The Boothbay Region Water District is spending up to $20,000 this year assisting local landowners with implementing erosion control programs on their waterfront properties. The erosion control funding comes from two sources. One is a $10,000 state grant, and the second is a $10,000 local fund created by the trustees.

The district received $10,000 from the state’s Lake Friendly grant. The local fund is a first time budget item created by the trustees this year. Both funds encourage developing erosion control projects that reduce pollutants entering the water supply.

On Oct. 27, the trustees approved $4,500 for the Boothbay Region YMCA to implement erosion control measures on its waterfront properties. The trustees are using $2,500 from the Lake Friendly grant and $2,000 from the local fund.

The Y’s erosion control project calls for repairing the lower portion of Barters Island Road, addressing erosion problems at the base of Seven Pavilions at its Camp Knickerbocker site, and the reconfiguration of the camp’s water access road.

The Y is implementing an erosion control program based on the Water and Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conversation districts’ recommendation. The program addresses all erosion problems at the Y’s waterfront camps on Knickerbocker Lake, according to water district officials.

The Y’s project has an $11,500 cost. The local Y is spending $7,000 on the project, according to BRWD Natural Resources Program manager Sue Mello.

The Y is the largest landowner on Knickerbocker Lake with 69-plus acres. Mello described the district’s relationship with the Y as an important one.

“The project is important because it’s one of the most significant erosion sites on Knickerbocker Lake. As the Y moves forward with developing its waterfront property, it will be important for us to be a partner in that process,” she told the trustees during the Oct. 27 meeting.

Southport trustee Smith Climo questioned whether the Lake Friendly Grant and local funds should be used assisting the Y.

“The YMCA has deep pockets. I’m not opposed to this, but we are helping an entity that has a lot of money,” Climo said.

In other action, District Manager Jon Ziegra reported the Pinkham Standpipe was drained and is currently off-line. District officials entered the tank on Oct. 26 and discovered damage to the floor. The officials believe the overhanging water mixer fell to the floor and caused the damage.

“The floor is pretty chewed up. A one-eight inch hole cut into the floor of the tank,” Ziegra said.

The mixer was installed over a structural ring, but it was never secured, according to Ziegra. The water mixer’s manufacturer (PAX Water Technologies)  and engineering firm Wright-Pierce inspected the tank’s inside on Oct. 27. The two differed on why the structural ring wasn’t secured.

Ziegra explained PAX officials claimed attaching the mixer to the tank wasn’t in the scope of work presented by Wright-Pierce, while the engineering firm maintained PAX recommended the mixer not be affixed to the tank.

“We shall see how this argument shakes out,” Ziegra said. “My course of action is getting the mixer and tanker repaired as soon as possible and putting it back into service. The mixer will be affixed to the tank, and we will move forward.”

The mixer’s warranty period has expired. Ziegra said he’d further deal with the two contractors once the tank was reengaged.

The trustees also acknowledged receipt of a notice of intent to file a major amendment to the permit regarding the Boothbay Harbor Country Club’s expansion. PGC1, LLC. and PGC2, LLC., two corporations involved in the project, notified the water district about the developer’s intent regarding Phase Two of the project. The two limited liability corporations intend on filing a major amendment to the Site Location of Development Act permit site with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

The notice indicated the filing would take place on or about Oct. 30. The notice indicated any public hearings regarding the amendment would be at the DEP commissioner’s discretion.

The application will be filed for public inspection at the DEP’s Augusta office during regular business hours. The application may also be viewed at the Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor municipal offices, according to the public notice.

The trustees ended the meeting by entering into an executive session for the purpose of discussing “Acquisition of Real Property.” The trustees adjourned following the session.