In 2013, the Boothbay Harbor Board of Selectmen appointed 16 volunteers to oversee the creation of a new Comprehensive Plan for the town. The most recent plan the town had was created in 1996 and a new plan was long overdue, according to Lincoln County Administrator John O'Connell.

“We're working towards making the community a place where people want to stay and kids won't leave,” O'Connell said. “There are many ways to make it better, such as creating affordable housing that maintains the character of Boothbay Harbor, and increase the wage level for working people.”

On Thursday, May 8, the committee has scheduled a public informational meeting on the proposed plan. It will take place at 6 p.m. at the Boothbay Harbor Town Office.

The purpose of this meeting is to gather input from the community.

“We want to give people an opportunity to see what we've done, and make sure it reflects what the town wants to do,” O'Connell said.

The draft plan has many goals. They include preserving historic and archaeological resources, protecting the quality of and properly manage water resources, protect other natural resources (wetlands, wildlife habitats, scenic vistas, etc), safeguard agricultural and forest resources from development that would threaten them, protect and improve marine habitat, promote and economic climate that increases job opportunity and economic well-being, encourage and promote affordable and decent housing, promote outdoor recreation opportunities, plan (and finance and develop) efficient public transportation services to accommodate anticipated growth and economic development, and improvement of public facilities.

O'Connell is very passionate about economic development in the region.

“The income vs. wage level in Boothbay Harbor is way off. We look very affluent from the outside, but many of the resources here have been brought in by people who retired here. Homes cost a lot, and we have a very low average wage in Lincoln County. I see people working multiple jobs and still struggling. That is something we hope to fix. That we need to fix to sustain the community.”

Interested residents are encouraged to attend the meeting.