Boothbay Harbor selectmen on Aug. 12 approved several purchases, including equipment for the public works and fire departments. The board also moved ahead on constructing electric vehicle charging stations in the town hall lot.  

The board approved a purchase order for a public works street sweeper. According to Town Manager Julia Latter, the town was involved in a lease-to-purchase agreement for the sweeper, a recent addition. She said there was a lot of dirt on the roads and the cleaner streets will be better for bicyclists and motorcycles especially. Now, the equipment will be paid for with a five-year, almost $133,000 loan from First National Bank with annual payments of $30,000. Latter added, the town will still have a contractor clean the outskirts of town once a year. The vote passed 4-0 with a recusal from Alyssa Allen, an employee of First National Bank, who Latter said had a monetary conflict.  

The board also unanimously approved the purchase of around $29,000 of wireless headsets for the fire department. According to Latter, the purchase was part of the budget, and money had been put aside for two years. Latter and Chair Michael Tomko said the noise-cancelling communication devices have long-term safety benefits for firefighters exposed to high-decibel equipment and surroundings.  

Selectmen unanimously approved applying for grant funds to help build electric charging stations at the Howard Street parking lot. Selectman Mark Osborn said the stations will bring people downtown. “The town will eventually do it, so we might as well now,” he said.   

Latter said the total project would cost around $115,000 and there is support available from Efficiency Maine and federal tax credits that could cover around $80,000. She said the rest of the cost could be taken from reserve funds without having to go to taxpayers. The board approved signing a contract with Revision Energy who would apply for the grant on behalf of the town and build the stations.  

In other business, selectmen approved three new licenses for food and liquor. They approved a victualer’s license for Flagship Inn and another for Anchor Restaurant, both at 200 Townsend Ave. The board approved a liquor license for Hurtigruten Expedition Cruises from Norway. According to board members, the state now requires a liquor license from every port a cruise operates in.