Incumbent Bruce MacDonald defeated challenger Trevor Morin, 167-166, to retain his seat as Boothbay’s representative on the superintending school committee, in results received from Town Clerk Andrea Lowery. The only other contested race saw local businessman Russell Pinkham defeat Aaron J. Axelrod, 313-33, to win the selectman’s seat. Three hundred fifty voters cast ballots in the May 2 municipal and town meeting referendum elections. In the other races, Matt Doucette received 309 votes for community school district trustee. Holly Stover received 310 votes for water district trustee. Stanley W.Lewis received 321 votes in his re-election to cemetery district. 

All 33 articles were approved by overwhelming margins on the town meeting ballot. Boothbay’s annual town meeting referendum requested voter authorization for a $2,277,113 Fiscal Year 23 municipal budget, reflecting a 1.65% increase. Town Manager Dan Bryer explained proposing a relatively flat budget wasn’t hard. “The change to LED lights saved about $26,000 so that was a major factor, and we tightened several other accounts,” he said. 

General government was the only cost center with a proposed significant increase. Selectmen recommended $604,524 which is up from $568,300. Bryer reported the 6.3% increase is due to a change in employee benefits. The department replaced two part-time employees with a full-time job. Public safety remains about the same with $510,787. Public Works’ proposed budget is $806,404 which is up by $7,429. The following cost centers remain the same: Capital improvement, $140,000; general assistance, $8,000; service account, $155,197; and insurance, $52,200.