Service provider Shri Verrill of Sunrise Ecologic updated the Boothbay Harbor Selectboard Nov. 10 on climate resilience work in the area as part of a cooperative Community Action Grant with Boothbay.   

Verrill works with the two and the Boothbay Region Climate Action Team (BRCAT) to help coordinate regional efforts around climate resiliency, funded by the almost $79,000 grant awarded to the towns in 2024.    

She said efforts have been focused on priorities identified by residents, including pedestrian and bike safety and assessing regional preparedness. Sunrise Ecologic has also worked with BRCAT to help host several local events on topics such as emergency preparedness and shoreline restoration for property owners. Verrill said BRCAT has also supported students, some who have recently formed an environmental and technology club at Boothbay Region High School.   

Verrill also gave an update on an ongoing vulnerability assessment to provide an understanding of how climate change impacts the region. Verrill said community outreach for the assessment is complete, and she is working to process data from two regional surveys, reports from events and workshops, and interviews with town administrators. She said preliminary results show high interest in improving regional preparedness and communication around extreme storms and active transportation accessibility.   

“We (received) some high-level concerns that were repeated again and again for pedestrian and bike safety,” she said.   

Board Chair Michael Tomko said he also sees potential economic development opportunities tied to active transportation and that the board should help coordinate. “I'd love to see the correct marriage of the interest and the economic development in our community,” Tomko said.   

Looking ahead, Verill said there is an up to $80,000 Community Action Grant application due in April as well as other opportunities for resilience work, including an up to $2 million construction grant from the Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund. The board expressed interest in the applications and also in coordinating Community Action Grant efforts with the ongoing town comprehensive plan.   

In other business, the board approved a $70,713 purchase order for materials to construct the town’s new salt and sand shed. Town Manager Julia Latter said there will be another purchase order to pay for the installation. Latter said some of the old shed has been demolished and construction has begun and is projected to be complete by the end of January. “(It’s) going a lot quicker than anyone expected,” she said.     

The board approved the disposal of town property from the town-owned marine service building on Atlantic Avenue; the building is scheduled to be demolished. Latter said items will be on public display and put up for bid.