Happy Fall! And what a glorious one it is. I think we are being compensated for the shortness of the summer. Hope you are making the most of it and getting lots of outside time in the lovely crisp air. 

Dog Licensing: Dog licensing for 2027 has begun! All dogs on Westport Island must be licensed every year. Even if you only live here part time, any dog who graces our presence for 10 days or more must be licensed. New dogs must be licensed within 10 days of taking ownership. Puppies must be licensed by the time they are 6 months old. Luckily, it's a snap to get it done! You can license online, or in person at the town office. All you need is a current rabies certificate from a vet. Petco in Topsham holds frequent rabies vaccine clinics. 

Verizon Cell Phone Tower Hearing, Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m., Town Office: In case you somehow haven't heard, Bell Atlantic Mobile Systems LLC d/b/a Verizon has submitted a Site Plan Review Application to install a 130-foot cell phone tower at 24 Post Office Road. The Planning Board hearing on this matter is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the Town Office, 6 Fowles Point Road.The public is welcome to attend. Please see our informational webpage for the voluminous public record to get up to speed.

Nov. 3 General Election: Absentee voting is now underway for the Nov. 3 General Election! Check out ourelections & voting webpage for the sample ballot and more. You can vote early in person at the Town Office during regular office hours, or complete an absentee ballot application to have a ballot provided to you. See the Absentee Voting Notice for details. On Nov. 3,  the polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 1217 Main Road.

WCA Halloween Party, Saturday, Oct. 24,  4-6 p.m., Old Town Hall, 1217 Main Road: Dust off those wigs, insert those vampire teeth, pull on those clown shoes, and join the WCA for an all ages Halloween Party! Costume contests, games, music and dancing! A spooky good time for all! 

Snowmobile Registration: Snowmobile season is right around the corner (say it ain't so!). We will have our registration stickers any day now. Come on in and get registered to hit the trails as soon as the first flakes fly!

Cemetery Committee Volunteers Needed: Do you love history? Honoring the dead? Good clean hard work? The cemetery committee is looking for some hard workers who can help with cemetery clean up! Fill out our Committee Membership Application to join up. 

Local Assistance for Neighbors in Need: The state LIHEAP fuel assistance program is accepting applications from anyone who needs help heating their home this winter. And thanks to the generous donations of many of you, Neighbor to Neighbor has local funds available to help with heating costs. Fuel prices have been rising, and we don't want anyone on Westport Island left in the cold! Contact Neighbor to Neighbor at 978-771-8012 or neighbortoneighborwi@gmail.com if you, or a neighbor you know, might need heating or any other kind of assistance. They are also seeking volunteers to help with rides for Westport Island neighbors to appointments, errands, etc. Reach out if you are willing! 

Help and Support: The town strives to keep a comprehensive list of local resources for food, fuel, home repairs, transportation, legal assistance, and more on our website. Check it out, and let us know if you know of any resources that are missing. 

See our website calendar for a full listing of upcoming meetings and events! While you're there, poke around the website, it's got a wealth of information on all things Westport Island. You can also follow us on Facebook. If you know any Westport Islanders who are not receiving these emails, feel free to forward this and let them know they can be added to the list by emailing townclerk@westportisland.gov

You can find us at the Town Office at 6 Fowles Point Road during our office hours of Tuesdays 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m. -2 p.m.; and Thursdays 10a.m.-2 p.m. Call us at 882-8477 or email us anytime!

All the best.

April Thibodeau, Town Clerk: townclerk@westportisland.gov Dedee Greenleaf-Hodgdon, Municipal Agent: excise@westportisland.gov Ashley Murray, Tax Collector/Treasurer: treasurer@westportisland.gov Select Board Chair Donna Curry: selectboard1@westportisland.gov Select Board Member Kim Lynch: selectboard2@westportisland.gov Select Board Member Sherre Nelson: selectboard3@westportisland.gov