On May 3, Boothbay residents will decide the proposed $2,232,190 municipal budget and town leadership for the next three years. Two long-serving selectmen, Dale Harmon and Steve Lewis, face three challengers for a three-year term: First time candidates Teresa Bryer, Lester Spear and Erik T. Ward.

The top two vote recipients earn the selectmen’s seats. Other municipal officers are running unopposed for another term. Incumbents seeking re-election include Community School District Trustee Troy Lewis, Superintending School District School Committee member John Bertolet, Boothbay/Boothbay Harbor Cemetery District Trustee Kim Pinkham and Boothbay Region Water District Trustee Nell Tharpe. Each is seeking another three-year term.

The proposed 2021 municipal budget calls for a 1.88% increase. Town Manager Dan Bryer credited cost savings and coronavirus-related budgeting in keeping to a minimal rise. “The change to LED (light emitting diode) street lights is saving about $26,000, and we are able to achieve smaller savings in several other accounts,” he said. 

Selectmen are recommending the following funding for these municipal accounts: General Government, $568,530; Public Safety, $510,787; Public Works, $798,975; Capital Improvement, $140,000; General Assistance, $8,000; Service Account, $153,697; and Insurance Account, $52,200. Selectmen also recommend funding for the following non-profit agencies: Boothbay Region Cemetery District, $15,000; Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, $65,000; Boothbay Harbor Fireworks Fund, $10,000; Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District, $515,524; Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, $343,255; Boothbay Region Community TV, $30,000; and Charles Sherman American Legion Post No. 36, $500; New Hope for Women, $960; Boothbay Region Community Resources, $7,500; The Community Center, $7,000; Boothbay Region Seniors Citizens Club, Inc., $1,000; Boothbay Region Health Center, $7,000; Boothbay Region Historical Society, $2,000; Harbor Theatre, $1,050; Spectrum Generations, $665; Lifeflight of Maine, $780; and Lincoln Dental, $3,000.

Article 30 seeks voter authorization to appropriate $53,000 from the Commercial Development Omnibus Municipal Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program No. 3 for landscaping and street light repair within the TIF. Article 32 seeks voter authorization to raise and appropriate $50,000 for engineering and design costs for municipal water and sewer lines to Hardwick Road. Bryer explained this project was initiated several years ago, and selectmen want an updated version of the project’s potential costs. 

Article 33 seeks voter approval to accept Boothbay Harbor Country Club’s gift of the public restrooms near Boothbay Common. 

 Boothbay’s municipal election is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Boothbay Municipal Building.