Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library (BHML) has proposed a capital project and, on Oct.13, Executive Director Johanna Breen invited the selectboard to tour the facilities. 

Renovations will add an elevator, additional public restrooms, an accessible community room, a dedicated teen space, and updated HVAC and electrical systems, among other improvements. The Hyde House Used Bookstore will be replaced and incorporated into the library building. However, the beloved porch will be maintained with added courtyard seating.  

According to Breen, the project is moving out of its private sector fundraising phase and will begin seeking public and grant support. BHML has raised about $2 million so far and hopes to break ground by the end of 2027. 

Drawing inspiration from Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission, the town is exploring requesting one or two interns interested in municipal government for a 12-week, grant-funded program. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) now requires GPS coordinates for all town culverts, data needed for reimbursement purposes, so Town Manager Julia Latter floated having an intern complete the undertaking. Digitizing town files for the website was also identified as a priority.  

Chair Mike Tomko suggested an intern take stock of the shorter, accessory utility poles whose wires have yet to be fully moved over to the larger replacements. "Just being able to have a database of those, so we could then try and work on some type of plan to have all the utilities moved over onto the larger poles, I think that would be helpful," he said.  

In other business, the board adopted the new annual Maine Municipal General Assistance Ordinances for October through next September. The board also approved the sale of town-owned property, primarily unused pieces of equipment in storage. 

Harbor Master Jeff Lowell reported a successful season with few major complaints, highlighting great assistant support, smooth pump-out operations and well-used town floats and docks. However, he did find this year's big boats and transient dockage to be a bit slow. 

There was a brief discussion on the Oct. 7 comprehensive plan meeting with VHB, Inc., where the selectboard floated next steps before sending the plan to the state for approval, and how to encourage implementation efforts.  

Updates to the town website are ongoing with hopes to unveil the final product before spring. One new feature includes digitized tax maps. It will cost $2,900 a year to maintain. 

The town is seeking applications for a new code enforcement officer/licensed plumbing inspector, as well as alternate members for the planning board, appeals board and port committee.  

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 29. Early voting is also available at the town office.