Five local nonprofits had one final chance to persuade Boothbay selectmen to place their annual funding requests on the May town warrant. The five are among 15 requesting funding. Two weeks ago, the selectmen asked that all organizations seeking a funding increase, or who weren’t funded last year, attend the Feb. 22 board meeting. Five organizations — three of which received funding last year and two which didn’t — explained their requests.

Selectmen received $311,200 in funding requests for fiscal year 2018. Last year, residents approved 13 requests totaling $276,132. The selectmen received funding increase requests from Boothbay Region Ambulance Service and Boothbay Region Community Resources Council. The ambulance service requested $191,485, which is $19,500 more than this year. The BRCRC requested $5,000, which is $4,000 more than residents funded in fiscal year 2017. The board also heard from two groups which didn’t receive contributions this year. Lifeflight of Maine requested $780 and Spectrum Generations requested $500.

The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce didn’t request a funding increase, but selectmen still had questions. The chamber requested $5,000 from both Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor for last year’s fireworks show in Boothbay Harbor. During the previous board meeting, selectmen were misinformed about Boothbay Harbor’s contribution. Town Manager Dan Bryer reported Boothbay Harbor initially cut $200 from the chamber’s request last year, but ultimately contributed $5,000.

The selectmen approved placing a warrant article requesting up to $5,000 for the chamber’s fireworks fund.

“I recommend we reword the article to say the town will cap the request at $5,000 and give no more than Boothbay Harbor,” said Selectman Chuck Cunningham. “It’s not fair that we should ever give more than the host community.”

The selectmen also questioned Boothbay Region Ambulance Service Director Robbie Ham about the agency’s proposed $1.1 million budget. It reflects an approximately $25,500 increase, but Boothbay, as the largest member of the three-town association, is responsible for the biggest percentage of the hike. Boothbay’s subsidy increased by $19,500, Southport’s rose by $6,000, and Boothbay Harbor’s dipped by $57, according to Ham. The BRAS formula is based on a three-year average of the region’s population and number of service calls.

The ambulance service responded to 1,659 calls, of which 904 were emergencies, according to agency statistics. Boothbay has 53 percent of the association’s population and Cunningham believes the town would continue funding a significant portion into the future.

“Boothbay is going to assume the majority of risk in perpetuity as long as the formula stays the same. I don’t see this as being right,” Cunningham said.

Ham explained the formula was devised by the BRAS board of directors. Each town has one representative. The formula was revised seven years ago when property valuation was removed from the calculation.

“We look at it annually,” Ham said. “If you have any ideas please pass them forward. I have Dr. Taylor here with my tonight. He is your representative on the board. We will take your concerns under advisement and see where we can devise a better balanced formula next year.”

Addiction Outreach Specialist Holly Stover spoke on behalf of the BRCRC’s request. The council began 12 years ago providing services to the region’s “most vulnerable and needy,” according to Stover. Among the seven council-sponsored  programs are Set For Success, Food For Thought, Woodchucks, Free Clothing Closet, Addiction Outreach and Community Navigator. Stover reported in the past year 434 of 990 people using BRCRC services came from Boothbay.

She focused her remarks on the Addiction Outreach program. She called opiate addiction a crisis and epidemic in the region. Over the past 15 years, she described young people in their twenties being introduced to Oxycontin and pills, and later, as they reached their thirties, becoming addicts. According to Stover, Addiction Outreach assists addicts in breaking the cycle of addiction and becoming productive citizens.

“It’s one of the most touching personal experiences of my life,” she said. “This is an opportunity for the community to work in a different way with law enforcement. It’s not about putting people in jail because that doesn’t work. The answer is treatment.”

Lifeflight of Maine was represented by Boothbay resident John Welsh. He reported in 2016 Lifeflight flew 1,800 missions statewide including six in Boothbay. So far, 151 Maine towns have pledged contributions totaling $150,000.

“I’d like to make it 152,” Welsh said.

Selectman Steve Lewis explained the board’s decision to not place the request on the warrant. “It seems when the service is needed on the coast of Maine, it’s either too foggy, raining or windy. A helicopter just can’t fly in those conditions,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer Gerard Queally of Spectrum Generations requested funding for the organization which focuses on community engagement for the disabled and seniors.

“We’re best known for Meals on Wheels, but we also do a lot of counseling and advising seniors such as dealing with their options regarding Medicare,” he said. In the past year, Spectrum Generations provided services for 32 Boothbay residents, according to Queally.

Selectmen will make a final decision on the May town warrant at their next meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8 in the municipal building.