A local resident has asked the trustees of the Boothbay Harbor Sewer District if they have a plan for landscaping along the water side of its Sea Street property.

Cheryl Nelson is a local resident who owns property on West Street.

Nelson explained during the trustees’ April 15 meeting that the area of the cove that could be seen from her property included the view of the water side of the sewer district’s building and tanks. She was concerned because the vista was unattractive. 

Nelson asked the trustees if they would purchase and place trees in the area to help obscure the sewer district’s plant from view.

The trustees discussed the matter and determined that, in order to hide the facility, any trees that were planted would need to have a height of between 20 and 30 feet because the building is approximately 29 feet high. Trustees estimated that mature trees of that height could cost as much as $200 or $300 per tree, if not more.

The tanks parallel the water along a length of approximately 100 feet. The building length is approximately 60 feet, so enough trees would need to be purchased to cover the combined length.

The trustees thanked Nelson for bringing her request to the meeting and postponed a decision until more information about cost and planting conditions could be obtained.

$49K bid awarded

Ten requests for proposals were sent to area companies seeking bids for the replacement of the plant and office heating system. Four companies responded by March 25.

The highest bidder was MidCoast Energy in Damariscotta with a bid of $59,444.

The trustees voted to award the work to Mechanical Services, which submitted the lowest bid of $49,313.

St. Andrews Village addition

A proposed addition to St. Andrews Village was discussed. Trustees were provided with an update by Superintendent Chris Higgins.

Higgins said he had exchanged emails with Patrick Parson, director of operations for Lincoln County Healthcare, and Joseph Marden of Sitelines PA, concerning sewer services for the new addition.

The proposed plan calls for 12 nursing home units, each of which will have a bathroom. There will also be a dining room that will have a kitchen area. The email exchange has focused on the kitchen area and the extent of the proposed kitchen’s use.

The BHSD is seeking confirmation that the new kitchen will only be used as a warming station and not as a fully functioning kitchen in the future.