Southport is one of 10 Lincoln County towns and one Sagadahoc County town joining forces seeking improved internet service. On June 19, Southport selectmen signed a letter in “full” support of Consolidated Communications’ grant application. Consolidated Communications is seeking a “Partnerships for Enabling Middle Mile” grant from Maine Connectivity Authority. The grant includes the towns of Wiscasset, Dresden, Whitefield, North Nobleboro, Waldoboro, Edgecomb, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Alna, as well as Woolwich.

The total project is between $25M-$30M, with the PEMM grant portion between $5M-$6M.

Lincoln County is contributing $1.3M in ARPA funds that were set aside for Broadband matching grants and some towns also have funds that they will contribute.

Consolidated will fund the remainder of the cost.

According to the grant, $23 million is available for capital projects to fund large scale regional projects by leveraging “middle mile” infrastructure and maximizing private and community financial contributions. Under Consolidated Communications’ grant proposal, the company would bring fiber-based symmetrical service to all residents who at least have electric infrastructure in the area. The selectmen’s support letter read “Reliable internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity for connecting with friends, family, coworkers, and enabling technology that contributes to everyday lives. Fiber internet can be 20 times faster than a standard residential internet connection in a world where working and learning from home is essential. It’s crucial to have a reliable internet connection.”

In other action, selectmen agreed to a resident’s request to engage the state’s geology service to study groundwater and saltwater intrusion in island wells. Sarah Sherman previously spoke to Jesse Meeks, a state hydrogeologist, about speaking on the topic at the town hall. Sherman’s introduction to Meeks came via her son, Jake Brewer, who helped a friend rebuild a stone wall damaged by winter storms. Brewer’s friend’s father is Steven Dickson, Maine’s head geologist, according to Sherman.

Steven Dickson heard about Sherman’s concerns about saltwater intrusion on Pratt Island and contacted her.  Sherman told selectmen on June 19 the state is currently studying saltwater intrusion in other towns and islands. Sherman added, Meeks is interested in speaking to the community about her work. “Her office is looking for areas in the state to monitor, and she would be happy give us a talk on saltwater intrusion. I told her I would discuss this with selectmen and the climate committee.”

Selectman Smith Climo is also a climate committee member. He offered to contact Meeks about speaking at a public event later this summer. Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 26 in the town hall.