Boothbay selectmen approved Jody Lewis’ appointment Oct. 28 to finish an unexpired Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District trustee term. Selectmen voted 4-0 to appoint Lewis to finish Kirk Brewer’s term which expires in June 2022. Four people applied. Selectman Steve Lewis, the refuse district’s operations manager, did not participate in the interview process or appointment.

In other action, Town Manager Dan Bryer reported 1,409 voters had already cast ballots. Boothbay has 2,668 registered voters.

On Nov. 3, those who have not voted early or by absentee ballot will cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the old town hall at Boothbay Railway Village. In July, town officials moved the municipal polling place from the municipal building to the railway village due to state COVID-19 safety regulations. 

Two selectmen prepared for the board’s upcoming cable television franchise agreement renegotiation with Spectrum by checking out locations either unserved or underserved. Town officials report the franchise agreement expired many years ago and runs until a new one is reached. In 2019, the town hired Casco Bay Associates to review gaps in high-speed broadband coverage in the Boothbay region. In July, Casco Bay Associates reported “Boothbay Harbor was 99% and Boothbay was 94% served.”

Selectmen hope to use this information in securing a possible new, favorable franchise agreement with Spectrum. Last month, Selectmen Mike Tomacelli and Steve Lewis explored the town’s 6% of underserved cable television locations. The two found locations sparsely populated, but thought the Annabel Road location may prove a good starting point in possible re-negotiations. “We spoke to several people along Annabel and a couple side roads who were interested in cable television and broadband access. So I think it’s worth at least discussing with Spectrum. If they say no, then we can explore other options,” Lewis said.

Bryer is attempting to schedule a meeting between Spectrum representatives and selectmen later this month. Bryer is also working out details on a couple of future solar power electricity options facing the town. Boothbay’s seven-year agreement with ReVision Energy expires this year. Boothbay has an option to buy solar panels attached to its public works buildings for $1 and continue with a ReVision Energy service contract. Another option is from SunRaise Investments, LLC of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Former Boothbay resident Joe Harrison works for SunRaise and provided information about potential electricity savings with the New Hampshire-based company. Bryer is waiting for estimates from ReVision Energy about future costs before making a recommendation. SunRaise’s report showed a potential $6,000 annual savings. 

But Lewis didn’t believe that factored in the town owning its own solar panels. “If we go with ReVision, we would own the solar panels and our electricity cost would be nothing. So I guess it depends how expensive the service contract would be,” Lewis said. 

Selectmen are still deciding when to schedule their next meeting. The second Wednesday of November is the 11th, which is Veterans Day.