Last year, Boothbay Harbor selectmen approved a $500 donation to Harbor Theater on behalf of the town, according to Executive Director Lynn Thompson. Thompson and President Hamilton Meserve came to the Nov. 27 selectmen’s meeting to thank and update the board on how that money supports their efforts and the community.

Thompson said the towns of Boothbay and Southport donated $1,000, and Meserve said the theater is grateful for the financial and psychological support from all three towns.

“The thing I wanted to make clear is our thanks for the contribution you gave last year,” said Meserve. “This is extremely important to us because we wanted to show all three towns supporting us.” 

The Harbor Theater has been a non-profit organization since 2017, weathering COVID and a tumultuous time for the film industry, according to Meserve. He said its solvency had been possible thanks to massive support through donations, memberships and community partnerships. 

Thompson gave a presentation on how that support translates to community programing and talked about events including free family film nights, discounted movies and first runs for new films. Thompson said one of the theater’s most significant ways to connect with the community is through the almost 30 partner organizations. She highlighted several events this year including a discussion about books and their movie adaptations with Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, fundraising events with Boothbay Region Historical Society and Boothbay Region Health Center, YMCA movie nights and informational sessions on the school referendum vote.  

“We take it very seriously that we are here for everybody,” Thompson said. “Anybody here that has the need for or the use for us is welcome, and we’re happy to work with them to help make that possible." 

Boothbay Region Ambulance Service Chief Dan Gardner presented to the board on the 911 system he said has evolved into a high-tech program. Gardner said as soon as a call is made to 911, information is shared with an emergency response team; and even though it may not seem apparent, responders are on their way almost immediately. To best help the efforts, Gardner advised callers to try and be calm and get all the necessary information to the person on the other end. According to Gardner, it is rare that people call 911 and, when they do, they are often apologetic. He reminded people to not apologize for their calls because no one is calling on a good day and that is what the emergency staff is there for.  

Gardner also talked about automated external defibrillator (AED) units in the area to help save lives in case of a heart attack. He said there are 17 AEDs around the peninsula, and a grant is going toward purchasing 12 more with funds left over for batteries or other parts in the future.  

In other business, Town Manager Julia Latter said the LED light conversion project is 95% complete with 278 of the 298 lights installed. She said the lights can be dimmed, but people with bright lights outside their homes will not see relief until after the first week of December because staff has to be trained on the system.   

Selectman Mark Gimbel gave an update on efforts to revitalize Lewis Park, a defunct park off Summit Road. He said there will be a boulder with the park plaque installed there soon. According to Latter, Gimbel donated the boulder, purchased from a local vendor. Selectman Ken Rayle said the effort is a work in progress. “We’re just trying to work our way towards making it a better asset for the town.”