While most small Maine towns hold a New England-style town meeting with extended debate and a show of hands, Boothbay is in the 11th year of its own tradition. On May 1, residents will descend upon the municipal building between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to cast a ballot in their annual referendum election. Among the 38 articles are municipal elections, a proposed $2,431,613 municipal budget reflecting a 6.79% increase, and 14 non-profit organizations seeking  municipal budget requests. 

A contested selectmen’s race highlights this year’s municipal ballot. Four candidates are seeking election to two seats. Incumbent Chuck Cunningham is seeking re-election, while Mike Tomacelli decided against seeking another term. Cunningham is joined on the ballot by challengers Erik C. Bertelsen, Karen Kusnierz and Julie E. Roberts. All other municipal elections are uncontested. Abigail H. Jones is seeking a second term on the superintending school committee. Sara Fahnley is running for re-election as a cemetery district trustee. Bernard MacPhee is running for an open cemetery district trustee seat. V. Kevin Anthony is running for a second term as a Boothbay Region Water District trustee.

There is no candidate for Community School District trustee. Incumbent Ashleeann Lowery decided against seeking another term. Town officials reported no one took out nomination papers for the position. All elected municipal positions are for three-year terms.

Inflation along with higher sewer, water and heating costs are among the factors in the proposed budget hike. Other factors including “turf doctor” expenses for the Clifford Park renovation and a $4,000 increase for O’Donnell and Associates contributed to the hike. The proposed municipal budget is as follows: general government, $614,284; public safety, $550,787; public works, $897,394; capital improvement, $140,000; general assistance, $8,000; service account, $179,697; and insurance, $52,200.

“I’ve gone over it, and over it, and I don’t think I can make it any tighter,” Town Manager Dan Bryer said. 

This year’s warrant has a new article. Boothbay Region Water District is seeking a debt limit increase. In 2001, the limit was set at $12 million so district officials are seeking a $19 million limit due to inflation. “In today’s dollars, it would be $19.8 million,” Boothbay Region Water District General Manager Jon Ziegra said. “We’ve lived nicely under  the $12 million debt limit, but the price of everything has gone up, and the dollar is considerably devalued.”

The district’s current debt is at $9 million. Ziegra told selectmen in February, the district pays down $500,000 per year. Ziegra pointed out 2023 would likely lead to several opportunities to cash in on more federal grants. “There is a lot of grant money out there and taking on debt makes us eligible for that. I’d rather spend that here, in Boothbay, than in Oshkosh, Wisconsin,” he said.

Article 34 seeks to increase the Boothbay Commercial Omnibus Municipal Development and Tax Increment Financing District by 155,000 square feet. The  amendment would allow for sewer and water expansion to a Butler Road  affordable housing project, Boothbay Region Development Corp.’s proposed expansion to allow TIF district financing for the 162 housing unit complex. The project’s estimated water and sewer expansion cost is $3,405,862. By expanding the TIF district up Butler Road, the corporation’s project would qualify for local funding.

Residents will also decide whether to contribute $10,000 to Maine Lobstermen’s Association for its ongoing lawsuit regarding a National Marine Services’ proposal to close a 960-square mile section of the Gulf of Maine to lobstering. The service alleges lobstering endangers  North Atlantic right whales. Lobstermen contend there is no evidence lobstering is harmful to the endangered species. Last year, selectmen contributed $3,000 from their contingency fund.

Residents will also vote on outside agency funding requests. Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, $469,054; Boothbay Region Cemetery District, $18,000; Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, $71,500; Boothbay Harbor Fireworks Fund, $10,000; Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District, $584,381; Boothbay Region Community Television, $30,000; Boothbay Region Historical Society, $2,000; Boothbay Region District Nursing Association, $11,850; Charles Sherman American Legion Post No. 36, $500; New Hope For Women, $1.152; Boothbay Region Community Resources, $15,000; The Community Center, $7,000; Boothbay Region Health Center, $10,000; Harbor Theater, $1,000; Spectrum Generations, $1,540; Lincoln County Dental, $3,000; Boothbay Railway Village Museum, $5,000; and Finding Our Voices, $500.

Article 36 seeks voter authorization to appropriate up to $50,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act for qualified projects such as extension of municipal water and sewer along Country Club and Butler roads provided the select board holds a public hearing on the proposed expenditure.