At the polls in Boothbay Harbor on May 5, voters will consider authorizing selectmen to match funds for footbridge repairs if a grant comes through. Article 4 reads, “To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to commit matching funds of up to $250,000 in the event that a Small Harbor Improvement Program (SHIP) grant is awarded to the town for the purpose of future renovations to the Boothbay Harbor footbridge.”

The grant and matching funding would cover costs for permanent repairs. Temporary repairs were completed by Chesterfield Associates of Westport Island at the end of January.

Town Manager Tom Woodin said he had hoped to complete the job as soon as possible. But when recommendations from engineering design firm Barney Baker Associates included replacing all decking and stringers under the deck to increase weight load, the project scope and costs proved extensive.

“The board of selectmen and I also discussed the fact that once the swing span is replaced, it will make the remaining footbridge look like it needs refurbishing,” Woodin said. To that end, the town is contemplating also replacing all railings and fencing on the entire footbridge. “If the SHIP grant is funding out to 2020 and we are not in a rush, we might as well see if we are awarded a grant that would cover roughly half of the remaining project and then proceed.”

Woodin said the footbridge is safe to walk and will stay open until future renovations can be completed.

In elections, selectmen Denise Griffin and Tricia Warren are on the ballot for new three-year terms. Griffin currently serves as chair.

Larry Colcord seeks to renew his Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District School Committee seat for another three years. He currently heads the committee.

Ronnie Campbell is running for a two-year CSD trustee position. Campbell has been serving in an interim capacity since Cameron Mitchell resigned. Trustee Richard Hallinan is seeking three more years.

Henry Tedeschi Jr. seeks another three years as a Sewer District trustee, and Ralph Welch seeks three more years as a Cemetery District trustee.

David Tibbetts is running unopposed for a three-year trustee seat on the Boothbay Region Water District, replacing trustee Walter Reed III, who resigned at the end of his term.