Southport receives grant for vulnerability study and evacuation plan
The town of Southport signed an agreement with the Community Resilience Partnership Aug. 7 to accept a $50,000 Community Action Grant. The town will use those funds to hire a resilience planner, perform a vulnerability assessment and create a communication network for an evacuation plan. Selectmen voted, 3-0, to accept the grant.
In other action, selectmen approved proclaiming the week of Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week. The American historical document which affirms the U.S. government exists to serve its citizens turns 236 years old on Sept. 17. The Daughters of the American Revolution, Pemaquid chapter requested Southport officials recognize the anniversary with a municipal proclamation. “It is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary, and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate it,” wrote the DAR Pemaquid chapter.
Selectmen were encouraged to raise their board of appeals application fees. The town currently charges $75 plus postage. Selectmen received correspondence from an unknown person encouraging them to increase their board of appeals fee. “Apparently, we aren’t charging enough,” Selectman Gerry Gamage said. “Boothbay charges a permit fee, mailing cost and publishing cost which is $105 in the Boothbay Register. If the person identifies themself then we can have a conversation about it.”
Selectmen approved Marcy Venezia’s request to rent the town hall on Aug. 24 for a birthday celebration. Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14 in the town office.