Town manager to scan historic records; letter rescinds electric-connection refusal for Barters Island property

During public comment at the Jan. 8 Board of Selectmen meeting, Boothbay resident Fred Lewis asked Town Manager Daniel Bryer Jr. to read a letter so it would be recorded in the town minutes. Bryer read a Nov. 20, 2024 letter addressed to Mr. Lewis concerning his Barters Island property (Map R01, Lot 19), stating the town located an approved septic variance and an approved building permit, that the property is in good standing, and that a June 6, 2024 notice refusing electric connection to the property was officially rescinded. Bryer said a copy would be placed in Lewis’s file and included in the minutes; Lewis expressed appreciation and said he was “happy with the decisions.”

Bryer also outlined plans to scan missing plumbing and septic records for multiple properties and to call a vendor to collect files for digitization; he said hard copies would be returned and stored in the attic after scanning. He described testing an AI-based transcription software (estimated cost about $14 per month) that can recognize voices and produce draft minutes that staff must review for accuracy.

Separately, Bryer presented a replica of the Boston Post Cane (approximately $30) as an option the town could give recipients while preserving the original in a display. He said he would like to find a local woodworker to build a case for the original cane.

Next steps: the rescission letter will be added to the resident’s file and scanned; staff will schedule a records scan session and continue testing transcription tools and local options for a display case.