Westport Island selectmen have signed a contract with McClintock Foundations of Nobleboro to excavate the foundation for the town’s new sand and salt shed. The price for the work is $61,850.

The town is serving as general contractor to reduce costs. Selectmen are working with Pine Tree Engineering to identify portions of the work and create descriptions for those wishing to bid. David P. Trask and Sons has been contracted for $157,000 to build the shed.

At their meeting on Monday, March 27, selectmen voted to instruct Pine Tree Engineering to seek bids to prepare the site if Chesterfield Associates has a scheduling conflict.  Chesterfield Associates notified Pine Tree Engineering it is currently doing a project in Searsmont.

The shed project has a long history on the island and has been in discussion for more than a decade. Approval was given at the June 2016 town meeting and voters approved raising $150,000 to construct the shed and borrow up to $150,000 to operate it.

At that time, resident E. Davies Allan, owner of Chesterfield Associates, offered to donate the costs for the site work.  

Also Monday, officials said the town has received $2,980.34 as the final distribution from the Dorothy Doggett Trust. The trust limits the use of the funds to the “preservation of historic buildings, municipal programs supporting the arts, and projects which enhance the beauty of the community.”

The town received a thank you letter from Kennebec Estuary Land Trust for the $50,000 contribution toward the purchase of the Squam Creek property. The letter informed selectmen that the transfer of the Segerstrom property to KELT had been completed at a closing on March 23.

After a brief discussion with Gaye Wagner, town clerk and registrar of voters, the selectmen voted to increase the hourly amount paid to election workers from $7.50 to $9, per state law. Personnel who work on election day include counters, ballot clerks, a warden and deputy.