Rescinded. That was the Boothbay selectboard’s decision Aug. 28 to reverse its $75,000 fine against McGee Construction of Gardiner. On Aug. 14, selectmen voted, 3-2, to assess a $1,000 per day fine against McGee for not completing its work on the Country Club and Butler roads’ sewer and water project by an extended deadline. The original deadline was May 17, but selectmen took into account a week of bad weather and unexpected ledge problems. New dates of Aug. 1 and Aug. 8 were set for the project, but McGee, again, missed those.

Project Manager Mike McGee told selectmen on Aug. 28 he was unaware of the fine until reading about it in the Boothbay Register. He explained May 17 was never a real date due to late delivery of precast piping. He estimated that delay cost his company several weeks in starting the project. “We probably could’ve finished sooner, but that would’ve required more road closures,” he said. “We had some other challenges during the project, but there never was any communication about us missing a deadline.”

Selectmen were pleased with McGee’s work upon its completion last month. They also decided poor communication between the town, project engineer and contractor led to a misunderstanding between all parties. Selectmen voted, 4-1, to rescind the fine. Chairman Chuck Cunningham cast the lone dissenting vote. “I really can’t make a decision until I hear from the engineer, so you guys do what you want,” he said. 

The late completion date on the project wasn’t the only controversy generated this summer. On Aug. 27, several Butler Road residents voiced their displeasure with Boothbay Region Development Corporation’s affordable housing project during the planning board meeting. Residents said the road couldn’t handle current traffic let alone 300 more residents. “I can’t support this project,” said Todd Barter, a Butler Road homeowner. “I don’t think you understand what this project did to the Babcocks, Dickinsons and Barters. And now, I’m hearing this project may go on for 10 years. It ruined our summers. You are going to see me at every meeting making this difficult for you.”

Selectmen understood challenges facing Country Club and Butler road residents but re-emphasized their support for the affordable housing project. “I understand your concern, but if it was placed somewhere else, like the River Road, we’d have another group complaining to us,” Selectman Russ Pinkham said. 

Erin Cooperrider is BRDC’s vice president. She attended the meeting to offer her support for McGee Construction’s work. “I live here and drive Butler Road every day. I appreciate and understand the difficulties everybody experienced,” she said. “Yes, it was difficult, but when I travel (Route) 96, it’s worse. I want to give credit to McGee for their quality work, and credit them for sticking with it.”

In other action, Consolidated Communications senior manager Simon Thorne updated selectmen about the project for expanding broadband fiber to unserved and underserved Lincoln County towns. Last month, Consolidated received a $6 million Maine Connectivity Authority grant for broadband expansion in Woolwich, Wiscasset, Dresden, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Edgecomb, Waldoboro, Alna, Whitefield and Nobleboro. Lincoln County contributed $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. Towns will contribute their remaining ARPA dollars as part of the grant match. The major contributor is Consolidated Communications. The company is contributing $22 million for the project. Thorne reported the project is tentatively scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2025, and end in the third quarter. 

According to town officials, Boothbay has 9% of residents classified as either unserved or underserved with high-speed internet capability. Finding a project to aid their residents without access to broadband access has been a long search for Boothbay officials. “I think we are finally going to realize what we’ve been talking about for 10 years,” Cunningham said.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 in the conference room.