Sewer district seeks charter change

Would allow one Boothbay trustee
Thu, 02/14/2019 - 8:00am

The days of taxation without representation for some Boothbay Harbor Sewer District members may be numbered. The district is seeking a charter change to let Boothbay residents serve as trustees. The district was created in 1962 and incorporated Boothbay’s geographic region in 2006.

But the charter still reflects its original language in which all three trustees must be Boothbay Harbor residents. The trustees are requesting an amendment allowing for Boothbay representation and other minor changes, according to Boothbay Harbor Sewer District Superintendent Chris Higgins. “It should’ve been amended a long time ago providing for a Boothbay trustee,” said Higgins. “There are some other minor changes like changing the lien provisions and small changes in the charter language.”

LR 1999 “An Act to Amend the Boothbay Harbor Sewer District Charter” is one of seven bills freshman State Representative Holly Stover of Boothbay is sponsoring in the 129th Legislature. The revisor’s office is reviewing proposed changes to the charter.

“If they make any changes it will then become an LD and sent to committee. The new charter would also need approval from both select boards (Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor),” Higgins said.

The new charter would need approval in both legislative chambers and signing by Governor Mills.