Selectmen approved an agreement and job description for a shared town planner with Damariscotta Feb. 14. Boothbay Harbor Town Manager Julia Latter said Damariscotta’s town manager Matt Lutkus would present the agreement and job description to his selectboard Feb. 16.

With news of Lutkus’s upcoming retirement, Chair Mike Tomko said Lutkus indicated he will be staying in the area and will help acclimate a new planner even if beyond his retirement date. “Matt said it's his hope – as it is mine as well – that … we may be able to find some additional reasons or ways for collaboration. He intends on keeping his hand in the process and not just dumping the planner off on the selectboard or new administrator.”

The board’s approval authorizes Latter to enter into an agreement with Damariscotta should its board approve the same language and two new amendments: the addition of “prior GIS experience” in the job description and that the job’s termination can be decided by one of the parties rather than by another agreement between the towns.

“This is a long time coming and I'm glad we're moving on, here,” said Vice Chair Tricia Warren. “I'm excited about this, actually.”

Latter said Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission is nearly done with a regional housing study the town commissioned last year. LCRPC Executive Director Mary Ellen Barnes and County Planner Emily Rabbe have compiled all data and are preparing recommended  ordinance changes and an overview of the study.

“Mary Ellen said it's going to be a very detailed report. She has apologized for us waiting, but I think we're not going to be disappointed when their report comes out. They've really gotten their finger on the pulse of how the region is doing as far as housing both in our town, the region and compared to other municipalities.”

Recommendations for ordinance changes are not likely for the annual town meeting in May, said Latter. The boards and municipal officers will need to review them, possibly investigate further, set a public hearing and advertise the town warrant all by the last week of March to make the May ballot, she said; selectmen can always decide to call a special election if necessary or to hold a ballot vote during the June primary or November general election. “There are several times throughout the year that we can incorporate those ordinance changes.”

Nomination papers for six three-year municipal and district seats are still available at the town office: 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 7. 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.