The Boothbay selectmen believe joining the Midcoast Economic Develop District will improve their prospects for securing federal funding for the Route 27 utility expansion project.

As a MCEDD member, Boothbay could qualify for Economic Development Agency funds.

Town officials are hoping to receiving matching federal funds for the project. Two weeks ago, the selectmen explored joining the MCEDD as a municipal member. Town Manager James Chaousis proposed paying the town’s share of the county’s membership.

MCEDD officials responded to the request by informing town officials that the agency doesn’t offer a municipal membership. The MCEDD solicits funding from the Midcoast counties of Lincoln, Cumberland, Knox, Sagadahoc and Waldo. 

But that may change, according to MCEDD Executive Director Jeff Kobrock. The MCEDD is looking to move away solely from the county-based model. Kobrock responded to Boothbay’s inquiry by stating the organization is looking at other funding mechanisms such as a municipal option.

“Our experience with this county-funding model has not been entirely successful,” wrote Kobrock in a Feb. 6 email. “We are discussing alternative funding models, which may include a municipal option in addition to the county-model.”

In his email, Kobrock calculated Boothbay’s potential membership fee at $2,928.

The selectmen will discuss whether they want to pursue membership during their Feb. 11 board meeting.

In other business, the selectmen will review a two-year fuel bid. The town oversees a fuel depot which provides nearly 100,000 gallons of fuel consumption for local governments on the peninsula. Chaousis negotiated a price for diesel and gas.

The diesel price is $2.42 per gallon and gas is $2.34 per gallon. The proposed bid is above current market prices. But Chaousis believes the deal will still save the fuel depot approximately $9,000.

“These prices are not as low as we currently enjoy, but we are locked in for two years,” wrote Chaousis in a memo to selectmen. “This will provide stability to a previously unstable budget line.”

The selectmen will also review floodplain ordinance correspondence from the state. Boothbay is required to adopt the ordinance by July 16, 2015. The selectmen may include the ordinance in the May town meeting warrant.

Under old business, the selectmen will continue revising the personnel policy, review the proposed FY16 town budget, and prepare the town meeting warrant.

The selectmen will meet at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 11 in the municipal building.