Just the facts; the facts as they relate to navigation and public interest, that is.

The Boothbay selectmen approved the findings of fact relating to Ocean Song, LTD at the November 26 meeting as they were presented and accepted by the planning board.

This approval followed an on-site wharf hearing on November 15 to install and maintain two additional 10'x20' floats secured by two three-pile dolphins and four individual piles, and an additional two five-pile dolphin clusters to be set fore and aft of the 28' vessel for mooring lines.

The selectmen's approval included the planning board's proviso that should the property be sold; and the new owner not in need of the two dolphins, that they would be removed.

Town Manager John Anderson distributed a letter from Time Warner Cable announcing their price increases effective January 15, 2008. This communication from the company is required as per the franchise agreement as well as FCC regulations.

The cable company attributed the price increases to escalating programming costs, the addition of several new channels throughout the service area, retransmission agreements with local broadcast stations and overall programming costs assessed by the networks.

Examples of the increases, before other applicable charges on statements: Classic Cable - $52.00; Digital Cable - $59.95; digital phone and Road Runner high speed cable - $81.95; basic - $15.50.

For more information, visit www.TimeWarner.com

Selectman Dan Harris shared a recent discussion he had with a group of lobstermen. The conversation was prompted by a request by Matt Carter to store traps at the public launch on Murray Hill Road.

Chairman Chuck Cunningham said researching liability and insurance would precede a decision.

Harris said that during the conversation there was agreement about the necessity to wash the traps prior to storage, that the town could not be held liable for any vandalism or accidents that might result from children playing on or around them, and that a plan would be devised for getting them in and out of the area.

The lobstermen also sent a request, via Harris, that the town consider leaving two docks open until mid-December to allow them time to remove traps and other gear before they are removed.

An observation made by the lobstermen was that summer residents or people only in the region a few weeks out of the year have purchased a great deal of the shoreland on the peninsula.

This observation led to the group coming up with an idea: would the summer resident/visitor homeowners consider permitting storage of lobster gear on their property during the off-season.

Harris said that in the end the lobstermen agreed that trap storage really wasn't that big of a deal. Their request regarding the docks is something they hope can happen next year.

At the November 13 meeting information was discussed by the selectmen, Bill Phinney (representing landowner Rosanne Bourassa) and Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Marion Cadrette-Anderson regarding violations on the Bourassa property.

The Bourassas were granted permission to complete some landscaping and stonework on their property in April of 2005.

Specifically, the construction of a stone patio on the southwestern side of the home, construction of a new stone walkway (larger than the previously existing one), and construction of stone work beneath the home that extends beyond the building roofline on the water side of the house.

Upon completion of the construction, CEO Cadrette-Anderson went to the property for measurements and had an as-built survey performed that determined the lot coverage, post-work, exceeded 20 percent.

Cadrette-Anderson formally notified the couple of the violations on July 24, 2007.

The Bourassas appealed to the board of appeals and were denied a reversal. The couple did not appeal this denial to Superior Court making the CEO's notice of violation final and non-appealable.

The town, CEO and Bourassas have been in cooperation with one another to reach an out-of-court settlement.

The consent agreement called for the removal of the stone patio, except for the stones comprising the two steps that lead into the utility coats room; a reduction of the stone walkway not exceeding the size of the original walkway; and to remove the stone beneath the house that extends its roofline on the water side of the home by November 1, 2007.

Selectman Ross Edwards made the motion to fine the Bourassas $1,500 in civil penalties and the town's legal expenses of $2,025.

The selectmen (with the exception of Edwards) felt a $3,000 civil fine and the legal fees was appropriate.

Ms. Bourassa was in agreement with the final fees, including a civil penalty and the payment of legal fees incurred by the town due to the violations. The civil penalty of $3,000 and the legal fees amounting to $2,137.50 resulted in a total fine of $5,137.50. This agreement was already in place at the time of the selectmen's November 26 meeting.

The board approved a permit for another utility pole for the Industrial Park. The taller additional pole is being installed to address the low-hanging wire problem.

The next regular meeting of the board of selectmen will be on Monday, December 10 at 7 p.m. at the town office.

Town reports are available at the town office.

Thanks are extended to the Boothbay Region Garden Club, the Boothbay Chamber and Ocean Point Marina for the joint efforts to decorate the Common for the holiday season.

Reminder: With the winter season approaching, it is required that citizens remove vehicles from public roads, or be subject to towing.