Two Southport residents want selectmen to pay closer attention to activities on Sawyer Pond. Penny Theall and her niece Connie Martin complained about congested parking, unsanitary conditions and a group possibly living on the beach.  The two live in nearby cottages.“The pond is becoming more popular. Traffic is congested. There is no parking. There’s more trash. Dog poop, and people using the woods as a bathroom,” Theall said. 

Martin reported a group is still at the pond as early as 5 a.m. each day. She leaves for work at a local creamery and sees people in the early morning hours. “Eight of the last nine days I’ve seen people there when I leave for work at 5:15 a.m. So I think they are living there,” she said. “I’m seeing boats and water craft left behind, too.  I’m seeing more trash and I’m hoping you can do something about this.” 

The two asked for a portable toilet to be placed on site. Selectman Smith Climo had another solution. “If they are evacuating in the woods then a call to the Lincoln County Sheriff Department may be in order,” he said. 

In other action, selectmen hired Steve Markowitz as a public works department employee. He joins Adam Harkins who was hired as the department supervisor last November. Selectmen also hosted Axiom Technologies President Marc Ouellete to begin negotiations regarding the town’s aborted municipally owned broadband network. The town spent over $630,000 before voters rejected the project. On June 28, residents voted 144-129 in a special town meeting referendum to end the project. 

Selectmen discussed with Ouellette the town’s remaining financial obligation to Axiom Technologies of Machias and Hawkeye Fiber Optics of Poland. On July 14, Selectman Gerry Gamage reported the town reached an $85,000 settlement. “Axiom is now looking for a potential buyer for materials purchased for our project,” Gamage said. 

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 20 in the town office.