You don’t need a chart to know Boothbay Region’s public school enrollment is rapidly dwindling. But current enrollment projections paint a bleak future. Earlier this month, Boothbay selectmen requested past enrollment and projection figures from Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98. Selectmen believe knowing projected enrollment will lead to an informed decision for the two school buildings' future.

On Oct. 24, Boothbay selectmen reviewed those figures showing between 2006 and 2024, the local school population is projected to decrease by 52 percent, from 741 to 352. In August, Boothbay selectmen began paying closer attention to school committee and trustee meetings after a Honeywell energy audit revealed up to $10 million in potential upgrades and repairs to the two school buildings. 

Boothbay Region High School was constructed in 1956 and Boothbay Region Elementary School was constructed in 1977. Municipal and school officials are now grappling to meet the challenge of diminishing school population and expensive school building repairs. The options include investing in school repairs, building a new facility for an estimated $48 million, or closing one or both school.

“I think the numbers are quite revealing," Selectman Mike Tomacelli said about the enrollment projections. "How we keep those two buildings open with those numbers is going to be a struggle."

Boothbay selectmen are also anxious for the Community School District’s board of trustees to investigate options and present a recommendation to the community. Selectman Steve Lewis attended the Oct. 23 special superintending school committee meeting. During the meeting, school officials estimated a new school would cost $48 million.

“I don’t know why it was called a special meeting. It seemed pretty ordinary to me,” Lewis said. “And looking at it, I thought it was more of a sales pitch for a new school. That thinking is a long ways off.”

In other action, the board unanimously approved a banner policy for light posts installed as part of the Route 27 Redevelopment Project. Selectmen began considering a policy after the Boothbay Food & Music Festival requested using the light posts in August to promote the Sept. 21-23 event. Selectmen approved the request even though no formal policy was in place. The new policy is designed for local non-profit organizations to promote an event benefiting the local community.

Applications must be submitted 30 days prior to the proposed installation. A $200 installation fee is required. Banner displays may last 30 days and are to be removed within seven days after an event. The town manager decides if a banner meets municipal requirements.

Selectmen also heard from a Boothbay Shores Association representative over concern about “questionable town management” regarding an “outdated harbor ordinance” and lack of port committee meetings. According to town officials, the committee meets as needed and hasn’t met in three years. BSA member Pete Yesmentes expressed concerned about the organization’s attempt at moving a mooring into the inner harbor. 

Another concern expressed by Yesmentes involved the town’s purchase of the online service onlinemooring.com. He wanted to know what other services were included. He was also concerned about 36 percent of Little River Harbor moorings being unidentifiable. He wants mooring locations along with owners’ names and permit numbers available on the harbor master’s website.

“Boothbay Shores Association wants our tax dollars spent to reap the rewards offered by onlinemooring.com and we expect its public information shared with us, and others in Boothbay,” Yesmentes said. Town Manager Dan Bryer reported many of Yesmentes’ questions should be addressed by Harbor Master Pete Ripley. Bryer will arrange for Ripley and Yesmentes to discuss these issues with selectmen at a board meeting.

Selecmen meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14 in the municipal building’s conference room.