Boothbay selectmen approved three wharves and wiers permits May 27, but one resulted in a bit of a mystery. Brian McGrath received conditional planning board approval May 20 to repair a seawall on his Murray Hill Road property.

The one condition was he receive town permission to move equipment through parcel 13-A. Selectmen granted him approval after a lengthy discussion of how the town came into ownership of parcel 13-A. Town Manager Dan Bryer told selectmen he researched the subject and found no evidence showing how the town came into ownership. “I searched town reports dating back to 1955, because if the town acquired property it would have to be done at town meeting. Nothing. So I’m wondering if we have the legal right to sell it. I’m talking to legal about it, and checking with the tax assessor,” Bryer said.

McGrath has researched the parcel’s origin back to 1919. It wasn’t until 1962 where 13-A first appeared on a tax map. “I discovered by accident a tiny triangle (13-A). It’s a 400-square foot parcel,” he said.

Selectmen granted him access to use 13-A in moving his equipment toward the damaged sea wall. "The parcel is worthless to the town. It's more of a liability," said Selectman Dale Harmon. The three board members in attendance, Steve Lewis, Harmon and Julie Roberts, reached a consensus to a possible solution to the mystery. The board may sell 13-A to McGrath for a nominal fee. 

Selectmen also granted wharves and wiers permits to Jonathan Hayes for a 6-foot-by-16-foot pier, four-foot-by-40-foot ramp, and a 12-foot-by-20-foot float with a 3-4-foot-by-6-foot skids. The property is on Sandy Cove Road. Brett and Frances Siegfried received approval for repairing decking and a handrail at their Wharf Road property.

In other business, selectmen agreed to participate in two workshops regarding economic development in the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor region. RCAP Solutions, a nonprofit from Worcester, Massachusetts, chose the two Lincoln County communities last year to promote economic development. Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission recommended Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor for the study.

In the past year, Elyse Oliver of RISE has researched the economic strengths of the region. RISE is Rural Infrastructure Strength Evaluation, non-profit group sponsored by RCAP Solutions.

Oliver said the study supports "actionable and inclusive" economic development for and by rural communities in a collaborative approach with RCAP Solutions. Oliver invited selectmen to participate in the two "Value Chain" workshops in June. Oliver will deliver a final report in August.

Shri Verrill updated selectmen on Boothbay’s participation in their Community Resistance Partnership with the state. Verrill, owner of Sunrise Ecologic in Boothbay, is working with Boothbay to receive state Community Action Grants for climate action-related projects.

Selectmen authorized Verrill to seek a 2026 Community Action Grant, Round 7. The application deadline is June 5. Along with the approval, selectmen authorized Verrill to work with Bryer on the project’s “deliverables.” Selectmen also agreed to draft a letter of support for the application.

Boothbay will have a partner in this round of Community Action Grants. Boothbay and Southport are seeking a joint-grant. Verrill will work with Bryer and Southport selectmen on the project goals. Verrill described the project as exploring a "collaborative project" focused on strengthening community emergency preparedness and resilience to climate-related impacts such as flooding, extreme weather, and public health emergencies.

Verrill also updated selectmen on other grants. She has not received updates on the Working Waterfront Infrastructure Grant for improvements to Shipbuilders Park and Murray Hill Road Wharf. The Community Action Grant, Round 4 which funded the vulnerability study, is closing out June 30. Verrill will submit a final report by June 15. She reported the town received $86,000 from the Maine Coastal Program. The grant is for a Maine Coastal Program Habitat Restoration.

The program will finalize a comprehensive data base for treated and unstable coastal banks, complete a final design, and begin construction at the town-owned seawall selected for engineering. “Following contracting with Sunrise Ecologic, the field team at Flycatcher will begin ground-truthing surveys to support the next phase of work,” Verrill said.

Selectmen also held four public hearings and approved application renewals for five businesses. Cabbage Island Clambake received a Class I, II, III and IV restaurant liquor license and special amusement permit renewals. Boothbay Harbor Country Club at 50 Sugar Maple Lane received a noise permit renewal for a June 18 fireworks show on the golf course. Boothbay Harbor Country Club Wellness Center on  White Birch Lane received a special amusement permit renewal. Giselaine's Spa at 25 White Birch Lane received a special amusement permit renewal.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 in the conference room.