2023 was the first year of Boothbay Sea & Science Center at its new location at 12 Lobsterman's Way in East Boothbay, and the neighbors reported no problems. This past summer was different. Murray Hill Road residents reportedly encountered more traffic and noise as parents dropped off their children at the nearby public landing. 

Patrick Pitelli and Steve Dwyer brought their concerns to the Boothbay selectmen Sept. 25. Previously, residents complained to the code office. Pittelli and Dwyer believe the center is violating conditions in its permit by using the boat landing as a drop-off center. In 2023, the East Boothbay municipal parking lot was used as a drop-off point and students were transported by van to the center. 

"The first year was fine," Dwyer said. "Now it's chaos. (Executive Director Pauline Dion) was denied using the boat ramp by the planning board, and now after one year it’s OK."

Town Manager Dan Bryer recommended concerned residents research the permit's fact finding and conditions so the code office could enforce them. Code enforcement administrative assistant Melissa Balducci attended the selectmen's meeting, and volunteered to assist residents’ research into the center's permit. 

On Sept. 26, Balducci reported the permit didn't include conditions residents cited as violations. Code Enforcement Officer Dan Feeney told the Boothbay Register the code officer investigated this summer's traffic and noise complaints and didn't find any evidence supporting Murray Hill residents' complaints. 

In other action, selectmen voted, 4-0-1, with Chuck Cunningham abstaining, to conditionally approve an agreement with Boothbay Region Water District. In June, district officials proposed an Adams Pond Road easement for a 1,000-foot section. The district received a $150,000 Maine Department of Environmental Protection grant to protect Adams Pond which serves as the region's drinking water supply. What began as a proposed property swap in June of a 1,000-foot section turned into an easement request. 

The easement would allow the district to tear up the old roadbed and install a plant buffer in its place along the water’s edge. A new vegetative buffer would be created by planting native plants and seeds. The project is designed to better protect Adams Pond from contaminates. 

Under the proposal, the town would trade "proscriptive" rights for "deeded" rights. Cunningham proposed sending the contract for legal review prior to official board authorization. "I want to make sure we lose nothing," he said.

The conditional approval allows for Boothbay's public works department to begin preliminary work on moving the road 1,000 feet from the water supply. Labor provided by the public works department serves as the local match, according to the grant.

Bryer will provide selectmen with the municipal attorney's opinion. If the attorney finds a problem in the contract language, selectmen will reconsider the conditional approval next month.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 in the conference room.