It is shaping up to be a town meeting like no other in Boothbay’s past. This year’s town meeting may be held with no moderator, no long discussions about municipal spending and no questions about parliamentary procedures. The selectmen are implementing resident’s request to hold the 2015 town meeting by referendum. At last year’s town meeting, residents voted 4:1 in a non-binding straw poll to change the format.

The selectmen recommend the town approve a $1,828,174 municipal budget. The proposal includes $530,614 for general government, $401,789 for public safety, $711,341 for public works, $8,000 for general assistance, $125,230 for service account, and $51,200 for insurance.

The proposed budget is a 0.05 percent increase.

Boothbay residents may decide the warrant by arriving at the polls from 8 a.m to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 4 and voting referendum-style. The selectmen discussed the first draft of the warrant during the Jan. 28 board meeting. The selectmen believed it was important to follow the voters’ intention and adopt the referendum-style town meeting.

“I think we need to honor their intentions,” said Selectman Charles Cunningham. “And also put on warrant the same question, and see if they want to continue with the process.”

The first draft contains 26 articles. On May 4, residents will elect two selectmen, a School Committee member, a Community School trustee, Cemetery District trustee and a Water District trustee. All positions are for a three-year term. 

The voters are expected to settle all funding and other municipal proposals by secret ballot referendum. The selectmen will hold a public hearing prior to finalizing the warrant by March 20, according to Town Manager James Chaousis.

In addition to the budget, voters will also be voting on two proposals which may trigger the tax levy limit question. Question 21 asks voters to increase the limit (in the event the FY 2016 budget approved in previous articles exceeds a certain level). Articles regarding redeveloping Clifford Park and purchasing the post office lot would each trigger the tax levy limit question.

The selectmen also recommend voters approve the Clifford Park redevelopment plan. The proposal would expand one Little League baseball field into three, create more space for soccer and lacrosse, a playground, a dog park and walking trails. The plan also calls for a lighted baseball diamond.

If voters approve the town’s right-of-first-refusal to purchase the post office lot, it would also trigger the tax levy limit. In 2010, the selectmen negotiated a right-of-first-refusal to purchase the property. The owner informed the board on Sept. 19 that he intended to sell the property.

Paul Weaver of Massachusetts is the owner. He allowed the selectmen to seek voter approval in May before exercising the agreement’s timetable. The property is located at 16 Corey Lane, and is adjacent to the municipal office building. The property is a half-acre and valued at $120,300.

The selectmen voted on Jan. 28 to place several outside funding requests on the warrant. The board recommends voter approval for funding  Boothbay Region Cemetery District, $15,000; Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, $45,000; Boothbay Region Community Television, $20,000; Boothbay Region Historical Society, $2,000; Boothbay Region District Region Nursing Association, $9,520; American Legion Charles Sherman Post 36, $300; and New Hope for Women, $915.

The selectmen are also expected to approve requests by Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, Boothbay Region Refuse and Disposal District and Community Fireworks Fund. The town is waiting for BRAS and BRRDD to submit funding requests. Last year, voters approved $146,155 for the ambulance service and $367,511 for disposal district.

The Community Fireworks Fund received $3,000 last year. The fund requested $5,000 In 2015. The selectmen want more information about the increase before recommending an amount.

Residents may also vote on an updated comprehensive plan. The Comprehensive Planning Committee has been working on the updated plan for over two years. The proposal may be ready by May, if not, Boothbay would hold a special town meeting to consider adoption.

Chaousis asked the selectmen to review the draft over the next month and suggest changes.