The Boothbay Harbor town pier will get several upgrades this year. Selectmen approved a $102,499.71 bid from Carousel Marina to replace floats and pilings at the 36 Commercial St. property.    

The contractors will replace six deteriorated floats, and remove and replace several pilings. The bid was from a second round of proposals, following a cancellation due to high bids. According to Town Manager Julia Latter, the request for proposals had to be reposted with a “do not exceed” amount of $102,500 to meet a state grant. Latter said the town will have to reapply for a building permit, which lapsed in the process, but the project will be concluded by March.   

In other business, Latter said it has been a rough winter for public works because, despite no large storms, employees have been out almost every day removing ice and snow. In addition, she said several pieces of equipment, including a hot water heater and generator, have broken. However, she said the town will take possession of the new salt and sand shed this week, and the shed project is on track. In addition, she said the fire department now has 21 active members, a significant increase from its usual 15. 

She said neither department has an official head. As reported in the Boothbay Register, the fire chief and public works foreman resigned in December. Latter said deputy leaders have stepped into the roles and she recommended the board appoint them as interim leaders in an official capacity until the town hires replacements. However, she said the town has not  advertised the jobs and doesn't feel it is the right time to bring in other leadership.   

The board took no action, but, in other personnel business, appointed Russell Brewer to the Port Committee.   

At Chair Michael Tomko’s invitation, Kevin Bowler spoke to the board about the veterans memorial monument to be constructed in Boothbay. She said the memorial’s design has changed since she last came before the board; it is now a more interactive project with over 1,000 pavers for veterans' names and a maze surrounded by pillars representing branches of service. Bowler asked the Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor boards to provide $3,750 to help cover the cost of the landscape architect, which will will be paid back after fundraising. The Boothbay Harbor board said it will vote on it in the next meeting.   

Tomko also spoke to the board about efforts to improve biking and walking accessibility in the area. He said a recently formed local active transportation collaborative is working to apply for a state $75,000 Community Action Grant for improvements, and is looking into bike paths, walkways, public safety and accessibility. He said the group would like to speak with the board later this month. He also asked about 25mph speed limit signs planned for Atlantic Avenue. Latter said she can’t speak for Maine Department of Transportation, but the signs have been ordered, and there is still work to be done before they are installed.  

Looking ahead and up, Tomko brought up a new Maine law, which aims to reduce light pollution. He said the idea is to keep Maine’s skies as pure as possible while keeping safety in mind. However, he asked what the town would need to do to prepare for its implementation later this year.   

The bill, LD 1934, An Act to Promote Responsible Outdoor Lighting, puts regulations on publicly funded lighting installed or replaced after Oct. 1 to “reduce the amount of unnecessary light emitted.” Exceptions include lighting for outdoor sports, temporary use, public safety and emergencies. The bill directs each municipality to adopt an ordinance to promote compliance by the end of 2028. Gov. Janet Mills said it is one of several holdover bills that would become law without signature Jan. 10.