Dear Editor:

Over the years as a voter in Boothbay I’ve remarked to myself that it’s inappropriate for the warrant presented to the voters for approval or disapproval to be accompanied item by item with a recommendation from the selectmen. I wonder if anyone else has thought that this is a form of electioneering. Why should the selectmen have the right to attempt to influence voters in the very act of the voting process? Are we not capable of reading and making up our own minds?

On another electoral matter, would it not be sensible, and in Boothbay’s best interest, to establish term limits for selectmen? A required rotation of selectmen would provide more civic engagement for more people. It would prevent individuals becoming fixtures in the office. It would bring diversity to town governance. Term limits exist for members of the Maine State Legislature. What’s good for the State Legislature might also be good for our town. What do people think?

Fred Kaplan

Boothbay