Boothbay region motorists will find no respite this weekend from the ongoing Route 27 Redevelopment Project. Boothbay selectmen authorized Sargent Construction to work on Sunday for the first time since the project began last spring. The selectmen approved a request from Sargent Construction project foreman Adam Tenan who requested Sunday work to fit into Hagar Enterprises’ tight paving schedule.

Sargent needs to complete prep work on Route 27 on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 prior to Hagar applying the base paving on Oct. 2 and 3. Without the Sunday work, Tenan told town officials Sept. 27, he wasn’t sure when Hagar could apply the base paving this fall. The selectmen voted 5-0 Sept. 27 to allow the Sunday work if Sargent avoided working near the Boothbay Baptist Church between 8 a.m. and noon.

Two weeks ago, the board allowed Sargent to work Saturdays providing town officials were given appropriate notice. The construction project is currently 3.5 weeks ahead of schedule, according Sargent Construction reports. Town Manager Dan Bryer reported all of the base paving scheduled for next spring could be completed this fall, if the trend continues.

“This just came up today about the Sunday work,” Bryer said. “The project is already ahead of schedule due to working on Saturdays and a good stretch of weather. They want to work Saturday and Sunday this week to fit Hagar’s schedule which has a brief break on Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 30 and Oct. 1).”

Selectman Chuck Cunningham voted in favor of the Sunday work request, but he warned about problems from the daily road construction on Route 27 without a break.

“I’m glad the project is ahead of schedule, but the people need a break. Eventually this is going to impact businesses and church services. I think if there are future Sundays, then Sargent must present us with a really good reason,” Cunningham said.

Selectmen also reviewed Sargent’s construction schedule for the next three weeks. Tenan’s written report warned off long delays for the week of Oct. 1 with fine grading and base paving of Route 27, removing pavement along with excavating and spreading gravel. The work also includes fine grading Back River Road. Sargent will also base pave Back River Road, Chapel Street and Country Club Road.

The schedule for the week of Oct. 8 calls for installing granite curb for Corey Lane and the municipal building. Sargent will also adjust catch basin frames for grading Route 27 and place gravel in sidewalks and the town office parking lot. During the week of Oct. 15, construction work consists of placing more gravel in sidewalks and topsoil behind the curb. Tenan’s report noted the schedule could change based on weather or unforeseen conditions.

The Route 27 project isn’t the only road paving going on in Boothbay this fall. Bryer updated selectmen about the Back River Road project. He reported Crooker Construction will pave the road on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3. 

In other action, selectmen held a public hearing and later approved Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ amended guidelines for general assistance administrators. The update guidelines include repealing a prior law regarding incarcerated persons applying for assistance.  The change impacts the official location of a  released person’s residence. The location will no longer be where they resided prior to incarceration. For general assistance purposes, the residency will be determined under current state general residency rules.

The new law also includes changes to bank information requests and burial or cremation costs. It authorizes providing information to banks concerning assets of a deceased applicant when burial or cremation benefits are sought. Spouses and registered domestic partners have been added to a list of family members responsible for burial and cremation costs. All changes are effective Nov. 1, according to the DHHS.

The selectmen will meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11 in the municipal conference room. The board will hold an open house at 6 p.m. to answer questions about the Route 27 Redevelopment Project.