Scott Adams nearly didn’t make it back for a 10th year on the Town of Boothbay Board of Appeals. His yearly reappointment failed on July 9 when none of the selectmen seconded his nomination. It seemed Adams’ conduct during a discussion about the proposed cell tower placement in East Boothbay led to his downfall.

However, on July 23, the selectmen had a change of heart. The board voted 3-2 to reappoint Adams for another year.

Board of Appeals Chairman Richard Perkins requested the selectmen reappoint Adams in a letter and addressed them during the meeting. Perkins described Adams as a “superb member.” He also advised the selectmen if there was a problem then they should discuss it with him. His letter also indicated that the entire board of appeals membership backed Adams’ reappointment.

Adams also personally requested the selectmen reconsider his reappointment. Adams addressed the selectmen’s concerns about his demeanor. Among the selectmen’s concerns were how Adams interacted with a board member and the town’s legal consultant during a  discussion about a potential cell tower placement in East Boothbay.

Selectman Douglas Burnham described Adams’ interaction toward attorney Sally Daggett, of the Portland law firm of Jensen, Baird, Gardner & Henry, as being “unprofessional and  inappropriate.”

“You could tell by the questions and how he asked them that he doesn’t like her,” Burnham said. “I didn’t really care much for it.”

Selectman Stephen Ham said after the meeting that Adams’ manner during the entire meeting, especially his dialogue with Burnham, was “uncalled for.”

Adams addressed his critics stating it was his nature to be “cynical” and “brusque.” Adams defended himself by stating he hadn’t missed a meeting in nine years. He also said his training as a lawyer resulted in his direct and abrupt manner. He added that during the meeting he never used inappropriate language, raised his voice or was rude.

“As a lawyer, I’m prepared and I ask all the difficult questions. That’s what I’m trained to do,” Adams said. “I bring up those things that other people don’t. I feel that’s my role on the board of appeals.”

He also defended his actions as being in the best interest of the town. He believed in the past 24 years, the town’s law firm had made five “critical” errors in advising the town. One of those errors, Adams believes, concerns the proposed the cell tower placement. He pointed toward a 1996 federal law that pertained to cell tower locations in rural areas.

“When we put the ordinances in 14 years ago the law firm never once mentioned the 1996 law. Can you imagine if this was a tax issue and 10 years after the fact a lawyer told you ‘oh, by the way, the law changed.’ That’s why we were in this situation today, ” Adams said.

Selectmen Steven Lewis, Dale Harmon and Charles Cunningham voted to reappoint Adams. Lewis and Harmon both said that they personally spoke with Adams following the board’s decision not to renominate him.

Lewis said he probably should’ve had the conversation prior to the vote.

“We had a good conversation and I wish it took place sooner,” Lewis said. “There were some things I wasn’t comfortable with, but now I feel better about.”

However, Selectmen Burnham and Ham were still not persuaded. They voted against the reappointment.