An East Boothbay resident believes a new cell tower ordinance is something that just can’t be delayed. Jean Reece-Gibson urged the selectmen to become more proactive in pursuing a revised cell tower ordinance. She believes the current ordinance leaves the town unprotected against further unregulated tower construction.

Reece-Gibson opposed two proposals last year at two Ocean Point Drive locations. She is now working with the planning board on revising the current ordinance. She urged the selectmen on May 27 not to wait until the comprehensive plan update was complete before adopting a revised ordinance.

“This is an untenable situation,” she told the selectmen during the May 27 board meeting. “We have an unrealistic ordinance that doesn’t stand up to federal regulations. As it stands, it’s a twisted process. One that leads only to court.”

She also criticized the current ordinance as having no tower height limitations and said the application fee was much lower than other communities. She also said that the current ordinance allows tower locations as close as 20 feet to property lines, and towers with an unlimited amount of equipment.

“We are incredibly vulnerable and there is no need for that. This is something we can fix,” she said.

The selectmen replied that they had no intention of delaying or rushing into implementing a new ordinance. The selectmen believed if the new ordinance didn’t conform to the new comprehensive plan, then it would be a waste of everybody’s efforts.

Selectman Steve Lewis agreed that the town needed a new ordinance, but he believes it should embrace everyone’s needs.

“I’d have to see a proposal before I could endorse it,” said Lewis. “I don’t think we need to reinvent the wheel. There are a lot of places that can’t get cell coverage. And until that happens, I’m going to be hard pressed to make it darn near impossible for them to put one in.”

Reece-Gibson thought the selectmen missed her point. She indicated that a well-thought out ordinance would serve everybody’s interests.

“A new ordinance isn’t an effort to rule them out, but rather an effort place it properly and in the best possible manner,” she said.

In other action, the selectmen are assembling a list of prospective candidates to serve as the town’s representatives on the joint economic committee. The towns of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor entered into the partnership to promote economic development in the region. The nine-member board consists of four members from each town. The ninth member is the director of the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce.

So far, the selectmen have received five applications from interested residents: Andy Hamblett, Fran McBrearty, Win Mitchell, Steve Malcom and Scott Rittall. Two more residents have expressed interest in the committee, but haven’t submitted an application.The board directed Bryer to contact Dawn Gilbert and Steve Reny about filling out an application.

The selectmen are also rethinking the town’s policy regarding pole permits. After approving a permit for FairPoint Communications, the board discussed implementing guidelines for granting pole permits. The selectmen want FairPoint Communications and Central Maine Power to remove broken and unused poles prior to granting future permits. Bryer will communicate the board’s request regarding future permits to the two companies.

The selectmen will meet next at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10 in the municipal building.