Southport selectmen received a blasting moratorium request Dec. 13 from a Pratt’s Island resident concerned about her water well. Sarah Sherman attended the Dec. 6 planning board meeting which had a workshop discussing a new blasting ordinance. She was told to meet with selectmen about a moratorium.

She presented selectmen with a letter and asked them to present a copy to new Code Enforcement Officer Mike Thompson. “I’m on my third well, and I have no place to go if this one goes,” she told selectmen. 

Selectman Gerry Gamage told Sherman the board needed to check with its legal counsel about proposed moratorium language before placing it before voters at either a special or March town meeting.

In other action, selectmen will order fewer annual reports for the March town meetings. In 2023, selectmen ordered 600, but for 2024, 450 will be ordered. “I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Selectman Smith Climo said. “Why have them hanging around here in boxes used as a doorstop?”

Selectmen received a request from Healthy Kids in Damariscotta for a $1,500 contribution. Last year, residents approved the organization’s $1,500 request. As 2023 comes to an end, selectmen are scheduling budget meetings. On Jan. 2, selectmen will meet with their administrative assistant. On Jan. 8, selectmen and the budget committee will invite department heads and non-profit organizations to discuss their budget proposals. 

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 in the municipal building.