Two long-standing issues were resolved during the Monday, November 26 Boothbay Harbor Board of Selectmen's meeting, while a third issue, the Communications Center, received greater scrutiny. With the absence of selectman Tom Carbone, the board was short-handed for the second meeting in a row.

The one outstanding issue in the proposed contract between Bayville and Boothbay Harbor is the length of the agreement. Selectman Bruce Engert reaffirmed his concern that a 25-year agreement was not advantageous to the town, and suggested that a 10-year term would be better. Engert noted that town counsel Geoff Hole, in his review of the proposal, had raised a similar concern. Phil Roberts, on behalf of Bayville, said that although no overseers were presently in town, "The overseers are unanimous and adamant about the term limit."

Selectman Robert Splaine stated that he viewed the proposed 25-year contract as an effort to prevent any further one-sided attempts to cancel the contract. Splaine said that he had no objection to the proposed contract since it offers a secondary safeguard that would allow the contract to be renegotiated by mutual consent. "We can at any time . . . renegotiate; we can do that at any time . . . If we went back down the lonely road of trying to cancel, it would just cost us an awful lot of money," Splaine noted. Selectmen Louis Burnham and Brian Schutrumpf concurred. The board voted 3-1 to approve the contract as negotiated and presented.

Selectman Splaine opened the discussion on hiring a police reserve officer by stating that, based on cost information provided by Police Chief Robert Hasch, he could "easily make a motion to allow the Chief to hire two part-time reserve officers," including Scott Sutter, Jr. Splaine said that he would like to continue the process of the board of selectmen approving candidate reserve officers before hiring.

Selectman Engert questioned Sutter, "It is alleged that you referred to the board of selectmen as a joke. If that be the case . . . I'm not in favor of hiring someone who thinks the board is a joke. . . Did you say that? Sutter responded that he did not recall doing so.

The board voted 3-1 to approve Splaine's motion; Engert abstained.

The largest portion of Monday night's meeting was dedicated to the Communication Center Committee's report. Town Manager Tom Woodin reminded the board that the committee would only be providing data on the financial pros and cons of three different communication center alternatives: 1) remain open as is; 2) close the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift; and 3) close the center entirely. Woodin said that the committee would not offer any recommendations on a course of action. Woodin also added that he had queried attorney Becky Seel from the Maine Municipal Association and she had concluded that the executive branch did not have the discretion to refuse to spend funds that had been appropriated in a town meeting. He quoted Seel, "There may be good reason for closing the existing communication center … I don't think the selectpersons have the discretion to close the center on their own authority. I think this decision . . . must be made by the town meeting."

Dave Benner, Emergency Management Director and Committee Chair, then summarized the committee's findings and provided handouts. The committee used 2006/2007 operating costs and call data for their analysis. Under Option 1, the town spent $209,519 to operate the communication center and received $17,500 in revenues from Central Lincoln County Ambulance for non-emergency call dispatch. The total operating cost was $192,019; the mil rate impact was $34 per $100,000 valuation.

Under Option 2, which closes the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift, costs decreased to $141,831, but the $17,500 revenue from Lincoln County is lost. Since the center's closing would leave the town office unoccupied, the committee added costs for installing an alarm system, TV camera and recording system for the police, a fire system, and a public telephone. These installations would add a one-time cost of $21,419, whereas operating these systems would cost about $2,568 per year. Under this option, first-year savings would be $8,701, after the first year, yearly savings would be about $30,120. The committee estimates that the impact on the mil rate after the first year would be a reduction of about $5 per $100,000 valuation over Option 1.

Under Option 3 center closure, there would be no operating costs save those for security and revenue from Lincoln County would be lost. Total savings in the first year would be $150,532; subsequent year savings would be $171,951. The effect on the mil rate would be a savings of about $30 per $100,000 valuation over Option 1.

Considering call volume, Benner said that the communication center logs about 6,100 calls a year, which translates to about 509 calls a month or 7 to 11 calls per day. This estimate is based only on calls recorded in their computer system and probably seriously underestimates the true call volume Benner said. Comparing call volume per town, Boothbay Harbor's call volume is similar to the total number of calls received by Lincoln County Communication Center. Benner said that he had about 20 more pages of supporting data, which he would make available to anyone interested.

A member of the audience asked how a dollar value could be placed on the community's sense of security. Chief Hasch said, "There are a few things that aren't talked about. These folks (communication center staff) do checks on elderly residents. We have some people in the community who don't get out or have physical disabilities. I think that's a tremendous service we would lose . . . I don't know that you can put a price on these things. But I do appreciate the work you've done."

Benner took off his committee chair hat and speaking as a resident likened his tax share in support of the communication center to an insurance policy, one he was happy to pay. He noted that the communication center not only protects the public but also ensures the safety of local police officers and firefighters. Benner said that although Lincoln County could help serve the community, he wondered how the County would prioritize all the calls "if the big one hits. I worry about the peninsula," he said. Benner asked the board to allow the community to make the decision.

Paul Jarkiewicz stated that although he used to be in favor of cutting the communication center, he has since changed his mind. "People here damn sure earn their keep," he said. Jarkiewicz encouraged the selectmen to reestablish relationships with Boothbay and Southport, who formerly used and supported the Boothbay Harbor communication center.

Scott Mercier, BHPD, said that he has had the "pleasure of working the midnight shift" and that many people just walk in to the center when they are hurt or harassed or seeking a safe place. "It's an extra set of eyes for the community," Mercier said.

Selectman Splaine stated that this was an extremely emotional situation but that the selectmen are charged with establishing the town's budget. Splaine noted that the overall town's budget this year was $7.2 million; the proposed budget for next year is currently $7.8 million. Considering the rising costs of fuel and food, he said, "All of these costs are really going to make life harder over the next couple of years. I'm not suggesting we abandon the communication center. I believe the only fair way to deal with this . . . the communication center should be put on a public ballot, not discussed at a town meeting … and whatever that vote is, is it."

Debbie Dieterle responded that a secret ballot vote on the communication center had taken place three years ago, and that vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the communication center. Splaine replied that that was fine, but that he would seek a ballot vote on this issue.

In other business, the board approved McSeagull's request to temporarily relocate to the Bistro during reconstruction. Schutrumpf and Julia Latter presented the financial report and noted that there is presently $859,000 in the general fund. Woodin said that he would be putting out a request for bids for the $575,000 tax anticipation note that the town will need to take out in January.

The board will meet only once in December. The next meeting is scheduled for December 10.