Boothbay is anxious to begin Clifford Park renovations, but it looks like the project will not begin until at least early summer. The town was recently notified it 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. “There is a glut of federal grants, and ours won’t be processed until early summer. We planned an aggressive approach seeking engineering and other bids this spring, but it’s looking more like June, at the earliest, before getting started,” Town Manager Dan Bryer said. 

Selectman Steve Lewis prefers proceeding in the spring due to the unpredictable Maine weather. “We should contact (U.S. Senators) Collins and King to speed this up. In Maine, you really need to work when you can,” Lewis said. The Clifford Park improvements include a new little league field, bleachers, multi-use field,  playground, Americans with Disabilities Act compliant bathrooms and pavilion, increased public parking and walkways.

Selectmen also discussed another project expected to begin next year. In 2010, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Boothbay Region YMCA agreed to construct a sidewalk from the Y to Clifford Park. But several unforeseen events delayed the project over the years. Bryer reported the project may proceed this spring in a limited manner. “Due to increased construction costs, we may have to split it into two projects. Construction costs have significantly risen, and we don’t have the money to complete the entire work at this time,” he said. 

In other action, Bryer reported the town office received a complaint about Lincoln County’s message board at the roundabout’s entrance. The electronic message read “Santa’s watching. Wear a mask.” Bryer did not forward the complaint to county officials, but on Dec. 10, the message was no longer on the sign. On Dec. 10, Bryer reported the county usually coordinates its electronic messages with Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

Selectmen approved placing a 0.8 acre Wiscasset Road tax-acquired property out to bid. Bryer described the parcel as unoccupied with no building and heavily wooded. Selectmen will seek bids with the caveat of “rejecting any or all bids.” Bryer reported there are around $8,000 in back taxes and the former owner did not have much interest in retaining the property.

Selectmen unanimously approved allowing Bryer to buy a used van for municipal services. Bryer described the current van as “old and unable to receive an inspection sticker.” He shopped for used vans at O’Connors in Augusta and Hawke Motors in Boothbay Harbor. Bryer reported he likes a used 2019 Dodge Caravan at Hawke Motors listed at $19,000. “They will allow a trade-in of our old one-ton pickup,” he said. Selectmen approved up to $12,000 along with the trade-in for the purchase. Bryer is not sure what to do with the current van. 

The meeting ended with selectmen holding an executive session. The board did not return to open forum. Selectmen are undecided about holding a Wednesday, Dec. 23 meeting. Bryer said “selectmen would only meet if a pressing issue occurred.”