Incumbent Jay D. Warren, whose first 3-year term as selectman comes to an end this May, is running for reelection. Voting will take place on May 2.

Warren has worked for the town of Boothbay Harbor for 40 years as a firefighter, and has been an EMT with the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service; for the 11 years he worked with BRAS, three of those were as director.

“It really takes three years to understand everything about being a selectman,” Warren said. “I research and study a great deal; I won't vote on something I don't understand and there is always more to learn.”

Warren is running with three main goals in mind: to finish work on the Fish Pier; to rebuild the public works cold storage building (the money for this was passed on last year's town warrant); and to save the taxpayers money while still providing all the services Boothbay Harbor has.

“We've made great strides with the Fish Pier this year,” Warren said. “I am very proud at what we've accomplished, and it's due to the spirit of cooperation between the board, the Fullers, Jody Lewis and the public works crew, and the contractors we've hired.”

Above all, he says his most important duty is to represent the taxpaying citizens of Boothbay Harbor and protect their interests.

“We have a duty to the citizens that vote us into office,” Warren said. “They trust us to help run their town. Seven years ago, this town was broke. We have a responsibility to make sure that never happens again, so we don't spend money like drunken sailors.”

Warren credits the success of rebuilding the town's financial situation to the selectmen, the town manager, and the staff of the town office.

“It's everyone working together towards one goal that enabled us to rebuild,” Warren said. “We, the selectmen, would love to support every cause that comes asking for help, but legally we cannot spend money the citizens have not agreed to spend. Whenever possible, we try to get the requests on the town warrant so the people at town meeting can make those decisions.”

Warren very much enjoys working with his fellow selectmen, and credits much of his knowledge to former Vice Chairman Robert Splaine.

“I think as a board we work together very well. I can't count the number of times I've called Bill (Hamblen) to discuss something going on with the town, and now with Denise (Griffin) and Russ (Hoffman) I talk with them frequently, too.

“I miss talking to (Robert) Splaine. In some ways he was my mentor. We didn't always agree on issues, but Bob did a great job and he's a very smart guy. We always ended arguments on a positive note, and would agree to disagree when necessary.”

Warren studied at the Franklin University School of Business Law in Ohio and earned his bachelor's degree from the Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. He has received training from OSHA and FEMA, and continues to further his education at every opportunity. He has previously worked for the Department of Marine Resources, Bath Iron Works and the Maine Department of Labor.

Warren is a third-generation Boothbay Harbor resident. He lives with his wife, Marie, who has taught for 38 years in Bath schools and substitutes in Boothbay. He lived in Ohio for some of his youth, but when it came time to raise a family, he decided it was time to come home.

“In Boothbay Harbor everyone is family,” Warren said. “We even fight like a family. I knew this would be a good place to raise my kids, and I couldn't be prouder of them. My daughter Jennifer is a nurse, my daughter Melissa is a counselor, and my son Brian is a master electrician for Midcoast Energy. I firmly believe that this is the best place in America to raise a family.”

Citizens of Boothbay Harbor looking to run for town positions can pick up nomination papers from the town office of Boothbay Harbor. They must be turned into the town clerk of Boothbay Harbor by 4:30 p.m. on March 18, 2014. Voting hours will be Friday, May 2, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Town Meeting will be held the next morning at 9 a.m. at the Boothbay Region Elementary School.

“This is America, and this is how it works here,” Warren said. “We all have a responsibility to do our part.”