A proposed $400,000 road maintence budget and selectmen's pay increase are among the biggest changes appearing on this year's Boothbay town meeting referendum ballot. Monday, May 5, residents will vote on the proposed $2.69 million municipal budget, town elections and 37 warrant articles. 

During budget deliberations, Selectman Russ Pinkham decided it was time to re-think their annual road maintenance plan of contributing $197,000 per year. Instead, selectmen boosted their municipal contribution to $300,000 and proposed using $100,000 from the capital account to spend $400,000 on road maintenance this year.

Residents will also have an opportunity to increase selectmen's compensation for the first time in two decades. Town Manager Dan Bryer told selectmen their compensation was well below several Midcoast communities and suggested raising and appropriating an additional $3,217 to a total of $12,500. This would boost the annual selectman payment from $1,800 per year to $2,500. 

Other peninsula towns' selectmen's compensation is as follows: Southport, $8,000; chairman, $10,960; Edgecomb, $5,250; chairman, $6,500; and $1,500 for Boothbay Harbor.

Much of the remaining warrant is similar to years past. General government is overall municipal operations. The proposed budget is   $640,839 (up 3.37%). Public Safety is fire protection, animal control, and street lights. The proposed budget is $632,839 (no increase). Public Works is road construction and municipal projects. The proposed budget is $991,737 (6.38% increase). Capital improvement is $140,000 (same). General assistance is $8,000 (same). Service account is $223,997 (same). Insurance account is $52,000 (same). 

Among the biggest road project expenditures is $202,000 to repave Country Club Road. Selectmen propose using tax increment financing to pay for this. Residents will also decide whether to use $30,000 from the commercial development omnibus municipal tax increment financing district development No. 3 Fund for landscaping and street lights within the district. 

The town's share of Boothbay Region Ambulance Service is $506,185. The town's share of Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District is $698,453. Residents are asked to raise and appropriate $18,000 for Boothbay Region Cemetery District. 

Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library is seeking a $76,960 increase (4%). The town of Boothbay Harbor is seeking $10,000 for its fireworks fund. Boothbay Region Television is seeking $30,000. Boothbay Region Historical Society is seeking $3,000. Boothbay's share of the Boothbay Region District Nurse is $12,950. The Community Resource Council requested $15,000.

Other nonprofits' requests included American Legion Post 36, $500; New Hope for Women, $1,395; The Community Center, $8,500; Boothbay Region Health Center, $12,500; The Harbor Theater, $1,000; Spectrum Generations, $1,617; Lincoln County Dental, $3,000; Sweetser, $1,000; American Red Cross, $1,000; Veggies to Table, $1,250; Maine Lobstermen's Association, $500; and Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, $4,000.

 There are two competitive municipal elections this May. Three candidates are seeking election as trustee to the Boothbay Region Water District board and there are two candidates for the Community School District superintending committee.

Holly Stover is seeking a second term as BRWD trustee. She has two challengers: Geoffrey Smith and Brian MacDonald. Incumbent Bruce MacDonald isn't seeking re-election to the superintending school committee. Victoria Paxson and Riley R. Mitchell are running for the open seat.

Three incumbents are running unopposed. Russell E. Pinkham is seeking a second term as a selectman. Matthew A. Doucette is running for another term as a Community School District trustee. Bernard "Skip" MacPhee is seeking another term as a cemetery district trustee. All positions are three-year terms.

Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, May 5 in the municipal building.