The town of Boothbay Harbor received a gift of $2,000 from local resident Frank Fassett at the Monday, Aug. 26 selectman’s meeting. The money was donated with the condition that it go toward the Getting Away Together project.

The Getting Away Boothbay Committee is a group that is raising money to bring the PBS television series “Getting Away Together” to the Boothbay region. The region needs to raise a total of $55,000, ideally by the last week in September, to cover production costs. Currently the committee has raised $15,000, including donations from over 25 locals businesses and 30 private individuals. The town of Boothbay just pledged $2,000.

Audrey Miller of Cottage Connection leads this committee, and is very passionate about the cause.

“We would be the first town in Maine (in all of New England, in fact) to be on the show,” Miller said. “It would be a huge boost to our local economy and an opportunity we cannot let pass us by.”

At the August 26 Boothbay Harbor selectman’s meeting, Miller, along with Boothbay Town Manager Jim Chaousis and Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce director Catherine Wygant came to ask the town for support in the form of a monetary gift.

After a great deal of deliberation, the selectmen decided that they could not donate taxpayer money toward a cause without taxpayer approval. To that end, they decided to place it on the budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, which will be voted on in May of 2014.

Since the money needs to be raised before the end of September of this year, money available in late August of next year would be of no use to the Getting Away Together committee.

Fassett, after the above fact was explained, walked up to the selectmen and thrust a check for $2,000 toward Board Chairman Bill Hamblen.

He said the money was for the town to give to the Getting Away Boothbay committee. Hamblen attempted to return the check, stating that Fassett should give it to the committee himself.

Fassett replied that he wanted the town to donate the money. He returned to his seat with the audience applauding.

The town has not formally accepted Fassett's gift yet, as a letter stating where he wishes the money to go needs to accompany the gift. It is likely the town will formally accept or reject his gift at the next selectman’s meeting on September 9.

“So many people have stepped up to help with this project,” Miller said. “Rocktide and Greenleaf Inn and Howard House all want to provide food and lodging for the PBS crew when they arrive, and we are selling caps like crazy (at $25 each) and I just sold two to car dealers in Portland I saw the other day,” Miller said.

“I had hoped the Boothbay Harbor selectmen could look more forward on economic development. I feel their action was a little short-sighted. I understand the position they are in, but the are elected to make responsible decisions like this when the time comes and the time is now,” Miller said.

After the meeting, Fassett said he wondered how he was going to let his wife know about the $2,000 donation.

“A couple less pairs of shoes this month,” he said with a wry smile.

Katrina Clark can be reached at 207-633-4620 or katrinaclark@boothbayregister.com. Follow her on Twitter: @BBRegisterClark or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BBRegisterKatrinaClark.