Some local issues never seem to go away. In Westport Island, one has reared its head again: what to do about the Wright house and property as the topic of a public hearing May 2.

Resident Mort Mendes submitted a petition to the Westport Island Board of Selectmen to sell the house with an easement protecting the adjacent public boat landing.

Mendes proposes a referendum for the June 11 election to authorize selectmen to do three things: one, to establish an easement in accordance with the LMF grant management plan for the Wright landing “to permanently protect public access to the municipal boat launch and parking area; two, to obtain an independent appraisal of the easement encumbered land and house site; and three, to authorize selectmen to put the house site and easement protected land on the market.

Selectmen raised negative points they have about the measure including questioning Mendes' figures. Chairman George Richardson even suggested the board should consider sending out a newsletter prior to the May 2 session at the town hall at 7 p.m., objecting to the idea.

However, Selectman Jerry Bodmer voiced his concerns about sending out a newsletter with the sentiment a public hearing itself.

The petition Mendes presented to the Town Office will appear in public notices on April 25 at the Town Hall, selectmen decided.

“I feel we should have it at the Town Hall, whether there are five or 50 people there,” Bodmer said.

The content of the subject matter promises to hold plenty of public interest in Westport Island in an ongoing debate now starting up again at the hearing at which selectmen plan to voice their opposing views.

Resolutions to state

In other business Monday night, the board heard from Richard DeVries, local representative on the RSU 12 school board and withdrawal committee member, who presented the draft of resolutions concerning various pieces of proposed legislation in the Maine Legislature. The town will present them to its legislators, the Commissioner of Education, state committees, and Gov. Paul LePage, including the school funding issue along with other issues of concern locally.

Selectmen plan to review the draft before finalizing the resolutions and emailing them off to the intended parties for their attention. DeVries recommended his draft in place of one State Sen. Chris Johnson, D-Somerville, prepared, as his covers more than the school issue. Board members agreed.

Concerns center around the funding reductions for RSU 12, from which the town has taken steps to withdraw, amounting to $2.5 million since the school unit’s inception in fiscal year 2009. The local required share has increased by $3 million, and the proposed state education budget would shift part of teacher retirement costs to local taxpayers without any input on teacher retirement amounts, according to the resolution.

DeVries includes the matter of commercial excise taxes the proposed state budget and LD 1205 that would lower excise tax on older vehicles that would seriously reducing local revenue for towns like Westport Island that rely upon it for road maintenance.

The resolution also addresses concerns about LD 300 on negotiations for cost contract for school staff health insurance and LD 1908 that eliminates local choice on class size, staffing levels and teacher planning and preparation periods as part of collective bargaining.

Another proposal in the resolution, LD 1106, places the administrative and decision making solely in the hands of teachers who currently who already deal with numerous unfunded requirements.

Planning board hearing

Planning Board Chairman Ruth Nelson announced the Planning Board’s public hearing on five proposed ordinances, including one not previously spoken about concerning site plan review, to be held on Tuesday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at the Town Office.

Annual wine tasting

Selectmen approved a request from the Westport Island Community Association to hold its annual Meet and Greet Wine Tasting Party signaling the end of a long winter and chance for friends and neighbors to socialize.

The even this year will having wine and cheeses from Treats of Wiscasset and a raffle of select items to increase the stipend funds for residents continuing their education in need of additional finances.Anyone who has a donation may contact Carol Blake at at cjblake6@gmail.com or 207-882-4267.