Some liked it. Some didn’t. And others wanted more information about the Route 27 traffic study before supporting or opposing it. Nearly 300 people attended the March 9 selectmen’s meeting which had one agenda item: a Route 27 traffic pattern study review.

This was the first public viewing of the new traffic study created by The Knickerbocker Group and Maine Department of Transportation. This is the third time since 2002 the Route 27 traffic along Corey Lane and Back River Road has been studied. Past efforts to alleviate congested traffic near the Boothbay Common failed.

The new proposal was initiated by The Knickerbocker Group President Steve Malcom, a Boothbay resident, business owner and member of the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Joint Economic Committee.

Concerns about Corey Lane traffic resurfaced in December due to the success of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens' “Gardens Aglow.” The event generated traffic congestion associated with peak levels seen during July and August. Malcom told the crowd the botanical gardens' success provides the community another opportunity to address the ongoing traffic problem.

“I’m here because I saw an opportunity to bring people together and make something happen that cannot happen alone,” he said.

Malcom also spoke on behalf of his client, Paul Coulombe of Southport, who owns the Boothbay Harbor Country Club and several properties along the Boothbay Common.

Coulombe financed the report.

“In addition, Paul has agreed to become a partner in a solution created by the town and DOT supporting the economic future benefiting our entire region,” Malcom said.

The Knickerbocker Group partnered with the Maine Department of Transportation in creating the study. The state hired Mark Lenters of the Wisconsin firm GHD Consulting, Inc. Lenters recommended a roundabout to improve traffic flow and safety.

During the meeting, Lenters presented a 38-minute slide show explaining his recommendation.

“A roundabout is a safety improvement for the community. It lowers speeds with better traffic flow and is friendly to both pedestrians and bicyclists,” Lenters said.

The preliminary plan calls for re-routing Corey Lane by adding a roundabout near the municipal building. Lenters estimates the change provides adequate traffic flow for up to 40 percent more vehicles over the next 20 years.

After Lenters’ presentation, Boothbay Region residents asked questions for 67 minutes. Residents spoke about the proposal’s various pros and cons.

“What I see is very positive,” said Boothbay resident Chris Bastian. “I can tell you put a lot of thought into it.”

But East Boothbay resident Ed Shaw didn’t think summer traffic congestion was bad enough to disrupt the community. Shaw criticized the selectmen for what he perceived as town leaders not taking no for an answer. In 2011, voters rejected a proposed roundabout.

“I don’t believe when you say if the town doesn’t want it they can say no. Not with your track record,” Shaw said. “Last time we voted no, then a couple weeks later, you thought we were too stupid so we had vote again. What makes this time different?”

Selectman Dale Harmon explained this was only a preliminary hearing.

“This is not the town’s plan. We're here just like you listening to what it’s all about,” he said.

Boothbay resident and former state representative Bruce MacDonald questioned where the DOT would get funding for the project.

“I’m surprised to hear this since the state has no money?” MacDonald said. “When I was in the legislature we had a backlog of projects costing hundreds of million dollars. Why is DOT willing come forward with other projects already ahead of it.”

DOT officials estimated the roundabout’s cost between $3 million and $4 million. Funding would likely come from the state’s Business Partnership Initiative, according to State Transportation Engineer Steve Landry. The Business Partnership Initiative shares construction costs between state, municipal government and private sources.

Each pays a third of each project with the state’s contribution capped at $1 million, according to Landry.

“It’s a good investment for the state to pay 33 cents per dollar on a project. It’s the best bang for the buck,” he said.

The local business community believed better traffic flow would aid future economic development. Southport resident Bill Cullina is the CMBG’s executive director. In 10 years, the Gardens expects to create 100 more jobs, he said.

“The reality is everybody comes here by car. Traffic will continue to increase and a creative solution now alleviates future problems,” he said.

Cullina estimated the CMBG’s future impact on the local economy would be 500 jobs created indirectly and generate another $75 million locally.

Boothbay resident Ron Ginger left his neighbors with a philosophical thought. Ginger moved here in 1982.

“I came here because I liked it so much. But changes happens. The only time it doesn’t is when you’re dead.”

The selectmen may hold another Route 27 traffic study informational hearing in April. The board will meet next at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 23 in the municipal building.