Boothbay Harbor residents will vote May 3 on the 29-article town warrant which includes a proposed $6,424,935 FY26 budget and several ordinance revisions around housing and business. Elections are May 2.   

This year’s budget includes $4,048,237 to fund municipal business, with the largest items to fund police ($1,041,465), public works ($632,131) and paving and construction ($333,038). The budget also includes $1,623,752 for services including hydrant ($761,430) and refuse ($699,207) operations. In addition, it includes $752,946 for support organizations, largely ambulance services ($556,851).   

The selectmen and budget committee recommend the town use and appropriate $1,828,718 in estimated revenue to reduce the property tax commitment.   

Overall, the proposed FY26 budget represents an almost 6.5% increase from last year’s total budget, $6,033,852. 

In addition, the warrant includes ordinance revisions stemming from several workshops and collaborations with selectmen and the planning board.   

Many of the draft revisions are related to housing and LD 2003, addressing accessory dwelling units, affordable housing developments, multifamily dwellings, and residential density. Proposed changes also pertain to downtown business zones with language around dimensional requirements and residential areas, including eliminating the minimum lot area requirement in Downtown Business Zone A.   

The warrant also includes proposals to raise the maximum height of buildings from 30 to 35 feet and an exemption to let Boothbay Region YMCA install a lighted sign in front of its property. 

May 2, elections will be held at the Boothbay Harbor Fire Station from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to fill seven openings for officers on six committees. The election includes one contested race, a seat on the Community School Disctrict School Committee. The town meeting and remaining warrant votes are scheduled for 9 a.m. May 3 at the fire station, where officers will be sworn in.