It was no optical illusion. It was a sinkhole. Town Manager John Anderson received the call from Selectman Steve Ham on Tuesday, April 22 alerting him to a sinkhole that had opened up on Pension Ridge Road about three feet out.

Anderson thanked the Harbor for sending help out to cut the pavement and the Boothbay Public Works department for getting the pavement out of the way and packed gravel around the voids where it had washed away.

Ham stayed until the crews arrived and barricaded the area. Selectman Ross Edwards was also on the scene acting as traffic controller.

Anderson announced that Crooker, out of Topsham, had been awarded the state's paving and road reconstruction projects.

He thanked Edwards for his attendance at the meetings that have led to the River Road's inclusion for re-paving.

The contract, said Anderson, calls for work to be complete by the second week of July.

Selectman Dan Harris inquired about the selectmen's' vote to approve a temporary hot plant and whether Crooker would be installing one as Lane had planned to do.

Anderson added that Crooker has already done a lot of good work in Boothbay for several years and had never asked for a temporary plant location.

The question now is whether or not the town will be able to piggyback, or receive the same pricing as Crooker.

Anderson is waiting to hear from Rhonda Waterman, the MDOT, District 2 manager, to receive the specs and word on possible piggybacking.

The selectmen embarked on their annual road tour of the region

to identify roads in need of repair. The list that resulted from the tour was discussed at the April 28 meeting.

Topping the list are Courjon Road (total reconstruction); Sawyers Island Road (to the bridge and corner of Tavenner Road); Pension Ridge Road (stretch between Back Narrows and Butler Roads); Back Narrows Road (particularly the large "speed bump" at the corner of Butler and Pension Ridge); Paradise Point Road (section running along the water); East Side and West Side Roads on Barters Island, and a culvert at Isle of Springs.

The selectmen approved having measurements taken, marking areas to be resurfaced, and culvert replacement calculations.

Anderson sought, and received, the approval of the selectmen to sell the town's 1990 International Navistar 4x4 dump truck to the community of Washington.

The purchase price being offered by Washington's new public works department is $9,500. The purchase includes a 10-foot plow, 10-foot wing and a five-yard stainless steel Swenson sander.

The selectmen approved the renewal of a liquor license, innkeepers and special amusement permit for the Boothbay Playhouse. The renewal was a special amusement permit Class A,B,C & D.

The renewal of special amusement permit class A, B, C & D for Decksz LLC, d/b/a Ocean Point Marina, located at 216 Ocean Point Road in East Boothbay, was approved.

The renewal of liquor license Class I-A, and renewal of innkeepers license was approved for the Ocean Point Inn, 191 Shore Road, East Boothbay.

Ken Hanson implored the board of selectmen to work with the Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District to find more space for the collection of leaves and other compost materials for the towns of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb.

"I understand the need for the scale," said Hanson. "But it is not reasonable to expect people to compost the amount of leaves that accumulate here, with all the deciduous trees, on small - or even large properties."

"It's the wrong thing to do. It's not user-friendly; I don't know what those who do this for a business will do - drive to Wiscasset?" said Hanson.

Chuck Cunningham, asked to put his selectman's hat aside and don that of a BRRDD trustee.

"I can assure you steps are being taken. Lincoln County Recycling is looking at expanding their pad (upon which compost is stored and turned), so that may be an option," said Cunningham.

"We have been looking for an alternative for well over two years now, we are looking at options."

Hanson added that with the price of gas it was unreasonable to expect a homeowner to truck his three bags of leaves to Wiscasset. He reiterated the fear of others in the region -the bagged leaves will end up strewn along the roadsides.

Cunningham assured Hanson that options were being pursued.

The 2007 Town Reports were ready for pick up at the town offices on Friday, April 25. The town office's hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Copies of the town report are also available at the Trevett and East Boothbay post offices.

Many thanks were extended to Steve Ham for coordinating the work that completed the restroom facilities at the ballfield/playground on Back River Road.

All dogs over six months of age were required to be licensed as of January 31, 2008. A late fee of $15 is due in addition to the following fees: spayed or neutered dogs - $6; non-spayed or neutered dogs are $11.

The Lincoln County Triad still has free cell phones for the elderly available. The phones are for 911 emergency calls only. If interested contact Deb Mullen at 633-7874.

The next regular selectmen's meeting will be on Monday, May 12 at 6 p.m. (note time change.)

Town Meeting Day is Monday, May 5. The polls at the town office will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The traditional Town Meeting returns this year at the Town Hall at the Boothbay Railway Village at 7:30 p.m.