Today there are 41 Southport properties covered by flood insurance, protecting $11,500,000 worth of property (according to FEMA) — and those numbers may be rising.

At the Feb. 11 public hearing, attended by approximately 35 residents, Code Enforcement Officer Henry Berne and Assistant Code Enforcement Officer Jim Gagnon discussed the new floodplain maps prepared for adoption at Southport's 2015 town meeting on Monday, March 2.

The current maps, enacted in 1988, depicted outlines of the island with approximations of flood hazard zones, lacked the details revealed by the new floodplain maps.

In some cases, areas considered flood zones have changed in elevation or size. The areas of special flood hazard for Southport, cited in the new Floodplain Management Ordinance (also on the town of Southport's website), are Zones A, AE, AO and VE.

“I've taken a closer look. Some of these areas have changed by a few feet in elevation,” Gagnon said. “Some of it is in the lower lands, where the wave action could actually push the flood waters in [land] more. The models they used had storms coming from different directions to see what the waters would do. The maps do not take in climate change in the future; the models used are based on what's happening today.”

“They've based this on worst case scenarios,” Berne said.

Copies of the maps have been on display at the town office for the last six months. They may also be viewed on www.townofsouthport.org/floodplainmaps.html. Those without a computer can meet with Berne or Gagnon at the town office, during their office hours and by appointment, to go over the maps.

Resident approval of the maps is of high importance.

Without the adoption of the updated maps (by July 16 when these maps are enacted by FEMA) those 41 currently held flood insurance policies would not be remain in force, Gagnon said.

Choosing not to approve the new maps would also result in making it almost impossible for folks who are not well off to get a new mortgage on a property.

“Coastal properties in a flood zone would become cash only sales and the property owners self-insured,” Gagnon said.

“Right now the preferred risk policy will be grandfathered. If you presently have a policy, or need one, these next few months are important to see if you can get a PRP,” Berne said. “They do have their carrots on the sticks.”

Finally, Southport would also find itself at the bottom of FEMA's disaster relief list, according to Gagnon.

“People holding mortgages will be notified by their banks if the mortgaged property has been determined to be in a floodplain now,” Gagnon said. “But anyone who thinks they may be in a flood zone should find out.”

Property owners identified as being a low-to-moderate risk can ask their insurance agent about a preferred risk policy. Such policies are offered at a lower initial cost. For more information on these mortgages, property owners are encouraged to contact their insurance agent, and/or consult FEMA's website on the subject: www.fema.gov, before calling their insurance company.

“The final decision (regarding a property's flood zone status) is up to insurance agent who will do an in-depth study on the property before issuing (a policy),” Berne said.

In a post hearing conversation, Berne said summer residents “need to explore the new maps, and if flood insurance is needed, to get it as early as possible.”

“I would encourage anyone — if there is any question in your mind — to find out,” Selectman Smith Climo.

Oliver's

Because of Oliver’s at Cozy Harbor restaurant’s location on town-owned property, approval of its 2015 a new liquor license for the restaurant's 2015 season will be on the warrant come March 2.

For a second year, Oliver's is requesting approval to serve spirits (alcohol), in addition to beer and wine. In 2014, the restaurant applied for all three alcoholic-type beverages for the first time.

The selectmen, thinking it was a simple renewal of the previous year's application, signed off on it and sent it to the state. The state's eventual approval of the application is still reflected on its website, www.me.gov, in a listing of all currently active liquor licenses.

Oliver's expires May 21, 2015, but that approval is solely the state's; not the town of Southport's.

“Once we discovered spirits had been added, we revoked the license,” Gamage said. “We have no authority over what the state of Maine does, but the town of Southport does not allow the sale of spirits at Oliver's.”

Because Oliver's is on town-owned property, the ordinance of Southport overrides any state decision on the matter.

To allow spirits to be sold there requires a change in the town's bylaws, Koskela said.

“It (a new bylaw) would read that the restaurant at Cozy Harbor, not necessarily Oliver's, be allowed to apply for all three levels of serving — beer, wine and spiritous liquors,” Koskela said, adding that the bylaw change would automatically change the lease (which currently forbids the sale of alcohol or spirits).

Chef and manager John Reed attended the hearing.

Addressing the board of selectmen and residents, Reed said Oliver's would be open May 20 through Sept. 30, open 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. This year, however, he is requesting an earlier opening of 10 a.m. on Sundays to serve brunch.

“We'd like to be able to offer Bloody Marys and things like that,” Reed said. “We don't plan to have a full bar; we don't even have a designated bar area, just a limited one — for six or seven drinks. We just want cocktails to complement the atmosphere. We do not serve liquor at the picnic tables — only food.”

The mention of the picnic tables sparked a spirited and brief discussion.

Resident Glenn Hutchins asked why the restaurant uses the picnic tables, which are not part of Oliver's 33 restaurant seats, but public property situated beyond the roped outdoor area that is part of Oliver's. Several others in attendance agreed.

“As soon as you sit down, someone comes out with a menu,” said Hutchins.

“I guess we should stop using them,” Reed responded.

“Fair enough,” Hutchins replied.