Last week’s windstorms totaled over an estimated quarter of million dollars to Southport’s municipal property. On Jan. 17, Selectman Gerry Gamage reported damage to the municipal pier totaled nearly $200,000 and Hendricks Head Beach sustained over $60,000 in damage. Selectmen forwarded the estimates to Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency who will seek federal disaster relief. 

Selectmen debated whether to repair the severely damaged municipal dock or replace it. For Gamage, who has a marine construction background, the decision wasn’t difficult. “We elected to rebuild it,” Gamage said. “It was debatable, but we decided to salvage the pilings, add new deck timber, and place a cement deck over it.”

All Saints by the Sea Church also lost its pier in the storm. Selectmen approved a permit to rebuild the pier back to its previous form.

Selectmen also approved a town hall rental request. Emma Gay, Andrei Bazajac and Morgan Mitchell received approval to use the town hall for a Jan. 27 dinner. 

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24 in the town office.