West Harbor Pond Watershed Association’s Leslie Volpe told Boothay Harbor selectmen Monday, the association will be conducting a watershed survey of West Harbor Pond.

“The reason this came up is we have been looking into grant opportunities for when we do eventually get the siphon fixed, … it was recommended from DEP that we send some representatives to a 319 grant workshop,” said Volpe.

At that workshop, association members learned they would need to conduct a watershed survey before being considered for the grant’s 60 percent kick-in toward approved projects. Volpe said the survey, scheduled for June 6, will involve identifying pollution or erosion issues.

“We’ll be looking at roads, ditches, driveways, all the properties, all the potential problems that might be letting stormwater run off directly into the pond,” said Volpe. “The goal is to find anything that might be a problem and note it and then we’ll be writing a report from the survey as well as a watershed management plan.”

Volpe said the survey would not carry any binding agreements or legal requirements for anything to be fixed; rather, the survey would identify what, if anything, might be polluting the pond. The reason to do this before applying for a Section 319(h) grant is so there is a plan for the entire watershed, and if other issues are discovered, the association can ask for money not only toward the siphon, but also toward those issues, Volpe said.

A steering committee will be composed of WHPWA members and Selectman Mike Tomko. The committee will meet for the first time on Friday, April 13 to discuss actions and plan a letter to property owners around Wester Harbor Pond notifying them of the association’s actions.

Said Volpe, “It will give the property owners a chance to know what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and if they really don’t want us to look on their property, they can opt out of it. There’s no requirement.”

Pier expansion, license votes

The Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club got approval to expand a pier. Planning to recuse themselves due to club membership, Selectmen’s Chair Wendy Wolf and Selectman Russ Hoffman left the process to Tomko.

Reviewing the application and drawing on an earlier site visit, Tomko said the expansion would give further access to students and several regattas.

“It would allow them to get about 50 boats in the water in a matter of about 40 minutes,” said Tomko. “This is going to be able to provide clear and safe passage for students, members and guests to be able to get the boats in and out.”

The board invited marine engineer Joe LeBlanc to speak to the changes and construction of the pier. LeBlanc said the pier is four feet wide, would become eight feet wide and would have  10-foot by 15-foot turnaround; would accommodate the 60-inch wide carriage that carries heavy boats to the end of the pier; would have a new three-foot to six-foot wide ramp, a new dinghy float at the end; and there would be a new dinghy launch float.  In addition, the kayaking floats are going to be shifted to the side and attached to the float system.

LeBlanc said the BHYC has received Department of Environmental Protection and Army Corps of Engineers permits which have been sent to the town’s code enforcement officer, and proper notice to property abutters has been made and no replies have been received. Harbormaster Nick Upham confirmed the project would not impede marine navigation.

With Wolf and Hoffman recused, the remaining three members approved the proposal. They voted it does not interfere or cause obstruction to navigation, does not cause injury to others, and includes all necessary approvals.

Liquor license renewals were approved for Kaler’s Crab and Lobster House, Waves Restaurant, The Whale’s Tale, Harborside Tavern, and Blue Moon Cafe.Special amusement licenses were approved for Brown Bros Motel and Restaurant (Class A, B, C, D), Spruce Point Inn Resort and Spa (Class A and C), Chowder House (Class C), Whale’s Tale (Class C), and Harborside Tavern (Class C).

BHYC also received approval for special amusement Classes A, B, C and D with Wolf and Hoffman recusing themselves because they are members of the club.

Town Manager Tom Woodin asked the board to review application updates for boards and committees. Woodin reminded the board and the public, elections are Friday, May 4 and the annual town meeting is Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m. in the Boothbay Region Elementary School gymnasium.

On Thursday, April 5, training for planning board and appeals board members involved refresher courses on roles and responsibilities. Woodin also announced the public restrooms will be open before Memorial Day and will stay open through Festival of Lights.

Of the many goings on for public works – cleaning, putting out trash cans and picnic tables, and putting out signs – the patching of some roads, including the completion of Middle Road and Union Street, will soon be underway. Roads to be paved in the fall are Williams Street and Reed and Lakeview roads.

Financial officer Julia Latter said the town’s revenue and expenses, year to date, total $7,531,084 and $6,221,903, respectively. The total accounts payable are $327,583.98 and the bank balance is $3,226,176.61. The annual town report will be dispersed on Tuesday, April 24 and will soon be available on the town’s website.

Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Monday, April 23 in the town office.