Boothbay Harbor Sewer District trustees on Dec. 17 approved a $2.1 million budget and a 3.4% rate increase. This will take effect Jan. 1. 

The new budget, $2,162,089, is down 1% from last year’s, according to Superintendent David Pratt. Rates are also down 4.5% from 2024’s 8% rate increase. 

During the meeting, the trustees attributed the current rate increase to cost-of-living adjustments and pointed to the need for funding for their multi-phase sea wall project. The sea wall has been in development for several years as the risk of flooding at the sewer plant has increased to due to storm surges.  

In an email to the Register, Pratt explained that phase 1 of the plan is estimated to cost $8.1 million, $6 million of which has been covered by grants so far. In a few months, the plan will go out to bid and the district will have a more accurate picture of the final cost. Construction will likely begin in the fall.  

The unanimous votes for the budget and rates were taken at a trustee meeting and public hearing, The meeting was attended by Pratt and all trustees: Deryl Kipp, Russell Hoffman and James Stormont. Former superintendent Chris Higgins and some members of the public were also present.