Boothbay Harbor selectmen voted May 11 to hold the annual town vote and meeting on June 19 and 20. Town Manager Julia Latter said holding the meeting before the end of the fiscal year June 30 would be ideal so that the town will be operating on a voter-approved budget.

Selectmen determined the new dates still give plenty of time for absentee voting, developing a public venue that follows Maine CDC guidelines, and in case of any further developments from the state. The meeting, originally set for May 1 and 2, was postponed by the board in April out of health and safety concerns for the public.

Vice Chair Tricia Warren and Selectman Wendy Wolf gave an update on recent talks with businesses on the local economy and the state’s schedule of lifting restrictions over the next several months. Said Warren, “I was very encouraged to see everybody putting on their thinking caps to make it work and to not make it personal … It’s good to see business trying to follow these restrictions …”

Warren said businesses see a shift in peak season with cancellations in the spring and reservations in late summer and early fall. “Everybody is a little bit nervous, apprehensive, but the meeting of course came a day before Gov. Mills announced restaurants can open May 18.”

Other announcements

Selectmen approved all annual victualer license renewals and all liquor and special amusement licenses.

Harbormaster Jeff Lowell will be launching the patrol and pump-out boats May 15, but Deputy Harbormaster Alan Boyes will be sidelined and Lowell operating the pump-out boat until demand increases, said Latter. Mooring renewal applications will start May 14.

The town office and Boothbay Harbor Police Department are extending free parking from June 1 to July 1, said Latter. The town will reassess sometime in June to determine if further extensions need to be made to continue promoting social distancing. Latter also said Whale Park restrooms will open May 18, but other public restrooms throughout town, including the town office restroom, will continue to be closed to the public until they can be safely opened.

The town office will reopen June 1 to give full, in-person service to the public while maintaining current standards of social distancing.

Selectmen meet next via Zoom at 7 p.m. May 26 following Memorial Day.