At their October 9 meeting, Boothbay Harbor selectmen reviewed the case of one of its tenants at the town-owned fish pier, Matt Parkhurst & Sons, Inc., specifically, and the rental of the Atlantic Avenue property in general.

While the business has ceased operating, as ordered on August 15 due to alleged violations in connection with alcohol service, it still had floats and a ramp on the premises, Boothbay Harbor Town Manager Jim Somerville said Tuesday. On October 1, lawyers for the town presented a "complaint for forcible entry and detainer" because of the plaintiff's failure to vacate the premises.

"I fully expect that he'll cooperate," said Somerville.

Boothbay Harbor's Port Committee has urged the selectmen to consider various factors in selecting the new tenant for the space being vacated: Which lessee will do the most for the property and the town; who is responsible for different types of maintenance; and whether someone other than the town manager should be a property manager or liaison between the lessee and the town.

Somerville feels the new lease for whichever applicant is chosen should allow for penalties if its conditions are not met. He agreed with Port Committee Chairman Palmer Payne's suggestion that the town has to find out what the potential renters are willing to do for the town, rather than automatically doing things for them. The town will repair the back stairs and do some electrical work to bring the building up to code and is in the process of tearing down the old bait building on the property, in part because none of the six potential lessees wants it.

After announcements at the previous two meetings, first of Jim Somerville's retirement and then of selectman Mary Lee Brown's resignation, Chairman Earl Brown at the October 9 meeting noted two additional letters of resignation: from police department employee Georgette Carrigan and Robert M. Ames of the road crew. Both resignations had been accepted by Somerville.

With a 3-1 vote (Barbara Lorrain abstained), the board officially accepted Mary Lee Brown's resignation, which was effective October 1. Although she was not present, the chairman thanked her for the job she's done for the town.

The selectmen heard from Port Committee Chairman Palmer Payne about the cost to relocate 50 to 60 moorings at Mill Cove: $35 each, plus $5 for any that are hauled out. Only Joe Blake responded to the request for prices.

The selectmen voted 3-0 to use some of the money set aside for the mooring plan to contract out completion of the plotting and implementation of the master mooring plan on an expedited basis.

They also voted 3-0 to seek design proposals and cost estimates to build a dock at the fish pier on the existing footprint previously occupied by a barge. The dock will be big enough to accommodate up to ten pick-up-size vehicles. After the design and cost are determined, the town will apply for an application to build the dock, which will be funded either through grants or proceeds from the fish pier.

The wall at Barrett's Park, repaired just a few years ago, is in need of further work. The Port Committee recommended installing fender pilings to protect the wall (The park is used by fishermen during the winter months).

The town's boiler is leaking, and the problem will only worsen when the weather gets cold and more heat is needed, Code Enforcement Officer Dabney Lewis informed the board. One company, TempControl, quoted a base price of $10,583.

The town has $2,000 in a new capital account that could be used towards replacement. Any expense over $5,000 has to have board approval. The selectmen voted 3-0 to request bids, which will be opened at the October 22 meeting.