Boothbay selectmen on Feb. 14 began weeding through the 13 non-profit associations seeking municipal contributions. Last May, residents approved 13 financial requests totaling $305,042. Three outside organizations receiving contributions in FY 18 didn’t submit funding requests. American Legion Post 36 received $500, Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce received $10,000 for local fireworks displays, and Boothbay Area Shellfish Committee received $1,000. But none of these organizations requested funding for FY 19.

The local American Legion didn’t submit a request in FY 18, but selectmen placed a warrant article asking for a contribution.  No private or public organization submitted a fireworks donation request. The BHRCC is no longer involved in Windjammer Days so it didn’t request a fireworks contribution. In past years, Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor along with private contributions funded Fourth of July, Boothbay Festival of Lights and Windjammer Days firework displays.

“Nobody out there is raising any money for fireworks. So it’s hard to know where future firework displays stand because we don’t know who the point person is,” said Boothbay Town Manager Dan Bryer.

The Boothbay Areas Shellfish Committee didn’t submit a funding application because there is no clam bed seeding this season, according to a letter from Committee Chairman Harry Pinkham.

Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library received $50,000 in FY18 and requested $52,000 for FY19. Library officials explained an improved employee benefits package is the main reason for the requested increase. The library is also planning a major renovation and providing more services and programs outside Boothbay Harbor. “We’re looking to have a greater presence outside the library. We have programs this summer planned at Clifford Park and Knickerbocker Lake,” said Library Executive Director Joanna Breen.

Boothbay Region Ambulance Service is requesting $208,733.92 which is an $27,126 increase. The ambulance service covers Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport. BRAS’s funding formula includes the number of calls to each town. The service responded to 816 emergency calls and 402 hospital transfers in the past year. The service is also expanding it's number of full-time positions from three to five. Currently, the service employs an executive director, assistant director and office manager. The two new employees would serve as medical assistants.

“Two more medical providers helps establish a core group which will stabilize our schedule and organization,” Executive Director Robbie Ham said.

The Boothbay Region Nursing Association has served local patients since 1965. The organization was founded by Dr. George Gregory who foresaw a program for increasing patient wellness and decreasing return hospital visits. The association contracts with Lincoln Health for a full-time nurse who assists patients by drawing blood, managing diabetes, and ensuring medication is taken properly. Last year, the nurse visited 1,530 patients. There were 470 visits to Boothbay residents.

The association requested $11,960 which is a four percent increase. The association’s operating budget is nearly $97,000 and pays Lincoln Health $89,900. “There is a four percent increase in our contract with Lincoln Health. The nurse is the only employee and we do everything else with volunteers. The only other expenses are a few office supplies,” said Board President Holly Stover.

The association also conducts fundraising and seeks grants for its operating budget.

Boothbay Region Community Television requested $30,000 which is a $10,000 increase. No BRCTV representative attended the meeting, but Bryer reported someone would attend the next one.

Six organizations requested the same donation voters approved for this year: Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Cemetery District, $18,000; Boothbay Region Community Center, $3,500; Boothbay Region Community Resources, $5,000; Boothbay Region Historical Society, $2,000; Boothbay Region Senior Citizens, $1,000; and New Hope for Women, $915.

Four organizations which didn’t receive funding this year also made requests: Health Equity Alliance, $500; Healthy Kids, $500; LifeFlight Foundation, $780; and Maine Public Television, $100. 

Health Equity Alliance was the only one of the four who sent a representative to request funding. The alliance began in 1987 as Downeast AIDS Network. The organization has offices in Augusta, Ellsworth, Bangor, and one scheduled to open in Lewiston-Auburn. The alliance serves people infected with HIV and AIDS, provides community outreach and education programs regarding LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning) issues and drug users. The alliance offers free HIV and hepatitis testing, free syringes, and counseling.

The alliance has 18 employees and a $1.3 million operating budget.

Several applicants didn’t include annual budgets with their applications. Selectmen agreed if future applicants didn’t submit a budget then the board wouldn’t accept the application. “The questions come from the budgets,” said Selectman Steve Lewis. “If we don’t have the budget, it’s hard to ask good questions.”

Selectmen will decide which funding requests make the town warrant after holding one or two public hearings regarding the May town meeting.