Boothbay’s and Boothbay Harbor’s taxes would be subject to rise astronomically with a $50 million school in the equation, said Boothbay Harbor Selectman Denise Griffin April 12. The downward trend of enrollment is concerning especially because the cost per pupil is already high compared to the state average, and the cost per year of a bond would drastically increase taxes, she said.

“The total budget or the total taxes in Boothbay will go up 23% and that's if the town budget and school budget stayed flat … For (Boothbay Harbor) the budget would increase by 19%. I just wanted to make sure people understood why the request to do a demographic study really did seem to make sense because if we're going to build a school, we want to right-size the school.”

Vice Chair Tricia Warren is on the building committee the Community School District established to analyze a new building encompassing Boothbay Region Elementary and High schools. “I think it's important we do take that into consideration … I have been quite vocal in regards to the demographic study and I'm hoping we'll be having that completed before the next stages really start to take wind.”

Emergency Management Agency Director David Cody presented selectmen with the new Boothbay Region Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. The plan, which gets the region “on the same sheet of music” as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will need approval from Boothbay and Southport selectmen as well, said Town Manager Julia Latter.

Gartley and Dorsky Engineering and Surveying Senior Project Engineer Carmen Bombeke will put together a proposal based on a design concept for the footbridge renovation project, Latter said. Bombeke wanted to know whether or not to move forward with a design concept involving a swingspan reconstruction which would account for 35% of the entire project. Latter said Gartley and Dorsky would contact the Coast Guard to see what the process would be to remove the footbridge from its maps which list all moving bridges giving access to larger vessels. Bombeke said the process might take another 12-18 months to get back on track.

The Memorial Day parade, which got its blessing from Boothbay selectmen, found an agreeable yet concerned board in Boothbay Harbor given recent upticks in COVID-19 cases. Griffin and Selectman Wendy Wolf said proper masking and adherence to safety guidelines are needed and, though there is cause for concern, there is no reason the parade could not move forward safely.

“It seems like this can all come off within the parameters of the safety guidelines, so I don't have any issue with that proceeding,” said Wolf.

Said Griffin, “We want the best for this summer and so everybody needs to continue to follow precautions, get vaccinated and don't socialize until you're completely done with your vaccinations.”

Selectmen approved a letter of endorsement for Latter and Finance Officer Kathleen Pearce to pursue a grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. The money would go toward installing exhaust ventilation systems on the town's fire trucks. The setup will cost between $26,000 and $27,000, said Pearce. The town budgeted $7,500 last year and another $7,500 in the upcoming budget.

The town received responses April 4 on a request for proposals for a consultant or planner to review demographic and housing stock availability, identify local housing trends and help with data-driven guidelines as the town approaches a comprehensive plan renewal, said Latter. The call for a planner was brought together by planning board Chair Tom Churchill, Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith and Latter.  She said it will require a discussion between members of each board, Smith and her.