Boothbay selectmen are considering discontinuing eight roads and possibly reclaiming an abandoned one. The board discussed the possible pitfalls of discontinuing the sparsely populated roads on July 9 with Boothbay Region Water District manager Jon Ziegra.

Among the roads slated for discontinuance are Wall and Virginia streets, Wigwan Trail, Sherman Cove, Walker, Crooker, Gray, and Chadbourne roads. Town Manager James Chaousis described each road as having no more than two family residences.

Ziegra advised the selectmen to use caution when discontinuing roads. He believed these roads still had intrinsic value. Ziegra said these roads’ right-of-ways were valuable to the town’s utilities for maintaining and updating its systems. He reminded the selectmen of a 1965 state statute that allowed municipalities to discontinue a road and retain the right-of-way.

“Giving away a municipal right-of-way has more of an impact than just to the town. It also impacts the utilities that depend on them. They’re valuable to the local utilities for putting in a water main extension or making other improvements. So that’s my message tonight,” Ziegra said.

Selectman Dale Harmon said he favored keeping the right-of-ways if the town could also relinquish the responsibility of maintaining the roads. Harmon, an advocate for discontinuing sparsely used roads, later expressed regrets how the town handled a similar issue a decade ago. In that case, he favored the town maintaining Presley Drive. The East Boothbay road was discontinued by the town in 2004.

“I think we gave away an easement years ago that we never should’ve done,” Harmon said. “There are only two ways in and out of East Boothbay, and we gave one of them away,” Harmon said.

He also favored the town reacquiring Presley Drive in order to provide an emergency exit out of East Boothbay.

This led to a discussion about whether the town followed proper procedure in discontinuing the road. Selectman Steve Lewis asked if the matter was ever voted on during the 2004 town meeting. If the past board approved discontinuance without a public vote, then the current selectmen speculated that the road is still town property.

“If that’s the case then I favor pursuing whatever means it takes in getting it back,” Harmon said.

The board directed Chaousis to research whether the town discontinued the road legally, and if not, see what options Boothbay had in reacquiring ownership.

The selectmen will further discuss the plight of the proposed eight roads slated for discontinuance at a future meeting. Chaousis said the town needed to do more work prior to proceeding toward discontinuing any of the eight roads.

Other business

The selectmen want to meet with its counterparts in Boothbay Harbor and Southport about the vacant regional Emergency Management Director’s position. Previous director Scott Campbell retired in May after serving 15-plus years in the position. The three towns advertised for a new director this spring, but no one applied.

“We need to meet with the other two towns to see what to do about the vacancy and see if a regional director still makes sense,” Chaousis said.

If an emergency situation should occur, Boothbay Fire Chief Dick Spofford would direct any natural disaster crisis, according to Chaousis.

The board also approved the purchase of a 2015 Dodge Ram 5500 truck for $44,865. The selectmen agreed to purchase the vehicle from Hight Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep in Madison. Hight was one of three bidders. Whited Ford in Bangor presented the low bid of $44,160. Both Chaousis and public works foreman Mike Alley recommended purchasing the Dodge.

“The Dodge has a superior fuel capacity, horsepower and a better warranty,” Chaousis said. “Mike and I both agree the 2015 Dodge Ram 5500 provides the most value to the town,” Chaousis said.

A projection on equipping the new truck with plow gear is approximately $45,800, said Chaousis. This would bring the total purchase price to $90,665. Hight also offered $20,000 as a trade-in on the 2006 GMC 5500. The town previously put the public works vehicle out for bid, but didn’t receive any offers. The selectmen may put the truck out for bid a second time.

The board will meet next at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23 in the municipal building.