Boothbay Harbor selectmen voted unanimously Dec. 10 to sign a resolution of support for the “Raise the Floor” initiative. The initiative to raise the state's minimum kick-in to 15 percent for funding local schools was introduced last meeting by Fayette Town Manager Mark Robinson who also hopes for a contribution from each school system he visits to go toward the costs of lobbying the Legislature.

Robinson was looking for a contribution that amounts to $5 per pupil enrolled at the high school – about $800 from each town if Boothbay Harbor and Boothbay split the cost. Selectman Russ Hoffman proposed Boothbay Harbor kick in an even $1,000. Vice Chair Denise Griffin said she would be more than willing to support the initiative with funds, but would prefer to see what Boothbay is willing to put up before committing to any amount above a fair share. Selectman Tricia Warren agreed.

Said Hoffman, “This is about education, this is an initiative to pursue additional funding from the state. I think it's important. I really don't care what Boothbay does, I want to show we support the initiative.”

Chair Wendy Wolf and Selectman Mike Tomko both agreed Boothbay Harbor should go its own way and that $1,000 is minimal for a potential return. The state currently funds the CSD at 10 percent of its budget.

The motion to contribute $1,000 to the initiative passed 3-2.

East side independent planner

Wolf gave an update on the status of an independent planner reviewing the planning board's proposals for zone changes on the east side. A group of six town officials – Wolf, Tomko, Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith, Town Manager Tom Woodin, planning board Chair Bill Hamblen and member Chris Swanson – expressed interest in MRLD Landscape Architecture and Urbanism's Mitchell Rasor as a potential candidate. Rasor was involved with the Camoin report, so he is familiar with the harbor, but would also be impartial, Wolf said.

The working group also drafted three key questions for a planner: Is the zoning proposal establishing two zones on the east side of the harbor consistent with appropriate planning practices? If not, tell us why not. Are the proposed zoning ordinances for the east side of the harbor consistent with the goals and objectives outlined in the town's 2015 comprehensive plan? And do you foresee any significant unintended outcomes the new proposed zoning ordinances may prompt or any obvious loopholes in the proposed ordinances that have not been anticipated?

Griffin proposed iterations of the questions which ask the planner to elaborate on their review of each question, namely on whether or not the zoning proposals are consistent with the community character and history and if there are any foreseeable issues with vehicular, pedestrian and maritime traffic. The board voted unanimously to accept Griffin's revision of the questions.

After some public discussion showed concern that members of the planning board would be involved in guiding the planner's scope of work, the board voted unanimously to move ahead with establishing a scope, proceed with procuring the consultant services for the review, and establish a timeframe, for up to $5,000.

JEDC update

The JEDC has found its way back to the subject of wayfinding thanks to a Dec. 4 presentation from Boothbay Region Land Trust, said Wolf. “We felt it was appropriate to ask the towns to get together and have this conversation again.”

Wolf said the JEDC also talked about its purpose and committee members agreed since it has fulfilled its charge to develop an economic plan, the conversation belongs to the Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor select boards.

“The committee itself is very adamant that there is real value in having people from the towns in our region meet periodically together to try to make sure we are leveraging each other’s expertise, working in concert together … (providing) that hub or clearinghouse where a lot of those conversations take place.”

The board was receptive to the continuing efforts of the JEDC. Griffin said she believes though future budgets are a separate conversation, the JEDC should definitely continue since it has provided results. Selectman Tricia Warren agreed and asked if there are one or two attainable items the JEDC can either spearhead or hand up to the select boards.

“Definitely,” Wolf said mentioning the ongoing efforts of the housing group and the broadband initiative in the works. “The JEDC is sort of like the one place where the glue kind of keeps the interaction going ..."

The board voted unanimously to accept the application of Michael McKay to the Budget Committee.

The board meets next at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 in the town office.