Boothbay Harbor corrects the record on municipal legal fees
Town manager says lawyer’s quoted amount of $150K not accurate
BILL PEARSON
Tue, 02/28/2023 - 3:30pm
On Feb. 14, attorney Kristin Collins addressed Boothbay Harbor selectmen and reported her Freedom of Access Act request showed $150,000 in payments regarding two legal cases. She is the attorney for Joe and Jill Doyle’s appeal of the Eastside Waterfront project and 29 McKown’s appeal of the Newcastle Realty building on 14 Todd Ave. But a review of municipal records shows the figure is far below $150,000.
On Feb. 27, Town Manager Julia Latter reported all legal fees for the past three years totaled $104,419 and bills for the Waterfront park and McKown 29 totaled around $14,000. “I’m not sure of where the math came from. We don’t check for accuracy or debate during public forum. Let’s just call it an honest mistake,” said Selectman Mike Tomko.
In other action, Boothbay Region Water District Manager Jon Ziegra sought selectmen’s approval to place a debt limit adjustment measure on the May town meeting warrant. The district is seeking to boost its debt limit from $12 million to $19 million. Ziegra explained there are several reasons behind the request. One is inflation. The district was established in 2001, which would make the $12 million figure in today’s money $19.8 million, according to the consumer price index. “A million dollars doesn’t go as far as it once did. It used to cost a million to replace a mile of pipe. It now costs $2.2 million,” Ziegra said. “For a district our size, accruing debt is the only practical way to get enough capital to do large scale projects. If we save any money, the PUC makes us give the money back.”
Ziegra also explained federal grant dollars were available for projects and the additional debt limit would be beneficial. Ziegra said the district is planning a Route 96 project which would provide an “inexhaustible” source of water for fire protection. The project has an estimated $4.4 million cost. “A federal grant would pay 50%. You’d never see anything like this 10 years ago, but now it’s become the norm. So now is the time to begin replacing our infrastructure.”
The district needs approval from all three towns: Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport. Ziegra already sought Boothbay’s approval to place the question on its May town meeting referendum. He said it was too late for a placement on Southport’s warrant. Ziegra plans on asking Southport officials to hold a special town meeting later this year.
Selectmen awarded the Fish Pier floats project to New Harbor Marine with a qualified low bid of $47,200. Other bidders were Chesterfields Associates Inc., $65,000; and Fuller Marine Services Inc. of Boothbay, $65,557.
Selectmen approved four liquor licenses. One was a renewal and the others were new requests. Schooner Eastward and Apple Jack, both of 20 Commercial St., received a malt, wine and spirits license. The Thistle Inn received a malt, wine and spirits license. Kaler’s Crab and Lobster House had its malt, wine and spirits license renewed.
Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, March 13 in the conference room.
