The proposed Boothbay comprehensive plan has to leap one final hurdle. The document was vetted during two public hearings, reviewed by the selectmen and town’s attorney, and now, after three years in the making, it is ready for adoption.

Boothbay residents will decide whether to adopt the proposed document on Monday, Nov. 2, during a special town meeting. The comprehensive planning committee submitted its first draft last month. The committee spent three years working on the new plan.

On Aug. 26, the selectmen voted unanimously to place a 193-page document on the special town meeting warrant.

The comprehensive planning committee submitted its first draft last month. The plan was last updated in 1989. Selectman Chuck Cunningham, who served as the comprehensive planning committee’s chairman, said the town has met all the requirements leading toward a public vote.

“It has been cleared through legal. The committee voted unanimously to submit the document for select board approval. And now we’re ready for November,” Cunningham said.

The new comprehensive plan will be the only article on the warrant. Town officials hoped to place a new cell tower ordinance, but the planning board hasn’t finished revising the document.

“It’s not ready,” said Selectman Steve Lewis. “The planning board is still working on it. And we don’t want to rush it. We want a really good document.”

The selectmen hope the new cell tower ordinance will be ready for the May town meeting.

In other action, the selectmen approved another Ulmer Fund Scholarship request. The board voted 4-0, with Selectman Dale Harmon abstaining, to approve a $1,000 scholarship. Kylie Michaels, a Boothbay Region High School sophomore, will use the scholarship monies to travel to France with the French Club next April.

Michaels requested $2,000 for a trip with an estimated $5,000 cost, according to the selectmen. On Aug. 12, the board approved a similar request from Victoria Morin, a BRHS sophomore, who is taking the same trip.

The scholarship’s application form has undergone several changes in recent months. The new application requires a space to request a specific dollar amount, program’s cost, and the student’s fundraising activities.

After approving Michaels’ request, the selectmen decided more changes were necessary. Future applications will ask students if they have received Ulmer Fund scholarships in the past and and requests an essay on a separate sheet.

The selectmen also want to establish a conduit with the high school to ensure funds go toward an educational purpose.

“We haven’t had a problem, yet,” said Selectman Steve Lewis. “But there needs to be some sort of procedure in place. It’s our responsibility to make sure these funds are used properly.”

Town Manager Dan Bryer will discuss with BRHS officials the best method for transferring funds.

The selectmen also reaffirmed a policy dating back to when John Anderson was the town manager. The board wants municipal employees to remove signs located near town monuments. The selectmen received recent complaints about an art show placing signs near the Civil War Memorial. 

Selectman Dale Harmon also remembered seeing a real estate sign near the monument.

Lewis believed the problem had a simple solution: When municipal employees see a sign near a monument, they should remove it.

“I agree wholeheartedly there shouldn’t be signs near any of the monuments,” he said. “But somebody is not going to know that and stick a sign there. All we can do is to pick it up when we see it.”

Bryer will direct all public works employees: “To see it, and remove it” for signs improperly placed near monuments.

The selectmen also resubmitted bid sheets for two town properties. Last meeting, the board approved seeking sealed bids for two town-owned lots located near the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service. The selectmen want to sell the combined lots, spanning 1.5 acres for a minimum $250,000 bid. But the bid notice went out listing the properties separately, instead as a single lot.

The selectmen approved the corrected notice. The bid deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The selectmen will open the bids later that day. The next selectmen’s meeting is at 7 p.m. on Sept. 23 in the municipal building.