U.S. Route 1 traffic has been slow during the summer Boothbay region tourist season for decades, and this year, it could be worse than it ever has. Edgecomb Selectman Mike Smith reported the Maine Department of Transportation project to improve traffic for the U.S. Route 1 and Route 27 intersection will be delayed. The project was originally slated to start this spring, but now the project won’t begin until mid-June. Smith contacted Project Manager Steve Groves who told him both 2021 Edgecomb projects will be delayed. Smith told fellow board members on May 17, the DOT had planned on finishing most of the U.S. Route 1 project prior to tourist season, but now it looks like it will last through fall. 

“They anticipate the project should go well with the vast majority of (Route 1) work done during the day, and the final coat of paving will be done at night due to the large amount of roadway needed. During construction, it will remain open to one-lane traffic,” he said. Once the U.S. Route 1 project is completed, the DOT will begin the Eddy Road project in the fall. Smith said Groves indicated the Eddy Road project would likely be completed by Thanksgiving. Later, Smith explained the delay is likely due to a shortage of labor and materials.

This decision concerned Selectman Ted Hugger, who owns Cod Cove Inn. He believed this large DOT project in the middle of tourist season would hurt everyone in the local hospitality industry. He recalled the original U.S. Route 1 plan was to start in early spring and wrap up by high (tourist) season. “Now they are going to shut down traffic during the entire (tourist) season. This is not going to help those businesses who are already hanging on by a thread,” he said.

Selectman Dawn Murray had concerns about how the delay would impact local roads and residents. She believed tourists’ GPS devices would re-route traffic to Eddy and Middle roads which wouldn’t hold up under the increased traffic. “This will lead to more and faster traffic. People already drive 20 miles per hour over the limit,” she said. “It’s already over capacity, and all the holes and curves will only make it worse.”

Fire Chief Roy Potter believed the Eddy Road completion date may not materialize this year. He told selectmen about a conversation he had with a DOT worker. “I don’t know if that’s going to happen,” he said. Potter explained the DOT’s plan was removing Eddy Road ledge and using it to fill the shoulder. “Nobody’s done anything to obtain the permits for that,” he said. “He’s telling me the permits will take over a year.”

Selectmen asked state Sen. Chloe Maxmin (D-Nobleboro) to persuade the DOT to begin the U.S. Route 1 project sooner. Maxmin was a scheduled guest for the Zoom conference. Maxmin discussed several of the 13 bills she is sponsoring in the current legislative session. During the conference, Maxmin told selectmen she shared their U.S. Route project concerns. “I agree with you, and I will reach out to DOT, and see what is going on there,” she said.

In June, Edgecomb selectmen will return to in-person meetings. Selectmen made the decision due to recent U.S. Center for Disease Control and state health officials easing restrictions for public gatherings. Selectmen voted 3-0 to resume meeting in-person for their next board meeting. Selectmen will require participants to wear masks and remain socially distant. “I’m comfortable with us going back into the building. I think that’s the direction (to go) and see what happens,” he said. During municipal business hours, visitors are still required to wear masks. Town Clerk/Treasurer Claudia Coffin will remain located downstairs and Deputy Tax Collector Rebecca Brewer will remain upstairs. The only change related to Gov. Janet Mills relaxing COVID-19 related safety measures is the town hall doors will no longer be locked during office hours. 

Coffin reported on this year’s town hall heating and electric bills compared to recent years. She expected higher bills for 2021 than in 2019, prior to the pandemic. Coffin expected higher bills this year due to using the upstairs more often. For electricity, Coffin reported “we’re at $1,200 this year and $1,500 last year. For fuel, $1,900 this year, and $2,000 last year, and $2,900 the year before. So I think we’ve done very well.”

Selectmen also filled an appeals board vacancy by appointing Karen Greene. Smith also worked out a deal to sell a U.S. Route 1 tax-acquired property. He spoke to the owner of Royal River Heat Pump property which was formerly the old post office and Winters shoe store. “They were very interested in the property for the $1,400 I quoted them,” he said. Selectmen voted unanimously to sell the property for $1,400.

Selectmen met next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 1 in the town hall.