Boothbay Region Television wants to help improve local broadband access. On Sept. 26, the cable access channel volunteered to spearhead an effort to identify broadband cable needs. Station Manager Cody Mitchell and board members Win Mitchell and Frank Fassett attended the Boothbay selectmen’s meeting and volunteered their services. In the proposal, BRTV offered to identify what kinds of broadband already exist and research where there is none.

BRTV would research what services local providers Spectrum, Lincolnville Communications and Fairpoint offer and match them with local needs. Selectmen appreciated BRTV’s assistance, but believed an entity not as closely associated with Spectrum should lead the effort. Spectrum has an exclusive cable franchise agreement with Boothbay and offers BRTV in its cable package.

“I think you bring a lot to the table and we want you involved, but you shouldn’t spearhead this,” said Selectman Steve Lewis. “I don’t think you would be bias, but we want to avoid the perception.”

Previously, the board tapped Selectman Kristina Ford to submit a Maine Community Foundation application for a grant of up to $15,000 to organize local efforts in seeking more grants for providing greater broadband options. Selectmen are also considering forming a committee to assess local broadband needs. Win Mitchell operates a local campground. He reported his customers rave about local internet services. He advised the community should focus on making a good system better.

“We have broadband. We just need more of it. My customers say our internet surpasses what they experience around the country. Our focus should be on enhancing what we already have,” he said.

In other action, selectmen took a step toward reviewing and possibly updating the community school district’s charter. Selectmen voted 3-0 to appoint Lewis and Selectman Dale Harmon to a joint committee with two Boothbay Harbor selectmen and both town managers. The committee may recommend updating or eliminating the charter. In 1955, the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District was created by state Legislature approval. Any changes would also need state approval.

The charter’s relevance has been questioned for years, but recently, it has undergone greater scrutiny. A CSD trustee report revealed the district’s two schools need about $10 million in renovations and repairs. Lewis conversed with Boothbay Harbor Select Board Chairman Wendy Wolf following the community forum about the two towns discussing revamping the six decade old document.

“This is something  we need to talk about,” Lewis said. “There are a lot of issues such as the future of education here. I tell you before we decide to build a new school, I need to know it won’t be for 150 students. We need a plan to attract more families here, before committing to anything.”

For years, both Boothbay anbd Boothbay Harbor officials described the charter as out-of-date and needing reform. But the recent CSD trustee report concluded the elementary and high schools need up to $10 million in repairs and renovations. This report caused greater urgency in both towns wanting to discuss peninsula education and a charter re-examination.

Boothbay selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10 in the municipal building’s conference room.