April 28, Boothbay Harbor selectmen voted 4-0 to approve construction work at Sample’s Shipyard, 120 Commercial St.  

These renovations include extending a 9-foot by 54-foot finger pier to 9 feet by 100 feet, extending a 6-foot 6-inch by 54-foot finger pier to 8 feet 6 inches by 50 feet, adding a piling and one dolphin piling (2x), adding two 8-foot by 50-foot floats and adding a 5-foot by 120-foot maintenance deck to the west side.  

Tim Forrester, environmental consultant with Flycatcher LLC, represented the applicants. He explained that much of the proposed work involved replacing or improving structures to enhance convenience and safety. For instance, the finger pier extensions will allow for greater access during low tides and when working on large vessels, and the additional floats will also make it easier for bigger boats to tie up.  

Selectmen unanimously agreed the proposed application did not interfere with or obstruct navigation, nor did it cause any injury to the rights of others.  

The board then approved the application on the condition that a yellow, four-second flashing beacon be added to the outermost piling on the end of the finger piers (per the Harbormaster’s recommendation), some vertical reflective striping be added, and no boat extend beyond the end of the pier.  

The applicants will next apply for a building permit, which will be reviewed by the code enforcement office.  

In other business, Boothbay Harbor officer elections are May 1, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The public warrant vote starts at 9 a.m. on May 2.  

Selectman Mike Tomko apologized to those affected by the poorly advertised cancellation of the April 23 Comprehensive Plan meeting. Future cancellations will be put on the town website and Facebook. The next meeting is April 30 at 5 p.m.

The board accepted Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith’s resignation, effective May 8. Smith is taking over as the Boothbay Harbor Public Works foreman. Selectmen also approved Town Manager Julia Latter's working with new fish pier tenants whose licenses are going to be extended to 2046.