Dear Editor:

Two weeks ago, I learned that, with Harry Pinkham’s retirement, one of the two Boothbay Harbor seats on the board of trustees of the Boothbay Region Water District is open. No candidate has filed to run for the seat, and the filing deadline has passed. I, Merritt Blakeslee, want to fill that seat as a write-in candidate.

I live on West Harbor Pond and have, since 2014, worked hard on the water issues that affect the Pond. I have been intensively involved with the replacement of the siphon, which was completed earlier this month and which will, we hope, dramatically improve the water quality of the Pond. I have also been involved in monthly sampling to monitor the water quality of the Pond; in collating and analyzing those data; and in compiling the watershed survey aimed at identifying and remediating erosion problems affecting the Pond’s water quality.

Thinking about the water issues on West Harbor Pond has necessarily led me to think about protecting our water supply on the Boothbay Peninsula. In my work on the West Harbor Pond siphon replacement, I worked closely with the Water District, without whose contribution of materials, labor, and expertise, the siphon replacement would not have happened. During that process, I built a strong working relationship with the Water District personnel and developed a skill set that has prepared me to help to look after the water resources of the Boothbay region watershed.

I would like to serve as a trustee of the Water District, where, I believe, I could make a positive contribution. Since my name is not on the May 3rd ballot, I am running as a write-in candidate. If you live in the Harbor and will be voting on May 3, please write in my name on the Boothbay Region Water District ballot for the Boothbay Harbor seat.

Merritt R. Blakeslee

Boothbay Harbor