Nov. 18, Boothbay Harbor Sewer District (BHSD) trustees finalized their draft budget, based on a 7% rate increase, in preparation for the public hearing set for 5 p.m. Dec. 2. All ratepayers are encouraged to attend either in-person at the district’s office at 27 Sea St. in Boothbay Harbor, or online via Zoom.   

This third draft saw mild increases to employee fringe benefits (retirement, health insurance, dental, Social Security, etc.) compared to the prior draft. Trustees also decided to fully fund the superintendent’s salary for 2026, totaling $120,000. The previous draft had the salary funded for only half the year ($60,000) as the search for a new superintendent is still ongoing.  

“(If) we don't use it, it’s not a big deal, but it’d be better than funding only 50% then finding out that we used (more),” said Chair Daryl Kipp.  

In other business, BHSD replied to an inquiry from Jake Hunnewell of Sebago Technics to confirm the plant has the capacity to treat the estimated 1,080 gallons of wastewater generated from two, six-bedroom, six-bathroom villas being built at Boothbay Harbor Country Club. 

The district recently bought a $33,000 control panel for a replacement project on Roads End. A representative from Andritz is doing a 9,000-hour maintenance on the district's centrifuge, which will cost about $5,000.