, the Edgecomb Planning Board approved a permit for 634 River Road LLC to construct an oyster processing plant across the street from Glidden Oyster Farm Co. Andrew Johnson of Atlantic Resource Consultants described the project as packaging oysters brought up from the shore for packaging and distribution. River Road resident David Tonry challenged several parts of the application. He along with other neighbors have sought municipal action against Glidden Oyster Farm Co. for the past couple years. He asked if the planning board would require owner Ryan McPherson to resolve pending alleged violations on his oyster farm prior to receiving approval for the processing plant. Acting Planning Board Chairman Paula Swetland denied Tonry's request. Tonry also listed 14 items where he believed the application was incomplete, but the board denied each one.

Lincoln County Superior Court ruled in favor of Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation (BBHWP) in a Dec. 5 decision on a shoreland zoning permit application for Eastside Waterfront Park. Justice Daniel Billings granted the organization’s appeal of a Boothbay Harbor Board of Appeals decision to vacate the application, effectively affirming its approval. However, days later, a notice of appeal was filed to contest the decision. “Basically, without having that shoreland zoning permit, we're restricted from doing pretty much anything else,” BBHWP President John O’Connell said about work along the shore. He said they want to put sod on the lawn, replace windows in a pavilion building, and lift a boathouse, projects he said have been put on hold without the permit. The ruling concluded that the matter be remanded back to the appeals board with instructions to affirm the planning board’s initial approval of the shoreland zoning permit application. Dec. 9, the Doyles filed a notice of appeal against the decision, according to attorney Kristin Collins. Collins said her clients agree that the board of appeals was correct in determining the plan didn’t satisfy shoreland zoning requirements. She said the appeal will also address “other noncompliance issues,” including more impervious area than allowed, wastewater and stormwater drainage issues, and commercial elements to the project.

Boothbay Region Water District (BRWD) was declared Maine’s Best Tasting Water during Maine Rural Water Association’s 45th Annual Conference & Trade Show Dec. 11. The competition pitted water districts from across the state against one another other in two categories: water treated with a disinfectant (such as chlorine) and water without a disinfectant. BRWD cinched this year's disinfectant title by a half-point. The district also won the category in 2021.

Emergency Medical Services Chief Kristen Roberts has been learning all about her new job at Boothbay Region Ambulance Service. For Roberts, 42, of Damariscotta, the first few weeks have been all about becoming accustomed to the nearly three dozen employees, new ambulances and equipment. "A lot of listening and learning about the crew and the service," she said. "My focus now is on compliance, management and leading." BRAS directors hired a consultant who led the search for a new director. Don Gerrish, a municipal consultant at Eaton Peabody, received 10 applications, which he narrowed down for the directors.

In a split decision, Lincoln County commissioners voted to begin negotiations for a Damariscotta property as a possible new public safety building complex. County officials began considering moving the sheriff's department, emergency management agency and communication center in 2023 following a consultant's report. The decision was made following a structural assessment of the sheriff's building. An advisory committee consisting of Sheriff Todd Brackett, EMA Director Emily Huber and Communications Director Tara Doe are the current committee members charged with finding a suitable centralized location with easy access to Route One and 15 acres of land for the complex. On Dec. 16, the search possibly came to a conclusion as a possible location was identified by the committee. Commissioners William Blodgett and David Levesque voted to begin negotiations with a Damariscotta landowner. District 1 Commissioner Evan Goodkowsky opposed the location. "Not for me," Goodkowsky said. "I want it west of the Damariscotta River."