Westport Island selectmen were given an overview of the history committee’s strategic plan at their meeting on Monday, April 27.

Mary Coventry, committee co-chairman, led the selectmen through the 10-page document that outlines the committee’s programs beginning in 2014 and continuing into 2015. Three major areas are receiving attention: organization, space and collection.

Coventry and her committee co-chairman Gaye Wagner reviewed the group’s accomplishments in the past year. These included development of the group’s mission statement and committee policy, the purchase of monitoring devices for the town hall and town office and the development of a cataloging system for the items that are collected.

The volunteer group has agreed that its purpose is to advise the island’s selectmen on the “pursuit, preservation and promotion” of Westport’s heritage. To accomplish this, the committee will change its structure from the current 11-member roster to a committee of seven members with five additional associate members. This change will go into effect on July 1, 2015.

Plans are going forward to separate documents with archival town records located in the town office and historical documents in town hall. Storage areas need to be prepared and in some instances new materials need to be installed to prevent any degrading of historical items. For example, wooden shelving will need to be covered or replaced with metal shelving.

The collection of historical items concerning the island will be an ongoing effort and the committee members are also looking for a building that could become the year-round home for their efforts.

Anyone who might be interested in donating a building to house historical items is encouraged to contact the Westport Island Town Office at 207-882-8477.