Taxpaying citizens of Boothbay Harbor expressed concern over the length of time taken by the town and selectmen in hearing the appeal of Joseph "Jody" Lewis, public works director for the town, who was relieved of his duties on Sept. 29.

“This all started 10 weeks ago,” Bruce Engert of Boothbay Harbor said at the Dec. 8 meeting of the Boothbay Harbor selectmen. “That should have been more than adequate time for a decision to be made regarding this.”

Engert went on to state that while Lewis is on paid administrative leave, the town is “wasting the money of taxpayers” as they continue to pay his salary.

“We are paying him to not work,” Engert said. “We should be getting something for the money being spent, and we're not.”

Engert also asked how many attorneys were involved in the process that the town was paying for, and at what rate of pay.

“We're not going to answer any questions about an ongoing personnel issue,” Chairman Denise Griffin answered.

“I'm not asking about the personnel issue, I'm asking about a financial issue,” Engert replied.

“We haven't paid the bills yet, so we don't know,” Griffin said. “And this is all part of the personnel issue.”

Frank Fassett of Boothbay Harbor also inquired as to how much the town has spent on the issue.

“It's not asking too much to know how many attorneys are involved,” Fassett said. “It's our money, all of ours, that we pay the town.”

“We are not going to have this conversation,” Griffin said. “It is not appropriate to share this information.”

When asked if she knew what the regular town attorney's rate of pay was, Griffin replied she didn't know.

Town Manager Tom Woodin was also asked, and said he did not know either.

“You can't be more frustrated than I am with the length of time this has taken,” Selectman Bill Hamblen said. “But the time is dictated by what we are required legally to do in this situation.”

“We are working hard to be fair to all parties involved,” Selectman Russ Hoffman said.

“Can you tell us how much longer it will be until we know?” Engert said.

“That wouldn't be appropriate to share,” Griffin replied.