A Back River Road resident told the Boothbay selectmen he supports constructing the proposed roundabout near the municipal building and he encouraged them to join him. On March 23, Tim Utley said he believed the roundabout would improve Route 27 traffic flow, increase traffic and pedestrian safety, and result in greater economic activity.

Selectman Dale Harmon thanked Utley for his comment as he was the only resident to speak at the board meeting, which was devoted entirely to the proposed Route 27 traffic study.

The selectmen expect another large crowd for their next board meeting in two weeks. Maine Department of Transportation officials and state consultant Mark Lenters of the Wisconsin firm GHD Consulting are expected to further explain the proposal and answer questions. At the initial meeting, nearly 300 Boothbay region residents attended the meeting held at the YMCA.

“I appreciate the public’s involvement whether it’s good, bad or negative,” Harmon said. “Now we just need to find a venue large enough to accommodate the meeting.”

Selectman Steve Lewis expects the second traffic study meeting is only the beginning of a long process determining whether the public supports the latest proposal.

“It’s more of a workshop than a public hearing. The purpose is for providing more details and to answer any additional questions. I’m sure this is only one of many more we’ll have regarding this,” Lewis said.

Harmon said he personally supports the proposal.

“It doesn’t matter what the selectmen think. It will come down to whether the proposal has the public’s support and that hasn’t been determined yet,” he said.

In other action, the selectmen placed three outside groups’ requests for funding on the town meeting warrant. The selectmen approved the Boothbay Area Shellfish Ordinance Committee’s request for $1,000, Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Cemetery District’s request for $18,000, which is $4,000 more than last year’s contribution, and up to $500 for the Charles E. Sherman Jr. American Legion Post #36. The selectmen had questions concerning these requests at an earlier meeting and delayed making a decision until hearing from each group.

Boothbay Area Shellfish Committee Chairman Russell Pinkham of Boothbay Harbor reported the $1,000 request is for seeding local clam beds.

“A license fee can’t cover it because they go toward the warden’s salary. So we’re asking for this one-time contribution,” he said.

The cemetery district requested more funding this year for righting fallen stones and filling cave-ins. The trustees reported the additional money was for increased costs to maintain the 11 cemeteries.

Lewis complimented the district for its efforts in the past six years.

“There was a spell there when things didn’t look too good. But that’s changed,” he said. “Now, it’s never looked better, and looking really nice in the past 5-6 years.”

The selectmen tabled the American Legion’s request two weeks ago because they weren’t able to confirm whether the request was for $300 or $500. In the past two years, the Legion requested $300 and voters approved the donation each year. The selectmen recently received an inquiry why Boothbay was donating $300 when Boothbay Harbor donates $500.

The selectmen were unable to confirm with Legion officials how much they wanted so the board worded the warrant article to donate up to $500.

“This cleans it up a little until we’re able to confirm how much the request is. I think it’s a typo and they really want $500,” Lewis said.

The selectmen also approved 15 ballot clerks for the May and November elections. Democratic ballot clerks are Sharon Oakland, Cathy Sherrill, Arthur Webster, Christine Bastian, Martha Ann Booth and Sarah C. Bullard. Republican clerks are Pamela Reed, Eleanor Alley, Estelle Appel, Sally Barker, Brenda Blake, Cathy Blake, Freda Burnham,  William Dunton and Hillary Hyson.

The selectmen will meet next at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13 in the Boothbay Region YMCA gymnasium for the proposed Route 27 traffic study’s second informational hearing.