Since Gardens Aglow opened, Sarah Brewer has repeatedly lifted, lugged and dragged her homemade jams, jellies and pickles off shelves of her Slice O’Country portable business trailer located on Boothbay Common. Brewer has a permit to park  her mobile unit for three consecutive days during Gardens Aglow. This requires her to remove her products after a three-day stay, prior to moving her portable off Boothbay Common, and restocking the shelves when returning. 

On Dec. 13, selectmen made life a little easier for her. The board voted, 4-0, to provide her with a four-day extended use for the remainder of Gardens Aglow. “I’d like to park and leave my ‘Little Building on Wheels’  there for the rest of  Gardens Aglow,” she said. The extension allows her mobile unit to remain in place until Jan. 2, 2024. 

In other action, Town Manager Dan Bryer reported good news on energy prices. For months, Maine Power Options has advised municipalities not to “lock into” long-term fuel deals, but, recently, times have changed. Prices for gas, diesel fuel and electricity have fallen dramatically. Boothbay has negotiated two-year prices for gas, $2.82 per gallon; diesel, $3.24; and Bryer believes a similar favorable contract price for electricity is likely. “With  the current geopolitical situation, I can see prices only going back up. So I think now is a good time to lock in,” he said. 

Selectman Steve Lewis agreed. “I think it’s great to lock in now and not have to play that roulette game,” he said. Lewis also expressed gratitude to the public works department. Lewis is the Boothbay Region Refuse District transfer station’s manager. Public works recently repaired the station’s parking lot. “I’m going to change ‘hats’ now, and speak for the refuse district. Mike’s (Alley, public works foreman) crew did a great job. It looks great, and I wanted to thank them publicly,” he said.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27 in the conference room.