"We really, really need help from the town this year, more than any other time," Sheepscot Road's Richard Picard told Alna selectmen May 7. He was talking about drivers speeding on that road. In a 25 mph zone, "traffic is easily well over 50, 60, 70 miles an hour at times" this year, Picard said.

"And I am not exaggerating. Just a couple days ago, there was a Porsche that came up the hill from Newscastle, and I swear to God all four wheels were off the road." Picard has his cell phone camera on when he goes walking, and has been shown more fingers than he cares to count, he told the board. 

Sheepscot Road residents have complained before about speeding, and Picard said ones he spoke with saw no point in doing so again now. But he felt he needed to come plead for help. "Somebody's going to get seriously, seriously, seriously hurt with all the traffic that's going on there now."

Ideas selectmen and other residents discussed May 7 included a speed bump, more signage, or asking the state to move the 25 mph sign, and/or asking the state for another speed study there. First Selectman Nick Johnston planned to contact Lincoln County Sheriff's Department and Maine Department of Transportation.

Also May 7, John E. O'Donnell & Associates said Alna property owners will soon have the results of the firm's revaluation. And according to the discussion with selectmen, property owners will be able to meet with representatives of the firm on dates to be announced.

The board named Dan Weekes a voting member of the appeals board and Albert Monaco an alternate member.

Selectmen approved the warrant for the June 9 Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit budget validation referendum. Under the $30 million budget offer Superintendent of Schools Howard Tuttle said the district board approved last month, the total local share is $16,810,192, and Alna's share, according to the latest draft, would be $1,384,870, a 5.2% hike from 2025-26; Westport Island's, $1,118,094, up 5.8%; Chelsea's, $3,315,890, up 2.6%; Palermo's, $2,557,573; up 4.2%; Somerville's, $774,786, up .6%; Whitefield's, $3,260,332, up 5.3%; and Windsor's, $4,398,644, up 4.9%.

The proposed budget gets its first test with voters May 20, at the district budget meeting set for 6:30 p.m. at Chelsea Elementary School. The budget that comes out of that goes on to the June 9 vote at the polls.