The Boothbay Harbor selectboard moved dozens of draft ordinance revisions forward at their Feb. 24 meeting. The proposed changes are scheduled to be discussed at a public hearing March 10. 

"This is neither an endorsement or not an endorsement. It's simply moving the process forward,” said chair Michael Tomko. The board said there will be opportunities for revisions before residents vote at the May 3 Town Meeting.         

Many of the draft revisions were around LD 2003, with language addressing accessory dwelling units, affordable housing developments and residential density. Proposed changes also include language around dimensional requirements and residential areas in the downtown business zone. One would eliminate a minimum lot area requirement for any dwelling or use in Downtown Business Zone A.   

In addition, proposed changes include raising the maximum height of buildings from 30 to 35 feet and an exemption to allow the Boothbay Region YMCA to install a lighted sign in front of their property. 

The board also tabled a proposal to no longer require the town to take the lowest bid for town projects. In January, board members had been unanimously in its favor, saying the move would allow flexibility to select bids on more criteria. However, according to Town Manager Julia Latter, it had unforseen legal complications.

Latter said the town attorney attempted to draft the revision into an ordinance, but it turned into a complex five-page document for the single issue. Instead, the attorney recommended the board develop a policy to rate qualified bidders. The board agreed to move forward to draft one. “The implementation of the rating would give us the flexibility to not just select the lowest price,” said selectboard member Alyssa Allen. 

In other business, Latter said the town purchased 31 windows for around $16,000 to replace ones at town hall and will be putting out a request for proposal to install them. Latter said American Rescue Plan Act funding will cover both the materials and installation cost.