A footbridge repair update, collaborating with towns on marijuana ordinances, a report on the Joint Economic Development Committee, and emergency responses to urgent care facilities were the focal points of the Nov. 28 Boothbay Harbor selectmen’s meeting.

Town Manager Tom Woodin thanked merchants and property owners for their participation in this year’s Festival of Lights. “The whole peninsula looks amazing,” he said.

Woodin gave selectmen an update on the Phase I work on the footbridge. “Chesterfield’s materials are arriving the first week of December. Obviously, all work has to be tidal- and weather-dependent.” Chesterfield Associates of Westport Island is the repair contractor.

Woodin provided a rough breakdown of Chesterfield’s process: “Week one, getting materials here, removing nonperforming, and installing bracing. Weeks two and three, bracing up the swing span and replacing underneath cross pieces. Weeks two through six, remove and replace footbridge bracing, deliver debris to the transfer station, and install the 36-foot swing span support beams.” Woodin said Chesterfield plans to have the work done by Feb. 15. When the repairs are done, Woodin added, “There will be signs put at each end of the bridge posting weight limitation ... until the decking can be upgraded further.”

“Will there be staging materials,” Selectman Mike Tomko asked.

“They’re definitely staging them on the footbridge parking lot side,” Woodin replied. “And they’re keeping a boat at the fish pier so they can do work from the boat underneath.”

The selectmen next tackled the subject of how to handle changes to ordinances regarding the legalization of marijuana. Maine voters approved the referendum by a narrow margin. The vote is being challenged and will shortly undergo a recount. If the vote is upheld, selectmen want to be ready to proceed with handling changes to municipal ordinances.

“The boards from Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Edgecomb may want to collaborate on joint information on ordinance changes,” Woodin said. “We haven’t acted on anything yet, we’re still waiting for attorneys to tell us what it means.”

Selectman Wendy Wolf mentioned that the Healthy Lincoln County partnership works with an attorney regarding marijuana businesses and ordinances. She suggested a workshop to discuss timing. “Edgecomb selectmen are interested in seeing if we can do something consistent. It does have an efficiency to it.”

Wolf, a member of the JEDC between Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, updated selectmen. “The JEDC is thinking about where we are and what things are on the docket for 2017.” One of those items is further involvement with Green Tree consultants, who worked with the towns this year to further develop the Festival of Lights. “We need to be engaged with them on a multi-year basis to bring the project to fruition,” Wolf said.

“Other budget items have implications the JEDC might want to bring to the attention of both towns,” said Wolf. “Some key issues involve infrastructure. There is a great concern about affordable housing for full-time and seasonal workers. Another is marketing the peninsula. Part of the committee is looking at downtown parking.” Broadband is another budgetary item. “Both towns are interested in trying to have the connection of a comprehensive network,” Wolf said. The next meeting of the JEDC is Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the second floor YMCA boardroom.

Selectman Russell Hoffman, who serves on the Ambulance Board, made the group aware of a new regulation stating that all calls from urgent care facilities will be classified as an emergency. “This carries with it a lot of other requirements in terms of response time and how a service is measured. It may be a significant adjustment to staffing.” In 2015, there were 200 calls regarding urgent care facilities, Hoffman told the selectmen. “They were not all emergency. Some were transfers.”

Selectmen’s Chairman Denise Griffin asked Hoffman for a copy of the legislation. “Depending on what it says, we can talk to our legislators,” she said.

Boothbay Harbor Financial Officer Julia Latter provided an update. “Our total revenue year-to-date is $4,235,128.70,” Latter said. “In comparison to this time last year, we’re only .1 percent off. Our total expenses year-to-date are $3,315,900.56. This is off by roughly three percent, but after tonight’s accounts payable, $511,565.74, we will be more in line. Our bank balance is $3,037,570.93.”

Selectmen went into executive session for a personnel issue. The board’s next meeting will take place on Monday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. in the town office.