In his last act as chairman, Boothbay Selectman Steve Lewis proposed a return to normal. On May 26, Lewis asked to allow full public participation for municipal public events and his fellow selectmen agreed. The return allows for public participation in municipal meetings for all after two weeks after their second COVID-19 vaccination.

“I say we put the desks back together and get rid of Zoom and return to normal,” he said. Boothbay’s municipal meetings will continue with Zoom conferences so residents who aren’t comfortable with the new protocol can continue to participate in board meetings. 

Succeeding Lewis as chairman is Dale Harmon. Selectmen voted 4-0 to appoint him to serve one year. Cunningham was appointed vice chairman with a 4-0 vote. Both selectmen have previously served in those positions. 

In other action, selectmen heard a presentation from First National Bank about investing part of the town’s undesignated funds. Town Manager Dan Bryer previously met with First National Wealth Management’s Gary Stone who explained his firm began over a decade ago investing municipal funds with a “75/25” philosophy. Stone explained the bank’s first municipal client was Lincolnville. “We started with a philosophy of investing 75% into bonds and bond markets and 25% in equity funds. If you have funds stuck into a money market or short term CD then you are experiencing low- or negative-growth. We think the best route is through this formula which limits risk through diversity,” Stone said. 

Besides Lincolnville, Boothbay Harbor is one of the First’s municipal clients. Stone reported over a five-year period Lincolnville and Boothbay Harbor each yielded a 5% increase. Lewis told fellow board members he was skeptical about investing municipal funds until he heard Stone’s presentation. “Going into this I didn’t feel very comfortable about investing the town’s money, but I can’t say that anymore,” he said. Prior to committing to investing municipal funds, Boothbay officials want to review how much they can invest without needing a tax anticipation note to pay large bills like county taxes and school funding. Bryer estimated the potential investment figure ranges between $750,000 and $1 million. 

Selectmen held two public hearings for license renewal requests. D.W. Moore doing business as Cabbage Island Clambakes received unanimous approval for Class I, II, III and IV restaurant liquor and special amusement licenses. Carriage House owner Kelly Farrin received approval for a Class I, II, III and IV restaurant liquor license.

The board approved four wharves and weir applications. Selectmen unanimously approved Robert A. and Ellen M. Donavan’s request to rebuild a 50-foot by 6-foot pier, 34-foot by 3-foot runway along with a 10-foot by 20-foot float. Kurt and Karen Kruger received approval to rebuild a dock consisting of a 10-foot by 12-foot pier section, a 3-foot by 40-foot ramp, along with a 10-foot by 20-foot float. The project also includes replacing a 10-foot by 10-foot rock/timber/cement crib with granite blocks. Raymond Manocchio received approval for modifying a dock by adding a 5-foot by 12-foot seasonal float along with a 5-foot by 31-foot seasonal dock float.

Selectmen meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 9 in the municipal building’s conference room.