On July 9, Boothbay selectmen approved a 75-cent increase in the mil rate. The new rate is now $12.10 per $1,000 of valuation.  During his report, Town Manager Dan Bryer advised curious taxpayers to check the tax bill's lower lefthand corner to see how property taxes are split between various governmental entities. "About 75 to 76% goes to the school and county government. That's the way it's been for many years," he said.

In other action, selectmen approved municipal appointments for one- and three-year terms. Those receiving one-year appoinmtments were Daniel G. Bryer Jr., town manager, tax collector, treasurer, health officer, Right to Know Officer, road commissioner, and welfare director; Michael S. Alley, public works foreman; Daniel Feeney, code enforcement officer and licensed plumbing inspector; John Oakes, emergency management director; Andrea D. Lowery, town clerk; John O'Donnell, assessor; Peter B. Ripley, harbor master; David Pratt, fire chief; Garrett French, shellfish warden; and Betsy Pratt, animal control officer.

Those who received three-year appointments were Stephen L. Malcom, Marjorie "Renee" Fales and Richard W. Perkins, board of appeals members; Joseph Jody Lewis, Boothbay Region Disposal District director; Charles E. Fuller and Lee Rusty Court, port committee members; and Stanley W. Barter Jr., shellfish committee. 

All one-year appointments were unanimous votes. One three-year appointment received a negative vote and an abstention. Selectman Steve Lewis is the former Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District's station manager. He was terminated June 12 and requested to abstain on the directors' vote. Selectmen voted 3-1 to reappoint Joseph Jody Lewis (no relation) to the board. Selectman Dale Harmon cast the lone dissenting vote. 

Selectmen also re-appointed Chuck Cunningham as chairman and appointed Russ Pinkham as vice-chairman.

Bryer reported the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved an $823,377.99 payment. In January 2024, the Midcoast was hit with torrential wind storms causing millions of dollars in damage. According to Bryer, Shore Road, King Phillips Trail, Samoset Trail and Grimes Cover received an estimated $3.2 million in damages. "FEMA has obligated the money to us, but that doesn't mean we'll receive it any time soon. It still has to go through the state before we receive it," he said. 

Selectmen held three public hearings before approving three licenses. PGC2, LLC received two approvals. One license was for doing business as Boothbay Harbor Country Club Wellness Center. Selectmen approved the annual renewal for a restaurant Class I, II, III and IV liquor license. The second was for a liquor license renewal for Boothbay Harbor Country Club. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences received a Class C and D special amusement permit for amplified vocal or instrumental music at 60 Bigelow Drive. The laboratory is holding a special one-day event on Thursday, July 24.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 in the conference room.