In an Oct. 23 special town meeting, Boothbay residents approved a measure to use all remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds for a broadband to the home project.

Ten residents attended the meeting which approved the measure to spend $297,800 in ARPA funds on a joint effort with Consolidated Communications. In July, Consolidated Communications received a $6 million grant from Maine Connectivity Authority. A partnership between Consolidated Communications and eight Lincoln County towns and one Sagadahoc County town will serve an estitmated 14,436 Midcoast residents according to Maine Connectivity Authority.

Boothbay, Wiscasset, Alna, Dresden, Edgecomb, Waldoboro, Whitefield and Nobleboro are Lincoln County participants. Woolwich is the Sagadahoc County participant. 

The MCA grant is matchd by over $24 million in private and public investment from municipalities and Consolidated Communications. Boothbay's grant match is the town's remaining unspent ARPA funds which must be spent by December 2025. According to the grant application, Consolidated Communications is contributing over $22 million to the project. 

The special town meeting was held prior to the regularly scheduled selectmen's meeting. In his town manager's report, Dan Bryer told selectmen the 2024 election is in full force as 799 residents have already cast ballots. He compared recent results to 2020 Presidential early voting totals. He reported 1,400 early votes were cast in the previous presidential election. "The business office has been very busy every day with early voting since it began," he said. 

Bryer told selectmen Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission has begun working with the planning board on streamlining municipal ordinances. He added the commission helped the town find a grant to finance LCRPC's assistance. 

On Oct. 9, Selectman Steve Lewis queried why the commission charges towns for additional services and asked what services Boothbay received as part of its annual tax contribution. Bryer told Lewis he would seek that information and respond at a future board meeting. Bryer reported he will bring that information forward during an upcoming meeting.

Earlier this month, the Boothbay Register contacted LCRPC about the commission's programs and additional assistance which requires outside funding. In an email response, Executive Director Emily Rabbe explained why the commission charges towns for certain work. "It takes a significant level of staff effort and time to attend meetings, make these changes, facilitate public workshops, etc," she wrote. "This is something we would contract with a municipality to provide services above and beyond our role as a county department."

Rabbe reported earlier this month that LCRPC has a $324,679 annual budget. She added the commission's regular services include a variety of technical assistance to municipalities on planning, environmental sustainability, broadband, economic and community development, transportation and grant writing assistance.

Selectmen approved two license renewals. Ryan Edwards, doing business as Five Gables Inn, received an innkeeper's license renewal. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens received a Class I, II, III and IV restaurant liquor license renewal.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13 in the conference room.