BUCKSPORT – The Boothbay Harbor tugboat builder that has been developing plans to expand its operation to the town is now considering another site as well.

Washburn & Doughty has expressed an interest in a municipally owned parcel in the town of Harpswell. Bruce Doughty, president of the company, has approached the town and expressed an interest in Mitchell Field, according to minutes from the April 12 selectmen’s meeting, posted on the town’s Web site. The site is a 119.3-acre parcel that formerly served as a U.S. Navy fuel depot.

David Milan, Bucksport’s economic development director, said Wednesday that company officials had confirmed they are looking at another site, but also said they have not abandoned the Bucksport site. Milan said he has not spoken directly with Doughty, but has discussed the issue with Matthew Maddox, the company’s human resources director.

“He told me they were still very much interested in Bucksport,” Milan said.

Doughty could not be reached by phone on Wednesday.

The Harpswell selectmen’s minutes indicated that Doughty’s interest stemmed from problems at the Bucksport site. Milan said it was his understanding that most issues surrounding the property had been resolved. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has approved plans to deal with sulfur remaining on the site, and the company had completed negotiations with the railroad for an easement to the 14-acre site, Milan said.

“There is an issue with the need to develop a railway on the property in order to launch the boats,” Milan added. “It might be difficult on that property.”

Doughty had previously cited that as a problem with the Bucksport site.

The company has been working on developing the Bucksport site since last fall as part of a plan to expand its operation. Earlier this year it obtained an option on the property, which is owned by Sprague Energy.

Sprague officials on Wednesday declined to comment on that agreement or when it expires.

Doughty told Harpswell officials that he needed a commitment from the town by June 1, according to the minutes from the selectmen’s meeting.

The town is in the process of developing a master plan for the development of the Mitchell Field property. That process will include a series of forums and workshops scheduled through the summer. The last forum is set for July 31.

The town of Bucksport has invested time and some funds into Washburn & Doughty’s development plan. The town hired a consultant to develop a design and cost estimate for running water and sewer lines to the property. Those plans can be used in the future for another developer in the event the tugboat builders walk away from the site.

Milan said he was surprised by the news and discouraged. But he said the town remained enthusiastic about the prospect of the company coming to town and is ready to work with them.

“They’re deciding where is the best place for their business, and that’s what they should be doing,” he said. “We stand ready to work with them if they decide on the Bucksport location.”