Boothbay Harbor selectmen held a public hearing on Monday, March 26 on 22 articles to be voted on at the Saturday, May 5 annual town meeting.

Mike Elkins, owner of Coastal Shipping, and Ken Rayle, owner of The Footbridge Shop and Sweet Bay, were concerned about the very last article, which would see the minimum land area per dwelling unit lowered for all but residential from 10,000 square feet to 2,000 square feet.

“I’m on a very small lot,” said Elkins. “"And we’re looking into the future and looking at what is possible for expansion. And I’m concerned … because I don’t think there is 2,000 square feet of space there now.”

Planning board chair Bill Hamblen explained that planning board members Jon Dunsford and John Hochstein surveyed the businesses in the Downtown Business District and applied a variety of potential minimum land area standards including 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 square feet. Hamblen said the lower the number, the more pushback.

“Approximately 80 percent of the lots will become conforming under this change,” Hamblen said, adding that 2,000 square feet seemed to make the most sense.

Hamblen admitted the change would likely not help in Elkins’ case, but he stressed the vast amount of businesses this does provide change for.

Elkins advocated for the smallest of the numbers surveyed while Rayle said it would be far more helpful to lower standards to around 300 square feet noting both of his businesses will remain nonconforming should the new standards go into effect.

Hamblen said much of the pushback from business owners was due to an overwhelming drive against “arcade style” businesses.

“I get that, but you’re also saying that you don’t want any Orne’s Candy, you don’t want any ice cream factories, you don’t want any (Two) Salty Dogs shops, you don’t want any of my shops,” said Rayle.

“Or Coastal Shipping,” added Elkins.

Hamblen said all those businesses can continue and though they are limited to one primary use, they can also have a multitude of accessory uses. Rayle said it does not help anyone who may want to establish a small business. Hamblen added that the amendment, as it is, is only a starting point which can be changed should enough public interest arise at planning board meetings.

“Come to the planning board and say, ‘It was a good step, but not nearly big enough,’” Hamblen said.

“I do applaud the fact that it’s being brought down … It’s a great step in the right direction and I would certainly like to see it pass …” said Rayle.

Selectmen’s meeting

Following the public hearing, the board met during its regular scheduled time to approve the articles discussed in the hearing (unanimously) and to discuss communication and town website updates. Board chair Wendy Wolf explained that website updates were an item of interest in Town Manager Tom Woodin’s 2017 annual review, and that he had requested suggestions from the board on how the site would better serve the public.

The board reviewed town websites from across Maine including Bar Harbor, Camden, Saco, Belfast and Damariscotta. Wolf concluded a priority should be making public documents easier to access. Selectman Tricia Warren suggested updated pictures showing features of the harbor including, perhaps, a commercial style 360 degree aerial view, a better history of the town, a more visible font and links to other sites such as the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, Boothbay TV and the Boothbay Register. Selectman Mike Tomko, who spoke to a town official from Camden which is also changing its website, suggested special attention to protection from breaches especially with accepting payments online, ADA compliance and cloud-based rather than web-based software. Selectman Denise Griffin suggested the town make sure the aesthetics match the function of a town website rather than a chamber of commerce website.

“It isn’t going to be a quick process,” said Woodin. “We’re going to get a lot of feedback, so send your comments and I’ll get the ball rolling … and see what can be done and what the costs are.”

The board renewed liquor licenses for McSeagull’s Restaurant, Chowder House Boat Bar, Brown’s Wharf Inn and Topside Inn unanimously and for Mine Oyster with an abstention from Tricia Warren. The board also renewed a Class C special amusement license for McSeagull’s Restaurant unanimously and Class A, B, C and D special amusement licenses for Mine Oyster with an abstention from Warren.

Financial officer Julia Latter said the town’s revenue and expenses, year to date, total $7,406,410 and $6,130,924, respectively. The total accounts payable are $49,231.43 and the bank balance is $3,513,584.44. Latter said the town is about 10 percent over the winter operations budget after the last storm.

Selectman Russ Hoffman announced Boothbay Region Ambulance Service will soon be looking to replace an ambulance. Woodin also announced that work on the future basketball and pickleball courts on Townsend Avenue will begin this spring andlikely conclude in the fall.

Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Monday, April 9 in the town office.