Boothbay Region Water District is looking to expand its Adams Pond Road headquarters with a new storage and maintenance facility. In 1995, a treatment plant and a four-bay garage were built. But over the years, growth in customers has required more equipment and storage space. District Manager Jon Ziegra told the Boothbay planning board Nov. 20, the trustees first considered constructing a new storage and maintenance building in 2013, but the decision to seek board approval occurred this spring.

BRWD hired Dirigo Engineering of Fairfield to design a 4,800 square foot addition. Dirigo engineers Randy Butler of Hartland and Jim Lord of Corinna explained the basics for the design during a pre-application hearing. Butler described the project as not large enough to invoke Maine Department of Environmental Protection regulations, but the district is adhering to strict DEP guidelines mandated for larger designs.

“This includes an underground drain filter even though it’s not required,” Butler said. “The district wanted to set an example and go above and beyond. Even though they aren’t required to adhere to the higher environmental standards.”

A small canopy would connect the administrative and new storage/maintenance buildings, according to Butler.

In other action, the board unanimously approved two applications. One was for a Samoset Road home renovation. Milton Hallowell of Cape Elizabeth received approval to renovate his two-bedroom seasonal home. The renovation includes expanding one of the bedrooms. The plan would also convert a hallway into another bedroom and would add a second bath to the existing non-conforming home. The property is in a special residential and shoreland overlay zone. 

Nat Wilson received the second approval for his plans for an improvement and maintenance permit. Wilson represented Barlow Wharf in seeking approval for raising the stone wharf’s and fish house’s elevation at 25 Lincoln St. The plan includes adding a 50 foot by 12 foot pier, a 23 foot by 25 foot, four inch gear platform, a 30.5 foot by 3.5 foot ramp and a 10 foot by 16 foot float. Wilson told board members the structure would be used by his son, Eben Wilson, who fishes in Bristol, for trap storage and maintenance. Wilson cited a rise a sea level.

The board also welcomed a new member. Selectmen recently appointed Bill Wright as an alternate member. Wright told his new colleagues he was “glad to be here for the opportunity to serve” with them.

The planning board meets next at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the municipal building’s conference room.