Police Chief Doug Snyder and Finance Officer Thomas Browne gave an annual parking and finance report to Boothbay Harbor's selectboard Oct. 27. Overall, business seemed as usual, with stable finances and a slight decrease in parking revenue. 

Snyder said this year's parking season, from June through September, brought in a total of $191,987 in parking revenue, a 3.9% decrease from last year’s $199,749. Much of the decrease came from over 32% less revenue from fines, which went from $23,571 in 2024 to $15,937 in 2025.  

However, Snyder said parking went more smoothly overall this year than last. He said people better understood parking expectations and had fewer difficulties.   

In 2024, the town passed several parking ordinance changes, including extending enforced parking from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and charging for parking on Sundays and holidays, which were met with some concern from residents and downtown workers. However, Snyder said he did not have the data to determine how effective the changes were and said he is more focused on enforcement, which he called a success. 

“People are understanding what our parking program is, and they are abiding by it,” he told the Register. However, he did report the department received some complaints asking for improved signage, despite more being added this year.  

Snyder reported 649 parking tickets were issued compared to 1,067 last year, which he interpreted as better compliance. In addition, he reported 27 dismissed tickets due to police mistakes, kiosk errors and other issues. Last year, the department dismissed 121.  

Looking forward, Snyder said he wants to extend the community service officer program with people who can work in September and October, rather than just hiring college students for the summer. And he said the department is switching its parking service provider, which will result in some changes to parking signage, kiosks and mobile apps.    

In the finance report, Browne said the town has received $6,361,833 in revenue, 54.8% of the budgeted amount. At this time last year, the town had 55.4%. He also reported the town has been billed $5,146,140 in expenses, 44.3% of what was budgeted. At this time last year, the town had been billed 45.8% of its budgeted costs.   

Browne said the town has a $3,965,385 cash balance and around $414,700 in investment reserves, intended to be used for capital purchases such as police cruisers and other large equipment. He said the investments have had around an 8.25% rate of return over the past year, which he said was strong compared to a brokered CD at 3.7%.   

Browne added, the town is in a good place to keep investing and, as it looks into future purchases, “it really benefits the town for being a saver right now.”  

In a note, First National Wealth Management Portfolio Manager Gary Stone addressed larger market uncertainty from federal actions. “It’s virtually impossible to predict the movement of the market relative to the actions and policies stemming from the Trump administration, different political factors, and trade war factors. Rarely are politics and market performance lined up,” he wrote.   

In other business, Town Manager Julia Latter said renegotiations for the new town salt and sand shed are finished. She said the town will be asked to pay $4,000 over the original $175,000 estimate due to changes in the project. She said project materials will arrive in January, after the foundation has been constructed. “We stayed in budget,” she told the Register.    

Latter also said the town will demolish the town-owned marine service building on Atlantic Avenue due to safety concerns. She said the building’s insurer said last year they would drop coverage for the building due to risk, and it currently does not have a tenant. The town will inventory equipment left behind, which will be put out for public viewing and a sealed-bid process.