UPDATE: In a July 15 letter from D. A. Fisher, Bridge Program Manager, U. S. Coast Guard to Benjamin W. Foster, P.E., Maine Department of Transportation, as supplied by Paul Merrill, MDOT, “the Barters Island Bridge need not open for the passage of vessels from July 16, 2022, through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022. The bridge tender shall remain on duty to advise mariners of this deviation. Vessels which can safely pass beneath the bridge in the closed position shall be permitted to do so.

“This deviation may not be changed or extended without written approval from the U.S. Coast Guard. This temporary deviation is conditional and may be withdrawn at any time if the U.S. Coast Guard determines that the safety of human life, the environment, or the needs of navigation become endangered. Should an extension of this deviation be required, contact Mr. Croot of my office at least three days in advance.”

ORIGINAL POST: For nearly a year, the new Barters Island Bridge hasn’t worked as planned. The  bridge reopened last August, but its continued mechanical problem has caused several long traffic delays. On July 13, Boothbay Town Manager Dan Bryer reported federal and state officials contemplating closing the bridge to boat traffic. “Operators can open the bridge so boats can pass by, but there is a problem in closing it. Ever since it opened, there is a problem closing it causing delays of 90-120 minutes,” he told selectmen during the bimonthly meeting.

On July 16, Bryer joined a teleconference with Maine Department of Transportation and Coast Guard northeast region officials discussing the potentially dangerous situation. He told the Boothbay Register, “The Coast Guard hasn’t made a decision, but they will likely close it until MDOT and Reed & Reed (contractors) discover the problem,” he said. 

During the meeting, Bryer told selectmen the long delays created a “dangerous situation” for emergency vehicles traveling to the island during an unexpected long delay due to a bridge malfunction. 

In other action, selectmen signed a letter supporting Sunrise Ecologic of Boothbay as the town’s service provider in Gov. Janet Mills’ Community Resilience Partnership. The state program is designed to help municipalities achieve Mills’ Climate Council’s goals. The letter makes Sunrise Ecologic eligible for a $10,000 grant assisting Boothbay in qualifying for the Community Resilence Partnership. If Boothbay is accepted into the program, it would receive up to $50,000 in state grants for implementing three to five climate goals from a list provided by the governor’s Climate Council. 

“I would act as your funding agent for 12 months,” said Shri Verrill of Sunrise Ecologic. “The climate council has eight strategic areas with a list of 79 projects dealing with climate adaptation. You would select three to five from the list. A town committee would rank the selections and you could submit a grant application in spring 2023.”

Selectmen joined their Southport counterparts in supporting placing a referendum question on the November ballot regarding water fluoridation. Last year, the Fluoride Opposition Coalition, a local group, began lobbying selectmen in Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport for a local vote regarding continued fluoridation in the public water. All three are Boothbay Region Water District members. Once two select boards agree to a warrant article, then it is automatically placed on all three municipal ballots. On July 13, Boothbay and Southport selectmen agreed to send Boothbay Harbor a letter supporting a November referendum question.

Boothbay selectmen authorized buying a new Dodge truck for the public works department. Selectmen voted unanimously in accepting Hights Dodge’s $64,500 bid. Selectmen also authorized buying a $3,500 extended warranty. Hights is also accepting a used public works department truck as trade in. This deducts $26,618 from the purchase price. 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 27 in the conference room.