Boothbay selectmen completed some unfinished business May 8 pertaining to the recently completed municipal elections. The board welcomed Desiree Scorcia to her first meeting after she won her election May 6. Scorcia defeated five-term incumbent Chuck Cunningham who was the board’s chairman. Selectmen unanimously elected Steve Lewis the new chairman and Dale Harmon vice-chairman. 

Selectman Kristina Ford commended Cunningham for his past 15 years of service as a selectman and for his other public service which included serving on the planning board. Ford and Cunningham briefly served together on the planning board prior to Cunningham’s election to selectman in 2004.

“We all look forward to serving with you Desiree, but I’d like to take time and celebrate Chuck’s steadfast service to the community,” she said. “I first met Chuck on the planning board and I’d like to acknowledge his dedication to the community. Desiree, you have big shoes to fill.”

Town Manager Dan Bryer updated selectmen on a voter-approved use of tax increment financing funds for landscaping work around the municipal building and roundabout. On Election Day, voters authorized using up to $23,000 for landscaping projects. Bryer reported only one company, Farley & Son Landscaping of Rockport, bid on the project.

“Farley has already won the bid. We put it out before the vote with the caveat that we may reject any bid,” Bryer said. He also updated selectmen on several other uncompleted municipal projects. Bryer expects the Park and Ride project to be finished this spring. Boothbay received a Maine Department of Transportation grant to install a park and ride at the fire station. The grant is an 80/20 split between state and municipal funding. MDOT provided signage, lighting and engineering costs. Boothbay’s share is for the paving cost near the park and ride. 

Bryer is also hoping to work with the Boothbay Region Water District to address drainage areas near the park and ride. “Some areas feed into the ponds and this isn’t a good situation,” he said. “We want to make some elevated areas into plunge pools so we can maintain runoff,” Bryer said.

He is also seeking more information about buying an electric vehicle charging station. In December, Boothbay received a $3,000 Central Maine Power Co. matching grant. Town officials have mulled over the best use for those funds. Boothbay could buy a charging station capable of charging users or one which doesn’t. Bryer wants an “expert” to advise selectmen on the best municipal option. “I want someone to speak about our alternatives. If we purchase one which takes credit cards, it triples the cost,” he said. 

Lewis was content with buying one which didn’t charge. The town's agreement with Revision Energy for solar panels prohibits receiving compensation for excess electricity generation. He thought a practical option may be to use excess electricity for electric cars. “In a couple years, we will own those solar panels outright and we probably exceed our usage by a decent amount so why not make it available for electric vehicles,” he said. 

Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 in the municipal building's conference room.