An outside group’s request has prompted the Boothbay selectmen to organize a regional discussion regarding the state’s approval of legalizing recreational use of marijuana. Pending a statewide recount, Maine voters approved Referendum Question 1 by a narrow margin, 378,288 to 375,668. The 2,620-vote margin represents a 0.34 of one percent difference.

During the Boothbay selectmen’s Dec. 14 meeting, the board discussed Healthy Lincoln County’s request to consider a peninsula-wide ordinance regarding legalized marijuana. Healthy Lincoln County is a part of the Healthy Maine Partnership, a network of organizations in each county promoting wellness. Healthy Lincoln County sent a letter to the four towns, asking municipal leaders of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb and Southport to discuss whether the region should band together and adopt similar ordinances.

Healthy Lincoln County presented a copy of the City of Bangor’s marijuana ordinance in an email to each town, according Town Manager Dan Bryer. The 43-page document includes information about marijuana-related businesses and the process for establishing an 180-day moratorium on “Marijuana Social Clubs.”  The selectmen decided to invite Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb and Southport municipal leaders along with Healthy Lincoln County representatives to discuss local options regarding the new law.

Previously, marijuana use was prohibited by both state and federal law. Question 1’s apparent victory eliminates the state ban against recreational marijuana, so Boothbay leaders want to prepare for dealing with challenges of the new industry. Selectman Dale Harmon encouraged town officials to discuss the vote’s aftermath with Boothbay’s neighbors because the state no longer had regulations banning recreational marijuana use.

“This is a tourist community, and if we don’t get out in front of this, we might lose out to a community faster in establishing guidelines,” Harmon said. “They might end up driving right past us on Route 27 and go to some other place.”

The selectmen directed Bryer to contact Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb leaders along with Healthy Lincoln County representatives to discuss regional options. Bryer isn’t sure when a regional meeting might be held.

”We’re talking about a meeting with a large number of people so it will be a while in contacting them all and then trying to find a suitable date. So I’m not sure when that will happen,” he said. Local Question 1 results mirrored statewide results as being a closely divided measure. Boothbay voters approved legalization 1,088 to 990, as did Boothbay Harbor, 700 to 676, and Edgecomb, 437 to 373. Southport voters opposed legalization, 179-246.

In other action, the selectmen reflected upon the inaugural Boothbay Festival of Lights. The event was created by the Joint Economic Development Council to capitalize on Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ popular Gardens Aglow light show. The two events run simultaneously from Nov. 18 to Dec. 31. The JEDC hoped decorating Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor in Christmas lights would drive Gardens Aglow visitors into local shops, inns and restaurants.

Bryer, who is a JEDC member, characterized the event as a good start for promoting local economic development. He reported restaurants and innkeepers had an increase in patrons, but local shopkeepers seemingly didn’t register an uptick.

“Overall, it’s been good, especially for the first year,” Bryer said. “This really gives us something to grow on for year two.”

Selectman Steve Lewis described Gardens Aglow and Boothbay Festival of LIghts as “creating a buzz around the state.” His friends from Somerset County attended the dual events and expressed how impressed they were with the coastal community being lit up during the Christmas season.

“They came from Norridgewock and Skowhegan just to see this,” he said. “We went downtown and had trouble finding a parking spot. And when is the last time in December anybody in downtown Boothbay Harbor couldn’t find a place to park?”

The final agenda item was an executive session discussing the appointment of officials. The selectmen adjourned after the session without making any appointments. The board will meet next at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28 in the municipal building.

“