Boothbay is seeking a $500,000 federal Land and Water Conservation Act matching grant for revitalizing Clifford Park. In 2014, a conceptual plan for expanding Clifford Park was designed. It included expanding from one Little League baseball field to three, creating more space for the soccer and lacrosse field, a playground, a dog park and walking trails. The proposal also called for a lighted baseball diamond. The town created a committee for implementing the plan, but the proposal stalled after municipal officials learned it couldn’t use tax increment funds (TIF). 

But the project has new life thanks to a commitment from local businessman Paul Coulombe. The grant is a 50/50 split between municipal and federal monies. Coulombe has agreed to provide up to $250,000 as part of the municipal match. Town Manager Dan Bryer plans to apply for the grant within the next few days.

“I’m not sure how much we would receive, so we might as well ask for $500,000. Mr. Coulombe expects this to be a community project with other donors contributing as well,” said Bryer.

During the Sept. 11 selectmen’s meeting, the board voted 5-0 to hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 on a special town meeting warrant article authorizing selectmen to seek the federal grant. Residents would likely vote on the proposal during the state election Nov. 5. 

In other action, Sarah Sherman and David Patch approached selectmen about a potential veterans memorial in Boothbay. The monument would list all Boothbay peninsula veterans killed in action. A committee is forming and Sherman and Patch sought approval to add Bryer as the town’s representative. “We chose Boothbay because it’s centrally located and we don’t have a site, either,” Sherman said. “But if you’re asking me personally, I’d like to place it at the other end of the common. Tonight, all we’re asking is if Dan can join our committee.”

Selectman Steve Lewis told the committee the board had no problem with Bryer being a committee member. 

Selectmen spent most of their meeting discussing broadband. The board tabled Selectman Kristina Ford’s proposal to hire OmniHelios, LLC to write a broadband services request for proposals asking companies what services they offered.

OmniHelios is owned by Tom Myette of Southport. In March, Boothbay hired the firm to study the region’s internet capability and make recommendations for short- and long-term needs. Myette spent 40 hours interviewing local businesses and researching how well the region was served. Myette delivered his report in May.

But selectmen decided to wait, and vote at their meeting in two weeks. Selectmen wanted to see what their Boothbay Harbor counterparts thought before hiring a consultant. “I just think we should wait and see what Boothbay Harbor thinks. I don’t want to go it alone, and see if we decide to move in the same direction,” Lewis said. 

Selectmen approved up to $110,000 to buy a Peterbilt Model 348 truck from Whited Peterbilt of Maine. Whited was one of two bidders. Portland North Truck Center of Falmouth submitted a $101,290 International HV507 model. Selectmen unanimously chose the Peterbilt based on Lewis’s recommendation on its dependability and Whited’s customer service.

Selectmen met next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 in the municipal building’s meeting room.