Voters of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor came together in the Boothbay Region Elementary School gymnasium Thursday night and passed the $9,998,739.82 Community School District budget, up 1.65 percent from this year's.

CSD Trustee Richard Hallinan honored former Superintendent Eileen King and former Board of Trustees Chair Chris Buchanan, and bid farewell to interim Superintendent Bob Webster. Said Hallinan, “To have been able to serve this length of time for one district is a testament to Eileen's strong and thoughtful leadership and dedicated service to our communities. On behalf of the board members … I'd like to thank Eileen King for incredible commitment of over two decades to students staff and families.

“Chris has worked long on a great number of projects some of which he has spearheaded to ensure an up-to-date, safe and well-functioning school campus. If Chris was paid for the hours spent around the school campus, he'd be a rich man.”

Al Roberts was elected moderator and tried to keep things light and quick. Articles 1 through 12 were passed in just over 10 minutes without opposition. Article 13, the night’s only ballot issue, passed 28-3. Articles 15, 16 and 17 passed without opposition.

Webster thanked the boards, teachers and towns of the CSD and Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 system.

“If my experience in my 24 years prior to this in other locations as superintendent had been as rewarding and as pleasurable as it has been serving you folks, maybe I wouldn't have retired quite as soon as I did! It has been a delight to work with your staff, you folks, and I appreciate it very much. Thank you.”