Among the items that came before the Westport Island Board of Selectmen at its Monday evening meeting was the good news that a second test on water at the town hall had not shown any coliform bacteria.

A previous test of the water had shown the presence of coliform bacteria in water samples taken earlier this spring from the faucet in the town hall’s kitchen.

Selectman Gerry Bodmer applied a double dose of bleach to the pipes and took a second sample to be tested by the Maine Coast Lab in Gardiner. The additional bleach was effective, according to the test results, which confirmed that there were no coliform bacteria remaining in the water.

CFMA designation sought

Ted and Deborah Christie attended the meeting to discuss the next steps in their request to have their property added to the list of the island’s CFMA properties. If approved, their property would be designated as a commercial fisheries/maritime activities district. A meeting of the planning board was held on Wednesday, May 13 at which time the board reviewed the request. 

Certified letters are being sent to abutters, advising them of the requested change and that there will be a public hearing on the matter to be held on June 1 at the town office.

The Christies are requesting the official designation so that the activities in the area will be clearly defined. Christie is a lobsterman and he hopes that, by obtaining the CFMA designation, he can continue his commercial fishing activities in the same area. As he and his wife explained in a brief interview, properties on either side of the Christie’s property are being sold and the Christies are concerned that efforts might be made by a new purchaser to prohibit the current “working waterfront” nature of the area. Through their petition, they are seeking to formalize the current use of the property.