Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is restarting its project to extend sidewalk from Pinkham’s Gourmet Market to Boothbay Common on Route 27. In a discussion with Boothbay Harbor Sewer District (BHSD) last month, MaineDOT said that some of BHSD’s manholes conflict with installing sidewalk curbing, and suggested underground components be turned.   

As reported in the Register, Operator-in-Charge Chris Higgins explained that any manhole work would involve tearing up large sections of road. This has been a recurring discussion between the parties for a decade. 

However, during a July 7 BHSD trustees' meeting, Higgins said MaineDOT has since decided its contractor will work around the manholes. “They decided not to bother, because they would probably get a lot of backlash for having a really big hole, eight of them, in a nice new road."  

While reviewing expenses, trustees noticed the First National Wealth Management line item was about $25,734 over its projected yearly budget; $90,734 as of June 26, versus a budgeted $65,000 for the year. Higgins found that there had been a large market adjustment at the end of March.  

In an email July 8, Higgins said he was awaiting clarification from First National.  

In other business, the district is sending a letter to Sebago Technics to affirm that it can handle the additional sewage capacity from 10, four-bedroom homes that are being built at Boothbay Harbor Country Club’s golf course.  

Maine Municipal Association will conduct a plant safety assessment Aug. 19.