Dear Editor:

I read Suzi Thayer’s article about Paul Coulombe’s suspension of his plans for Oceanside and other properties with concern. Admittedly I was not surprised given the reception he has received from the planning as well as the select board. The chairman of the planning board, in my opinion, was outwardly hostile towards Mr. Coulombe and bordered on inappropriate.

The chairman seems convinced that somehow a miracle will happen and a boatyard will be built on the east side of the harbor. That because this is a noble undertaking in his eyes, everybody should ignore the fact that the boat business is a difficult one at best and that the property values on the east side would prohibit anyone from starting said business. There is a reason there are no boatyards or other marine related businesses in that area — it just does not make sense anymore. I’m not sure exactly how many boats Mr. Churchill has built, but the industry has changed since my days in the business, and boatyards, both repair and construction, can occupy much less valuable land and operate. “But someone might, ” decries Churchill, ignoring all the indicators. Pigs may fly one day, too, but it seems unlikely, at least on the east side.

The select board, despite all other permitting bodies’ opinion, denied the dock expansion claiming, and I quote a selectman, “It wasn’t in the interest of the town.” I don’t recall from my time on the board that being on the application. This is, in my eyes, an indication of a clear bias against an individual developer based not on performance but personal feelings.

The danger of all this is two-fold. Not only has Mr Coulombe put his plans on indefinite hold but it also sends a clear message to others who may be watching that we don’t want their investment in our region. Mr. Coulombe’s business is hospitality and therefore seasonal but it may help to draw other investors into the region who bring the much desired year-round jobs Churchill and Co. dream of.

Linc Sample

Boothbay Harbor