Town Manager John Anderson presented a draft of Boothbay's Town Warrant for the annual town meeting at the March 10 meeting of the board of selectmen.

The warrant, as presented, consisted of 13 articles. Another article was added by the selectmen, that will become Article 3, seeking voters' input into where the 2009 meeting, and subsequent meetings, would be held: the town hall at the Boothbay Railway Village or the BRES gym.

The selectmen approved the warrant as presented with the additional article.

Residents will vote, by secret ballot, for those running for public office as well as the validation of the school budget from 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the town office.

To date, the following people have returned papers: Selectman Ross Edwards, seeking another three-year term; and Steven C. Lewis and Nicholas Barth, both seeking the unexpired one-year term selectman's seat formerly held by the late Eric Hodgdon. Lorraine Hodgdon is seeking another three-year term with the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Cemetery District.

Other offices include a second three-year term selectman's seat currently held by Steve Ham; a three-year term on the CSD school committee, a three-year term on the CSD board of trustees, and a three-year term on the Boothbay Region Water District board.

Residents seeking office have until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 20 to return papers.

This year Boothbay returns to the traditional town meeting format on the evening of May 5 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Boothbay Railway Village town hall.

Voters will vote on 13 articles. Articles three, four, five and six are related to taxes, the acceptance and appropriation of grant funds, authorization for the selectmen to carry forward any unexpended account balance and at a later date to set the amount of surplus (if any) to be reduced to reduce the property tax assessment; and the town's appropriation of state funds received pursuant to the Rural Road Initiative for capital improvements to roads and/or state aid minor collectors.

New Article 3 - concerning the future location of town meeting - this is a polling of the residents following a discussion of the selectmen who felt the residents, rather than the themselves, should weigh in on the decision for the 2009 town meeting.

Article 7 addresses the 2009 fiscal year budget with all of the town's individual budgets listed separately. Anderson said that residents could vote on these budgets individually, just as they would if they were represented as separate warrant articles and be amended if necessary.

Article 8 is the vote on the outside organization appropriations. These amounts can be amended just as those in Article 7.

Article 9 is for the town vote to appropriate the sum of $840,000

from

estimated revenues to reduce the property tax.

Article 10 the vote to appropriate the sum of $20,000 from the Undesignated Fund to begin a three-year project to rebuild the sidewalks in the village of East Boothbay.

Article 11 votes on new zoning ordinance text regarding condominium conversions.

Article 12 votes on whether or not to enact an ordinance entitled "2008 Amendment to the Town of Boothbay Administrative Code" be enacted.

Article 13 to see if the town will increase the property tax levy limit established by state law in the event the municipal budget for fiscal year 2009 approved under preceding articles will result in a tax commitment that is greater than the property tax levy limit.

Copies of the warrant and all attachments are available at the town office.

Anderson acknowledged the response of the emergency teams to the March 5 accident on Route 27 that took the lives of three residents, David and Linda Farnham and Phillip Peters.

Anderson acknowledged Mr. Farnham's many years as a member of Boothbay's board of appeals and Mrs. Farnham's familiar face at the East Boothbay General Store over the years.

"It was an incredibly sad scene and probably the most difficult auto accident our fire department and EMS personnel crew has had to deal with," Anderson said. "But, everyone performed extremely well and worked very hard to change the outcome."

On behalf of the town, he extended his sympathies to the families of the Farnhams and Mr. Peters during this difficult and sad time.

Last weekend's rainstorm left storm drains plugged, washouts occurred in the "usual" areas - Barters Island Road, a culvert was completely lost on Walker Road, a couple areas on King Phillips Trail and Murray Hill Road.

Anderson reported that road crews were out last Saturday night and all day Sunday to address/repair the issues and that the work continues.

Selectman Dan Harris asked how and if the selectmen could be reimbursed for mileage accrued while attending other meetings as representatives of the board.

Anderson advised that such reimbursement could begin anytime and would come out of the contingency line. The contingency line is traditionally used for project overages. All that the selectmen would need to do is fill out the same paperwork.

Selectman Ross

Edwards, a representative of Newcastle and a representative from the MDOT for this region, attended a meeting held in Edgecomb on the state of the River Road meeting.

MDOT does not have the funds to repair the road, which is known as an "unbuilt road."

Edwards suggested a meeting of the town officials of Edgecomb, Boothbay and Newcastle regarding the long overdue roadwork necessary on the River Road by the Maine Department of Transportation.

Edwards reported that the MDOT estimates the River Road project will cost $10 million/$1 million per mile to re-pave and fill in the potholes along the 10-mile stretch.

The project would be funded with federal funds covering 80 percent and the remaining 20 percent must be state-funded.

Edwards encouraged residents to write to their legislators to inform them of the condition of the road and the need to have the work completed - finally.

Edwards said the bypass task force was addressing ideas and concerns of residents regarding the five route selections.

"The no-build option is there for reference only," said Edwards. "Something will be decided."

Edwards indicated meetings would probably carry on throughout the summer months.

The Boothbay Region Community Resources continues to accept donations for heating assistance. Donations made by check may be made payable to Boothbay Region Community Resources, memo heating assistance. Drop them off at the town office or mail them to the Boothbay Town Office, P.O. Box 106, Boothbay, ME 04537.

Lincoln County Triad has free cell phones for the elderly available. The phones are programmed for 911 emergency calls only. If interested, contact Deb Mullen at 633-7874.

All dogs over the age of six months should have been licensed by January 31. Spayed or neutered dogs licensed now are $21 (this includes a late fee amount of $15.) Non-spayed or neutered dogs are $26, including the same late fee.

The next regular selectmen's meeting is on Monday, March 24 at 7 p.m.