Boothbay Region Water District Accountant/Administrative Manager Marcia Wilson told trustees Sept. 23, the district's year-to-date net income from January to August is about $304,000 over its budgeted net income (projected profit, after accounting for expenses) for that period: $384,728 versus the budgeted $80,589.  

In a Sept. 24 email to the Register, Wilson explained the surplus was "due to timing issues," and depends on billing cycles. For instance, the district bills for its fire protection quarterly and received its most recent payments in August this year. She said the net income will be lower in September. 

During the meeting, Wilson also detailed some of the under- and over-budget costs. Expenses, wages, and chemicals were under budget by 5% to 6%. Materials and supplies were under budget by 28%. Over-budget items included operational income (4%), employee pension and benefits (5%) and electricity (15%).  

General Manager Weston Alley gave an update on obtaining solar panels for the facility. He reported hearing negative experiences from members of Five Rivers Regional Water Council, which includes Great Salt Bay, Bath and Brunswick-Topsham. 

“The expected lifespan of the solar panels is shorter than the payoff from what you get in savings by at least two years,” he said. The district will receive a cost estimate proposal before making a final decision.  

Lincoln County is still in a D2 Severe Drought as of Sept. 16. Adams Pond has about 197 million usable gallons above the intake and is at 79% usable capacity, according to Alley.  

In other business, Natural Resources Manager Rebecca Jacobs will visit Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens' construction site for a scheduled review of its sediment erosion control measures.  

BRWD is preparing to install about 2,000 feet of a water main for an extension for a new seasonal customer on Meadow Cove Road.