It should not be surprising that the approximately 20 public meetings on the proposal to change the zoning ordinances in the east side maritime district in Boothbay Harbor dominated the local news in 2018. The Boothbay Harbor Planning Board, its Advisory Group, board of selectmen, the Department of Environmental Protection, Lincoln County Planner Bob Faunce, developers, lawyers, Friends of the Harbor and others talked and talked about setbacks, building heights, ordinance changes, the 2015 Comprehensive Plan, site views, land purchases, and more at the meetings. Yet, as we roll into 2019, a decision on bringing the proposal to a vote has not been finalized. More hearings to come.

Another hot news topic in 2018 – spilling over from 2017 – Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens' controversial expansion project and lawsuits issued by CMBG against the town, and lawsuits from CMBG’s abutter, the Anthony family, against the town and CMBG, came to a close when a federal judge approved a consent decree between the town and CMBG in April. A few weeks later, a Superior Court judge in Wiscasset denied the Anthonys’ remaining complaints against the town and CMBG.

Also, the roundabout in Boothbay – despite the many traffic delays during its construction over many months – was completed in 2018.

Here is a look back at some of the other top stories of 2018, month by month.

January

The 16th annual Penguin Plunge on Jan. 1 was one of the coldest yet. Only eight brave souls ran into the water.

Eileen King, local superintendent of schools for 16 years, left the school district in late 2017 and began a job with the Maine Superintendents Association beginning Jan. 2. Bob Webster was named interim superintendent.

The Boothbay Region Health Center officially opened on Jan. 8 in the Meadow Mall in Boothbay Harbor.

Compass Rose Events bought Water’s Edge Event Center in Edgecomb.

The Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club announced it will hold its 61st annual Auction at the high school after decades of holding it on the Boothbay Common, due to the construction of the roundabout.

An early morning fire destroyed a home on Matthews Road in Boothbay on Jan. 30. Five people escaped but one dog and an unknown number of cats perished.

Boothbay Harbor Shipyard was sold to Andy Tyska, president of Rhode Island-based Bristol Marine.

February

Boothbay Region High School junior basketball standout Faith Blethen announced she had committed to play for George Washington University following her graduation.

Southport’s Hendrick’s Hill Museum announced it would celebrate its 30th anniversary with several events during the summer.

Student make-up days were a concern due to the October 2017 wind storm which knocked out power for days and several winter storms from January causing school cancellations.

The Joint Economic Development Committee (JEDC) announced its economic and strategic action plan on Feb. 1. The six goal areas included: 1) Business growth and development; 2) Housing; 3) Downtown and waterfront; 4) Tourism; 5) Transportation; and 6) Collaboration.

BRHS honors were bestowed upon teacher Mark Gorey, named a National Board Certified Teacher; senior Lilly Sherburne, named the top high school volunteer; and senior Isabelle Curtis, who received a Gold Key Maine Scholastic Writing Award.

Harbor Tech Solutions (the former Video Loft) in the Meadow Mall was sold to Nick and Emily Mirabile. Russ Brackett had owned it for over 30 years.

The sixth-seeded BRHS boys basketball team upset the third-seeded Waynflete Flyers in the Class C South quarterfinals and nearly defeated the second-seeded Winthrop Ramblers, losing on a three-pointer in the final seconds.

The BRHS girls basketball team, top-ranked and undefeated at 20-0, lost in the Class C South final to the second-ranked Monmouth Mustangs, 51-47.

March

BRHS senior basketball standout and 1,000-point scorer Page Brown was named a 2018 Miss Maine Basketball finalist. She was later named the grand marshal of the annual Windjammer Days Street Parade.

Groups began fundraising to buy a new home for the Giles family after their home was destroyed by fire Jan. 30.

Boothbay Selectman Kristina Ford was called out by her fellow board members for writing an erroneous letter to the editor regarding the publication of a public notice.

Central Maine Power was called out by residents throughout the state for its high bills.

A New Harbor fisherman put his and about 50 others’ opposition to a proposed wind power pilot program in Boothbay pretty succinctly during the Feb. 28 selectmen’s meeting. Michael Dawson was one of four Midcoast fishermen who voiced their opposition to a University of Maine-led consortium of 19 other private and public partners interested in developing an experimental off-shore wind farm near Monhegan Island.

G&J Bottle Redemption in Boothbay closed March 15, after 19 years in business. Owner Janet Fairfield said the building was recently purchased, and Pharmer’s Market, which had been in the space beside the redemption center, would be taking over use of the building.

April

Jane Good, who helped start the Boothbay Region Community Center, announced she would be stepping down as its director June 1 after two and a half years.

During a Friday morning, April 6 conference call with broadcast and print reporters across Maine, CMP’s President and Chief Executive Officer Doug Herling reported an internal investigation into 1,580 customer complaints found no problems with smart meters or the new billing system artificially increasing usage.

Boothbay Harbor resident Lucille Machon, 101, received the town’s Boston Post Cane, honoring the town’s eldest resident.

