Boothbay didn’t have far to look for a new town clerk. On Jan. 8, selectmen voted 4-0 to hire Andrea Lowery as former Town Clerk Lynn Maloney’s replacement. Maloney served as town clerk for three years. Lowery was hired shortly afterwards as deputy town clerk. Town Manager Dan Bryer reported that during his tenure he was fortunate having a great municipal office staff which began with Bonnie Lewis and  continued when Maloney took her place. 

“Lynn really did a fantastic job and I saw no drop off when she took over for Bonnie (Lewis),” Bryer said. “Also, Andrea has done a great job, too. I can’t say enough good things about the people who have worked in the town office.”

Bryer’s next task is finding a new deputy town clerk. He reported “there weren’t a lot of candidates, but there was a lot of quality with the ones who applied.” Bryer expects a new deputy town clerk in place within a couple weeks.

In other business, selectmen voted 3-0 in separate votes appointing members Dale Harmon and Desiree Scorcia to the Joint Economic Development Committee. Harmon is the board’s current representative and Scorcia is completing her first year as a selectman. Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor recently amended the JEDC agreement which changed the board’s structure.

The two towns will now have two selectmen as members. The committee also includes two members from each town involved either in a profit or non-profit organization. The two town managers will serve as ex-oficio members. The committee will invite representatives from Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln County Planning Commission to participate. The new agreement requires quarterly meetings. Bryer reported the next meeting hadn’t been scheduled.

Bryer reported he is working on the 2020-21 municipal budget and expects to submit the first draft Jan. 22 for selectmen’s review. In May, Boothbay voters approved a $2,168,998 municipal budget. One area selectmen are considering increasing is the paving budget. The town has budgeted $167,000 for several years, and Selectman Steve Lewis believes it’s time for an increase. “It’s just not going that far anymore. Even if we increase it $10,000 that’s really nothing,” he said. Bryer will include a proposed higher paving amount in his first draft. He expects selectmen will review his proposed budget recommendations during the next three board meetings. 

Selectmen asked Lester Spear to report on the special event permit his business Cameron Clan Shack Co. received between Nov. 21 and Dec. 31. The permit allowed for up to five food truck vendors to use 798 Wiscasset Road. Spear requested the permit so vendors could operate during Gardens Aglow. In November, Spear described “Trucks A-Go”as a trial period in encouraging more vendors into town during the holiday season. 

Spear reported the experiment was a success. “It went great. We had people who came specifically for the food trucks, as well as those visiting the Gardens. We’re already having inquiries about next year’s from other vendors. Our big goal was proving the model worked, and it did.”

Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 in the municipal building’s conference room.