With all the votes counted, the Boothbay selectmen’s focus now is implementing the Route 27 Redevelopment Project. During their Nov. 9 meeting, the selectmen moved forward with the transportation construction initiative which re-routes Corey Lane into a new roundabout located between Boothbay Common and the municipal building.

The next step is finalizing the verbiage in the business partnership initiative with the Maine Department of Transportation and local developer Paul Coulombe. Once completed, the contract would be reviewed by the town attorney, Town Manager Dan Bryer explained.

Bryer is also busy seeking financing for the $3.3 million project over a 20-year period. He is looking for the lowest interest rate from either the Maine Municipal Bond Bank or a local financial institution.

“Obviously, we’re looking to get the best deal and I expect it will be time-consuming,” Bryer said. “Last time we got a better deal from The First than the bond bank so I will scour the state searching for the best deal.”

The selectmen also discussed the previous day’s election turnout of 2,213 residents. The turnout was the most since 1988, when over 2,300 residents cast ballots, according to former town clerk Bonnie Lewis.

“This was an amazing turnout. I’m pleased over 2,220 people expressed themselves,” Selectman Chuck Cunningham said.

In other action, selectmen tabled a Boothbay Region High School student’s Ulmer Scholarship Fund request. The student requested the scholarship to help pay costs associated with a spring 2017 trip to Germany. The student wants to participate in the biannual trip sponsored by the German American Partnership Program.

The scholarship fund  was established in 1994 with a $50,000 endowment upon Madelyn Ulmer’s death. The fund now totals over $70,000 and is administered by the selectmen. Ulmer restricted the fund to being used only for advancing a resident’s high school education and not to spend the principal.

The selectmen want to apply a financial need for awarding future scholarships. The board wants to submit future requests to BRHS’s scholarship committee to determine an applicant’s financial need.

Selectmen have granted several Ulmer Fund Scholarships in recent years to high school students who have traveled to Germany and France during class trips. The board is concerned about depleting the fund which earns about a $1,000 a year.

“We only have so much money to give so I think it’s better for the people at the high school to determine if an applicant has a financial need because they see them every day,” said Selectman Steve Lewis.

Bryer will contact high school officials to see if they are willing to determine if Ulmer Fund applicants merit a scholarship based on a financial need. In past years, $1,000 has been the maximum award by the selectmen to an individual.

The selectmen are also looking for community volunteers to make a recommendation regarding the aesthetic look of the roundabout. The board wants to create a committee recommending the types of street lights, shrubbery and other items located within the roundabout. Those interested should fill out an application at the town office or on the town website.

The board will meet next at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23 in the municipal building.