Dear Editor:

In October of 2020, the Boothbay Harbor Planning Board approved the East Side Waterfront Park site plan with the words, “Congratulations, you have a park!”

During the last six months, an individual has filed multiple appeals with the Town of Boothbay Harbor and, recently, in Lincoln County Superior Court challenging numerous aspects of the plans for the park that had been previously approved. The current court complaint challenging the Town’s denial of the first appeal named the town of Boothbay Harbor as defendant with Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation (BBHWP) named as a Party-In-Interest.

As a result, East Side Waterfront Park construction has been at a standstill since August. BBHWP will soon appear before a Town Board for the 11th time to discuss Park permitting. We will now no longer be able to open the Park for the 2022 season as planned.

This review process has been costly with respect to legal fees and time investment for both BBHWP and the Town of Boothbay Harbor. 

Our plans, from the outset, have been consistent, well-advertised and completely transparent. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, BBHWP is debt-free and financially stable. There have been more than 10 public events and over 25 newspaper stories highlighting our plans and progress. We are transforming a dated property with 98% impervious surface into a park and marina serving our critical local needs of working waterfront and public recreational access to the water.

Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation has been delayed but not deterred. We appreciate your ongoing trust and patience.

John O’Connell

President, Board of Directors

Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation