A local effort is trying to retain Knickerbocker Lake’s shrinking water supply. On Sept. 23, Win Mitchell discussed the lake’s recent level which he described as dropping over three feet. He attributed the water loss to two consecutive dry summers. Mitchell proposed the lake’s stakeholders examine possible ways to regain the lake's water supply.

Mitchell made the proposal during the Boothbay selectmen’s meeting. He recommended involving all of Knickerbocker Lake’s “stakeholders" in developing a plan. “What would it take to retain three feet of water?  The Boothbay Region Water District, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Knickerbocker Lake Association, cottage owners and town of Boothbay should all be involved,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell is contacting the stakeholders to gauge their interest in a meeting. He requested Boothbay selectmen appoint a representative to serve on the committee. Selectman Russ Pinkham said he supported the proposal and would serve as Boothbay's representative.

Julie Degenhard is a former president of the Knickerbocker Lake Association. She urged selectmen to participate in retaining the lake’s water supply. “I’ve never seen it this low. It’s an unhealthy situation, and if something isn’t done it’s going to be a real problem," she said.

In other action, selectmen received an invitation from a former member to tour Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. Kristina Ford served from 2019 to 2022 as a selectman. She is now a BHML board member.

She invited the five selectmen to tour the library as a group in an effort to generate support for the library. Ford reminded selectmen, BHML has been a local institution for 100 years. “The Next 100 is our capital campaign. I’ll be back for financial support, but today I want to invite you to tour the library as a group. I was dazzled when I took my tour as a new board member. I want you to have the same experience.”

Town Manager Dan Bryer cautioned such a tour would require public notice because when at least three selectmen meet it is treated as a public meeting. Bryer would post such a meeting with two weeks' notice.

Selectman Dale Harmon told Ford he’s been to the library a couple times in recent months. “I’d love to take the tour," he said.

Selectmen renewed a Class A restaurant liquor license for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Boothbay Craft Brewery, Inc. also received a Class A restaurant liquor license renewal.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14 in the conference room.