Boothbay voters will vote on a small municipal budget increase when they cast ballots in May. On March 10, selectmen voted unanimously to recommend a $2,232,190 annual budget. Selectmen held the second of two public hearings via Zoom conference, but no residents participated in either forum. Town Manager Dan Bryer reported the proposals reflect a 1.88% increase. He explained cost savings and coronavirus-related budgeting kept the budget to a minimal increase. “The change to LED (light emitting diode) street lights is saving about $26,000 and we are able to achieve smaller savings in several other accounts,” he said. 

Selectmen are recommending the following funding for these municipal accounts: General Government, $568,530; Public Safety, $510,787; Public Works, $798,975; Capital Improvement, $140,000; General Assistance, $8,000; Service Account, $153,697; and Insurance Account, $52,200. Selectmen also recommend funding for the following non-profit agencies: Boothbay Region Cemetery District, $15,000; Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, $65,000; Boothbay Harbor Fireworks Fund, $10,000; Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District, $515,524; Boothbay Region Community TV, $30,000; and Charles Sherman American Legion Post No. 36, $500; New Hope for Women, $960; Boothbay Region Community Resources, $7,500; The Community Center, $7,000; Boothbay Region Seniors Citizens Club, Inc., $1,000; Boothbay Region Health Center, $7,000; Boothbay Region Historical District, $2,000; Harbor Theatre, $1,050; Spectrum Generations, $665; Lifeflight of Maine, $780; and Lincoln Dental, $3,000.

Selectmen amended an article on an $800 request from Hallowell Community Band. Selectmen added “up to” $800 to the article’s language. Selectmen want an equivalent number of summer concerts as Boothbay Harbor receives the full amount. Selectman Desiree Scorcia attempted to add the “up to” language to Boothbay Region Ambulance Service’s $343,255 request. At last month’s meeting, Scorcia requested more information on the service’s additional revenues and an explanation of how those funds were spent.  The service did not provide those figures prior to the March 10 meeting. She recommended the article ask voters for up to $343,255 pending receiving a response. The other selectmen decided against adding the “up to” language. 

“Years ago, Boothbay Harbor didn’t fund the ambulance service at the full recommended amount, and it was disastrous,” Selectman Chuck Cunningham said. “Once all the money was spent, residents received astronomical bills. So I think it’s better to ask them to include that information next year.”

Article 30 seeks voter authorization to appropriate $53,000 from the Commercial Development Omnibus Municipal Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program No. 3 for landscaping and street light repair within the TIF. Article 32 seeks voter authorization to raise and appropriate $50,000 for engineering and design costs for municipal water and sewer lines to Hardwick Road. Bryer explained this project was initiated several years ago, and selectmen want an updated version of the project’s potential costs. 

Article 33 seeks voter approval to accept Boothbay Harbor Country Club’s gift of the public restrooms near Boothbay Common. 

In other action, selectmen appointed Bryer as the board’s representative on the Boothbay Region School Building Committee which is considering options for either renovating or constructing a new kindergarten through grade 12 complex. The committee was created with an intent for a Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor selectman representative, but Selectman Steve Lewis said Community School District members asked for Bryer.

Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 24 via Zoom conference.