On March 31, Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District received an appeal from Steve Lewis' attorney Richard Elliott regarding his client's unpaid administrative leave. 

The suspension grievance was addressed to Director Kurt Crosby who represents Edgecomb on the board. According to district grievance procedures, an appeal must be filed within five days and the personnel director must respond within 10 days of receipt. 

In his letter, Elliott requested a "full accounting, together with copies of all evidence considered in the suspension." Elliott also asked for a copy of notice to the public regarding the March 26 special meeting. "This information should include the name of the newspaper contacted and reason for having a meeting in less than 48 hours (if same was done)," wrote Elliott. "Please include proof that Mr. Lewis was notified of the hearing as is his statutory right in any executive session that a personnel issue is addressed."

Elliott also requested all documents sent to any employees/members of the public outside of the executive session and emails among board members prior to or following the suspension date.

Following the executive session, FBI agents were seen at the transfer station.  On March 27, FBI Boston confirmed agents were on the transfer station's "scene," said FBI Public Affairs Specialist Tim Callery. FBI Boston called it "routine law enforcement activity."

Elliott is researching the legality of the March 26 special meeting as to whether proper legal notice was given and why (Steve) Lewis wasn't allowed to participate in the executive session. "It's his right to attend an executive session so we want to know why he wasn't allowed to participate," Elliott said. "These actions may invalidate their vote, but I still have more checking to do."

In a recent article, Bangor Daily News quoted Steve Lewis as saying he didn't know what the FBI was investigating. On April 10, Elliott told the Boothbay Register Lewis didn't know then or now what the FBI was investigating. "They haven't told us anything," he said.

In the appeal, Elliott forwarded concerns from his client about Lewis's suspension without pay. "This office is willing to work with you on the time limits for your production of documents and time for a reply as long as Mr. Lewis is suspended with pay and any back pay is caught up immediately."  

Refuse district trustees meet next at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 10 in the transfer station business office.