In October, Lincoln County Television sent inquiries to Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport officials about merging with Boothbay Region Television. In his letter, Executive Director Larry Sidelinger believed such a merger would provide all Lincoln County viewers a better product. 

Sidelinger also stated the station has received numerous requests from Boothbay region residents seeking more frequent coverage of local events. In the past five years, LCTV has covered local festivals such as Windjammer Days and Lobster Boat Races. 

"Through consolidation, we believe LCTV could continue our current robust programming and enhance local coverage of Boothbay region events, benefiting all Lincoln County viewers," he wrote. "Public access television is vital for sharing local information. I look forward to discussing how we can work together to strengthen our community's resources. Thank you, and I hope to meet soon."

But a meeting with the town officials never happened. None responded to Sidelinger's request. Boothbay Town Manager Dan Bryer received the letter and placed it in each selectman's meeting packet. "I didn't really see any reason to respond. I placed it in their packet and let them decide how they wanted to proceed. As far I'm concerned, we're happy with Channel 7," he said. 

Sidelinger's first communication to BRTV happened almost two years ago when he approached Station Manager Jon Trees about the proposal. "It was at a community event and I don't think he really wanted to hear the proposal," Sidelinger said.

Cody Mitchell is a longtime BRTV volunteer  and serves as interim board member along with Erik Bertelsen and Jonne Trees.  The new board is looking for a permanent board and a new station manager to replace Trees. Mitchell has assumed the station manager duties in Trees' absence. The BRTV Board of Directors have no plans to engage LCTV in any merger discussions anytime soon.

"We are unaware of this and find it quite disrespectful they would send letters to town leaders without contacting us first. We are not interested in a merger whatsoever," Mitchell said. He told the Boothbay Register station personnel knew about the LCTV letter to municipal officials. "No official request ever came to us, and we're not happy they contacted the towns without involving us in their proposal," Mitchell said. 

Sidelinger hoped the letter would at least start a conversation, as an inquiry, to see if any town managers were interested in a further discussion. "You (Boothbay Register) are the only one who responded to me about the letter," he said. "My thought was the towns support BRTV and that's the only reason they exist ..."

The LCTV board of directors meets six times per year, according to Sidelinger. The Boothbay Register could not reach anyone on the current BRTV board of directors for comment.