Boothbay Harbor Selectman Mike Tomko updated the rest of the board April 23 on the West Harbor Pond Watershed Association’s steering committee’s first meeting.

Selectmen also heard from Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District representatives and voted on licenses.

Tomko explained the watershed survey in the land surrounding the pond is to identify any non-point source pollution sites and create a report based on the findings. He said it is also a prerequisite for the WHPWA to apply for a Section 319 grant which would award 60 percent of costs to repair or remediate any non-point source pollution sites.

“Tonight, what the steering committee is asking is that the town of Boothbay Harbor become a partner in this effort,” said Tomko, adding, involvement does not mean funding, it means support the efforts. That shows good faith to the Department of Environmental Protection and Environmental Protection Agency, he said.

Current partners are the WHPWA, Boothbay Region Water District, Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, Lincoln/Knox Soil and Water Conservation, the town of Boothbay, Knickerbocker Lake Association, Boothbay Harbor Sewer District, Boothbay Region Land Trust, and the Maine DEP.

“Certainly in our comprehensive plan, at least conceptually,it says that it would always be nice to have more public access to water and I don’t think we limited it to salt water,” said Selectman Denise Griffin.

The board decided unanimously to grant partnership with the WHPWA.

Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District's Steve Lewis, Gary Farnham and Jay Warren spoke about the recent acquisition of Giles Rubbish.

“Over the last three months the board … (has) been exploring a business opportunity that over time will lessen the burden on the taxpayer as far as funding the district as you do now,” said Farnham.

Farnham said the company will continue to operate under the district's ownership and under the same name as it always has. He said it will take a few years to see any effects in the budget.

Lewis, transfer station manager, said that after long and careful consideration, the board found the acquisition would play out in everyone’s favor.

“The first few years will be a break even proposition,” said Lewis. “It will maintain itself.”

After the down payment is made, Lewis expects to see a 15 to 20 percent decrease in the budget. "We always have to find a way to kind of think outside the box, and this is definitely outside the box.”

Board Chair Wendy Wolf announced a possible grant opportunity Lincoln County Planner Bob Faunce alerted the board to early this month. Wolf, Tomko, Faunce, Planning Board Chair Bill Hamblen and Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith united to review the grant, a shore and harbor planning program which would be a $30,000 maximum award requiring a 25 percent match of the total project cost.

“There are several things that the grant can focus on, including harbor planning, planning and design projects for harbor improvement, municipal facilities management plans, working waterfront planning, right of way rediscovery and harbor dredging,"'Wolf said.

Wolf said that after considering the budget and the facilities and town-owned property that soon require upgrades, the group asked Faunce to seek an application that focuses on a facilities and management plan for additional funding toward town-owned properties to improve efficiency.

Said Wolf, “We thought it was very convergent with the needs that we have of our town-owned properties, that it would give us some additional planning support and resources to do the job right.”

Liquor licenses were approved unanimously for Balmy Day Cruises, Pier 1 Pizza, and Boothbay Region House of Pizza. Cod’s Head Incorporated and Bistro Incorporated were awarded liquor licenses and special amusement licenses – class B and classes A and C, respectively – with one recusal from the board, Tricia Warren, who is employed by the owner of those establishments.

Town Manager Tom Woodin reminded the board and the public once again, elections are Friday, May 4 and the annual town meeting is Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m. in the Boothbay Region Elementary School gymnasium. Woodin also announced that Monday, May 23 is a tentative date for the selectmen of Boothbay Harbor and Boothbay to meet over results from the economic master plan.

Wolf announced the annual town report is available at the town office. Woodin added, the electronic copy will appear online once he receives it.

Financial officer Julia Latter said the town’s revenue and expenses, year to date, total $7,566,465 and $6,577,965, respectively. The total accounts payable are $68,153.98 and the bank balance is $3,183,332.96. Latter said that with the end of the fiscal year approaching, the town has collected 98 percent of taxes. Latter added, the town auditors will be in on Thursday, July 5.

The board meets next at 7 p.m. Monday, May 14 in the town office.