The appeal, from Deirdre Dunlop and Dianne Roberts, both sisters of First Selectman George Richardson Jr., is on the decision by Deputy Code Enforcement Officer Ron Stoodley’s decision to issue a building permit to George "Chuck" Richardson, the selectman’s son. The permit was not handled by the town’s Code Enforcement Officer, Gary Richardson, because he is Chuck’s brother.

According to the appeal by Dunlop and Roberts, the tax maps record the property as three separate lots which are identified on the permit application. Their appeal asks the board "to review and enforce all the requirements of the town’s ordinances including but not limited to the site Plan Review Ordinance, the Minimum Lot Size Ordinance, and the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance."

Apparently there was some concern the public hearing could not be held on schedule because although the appeals board chairman says he sent two notices to local newspapers, the notice of the public hearing was not published.

At the selectmen’s noon meeting on Monday, Teresa Dunlop asked the if the public hearing was going to be held. Selectman Gerald Bodmer said it was and that a notice of the meeting had been posted at the town office.

Teresa also asked if there would be an attorney representing the board of appeals at the hearing. Bodmer said no. "We will see how it goes. Perhaps it will all be settled at the meeting, and everyone will go away happy."

"That would be great," Teresa said.

The selectmen received another request from Deirdre Dunlop to meet with Eugene Huskins, the town’s certified Maine assessor.

In an e-mail dated Monday, Oct. 26, Dunlop said, "I am challenging value and fairness of the assessment of my house, land, and property at 21 Dewey Way. I would like to make an appointment to review my compelling findings with an assessor."

At Monday’s meeting, Dunlop’s daughter, Teresa, asked the selectmen when her mother could meet with Huskins.

"We can not act on this request today," Bodmer said. "We just received the request today. We will have to see when Huskins will be available."

The selectmen were asked at a previous meeting for information from Huskins or the selectmen on what was used to determine tax assessments for the property owned by Chuck Richardson and abutting properties owned by the Dunlops and Dianne Roberts. Dunlop also requested copies of letters Huskins wrote that reference surveys or acreage of the property in questions.

Two of the three Westport Island selectmen, Ross Norton and Bodmer, sent a letter to the Savings Bank of Maine, on Chuck Richardson’s request, indicating they agreed with Stoodley’s decision to issue the building permit and that the property meets all town ordinances.

Selectman Richardson recused himself from participating in this issue since it deals with family members.

In other business the board made the following appointments: Dennis Dunbar, Gerald Bodmer, Gary Richardson, and William Hopkins were appointed to a one-year term on the Adhoc Ground Water Protection Committee; Adam Webber was appointed to a three-year term in the town Shellfish Committee.

The selectmen discussed a proposed amendment to the Permit by Rule Standard that will impact the towns in Maine with additional cost. The proposed amendment is an "Act to Ensure that Replacement Culverts Permit Fish Passage."

The proposal includes new requirements and standards designed to ensure the passages of fish and other aquatic organisms through culverts. The new act will require replacement of culverts that do not allow the fish to flow through, and each new culvert would require the approval from the Department of Inland fisheries and Wildlife, and Marine Resources.