The former “Windjammer shop” at 8 Wharf Street in Boothbay Harbor has been purchased, with plans to tear the old building down and rebuild a 30 percent larger structure (the maximum increase allowed in the shoreland zone).

The new owner, Rahul Anand of Connecticut, has hired the Knickerbocker Group to design the structure. At the May 27 Boothbay Harbor selectmen's meeting, Adam Maltese of Knickerbocker Group presented a plan for construction, and asked the selectmen to close down part of the Byway, and create two-way traffic on wharf street from November 1 through April 30 to allow construction to take place.

The area of road to be closed down would extend from the phone pole between the Ice Cream Factory on the Byway to a few feet past Downeast Candies. The area would remain open to pedestrian traffic, but cars would not be allowed through.

“The property line goes right to the edge of the street,” Maltese said. “To keep the area of construction and demolition safe, we need the road to be closed.”

The area would be blocked off with portable fence panels with privacy screens, weighted down with sandbags. Gates on either end of the area would open a 12-foot section for snow removal, since construction would be taking place during the winter.

Selectman Wendy Wolf expressed concerns for the merchants located nearby, specifically during the Early Bird sale and the Harbor Lights Festival. Maltese replied that since those sales are pedestrian-driven and the sidewalks would be unblocked, the merchants shouldn't be affected. Wolf also asked about the visibility of The Cannery, as the plan shows the fencing totally blocking any view of the business. She asked if it would be possible to adjust the staging area to allow greater visibility. Maltese was unsure, but said he would look into it.

The selectmen were comfortable with two-way Wharf Street traffic, although they said that the logistics of turning around needed to be worked out. However, they found issue with two-way traffic on the Byway.

“How can cars turn around in the Byway?” Selectman Bill Hamblen asked.

Maltese replied that Knickerbocker Group’s construction partner, Eric Marden, had spoken with the business owners who owned the parking lot behind the Hutch about possibly allowing cars to turn around there, though no agreement had been reached yet. The selectmen still had concerns, especially about the loss of parking and the dangerous blind curve near the insurance agency.

“Is it even physically possible for two cars to pass each other by the insurance agency?” Town Manager Tom Woodin asked.

Most of all, the selectmen were concerned about the ability of emergency services to reach the area with the Byway shut down.

“Fire, police, ambulances — we really need single-lane access at all times,” Chairman Denise Griffin said.

Selectman Russ Hoffman asked if the lanes for snow removal could be kept totally clear and open at all times, to maintain the traffic pattern and allow emergency crews through. It would be a tighter squeeze for cars, but possible with 12 feet of space.

Maltese replied that it would hinder construction, though they could discuss opening the lane during holidays and any days the crew was not working. Currently the plans are for the crew to work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Hamblen said if they can settle the issue of fire safety, he would personally be OK with scheduled closures only.

“A blanket closure just doesn't fly with me,” Hamblen said.

Hoffman also suggested creating signage to warn motorists and pedestrians about the construction taking place, so they wouldn't be caught unawares.

The selectmen asked Planning Board Chairman Mike Tomko, who attended the meeting, what decisions the planning board had taken. He replied the planning board had scheduled a site visit for May 29, and that Knickerbocker Group would be presenting an updated plan at its next meeting on June 11, as the board had been unable to accept the plan as it was. He also said that he felt it was important for cars and people to be able to access The Cannery and McSeagull’s.

No decisions were made or votes taken on the issue. The next selectmen's meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on June 9 at the Boothbay Harbor Town Office.

“We appreciate all the input from the public, but we are most concerned with public safety,” Maltese said after the meeting. “That is our primary concern.”