It was cold outside but things got pretty heated inside during the Monday, March 10 Boothbay Harbor Board of Selectmen's meeting where the proposed blasting ordinance, communication center referendum question, and conflicts among town employees fueled discussion and tempers.

A public hearing on proposed code and ordinance changes immediately preceded the selectmen's meeting. Once again, citizens raised concerns with the proposed blasting ordinance. Linc Sample said that the proposed ordinance was "an unnecessary piece of legislation," citing its redundancy with state and federal regulations. Sample said that problems with blasting had been "few and far between" and recommended that the selectmen should first establish the need for the ordinance by reviewing local project data.

When Selectman Tom Carbone cited the blasting related problems at the Hallinan residence, Sample responded that the proposed ordinance would not have changed that situation since the ordinance would only identify the responsible person.

John O'Connell asked what the ordinance would do if there were a problem. Code Enforcement Officer Dabney Lewis replied that with the more stringent version of the ordinance, a project that exceeded seismographic levels could be stopped. With the smaller ordinance, homeowners would simply be informed of the name of the blasting contractor.

Chris Higgins, Boothbay Harbor Sewer District, stated that federal regulations governing blasting already give the town the authority to stop projects when seismic limits are exceeded. "Everything that you have in your document, big or small, is covered in this document (federal regulations) … this (the town ordinance) is not necessary because you're just duplicating the wheel," said Higgins.

Further discussion on proposed code and ordinance changes is scheduled for March 24 at 4:30 p.m.

Town Manager Tom Woodin reminded the board that any referendum questions for the town ballot had to be completed soon to meet the March 18 ballot deadline. Selectman Robert Splaine moved that a referendum question on whether to continue to fund the communication center or to close the communication center be put before the voters. Woodin suggested that dollar figures not be included in the question. Selectman Bruce Engert disagreed and said that it would be important to word the question so that the public would understand the budget implications of closing the center. Mary Lee Brown and Selectman Brian Schutrumpf both recommended that the ballot question be a simple yes or no vote on closing the communication center.

Gary Farnham questioned whether the board had adequately researched the issue and whether taxpayers might just end up with a $200,000 bill from Lincoln County for increased used of its services. Splaine noted that the communication center committee had gathered all the data and provided a detailed report of the costs of keeping or closing the center.

After further discussion, Selectman Engert moved that each selectman draft his own version of the referendum question for the town manager. If the communication center question makes the ballot, a public hearing prior to the vote is likely.

Woodin read a letter from School Superintendent Eileen King praising Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch and Officer Jody Lewis for their work with local students. Woodin then began to read a statement regarding "a private incident between two employees." He was quickly interrupted by Selectman Engert who stated that it was inappropriate to discuss this issue in the public meeting. Woodin replied that he had been asked to speak on the matter and that the issue had been resolved. Selectman Splaine rose and said that he would leave the room if Woodin was going to continue to read his letter.

Engert then moved for an executive session to discuss the matter privately. Farnham stated that if this was regarding the personnel issue that had been raised publicly in the last selectmen's meeting that it was appropriate to resolve it publicly. Engert prevailed; an executive session was held at the end of the regular meeting and was attended by Selectmen Engert, Splaine, and Schutrumpf, Woodin, and Jody Lewis. Selectmen Louis Burnham and Carbone opposed the executive session and did not attend.

In other business, the selectmen approved liquor license renewals for Sea Pier Inc., Spruce Point Inn, and Tugboat Inn. The board also approved converting Nick Livingston, who has been working for the Department of Public Works without benefits, to a full-time employee with full benefits.

DPW Director Jody Lewis reported that there were many town roads that have experienced serious damage from the recent heavy rain and winter storms. Lewis said that DPW was working hard to repair damaged roads.

The March 24 selectmen's meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m. to allow further discussion of the proposed code and ordinance changes.