Boothbay Harbor selectmen reviewed the housing portion of the 2015 comprehensive plan Dec. 28. Selectman Alyssa Allen spearheaded the review, the last in a series ahead of first steps to build a new comp plan.

Many of the typical housing hurdles have been exacerbated by current climate and real estate trends, but efforts since adopting the 2015 plan have fallen short with implementation goals of 2017-2018 yet to be met, Allen said. After reviewing the plan and the current state of the housing market, Allen said she has only come up with more questions instead of potential solutions.

“As a resident of this region, we hear a lot about these different organizations that are interested in affordable housing. I'm just curious if they're communicating amongst themselves or in conjunction with the town, with code enforcement, planning board and the town manager. Are the towns working together and is that something we should be looking at? That's my question.”

Chair Mike Tomko said the planning board has been considering changes to the land use ordinance, but has backed off promoting any solutions until Lincoln County Planner Emily Rabbe returns with her housing study in the month ahead. Selectmen should not expect the planning board to come back with any ordinance changes for the annual May vote and town meeting, but they should respond shortly after, he said. Town Manager Julia Latter said there will be opportunities for a referendum during the June primary and November general elections and the town can hold a special election if any proposed changes are time sensitive.

Said Tomko, “I think we're going to get a wealth of information from our housing study and that will probably help us focus on what are the most effective ways to take this action and move it forward … Maybe there will be a workshop to go through and match our recommendations to what the regional planning commission's findings are. I think we're right on the cusp.”

Town Clerk Michelle Farnham received her lifetime certification from the Maine Town and City Clerks Association, said Latter. Farnham will attend a conference in Waterville in September where she will be recognized for the achievement. “Congratulations to Michelle. She's worked extremely hard to join this prestigious group of municipal clerks.”

Nomination papers for six municipal officer positions will be available starting Jan. 26: two selectmen seats, one Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District school committee seat, one CSD trustee, one Boothbay Region Water District trustee and one BB-BBH Cemetery District trustee. Papers are available at the 11 Howard St. town office building or online and the deadline to turn in nominations is 4:30 p.m. March 7.

The board of appeals has two alternate member vacancies and the port committee has one alternate seat available, said Latter. More information is available at the town office. Latter also said the town has received two inquiries and one application for harbormaster. Deadline for applications is 4 p.m. Jan. 7.