Boothbay residents who live on rough, bumpy roads aren't alone. Even the town manager lives on a road which needs attention. On Jan. 14, Pleasant Cove Road resident Bruce Bowler invited selectmen to take a drive down his street and have a cup of tea with him. He was hoping to highlight problems with his road. 

"If you drive near Ken Marston's, the dip will knock your teeth out," he said. Bowler added, he has lived on his street for 25 years and only once has it been repaved. He also reminded selectmen about one of his neighbors, Town Manager Dan Bryer. "You know Dan lives down there, too," he said. 

Bowler is also the planning board chairman. He asked selectmen about their preference on reviewing the town's comprehensive plan. The current plan was developed in 2014, and state agencies recommend municipalities revisit it every 10 years. Selectmen will think about Bowler's request, and respond at a later date.

In other action, Bryer discussed the roundabout's condition. He reported the state had planned to fix it, but now does not have the funding. Bryer asked selectmen if the town should offer to participate financially in the project, if the state provided the work. "It is a problem, but I have a problem paying for the state's responsibility," Chairman Chuck Cunningham said. 

On Jan. 22, Community School District representatives will testify in Augusta about their proposed charter change. Bryer told selectmen he planned on testifying. Selectman Russ Treadwell will also attend the hearing. 

Bryer also reported nomination papers will be available Jan. 26. Selectmen Cunningham and Julie Roberts' terms are up in May. Both said they would run for re-election. 

Selectmen are also considering adding a petition requirement for new outside organizations seeking municipal funding. Bryer suggested requiring 25 signatures to match the number needed for municipal offices. Cunningham suggested 10% of the number of voters in the previous gubernatorial election. 

Selectmen were pleased with the results of last year's road paving. The town approved $400,000. "I have heard nothing but positive things," Treadwell said. Bryer is still working on the budget's first draft and didn't have an estimate on how much it may increase. He told selectmen he is still waiting for financial numbers. "Health insurance is a 9% increase and I'm waiting on an employee's decision on whether to enroll his wife and child. Also, there is a problem at Clifford Park. Farley's (Farley's Inc. of Rockport) tells me the park uses more water than golf courses they handle. So, there is a problem over there, but we don't know what it is," Bryer said. 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28 in the conference room.