Boothbay is joining Boothbay Harbor in seeking assistance in promoting economic development. On June 11, an RCAP Solutions representative described the non-profit group's RISE (Rural Infrastructure Strengths Evaluation) program to selectmen. 

 Elyse Oliver is an economic recovery specialist assigned to the Boothbay project. She explained the program's concept to selectmen. Oliver will participate in the program's research for about a year. She described the study as aiming to support "actionable and inclusive" economic development for and by rural communities in a collaborative approach with RCAP Solutions. 

RISE is a pilot program which has four other participants: Orange, Massachusetts; Barton and Lunenburg, Vermont; and on May 27, Boothbay Harbor entered into an agreement. Oliver said the program is funded entirely by federal grants and there is no cost to municipalities.

RCAP wanted to enlist a coastal Maine community into the pilot program, and Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission recommended Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, said Oliver.

The program has four phases. Phase 1 is a town intake and operations review. Oliver reported an initial questionnaire and interview process with relevant town staff and volunteers to gather information about how local public services operate and any capital improvements planning needs. Phase 2 is community strengths and mapping. A state of engaging outreach activities with community members (residents, workers, businesses, government staff, and organizations) to capture local perspectives about local assets.

Phase 3 is value chain workshops: A series of interactive meetings with relevant town staff and industry experts to identify and prioritize the most promising opportunities for local economic development based on community strengths and municipal resources. Phase 4 is the RISE report and implementation support. A final report that catalogs the RISE program and outcomes plus additional concept and narrative development for prioritized RISE strategies.

Oliver will work with Town Manager Dan Bryer in developing the study. Oliver expects the study to last 11 to 12 months. 

In other action, selectmen approved a noise permit application for Boothbay Harbor Country Club's planned celebration on Saturday, July 19. This is an annual fireworks celebration which begins at 9 p.m. Bryer expects the fireworks to last 30-45 minutes. 

Selectmen approved two wharves and wiers applications. The first project is on Linekin Bay's east side. The owner is Katherine Horgan for her Ocean Point Road property. The second project is also on Linekin Bay. The Ocean Point Road property is owned by Wilde RE, LLC. in Portland.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 in the conference room.