Boothbay selectmen are concerned about trash piling up on weekends at Clifford Park. Selectman Dale Harmon asked if the town empties the park’s trash receptacle on weekends. He noticed several birthday parties occurring in the park, and once the receptacle was full, guests left the trash near the full container. Town Manager Dan Bryer reported the receptacle would only be emptied on weekends if the town received a complaint. Selectmen are considering placing a second receptacle for the summer to avoid piles of trash accumulating.

In other action, broadband consultant Tom Myette presented his completed report. In March, selectmen hired Myette to survey local internet access. The survey was later expanded to include Boothbay Harbor and the towns used grant funds to pay Myette $2,000 for 40 hours of work. Myette spent 40 hours interviewing businesses and exploring potential options for expanded internet service. He concluded the towns should collaborate with local businesses such as Washburn & Doughty, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and Bigelow Laboratories to secure better deals from local internet providers. “We need to kick start our franchise agreements and need to use these large local businesses. It’s clear there are problems in the marketplace with some residential users paying $400 for limited service,” Myette said.

Selectmen will review the survey more closely during a May 29 workshop at 7 p.m. in the municipal building’s conference room.

Boothbay Lights Chairman Michael Maxim presented selectmen with a survey of how merchants fared in last winter’s event. This was Boothbay Lights’ third year, and merchants responded it was the best one. Maxim reported in the first two years restaurants and inns show a major boost of business during the six-week event. But retail sales lagged behind until this year. “This was the first time retailers showed an uptick. Across the board, everyone enjoyed success,” he said. 

Maxim shared some survey results with selectmen. The survey showed that 74% of businesses reported an increase in business from year one to year three. The increases ranged from 5% to 165% with an average of 32%. Employment retention increased by 13%.

“Instead of the season stopping in October, they stayed employed until January. This was one of the most impressive statistics we saw in the survey,” Maxim said. Now the committee’s focus is on Boothbay Lights 2019. Maxim reported the committee meets on the first Friday of each month.

Selectmen approved three local businesses’ applications for liquor license renewals. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and Carriage House Restaurant received  restaurant Class I, II, III, and IV liquor license renewals. The 1820 House Restaurant Inc. received a special amusement permit and innkeepers’ license renewals.

Selectmen also unanimously approved two wharves and weirs applications. Selectmen unanimously approved Connie Jones’ request to build a 5-foot by 24-foot seasonal pier with a 36-foot by 3-foot and a 10-foot by 20-foot float oriented parallel to the shore. The project includes a skidway consisting of two 40-foot skids nine feet apart anchored to the ledge. The pier will be at 4 Waterfront Road North. The second application was for Graham and Nancy Hurst at 333 Barters Island Road. The applicants received approval for a 37-foot by 6-foot pier to a seasonal 34-foot by 3-foot runway and a 10-foot by 20-foot float parallel to the shore. The project includes a sloped walkway extended from an existing shed. 

After the May 29 workshop, selectmen will meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 12 in the municipal building’s conference room.