Boothbay residents are voting early and often. So far, 650 of the town’s approximately 2,500 registered voters have cast ballots, according to Town Manager Dan Bryer.

“It’s a busy time for the business office. I expect it to continue with Election Day almost two weeks away. Voter turnout could end up being 80 to 90 percent,” he said.

In Maine, early voting began on Oct. 9. Bryer reported voters are avoiding long Election Day lines by casting absentee ballots. Bryer updated selectmen about voter activity during the Oct. 26 board meeting.

Prior to the meeting, selectmen scheduled the last public hearing regarding the six local referendum questions prior to the Nov. 8 election. The local articles include choosing a moderator and deciding whether to authorize selectmen to enter into a credit enhancement agreement with C & L Forestry Wood Pellets. Edgecomb resident Erik Carlson opened the new business in the Industrial Park this summer. Voters will also consider whether to authorize entering into an agreement with the Maine Department of Transportation to use town-owned property for a Park and Ride lot.

But the three questions likely responsible for the huge early voting turnout center around the proposed roundabout as part of the Route 27 Redevelopment Plan. During the hearing, Bryer reminded voters that they must approve Articles 2, 3 and 4 to proceed with the redevelopment plan.

Article 2 requests authorization for general obligation bonds or notes in the amount of $1.15 million to finance the town’s share of the redevelopment project. Article 3 seeks authorization for the selectmen to enter into a Business Partnership Initiative agreement with the state, through MDOT, and PGC5 LLC, the entity which owns the Boothbay Harbor Country Club. The agreement provides $3.3 million for the project’s costs. And Article 4 seeks voter approval to include the municipal office building, parking lot and adjacent properties in the tax increment finance zone.

Selectman Dale Harmon asked if the town office could place signs at the polls indicating that Articles 2, 3 and 4 all required a “yes” vote for approval. Bryer answered state voting laws prohibited those signs. The town manager indicated he’d be at the polls from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. providing voter information.

“I won’t advocate one way or another. I will just clarify any confusion,” Bryer said.

Voters seeking additional information about the local referendum questions may consult an information desk. The town will place informational materials for residents to review prior to voting, according to Bryer.

During the public hearing, two residents spoke. East Boothbay resident Marcia Soler  asked about how much of the tax incremental zone’s permitted area has been used, the proposed addition of the municipal parking, post office and other town-owned property to the TIF district, and who is responsible for the roundabout’s signage, lighting and maintaining greenery.

Bryer responded the TIF zone additions would bring the town close to the two percent maximum allowed by state law. The Business Partnership Initiative agreement calls for the town, state and local developer to share in the lighting and signage costs. But the town is responsible for roundabout maintenance and electricity costs.

“The plants (around the roundabout) require minimal care and the lights are LEDs (light-emitting diodes) which are inexpensive to use. So the cost is minimal,” Bryer said.

Resident Janice Pisano had concerns about traffic problems on Barters Island Road and Lakeside Drive. She asked if the redevelopment plan addressed those issues. Bryer explained the redevelopment plan wouldn’t do anything specifically to either road, but it would improve overall traffic flow along Route 27.

In other action, the selectmen unanimously approved purchasing a John Deere front end loader from Nortrax in Westbrook. The town approved up to $121,000 to buy the used equipment after an inspection by Bryer. The selectmen reviewed several proposals before choosing Nortrax’s. The board chose the 2013 John Deere with 937 operation hours over a 2014 Caterpillar priced at $89,000, with over 6,000 operation hours.

The selectmen want the front end loader to replace a grader which has been used less frequently by the public works department in recent years.

The board will meet next at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9 in the municipal building.