In Boothbay Harbor’s last budget cycle, the select board and the budget committee approved a Kubota’s replacement. According to Town Manager Tom Woodin, the replacement will cost $21,300 and, because the cost will exceed $5,000, approval was needed for further funds. The board approved the proposal unanimously.

Total revenue and total expenses year-to-date are $710,979 and $749,839, respectively. According to Finance Officer Julia Latter, “Tax payments are coming in at a rate in comparison to this time last year. We had the first installment on Sept 7.”

Presently, the accounts payable is $475,950.44 and the bank balance is $2,063,202.

“Big announcement,” said Russ Hoffman, board member. “This coming Saturday is the long-awaited softball game fundraiser between the ambulance service and some ‘oldie-but-goodie’ Red Sox players. I’m hoping everyone can come out and raise funds for the ambulance service.”

Tickets can be obtained at the ambulance station.

“And what position are you playing, Russ?” asked Wolf.

“I’m probably warming the bench, or carrying water, or drinking water— something like that,” Hoffman replied.

PGC8 LLC (Rocktide Inn) applied for a permit to build a six-foot by six-foot by nine-foot-high boating safety shed on the north end of existing floats. Select board members Mike Tomko, vice chair Denise Griffin, and Wolf did a site visit with Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith and Fire Chief-Harbormaster Nick Upham. Lauren Stockwell represented Rocktide Inn and submitted modifications to Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Army Corps of Engineers permits. Stockwell said it was a “fairly simple project” as she handed out a schematic of the float configurations.

“Geoff’s reading of the code says that it is an accessory use to existing uses and a permitted use,” said Tomko. “That’s what I took away.” The board approved the application unanimously.

Cheryl and Edward Nelson of 58 West Street applied to build and establish a four-foot by six-foot access platform, a four-foot by eight-foot access stairway, a six-foot by 12-foot pier, a three-foot by 12-foot ramp, and a 10-foot by 20-foot float. Tomko, Griffin, Wolfe, the Nelsons, Smith, Upham and one of the property abutters visited the site.

“The abutter just requested that since she has summer tenants, if the construction could be delayed until after the season, she would be appreciative,” recalled Wolf. The board approved the application unanimously.

On Thursday, Sept. 14 there will be a caucus for municipal officers from District 1 of the Lincoln County Budget Advisory Committee. The district is one of three and consists of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport, Westport Island and Wiscasset. The purpose is to choose one municipal officer from each district to serve on the committee. Terms are three years.

The caucus will begin at 6 p.m. in the commissioner’s hearing room at the Lincoln County Courthouse.

“I’m confident that at least one select board member will be in attendance at that meeting, if not more than one, and see if we can have someone perhaps elected,” said Wolf.

The 2017 town audit has been completed. Town auditor Fred Brewer presented it to the board and attendees from the public.

It was completed a little earlier this year, said Brewer. “We were able to get in and get some numbers to Tom and we finally got the bound reports two to three weeks ago.”

“For the most part, (the numbers) didn’t change all that much,” Brewer continued. “That’s part of the reason why we could get it turned around much quicker. There weren’t really a whole lot of changes ...”

The audit is available at the town office and online. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a capital improvement ranking meeting at the town office. A talk and informational session with Ted Kelleher, legal expert on marijuana, will happen on Thursday, Aug. 31 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the town office and the review of proposed language on marijuana ordinances is on Monday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. In early October, there will be another educational session concerning more of the social aspects of retail marijuana and on Tuesday, Nov. 7, the vote for the legal business uses of marijuana — retail, manufacturing, cultivation, testing, and social clubs — will be held.

“We encourage people in the public to come out to these sessions, you’ll learn a lot,” said Wendy Wolf. “And it’s open to everyone in the region. It’s not just Boothbay Harbor voters because all towns are grappling with these questions.”