Community volunteer Sarah Giles was given the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club’s 59th Lifetime Service Award.

The Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District bought the 59-year-old Giles Rubbish for $1.3 million.

May

Boothbay voters reelected selectmen Dale Harmon and Steve Lewis in a sometimes contentious three-way race with Mike Pander.

Dr. Keith Laser, Ed.D, of Bath was elected superintendent of AOS 98 at the AOS board meeting on May 7. He had served as superintendent of Regional School Unit No. 67 in Lincoln. His previous jobs include school superintendent in Calais, and assistant superintendent of the Auburn School Department, principal of elementary schools in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and eight years as high school principal in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Chris Buchanan, who served 18 years on the Community School District Board of Trustees, announced he would not seek reelection.

Longtime Boothbay Board of Appeals member Scott Adams announced he was resigning after nearly two decades of service.

On May 17, real estate developer and owner of Boothbay Harbor County Club and Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort Paul Coulombe revealed he had signed a purchase and sale agreement for Cap’n Fish’s Waterfront Inn, owned by John and Diane Fish, on Atlantic Avenue, on the east side of Boothbay Harbor, with a Nov. 1 closing date on the sale.

Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor selectmen met jointly with members of the JEDC to discuss the regional economic master plan Camoin Associates produced in February.

June

The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce hosted an open house at its Townsend Avenue office June 13, unveiling the new Visitor’s Center and Chamber offices that needed to be totally renovated due to a furnace malfunction in January.

The Boothbay Region Lions Club celebrated its 65th anniversary on June 13 with a special tribute to founding member Harry Pinkham.

Boothbay Harbor resident Ken Fitch presented a letter to selectmen June 25 as a representative of a group called Friends of the Harbor. Fitch explained the letter outlined the concern he said a great deal of residents had about possible zoning changes to the east side of the harbor.

The Friends of Windjammer Days announced the 56th annual event was one of the best yet in the five years the group has been organizing it.

July

Three local Special Olympians, sisters Grace and Valerie Giles, and Danny Miller, along with their coach, Toby LeConte, competed in the USA Games in Seattle, Washington.

The Boothbay Region YMCA kicked off its annual fund with 2018 chairs Alan and Anne Barker.

Dan Bannon of Baker Design Consultants presented footbridge reconstruction concepts to Boothbay Harbor selectmen and the public in a workshop July 12.

Boothbay Harbor selectmen announced the proposed Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use District was under preliminary review by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The proposal had gone through an advisory workgroup to the planning board.

Mary Dodge Brewer, reporter, editor and managing editor of the Boothbay Register for over 50 years, died suddenly at home July 15. She continued writing a column for the paper as editor emerita following her retirement in 2012. Following her retirement, she was honored by being named to the Maine Press Association and New England Newspaper and Press Association halls of fame.

Pinkham’s Gourmet Market opened on Wiscasset Road in Boothbay Harbor.

Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD Board of Trustees member Steve Lorrain tells Boothbay Harbor selectmen about much needed upgrades to the Boothbay Region High School and Boothbay Region Elementary School buildings. The trustees recently received an energy audit with estimates in the millions of dollars. “Before you can do the downtown, your footbridges, whatever it is you've got planned, you've got to make some decisions about your schools … I don't know any other way to say this, but it's something you've got to focus on because it's going to affect the whole area … You're probably approaching $10 million.”

JEDC co-chair Abbe Levin stepped down. Levin said it felt like a good time to be moving on because she felt the JEDC needs some serious changes, especially to its structure, as the JEDC has fulfilled its tasks as laid out by the towns.

A new event, the Boothbay Food and Music Festival to be held in late September, was announced.

August

The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce launched a year-round, public art sculpture trail featuring the works of sculptors from Maine and New England. The Trail consists of 17 sculptures with varying artistic styles, mediums and subjects.

The Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club’s 61st annual Auction, held for the first time on the high school property, drew hundreds of people, despite the hot and humid weather.

Thompson Cottages on Southport Island celebrated 50 years in business.

The seventh annual Set for Success event was again a big success. Founder Sue Burge toured guests who wanted to learn more about the program. The guests included Augusta’s Mayor David Rollins, his wife Jan who is assistant principal of Cony Middle School, Lina and Shu Michaud of Augusta’s Elks Lodge #964, and David Hammond and Felicia Gaulin of Waterville’s Elks Lodge #905.

A hearing for a Nov. 6 referendum asking voters if they approve a change to the 2015 comprehensive plan brought about 100 people to the Boothbay Harbor Fire Station Aug. 27. About 20 residents on both sides of the issues spoke. After two hours of hearing from the public, it became clear to selectmen most of the audience, despite the differences in opinion, felt a Nov. 6 question unnecessary.

September

A rain and wind storm, with estimated wind gusts of between 70 and 90 mph, blew through the Boothbay region Sept. 6, knocking down hundreds of trees. East Boothbay was hit the hardest.

