Boothbay Harbor Residents Sail Through Town Meeting

In less than an hour, a handful of Boothbay Harbor residents approved a 24-article town meeting warrant totaling $4,118,853 May 3. The new budget represents an increase of less

than one percent over last year’s town budget.

Boothbay Harbor town meeting moderator Ervin Snyder (far left) administers the oath of office to the newly elected selectmen (from left) Wendy Wolf, Denise Griffin, and Jay Warren May 3. (Kathy Onorato photo)

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In her opening prayer, Pastor Sarah Foulger of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, called for residents to demonstrate courtesy and careful listening in order for

common good to be achieved.

Moderator Ervin Snyder told the voters he would be moving the questions as expeditiously as possible. All articles passed, most with no discussion at all.

Article 19, representing the entire municipal budget, totaled $2,861,932. Resident Linc Sample asked for an explanation of the increase of $3,000 for the selectmen’s line item

and the $90,065 increase in the cost of paving and construction.

Boothbay Town Manager Tom Woodin said $2,000 of the selectmen’s increase is earmarked for small economic development projects, which the selectmen could handle. The additional

$1,000 represents employee/resident appreciation. According to Woodin the funds could be used for items such as cards and flowers for births, deaths, sicknesses etc.

The increase in paving and construction is due to a $25,000 sidewalk project, rebuilding the town’s old tennis courts, and needed road repairs, Woodin said.

By a secret ballot vote of 27-9, voters gave approval to exceed the property tax levy established by state law. According to Woodin, Boothbay Harbor’s approved budget exceeds

the levy by $99,000.

After a brief discussion, residents passed a fireworks ordinance change, which will require any person, business or entity issued a fireworks display permit to post a public

notice in the local newspaper seven days prior to the event.

“What’s the driving issue behind the change?” asked Sample.

Woodin stated he had received many complaints last year when two private clubs had firework displays and the town knew nothing about it. Complaints ranged from residents

complaining their dogs “freaked out” and children being awoken from sleep, Woodin said.

“It’s just common courtesy to let the town know,” Woodin said.

Sample said the town makes it more and more difficult for residents to do what they want on their on property.

“Dogs will still freak and people will still wake up. The ordinance won’t change that,” Sample said.

Woodin said the ordinance will just allow people to take the necessary measures to prepare, if residents know the displays are happening.

Resident Andrew Shepard also spoke against the change, saying he did not think the town should be trying to legislate morality and courtesy.

United States Department of Rural Development.

The purpose of the project is to reline the sewer lines on Commercial Street and the Commercial Street extension.

The loan amount of $275,000 will be financed for 40 years at a three percent interest rate, which represents an annual debt payment of $11,900.

According to Boothbay-Harbor Sewer District Superintendent Chris Higgins, the project will begin after Columbus Day and is expected to take about three weeks. After the

completion of this project, the district will pursue funding to start rehabilitation on the east side of town and eventually rehabilitate the remainder of town during later

projects.

In the only contested race on the ballot, Wendy Wolf defeated Christopher Haskell, 178 to 79 for the one-year term on the board of selectmen. Wolf fills the seat vacated by the

resignation of Robert Splaine whose term expires in 2015.

Wolf, a newcomer to public office, said she will bring her experience as a policy maker for a healthcare foundation and her experience running a small business to the board.

In uncontested elections Denise Griffin and Jay Warren were re-elected to three-year terms on the board of selectmen; Walter Reed will serve a three-year term as a water

district trustee; Ralph Welch, three-year term as a cemetery district trustee; Richard Hallinan will serve a three-year term as trustee of the Boothbay/Boothbay Harbor Community

School District; Larry E. Colcord was elected to a three-year term on the school committee; and Henry Tedeschi Jr., was elected to a three-year term as sewer district trustee.