The Howard Street and footbridge parking lots will be getting new pay-by-card kiosks in time for the upcoming tourist season. Selectmen approved the $47,144 purchase order for five Flowbird kiosks Jan. 25 which will be funded via economic development and contract service/professional service budget lines.

The kiosks will not replace parking personnel, but will accept credit and debit cards as well as cash and change, said Boothbay Harbor Town Manager Julia Latter. Before settling on the Flowbird company, Police Chief Bob Hasch inquired from Portland, Ogunquit and Old Orchard Beach which recommended the company, said Latter.

The purchase includes the software, spare parts for the kiosks, cement pads with anchors, extra receipts, warranty on the hardware and shipping, and a monthly maintenance fee for when the kiosks are in use. Flowbird will not charge the fees when paid parking is retired for off-season months and there are no per-transaction fees, said Latter. Costs for services in the following two years will be $5,904.

Boothbay Harbor Police Officer Jennifer Gosselin departed for the Police Academy in Vassalboro Jan. 18, Latter said. “It is hard, enduring, labor intensive … so we wish her much success and she'll be back to work when 18 weeks is up.”

Latter said while Gosselin is away, BHPD is welcoming retired New York Police Department Officer Matthew Campbell. Hasch gave the recommendation to hire Campbell as a full-time officer which will still leave BHPD short one officer with Gosselin away at the Academy.

“I believe (Campbell) may have started his FTO (field training) today and we've gotten him set up with his email and he'll go through our SOP's and our training program here within the police department. We welcome Matthew to our team. His wife and small child have relocated to the area, so we welcome them to the community as well.”

Chair Mike Tomko said Lincoln County is making American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds available in the spring via application for Assistance for Special Knowhow (ASK) grants. Grants up to $2,000 will be awarded for projects involving economic, community and infrastructure development, said Tomko. “Put your thinking hats on as we get into spring and if there's a project you'd like to see green-lit and you think some seed money from the county would help, let's talk with Julia and we'll file for an ASK grant.”

Boston Post Cane recipient Evelyn Snowman died recently while awaiting a ceremony which had to be rescheduled due to an illness in the family, said Latter. “We have prepared a certificate … and we will be presenting that to her family in her honor. Our condolences to her entire family for her passing.”

Selectmen conveyed 53 Kenney Field Drive back to its owners as of Jan. 24 for consideration of all taxes and costs due to the town. The decision was made after an executive session for acquisition of real property under Maine Revised Statutes Title 1, Ch. 13, §406 (C).

Nomination papers are available beginning Jan. 26 for six three-year municipal and district seats, said Latter: two selectmen, one Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District committee member, one CSD trustee, one Boothbay Region Water District trustee and one BB-BBH Cemetery District trustee. Papers are due to Town Clerk Michelle Farnham at the town office by 4:30 p.m. March 2. Voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 6. The annual town meeting is at 9 a.m. May 7 in the Boothbay Region Elementary School gymnasium.