The Route 27 Reconstruction Project has hit a bump in the road: Prolonged traffic delays caused by road construction and exacerbated this week with heavy Windjammer Days traffic.

Despite two lengthy delays in construction earlier this month, the project is still projected to meet a June 30 completion date. Construction stopped for an entire work day June 8 for Boothbay Region High School’s graduation and a half day for June 27’s Windjammer Days Parade.

Project and town officials considered June 29 and 30 night work for relieving traffic congestion. That option was eliminated after Sargent Construction learned its subcontractor wasn’t available for night work this weekend. A second option is postponing the remaining night work until July 7 and 8, but that comes at cost. “It’s about $5,000 we’d have to pay for work after the deadline,” Bryer said.

During the June 27 board meeting, selectmen sought an option which completes work by June 30. Since any proposal needs Sargent’s approval, Bryer was directed to engage the project’s contractor and consultant for a solution. On Thursday, Sargent and town consultant Sebago Technics developed another plan calling for completing as much work as possible within the road during the morning hours.

On June 28, selectmen met individually with Sargent and Sebago representatives. “I think we’ve worked something out,” Town Manager Dan Bryer said Thursday. “They will do as much as they can in the early hours and stay out of the road the rest of day except for some occasional work.”

According to Bryer, the remaining work consists of apron construction and minor cleanup around the project.

In other action, Bryer updated selectmen about this fall’s road paving projects. The town received bids from four contractors. Hagar Enterprises of Damariscotta wasn’t among them. Selectmen asked Bryer why Hagar didn’t respond to a request for proposals. Bryer reported the RFP advertised on Maine Municipal Association’s website stipulated a contractor “own their own plant.” Selectmen believed this condition limited their options.

“My question is why,” said Selectman Dale Harmon. “There are only about four or five in the state who own their own plant. It sounds like we were trying to limit someone with that language.”

Bryer explained the RFPs were prepared by Public Works Director Mike Alley. Bryer advised selectmen to reject the four RFPs received if they weren’t satisfactory, then seek bids without the stipulation.

Selectmen also heard a request from Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission to participate in a local grant opportunity. Planner Robert Faunce spoke about a regional sea level rise study examining local coastal communities’ vulnerabilities. Faunce reported Maine Department of Marine Resources’ Maine Coastal Program would facilitate a $24,000 federal grant and Boothbay’s share would be $6,000. The town will not participate because selectmen requested more information and the grant’s deadline is July 27.

Selectmen also created a new committee. The board appointed Nell Tharpe, Joe Paolillo and Sue Mello to the Comprehensive Plan Oversight Committee. The trio is tasked with coordinating efforts to implement recommendations identified in Chapter 8, Section C of the comprehensive plan voters approved in November 2015.

The board meets next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 11 in the municipal conference room.