Concerns over Americans With Disabilities Act compliance for the footbridge may have a resolution, Select Board Chair Mike Tomko said April 11. Since the March 28 meeting, selectmen, Town Manager Julia Latter and Gartley and Dorsky Engineering and Surveying have discussed the concerns for the footbridge's south pier which leads to the public landing by ramp. The pier already sits lower than the footbridge which will be raised by one foot during renovations.

Vice Chair Tricia Warren suggested tying the access point into a scenic platform to remedy the issue and provide a focal point for the bridge. After incorporating the concept into the design, Tomko said the imagery “looks wonderful.” The move of the west-side scenic platform will be incorporated into the swingspan design and will allow removal of all old pilings, and new decking will be installed.

Natural Resources Protection Act permitting is in the works and any design changes will be considered minor adjustments and will not slow things down, said Tomko.

Resident Tom Minerich said the design’s cable-style railings could be a liability for the town because children might climb them. “There is a stainless steel cable system very similar in material, but it's a netting. Basically, you secure it to the top and secure it to the bottom. So, the little kids can't go in there, slip and fall and break their arm or whatever they're going to do.”

Tomko’s illustrated concept shows the platform design changes with LED lighting strips mounted under the top railings. Garley and Dorsky’s Will Gartley said the RGB option will allow color changes and simpler repairs and be more cost effective than the more traditional low mounted lights on railing posts, the other design concept selectmen are considering.

Latter said she and Gartley will meet this week with a Central Maine Power field representative to review power access and lighting. Gartley said the project's next step will be for selectmen to choose a lighting option.

First National Bank's Gary Stone told selectmen, seven years of investing has yielded the town $100,000 in revenue. In 2015, Stone and fellow portfolio managers moved the town's investments to the "Lincolnville Model," a 25% equity, 75% fixed income ratio which proved successful for many other towns which were investing in money markets and earning nothing.

“(We) seemed to be running into municipalities that had funds we thought were being invested conservatively to a fault,” he said.

Prior to 2015, annualized returns hovered around 4.5% which Stone said he compares to zero in returns. “Your invested capital at that time was $354,000 and as of the end of February this year, it was worth $455,000 … So, we made $100,000 whereas we wouldn't have made anything over that period ...”

Selectmen approved a $45,325 purchase order for JB Roofing systems to complete roof work on the town office. Latter said she has picked out the shingle color and work should start soon.

Absentee ballots for the May 6 election are available at the town office. The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Boothbay Harbor Fire Station. The May 7 annual town meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Boothbay Region Elementary School gymnasium.