For years, Boothbay peninsula residents have described Route 27’s condition in many ways. On April 25, Boothbay Town Manager Dan Bryer recalled one especially apt comparison. “I remember Steve (Lewis, selectman) comparing it to Mario Kart. I think that put it best,” he said. “You’re always weaving around all the troubled areas.” 

On May 2, Edgecomb selectmen are hosting a meeting with Maine Department of Transportation to discuss the Route 27 project. Work was originally scheduled for 2023, but was pushed back until next year. During their April 25 meeting, Boothbay selectmen decided to attend the May 2 selectmen’s meeting in the Edgecomb town hall. Selectman Russ Pinkham regularly travels Route 27, and called it “dangerous.” He told his fellow selectmen how difficult it is driving on the heavily used state route. “If I was coming from out-of-state I’d turn around. Driving 27 makes my blood pressure jump 20 points,” he said. 

In his town manager’s report, Bryer announced a May 26 grand opening for the Clifford Park renovation project. He expected a full slate of activities for the ribbon cutting ceremony. “We’re inviting Kimmy’s Kids (a local daycare), Little Leaguers and Y-Arts to perform. We may have someone from the Red Sox alumni, too,” he said. Even though the ceremony commemorates the opening, Bryer reported the ballfield still needs some finishing touches. He listed the mound as one of the unfinished items along with the placement of two foul poles, a flagpole and work on the electric scoreboard. “I’m working with Lions Club on the foul poles, and we need someone to wire the scoreboard. Public works built the benches and I’d like to see a roof on the dugout,” Bryer said.

In other action, selectmen approved three license requests. The board voted, 4-0, approving Steve and Susan Plausteiner’s request, doing business as Five Gables Inn in East Boothbay, for a renewal of an innkeeper’s license. Blue Diamond Boothbay, LLC received approval for a new applicant’s Class 1-A liquour, special amusement and Innkeepers licenses for their East Boothbay business Smuggler’s Cove Inn.

Bluebird Ocean Point Inn owner LH F&B, LLC of Kennebunk received approval for a new applicant’s Class 1-A liquor license. The inn is also in the process of seeking approval to sell liquor or malt on their property across the road. Attorney Brandon Masur of Perkins Thompson in Portland represents the company and told selectmen April 25 he is working with the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations to secure approval for expanded sales. 

Selectmen approved the 1-A license for inside sales so they could start buying alcohol in anticipation of their June 7 opening. Chairman Chuck Cunningham advised once the business received state approval for expanded sales outside and across the street, they could seek municipal approval.

Selectmen approved two wharves and weirs applications. Wallace Smith received approval to construct a 20-foot by 6-foot pier with a seasonal 40-foot by 3-foot runway to a 20-foot by 10-foot float and a 20-foot by 10-foot skidway for his Ocean Point Road property. Dexter and Colleen Honnors received approval to replace a 32-foot by 4-foot pier to a seasonal 34-foot by 3-foot runway and an 8-foot by 24-foot float.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 in the conference room.