Boothbay residents will decide a 34-article town meeting warrant which includes a proposed $2,884,527 in municipal spending during their Monday, May 4 annual town meeting referendum election. The proposed budget reflects a 4.51% increase.

Residents will also elect town officers. Incumbents Chuck Cunningham and Julie Roberts are running unopposed for another three-year term as selectmen. There are three running for a three-year term on the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Superintending School Committee. Incumbent Abigail Jones has two challengers. Riley R. Mitchell and Shani Bryer are also seeking election to the committee.

The other contested race is for cemetery district trustee. Incumbent Sara Fahnley faces former trustee Kim W. Pinkham for a three-year term. Incumbent Paul E. Roberts is running unopposed for a three-year term on the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District Trustees. V. Kevin Anthony is running for re-election for another three-year term as a Boothbay Region Water District trustee.

Polls are open May 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the municipal building.

The proposed 2026 fiscal year budget proposes $672,400 for general government, $633,169 for public safety, $1,091,804 for public works, $140,000 for capital improvements, $8,000 for general assistance, $223,997 for service and $55,200 for insurance. The selectboard also recommends approval of the following expenditures: $547,753 for Boothbay Region Ambulance Services, $18,500 for Boothbay Region Cemetery District, $80,808 for Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, $10,000 for the town of Boothbay Harbor Fireworks Fund, $706,001 for Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District, $30,000 for Boothbay Region Community Television, $3,000 for Boothbay Region Historical Society, $500 for American Legion, and $1,395 for New Hope for Women.

Other expenditures to non-profit organizations include $15,000 for Boothbay Region Community Resources, $8,500 for The Community Center, raise and appropriate up to $12,500 for Boothbay Region Health Center, $1,200 for the Harbor Theater, raise and appropriate $1,617 for Spectrum Generations, $3,000 for Lincoln County Dental, $500 for Maine Lobstermen's Association, $1,000 for the American Red Cross, $1,250 for Veggies to Table, $751 for LifeFlight Foundation, $2,000 for Boothbay Region Food Pantry, and $13,250 for Boothbay Region District Nurse.

Selectmen recommend approval for raising and appropriating $140,000 and transferring and appropriating $140,000 from the unassigned fund balance for a total of $280,000 for implementation of the capital improvement plan. Selectmen recommend approval for appropriating $35,000 from the commercial development omnibus municipal tax increment financing district and development programming No. 3 fund for landscaping and street light repair within the TIF district.