Several whale sightings were reported off Southport Island.

At a Boothbay Harbor selectmen’s meeting, Doug Carter announced his Sea Pier property had been sold to Boothbay Region Maritime Foundation. He said the sale would finalize after the next fishing season, and the funds were donated anonymously.

The 28th annual Boothbay Charities Classic event raised $65,000 for Special Olympics Maine.

The annual Harbor Fest concluded with the East Side Vibe in East Boothbay.

A new playground at Boothbay Region Elementary School was completed.

Author, real estate agent and design consultant Dana Moos of Damariscotta won the Best Bite competition at the 7th annual Claw Down at Boothbay Railway Museum Sept.20.

Chowder House owners Bob and Sally Maroon announced the Boothbay Harbor restaurant they’d owned for 40 years would now be open only for special functions beginning in 2019.

Blake’s Boatyard, a Boothbay Harbor business for 67 years, was bought by a descendant of founder Fred Blake – his granddaughter, Amy Goodwin and her husband, Dusty, on Sept. 1.

October

After 38 years of business on Boothbay Harbor’s Pier 1, Mountain Tops Tees closed. Mark and Dianne Gimbel announced a new business, “Windjammer Museum and Gifts,” would be moving into the space.

A Boothbay Harbor woman, Linda Cavanaugh, is struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle near the Chamber of Commerce office. A week later, she died of her injuries.

A 200-year-old red oak tree on Lou Landry’s Ocean Point property succumbed to rot and two-thirds of the tree fell the morning of Oct. 10.

The Seahawk boys cross-country team competed at the Class C State Championships for the 11th straight season and finished fifth overall.

A fire at Boothbay Harbor House of Pizza Oct. 30 caused considerable damage. Owner Mark Rigas announced the restaurant would reopen once the damages are fixed.

November

Brady’s, a new restaurant owned by Jen and Jeff Jones, opened Nov. 8 on Union Street, Boothbay Harbor.

Democrat Holly Stover unseated District 89 Republican Representative Stephanie Hawke in the Nov. 6 election.

Developer Paul Coulombe announced he had pulled his proposal to buy the Cap’n Fish motel and restaurant. Coulombe announced the decision following the select board’s decision to hire yet another independent planner, slowing down development on the east side of Boothbay Harbor after a year of hearings.

Mary Jane McCalmon, a facilitator for the Maine Department of Education, talked about strategic visioning and planning at the Nov. 14 CSD School Committee meeting. Superintendent Keith Laser and the committee invited her to speak as the schools face projects likely to run into eight figures over the next few years. McCalmon, once superintendent of Oxford Hills Schools and then Portland Public Schools, is the “strategic vision guru of the state,” said Laser.

A former shrimp fisherman wants to grow kelp in Ebenecook Harbor off Southport Island. The Maine Department of Marine Resources held an adjudicatory hearing at the Southport Town Hall Nov. 26 to gather information on Morning Star Fisheries owners Alex Hutchins's and wife Jodi Brewer's plans for the business. A hearing officer will evaluate the evidence and write a report which includes a finding of fact, conclusion of laws, and a proposed decision. No date for a decision was announced.

The schooner Bowdoin arrived for months of work at Bristol Marine in Boothbay Harbor.

The sale of Pier 1 to Lafayette Hotels was finalized the morning of Friday, Nov. 30, according to Ramsey Lafayette. Lafayette Hotels is a family-owned and run group of 26 hotels in Maine and New Hampshire along with some retail spaces in Ogunquit and Old Orchard Beach. The Pier had been in the Blake family since 1961 when Fred Blake bought it from Gulf Oil.

December

Lincoln, Sagadahoc and Waldo counties and multiple other Maine counties and municipalities are suing several manufacturers of opioid medications. The suit also names as defendants several pharmacies it accuses of selling them and three doctors it accuses of prescribing them.

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) and Maine National Guard were pleased to present Corporal Curtis W. West, originally from Steuben and currently from Boothbay, with the Maine Silver Star Honorable Service Medal and Certificate at the Zimmerli Pavilion at St. Andrews Village on Dec. 4.

On Dec. 5, Facilities and Transportation Director Dave Benner gave the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District Board of Trustees a simpler list of prioritized projects which would split the potentially $10 million in costs over summers through 2025.

Allan F. Wigglesworth, 35, of Thomaston was arrested in June following a report of a shooting in Southport. On Dec. 7, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the first count of Aggravated Assault, and two and a half years on the second count of Aggravated Assault. The three remaining charges netted a total of three and a half years in prison. The three lesser charges were to be served concurrently, and all the prison time except for three and a half years was suspended.

The Boothbay Harbor planning board on Dec. 12 set a 7 p.m. Jan. 9 public hearing at the town office, for east side proposals. The board reviewed recommendations from the Department of Environmental Protection and the town’s lawyer before coming to the unanimous decision.

Work on replacing the West Harbor Pond siphon began. The West Harbor Pond Watershed Association raised the money.