Boothbay voters will head to the polls on November 5 to address some very important issues. There has been a lot of public discussion on people’s opinions of the questions. Many of those opinions have flawed facts and questionable motives. The town of Boothbay wants to clarify what the options for voters are in regards to questions 2 and 3.

First and foremost, we advise people to carefully analyze the opinions that have been floating around and make your decision based on the facts. Questions 2 and 3 will not destroy historical buildings. They will not jeopardize the town’s financial position. These questions will not alter Boothbay beyond the imagination of local people. The Village Improvement Plan, which demonstrates a roundabout, that is preliminary in nature, is not being voted on at the polls. The selectmen will construct a local committee to help guide the Village Improvement Plan to a design that is accepted by the people.

Without intervention by the selectmen, we would have no options on November 5. By creating questions 2 and 3, there are now several options. Let me demonstrate:

No on both 2 and 3

One option is to vote no on both Articles 2 and 3. In this instance, the Boothbay Harbor Country Club will still expand. They will develop their business entrance without any local review. The town will add $22 million of taxable value to the tax base, but the town would absorb $800,000 worth of tax shifts because of drastically increasing town valuation.

Yes on 2, but no on 3

If voters accept the TIF Article (2) and turn down the bond question (3), this is the scenario. The Boothbay Harbor Country Club will still expand. They will develop a business entrance without any local review. The town will add $22 million of taxable value, but they would be protected from $800,000 worth of tax shifts. There wouldn’t be a major project associated with the TIF, but there would be an opportunity to do something later. The town would likely lose $1.5 million in matching state funds for project development.

Yes on both 2 and 3

This is obviously the scenario that the selectmen favor. In this instance, both Articles 2 and 3 are accepted by voter approval. In this scenario, the Boothbay Harbor Country Club will still expand. They will develop their business entrance with local review and intervention. The town will redevelop the village transportation area with local guidance and public processes.

The town will get around $1.5 million in state funding to develop this project. The town will be the lead decision maker in a project on a state road. The town will add $22 million of taxable value but they would be protected from $800,000 worth of tax shifts.

By understanding the options, you may understand why the selectmen decided to put these options to the people. The options provided in Articles 2 and 3 are too valuable to filibuster. It is important that the local decision-making process execute this important decision on November 5. There is no other method but the democratic process in determining this critical impasse for the town.

Please remember that the questions are asked by referendum. Therefore, no large meeting will be held. Voters are simply requested to visit the polls between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Boothbay Town Office. All questions are yes or no. All questions are written in a fashion that yes always means acceptance and no means rejection.

We look forward to seeing you on November 5. Be informed.