Boothbay Town Manager James Chaousis’ proposed FY 2016 budget looks a lot like the current budget. In fact, it actually looks like the last five. Chaousis will submit his $1,968,172 recommended budget to the selectmen during the Dec. 10 meeting.

The proposed budget shows a 1.64 percent increase over the current $1,937,411 figure, and is only 0.31 percent higher than the five-year municipal operating budget average of $1,937,952, according to municipal records.

The small proposed increase won’t hamper the municipality’s efforts to “focus on the future,” according to Chaousis. Even with a less than two percent increase, the town still has funds available to finance new municipal projects in 2016.

According to Chaousis, Boothbay has received state approval for a new Tax Increment Funding district. The town plans on using TIF dollars to finance Clifford Park’s redevelopment and the Joint Economic Planning Committee’s work with the town of Boothbay Harbor next year.

And even with relatively flat funding, the town manager believes municipal service over the past five years hasn’t been adversely impacted. Chaousis wrote in his monthly manager’s report that over that time period municipal services had improved. Chaousis described the town’s recent budgeting approach as being both “thorough and thoughtful.”

“By my estimation, public value in town services had never been higher,” he wrote. “What other services are being provided in either the public or private sector that has not increased its price in five years while adding value?”

The selectmen are expected to review his budget proposal over the next month and begin discussing it in January, according to Chaousis.

The selectmen will also hear a second Chaousis proposal on Wednesday night. The town manager wants the board to authorize the replacement of the 2006 GMC 3500 truck a year earlier than planned. The public works department truck is scheduled to be replaced in 2016.

But Chaousis sees an opportunity now to save money by trading it earlier than scheduled. He wants the town to use the truck’s trade-in value to purchase a car for its transportation fleet. Chaousis wants a sedan to help reduce municipal transportation costs.

The vehicle would be used as the the primary transportation mode for the code enforcement officers and town employees who travel out of town for training purposes. Chaousis expects the new vehicle would save $1,400 per year in transportation reimbursement expenses.

In other business, the selectmen will hold two public hearings regarding wharves and weirs request. Harbor Master Peter Ripley has sent the board letters endorsing both proposals. The first hearing regards Vincent Lathbury’s and Susan Seymour’s requests to remove an existing dock and construct a common dock. The applicants’ property is located 13 Elbow Road South in East Boothbay.

The float would also be used by an abutter, according to Ripley.

The second request is by Caryn Columbo and Carol Morgan. They have requested to build a pressure treated wooden pier with access stairs to the shore at 81 Van Horn Road in East Boothbay.

Ripley said neither project would not interfere with navigation in Linekin Bay.

The selectmen are expected to vote on both proposals following the public hearings, according to Chaousis.

The selectmen will also review applications for membership on the Clifford Park and Joint Economic Planning committees. The selectmen are looking for an undetermined amount of community members to serve on the Clifford Park Redevelopment Committee. The selectmen want the Clifford Park Committee to turn the recently revealed conceptual design into a reality for sometime next year. The conceptual design would expand the Little League fields from one to three, provide more space for soccer and lacrosse, expand the playground, add a dog park, and a walking trail.

The selectmen are looking to appoint four residents to the Joint Economic Development Committee with Boothbay Harbor. The proposed 10-person committee would have four residents from each municipality. The two town managers would also serve on the committee.

Chaousis will also nominate Tracey Hodgdon Hyson on Wednesday to continue as town registrar. She has served for several years in the position. The appointment is for a two-year term.

The selectmen will meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10 in the municipal building.