In April, Boothbay selectmen will vote on a proposed Route 27 parking ban. On March 22, selectmen discussed Route 27 safety issues with Maine Department of Transportation’s Dave Allen who serves as the Midcoast region traffic engineer. A proposal to ban Route 27 parking from the northern to southern Adams Pond Road’s entrances emerged after selectmen received multiple complaints March 6 about parked vehicles along both sides of Route 27. Selectmen heard complaints about overflow parking from motorists visiting Boothbay Ice Palace and several food trucks.

On March 10, selectmen discussed the parameters of a potential ordinance before deciding to seek Fire Chief Dick Spofford’s, MDOT’s and Boothbay Region Water District’s opinions. On March 22, selectmen received letters from Spofford and BRWD supporting a Route 27 parking ordinance. Allen met with selectmen via Zoom conference. He told them MDOT would review any ordinance selectmen approved.  “Send it to the DOT for review, and the department will determine enforcement on a state level,” he said. “We would install the first set of signs responsible for maintaining enforcement by all law enforcement personnel and the town would be responsible for sign maintenance.”

Resident Lester Spear owns the property where Boothbay Ice Palace and food trucks operated. He asked Allen if state law prohibited roadside parking. Allen responded, state law permits roadside parking. “No, there is no prohibition, if it’s safe, to do so. A homeowner can have a large party requiring guests park roadside which is OK.” Allen also estimated the town would need 100 “no parking” signs for the half-mile section. 

Selectmen Steve Lewis, Mike Tomacelli, Dale Harmon and Chuck Cunningham support the parking ban for increased motorist and pedestrian safety and to protect the watershed from contamination. Selectman Desiree Scorcia abstained. Selectmen also discussed the Route 27 45-speed limit. Scorcia asked about a reduced speed limit to make the zone safer and allow greater visibility for posted signs. For establishing a new speed limit, Allen explained the process. The first step is a DOT a radar survey followed by analyzing accident data over a three-year period to determine the appropriate speed. 

Allen reported most parking ordinances are for in-town where speed limits are lower. He also described Route 27 as “one of the safer state roads.” Over the past three years, deer-car accidents are the third-most prevalent traffic hazard trailing, rear-end collisions and vehicles leaving the road, according to DOT statistics. The proposed ordinance must be posted for seven days prior to a vote. Selectmen will vote on the proposal in two weeks.

In other action, selectmen voted unanimously to buy a new public works department truck. The town received two bids. One is a Peterbilt Model 348 from Whited Peterbilt of Bangor for $106,242. The second is an International 4X4 from Allegiance Trucks in Falmouth for $101,015. Lewis reported public works employees preferred the Peterbilt as a more reliable vehicle. “The refuse district has had good experiences with the Peterbilt, and when I spoke to the public works employees they also had better success with Peterbilt, too. So over a 15-year period, I think it’s worth the extra few dollars,” he said.

The new truck also needs special equipment. Selectmen received one bid from HP Fairfield in Skowhegan to buy a 10-foot stainless steel combination side dump and spreader body, power tilt front plow hitch, hydraulic patrol wing system, 10-foot polymer reversible trip edge plow, and 11-foot steel wing for a combined $66,720.

Town Manager Dan Bryer reported he has received several complaints about posted weight limits for roads this spring. “This happens every spring, and it won’t last much longer,” he said.

Selectmen appointed Brian Carver to the Shellfish Committee.

Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 14 via Zoom conference. 

This article has been updated from its original posting.