Tue, 10/20/2015 - 8:00am

BILL PEARSON, Staff Reporter

The Boothbay Region Water District sign warns this is the last week for seasonal water. District Manager Jon Ziegra told the trustees Oct. 13 the sign has been up for a month so it shouldn’t be a surprise when the seasonal water is shut off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, he said. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register

Boothbay Region Water District officials are pleased with an educational video being shown locally promoting clean drinking water. The five minute, 15 second public service announcement discusses the importance of Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake to the Boothbay region’s drinking water supply.

In the video, narrator Tamara Lilly says: “The Boothbay Region depends upon Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake. And the health of these lakes depend upon us. If we take care of these lakes and the watersheds surrounding them, they will continue serving us and many other species for generations to come. It’s our choice.”

BRWD manager Jon Ziegra told the trustees on Oct. 13 that the video hit the mark.

“The message is simple and understandable,” Ziegra said. “My hats off to Jonne (Trees) and Sue (Mello). It was really well done.”

The video was written and directed by BRWD resource protection manager Sue Mello. It was produced by Boothbay Region Community Television and local videographer Ryan Leighton. The video was funded by a Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Drinking Water Program grant.

The video is being shown on BRCTV. It is also available on the water district’s website and Facebook page, according to Ziegra.

In other action, Ziegra reminded the trustees that seasonal water shut-off happens at 7 a.m. on Oct. 15.

“The sign has been up for over a month, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody,” Ziegra said.

Seasonal water is shut down the third Thursday in October each year.

The district is interested in pursuing two Boothbay properties located in the Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake watersheds. The district is negotiating with Back River Road resident Dave Chapman to purchase his residence and auto repair shop property. Chapman and the district agreed to an independent property appraisal. Ziegra expects the appraisal completed this week.

The district is also considering an independent appraisal of an Adams Pond property. The district wants to purchase Pat Farrin’s 32-acre property. The district has discussed a potential purchase for over a year.

“We made an offer, but it was rejected,” Ziegra said. “Maybe an independent appraisal would bring us closer to an acceptable price.”

The trustees will meet next at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27 in the business office.