‘Swing’ Lewis departing cemetery district as trustee

Thu, 09/15/2022 - 12:45pm

Selectman Steve Lewis described Stanley “Swing” Lewis as a man who has held many jobs over the years serving Boothbay. Swing has served as fire chief, deputy sheriff, school bus driver and most recently as a Boothbay Region Cemetery District trustee. After a lifetime of public service, Lewis is now looking to do less. On Sept. 14, selectmen accepted his resignation as cemetery trustee with “regret and deep appreciation” during the board meeting.  

“I don’t know anyone who has been in the public eye more than Swing,” Steve Lewis said. “But you can’t really blame him. I know the school department missed him,  and I’m sure the cemetery district will, too.”

Town Manager Dan Bryer reported the district has a replacement in mind. But Steve Lewis cautioned that selectmen should first consult the municipal administrative code to follow proper procedures for replacing elected officials, and advertising the vacancy. 

In other action, Bryer reported the Clifford Park playground is open while work on the remaining complex continues. He reported the ballfields would open probably in October. Bryer described the pavilion as the park’s standout feature. “It’s a real plus. I want to tell Allan Crocker, at the school, how nice the fields are. And how the pavilion is a great place to raise money at school events,” he said. 

Bryer has also spoken to Tom Nickerson about the Lions Club raising money to buy a scoreboard and public address system for the park’s ballfields. He has also told selectmen about receiving suggestions for donating benches in honor of residents who made significant community contributions. “I don’t know anyone who used the old playground more than Kim Crocker with her daycare. There’s been talk about donating a bench in her memory. There has also been talk about benches for Estelle Appel and Chetley Rittall,” Bryer said.
 
The new playground resulted in Boothbay’s playground receiving its first Americans with Disabilities Act equipment. Bryer reported a swingset meets federal criteria and he hopes a new piece will be added each year. During a recent visit, Bryer saw several families using the park shortly after school finished. “Families are just swarming to the playground, and (contractor) Farley really did a great job,” he said. “And the rubbery blue chip covering is just like walking on a bed.”
 
Another municipal project is paving Hardwick and Pension Ridge roads. Bryer reported the prep work is done  and paving begins either at the end of September or beginning of October. 
 
Selectmen held their second of two public hearing on the November referendum. Boothbay has one local question pertaining to whether fluoridation should be added to the drinking water. Last month, six Boothbay region residents urged voters to vote no on “Shall fluoride be added to the public water supply for the intended purpose of reducing tooth decay?” during the first public hearing. 
 
Boothbay Harbor resident Stevie Hale urged residents to vote against adding fluoride. “The most effective method of fluoridation is topical. I think people should have a choice and studies have shown since the 1970s tooth decay is caused by sugars and starches, not lack of fluoride,” she said. Pension Ridge Road resident Lucien Laurie offered a different opinion. “I’ve been following the discussion in the news and I’ve done some research. For every dollar spent on fluoridation, it saves families $1.10 in dental care. So I say if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” Laurie said.
 
Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 in the conference room.