Boothbay selectmen want a community fireworks fund to get more bang out of their buck. On March 14, selectmen voted 4-0 to limit the municipal contribution for local fireworks displays to $10,000. Last year, Boothbay taxpayers approved $5,000 each for Fourth of July and Festival of Lights fireworks displays.

But a third fireworks display needs funding this year as two past private parties are no longer raising money for the Windjammer Days fireworks display. Selectmen discussed appropriating additional funding this year to the community fireworks fund. They decided against it.

“I like fireworks just as much as the next person,” said Board Chairman Chuck Cunningham. “But $15,000 pays for a lot of fireworks, and the taxpayers shouldn’t be expected to pay for the whole cost. There should be some fundraising going on out there.”

Selectmen held a public hearing for May’s referendum town meeting warrant prior to the board meeting. The board agreed not to increase the local taxpayer contribution after discussing recommending a $15,000 contribution to the community fireworks fund.

Boothbay has traditionally received a fireworks contribution request from a local citizens fundraising group or Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, but not this year. In past years, in addition to donations from the towns, the Windjammer Days Committee, and later the Friends of Windjammer Days, raised money for the Windjammers Days and Fourth of July fireworks displays. But no one requested a municipal contribution from Boothbay this year.

“We can put $10,000 into the fund and if they can do it with three (thousand dollars), three and three, then good for them,” said Selectman Steve Lewis.

The board also voted 4-0 in approving 27 other articles for the May 7 town meeting referendum warrant. Selectmen approved recommending a $2,099,362 FY 19 budget to voters. The proposed budget represents a $75,984.15 or 3.76 percent increase. Town Manager Dan Bryer reported the biggest impact on the increase is a rise in hydrant rental fees from the Boothbay Region Water District.

In the proposed budget, selectmen placed the following funding requests: general government, $537,047.72; public safety, $464,246.50; public works, $756,471.30; capital improvement, $140,000; general assistance, $8,000; service, $141,397; and insurance, $52,200.

Selectmen also approved placing the following nonprofits’ requests on the warrant: Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, $208,734; Boothbay Region Cemetery District, $18,000; Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, $52,500; Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District, $431,614; Boothbay Region Community Television, $30,000; Boothbay Region Historical Society, $2,000; Boothbay Region District Nursing Association, $11,960; American Legion Post No. 36, $500; New Hope for Women; $915; and Boothbay Region Community Resources, $5,000.

The selectmen will meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 28 in the municipal building’s conference room.