With the long anticipated U.S. Route 1 and Route 27 Maine Department of Transportation projects beginning earlier this month, Selectman Ted Hugger had an obvious question prepared for Project Manager Ernie Martin. During the June 14 selectmen’s meeting, Hugger asked “What do you have in place for traffic delays of 30 minutes or more?” Hugger owns the nearby Cod Cove Inn, and reported patrons are already complaining about traffic delays. Martin explained the longest delay would likely last 10 minutes. “Obviously. there will be delays. but we are leaving it up to the contractor. We don’t see any real issues, especially after July 7,” he said. 

Board Chairman Dawn Murray asked if the project would be plagued by lingering effects of coronavirus. She had concerns that current material and labor shortages would end up delaying one or both projects. Martin assured the board both projects had enough state funding, manpower and supplies. The U.S. Route 1 and Route 27 project is designed toward creating a safer intersection for merging traffic. This project began June 7 and is expected to finish by the end of July, according to Martin.

MDOT will switch over to Eddy Road and start with tree clearing before embarking on blasting in removing ledge and replacing a retaining wall. Martin also agreed to post a sign limiting Eddy Road traffic to locals only. Selectmen were concerned the U.S. Route 1 and Route 27 project would create more motorists seeking to avoid a bottleneck and use Eddy Road as a quicker alternative. Martin reported that, during a recent Wiscasset project, he established good contacts with Lincoln County Sheriff Department and believed he could arrange for law enforcement monitoring of Eddy Road.

In other action, the Boothbay Register asked selectmen about a recent planning board agenda item regarding ”illegal condominium sales.” Murray responded the town was seeking legal counsel to review if an improper sale occurred based on municipal ordinances. Town officials became concerned about the sale of cabins on the corner of U.S. Route 1 and Route 27 at a complex known as the “Gateway Races.” Selectman Mike Smith reported cabins are being sold individually. “There is concern from some community and planning board members whether the individual sales create a change of use or how it impacts the overall subdivision. We want to make sure everything is being done right,” he said.

Selectmen unanimously approved a contract for Midcoast Forestry of Warren to update the Schmid Preserve Land Management plan. The preserve’s trustees were successful in receiving a Maine Project Canopy Grant to pay for half of the $7,200 plan cost. This is the preserve’s  first land management plan since 1999. The contract calls for an initial $2,200 payment to Midcoast Forestry which selectmen will take from the legal line item account.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, June 28 in the town hall.