The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust is currently circulating petitions for a vote to receive $50,000 from the residents of Westport Island.

The funds, if approved, would be allocated to the purchase of a 144-acre property within an area known as the Squam Creek Preserve.

The current owner of the property is the Segerstrom Realty Trust.  The site has 3,300 feet of frontage on Squam Creek and is the largest deer wintering area on Westport Island. The preserve area includes significant wetlands and is home to two commercial oyster farms.

Gaye Wagner, town clerk and registrar of voters, explained to the Wiscasset Newspaper that the petitioners, if successful, may choose between two options: a vote at the town meeting on June 25 or a secret ballot vote.  Wagner also explained that a secret ballot vote would permit voting by absentee ballot.

Dennis Dunbar, president of the land trust, has indicated that the land trust will opt for the secret ballot vote on June 14, rather than a vote at the town meeting if sufficient signatures are received.  So far, 40 of the required 43 signatures had been received, according to Dunbar. The last day to submit petitions to the town is May 3. Dunbar expects to schedule a public hearing on the matter once the petitions have been submitted.

Reached for comment, George Richardson, chairman of the board of selectmen, said: “We’ll let the voters decide.”

According to Carrie Kinne, executive director of the land trust, the organization has raised close to $400,000 of the $510,000 needed to purchase the property by the Dec. 31 deadline. Of this amount, $150,000 has been in grants and the remainder in private contributions.

“The property has extensive wetlands and wildlife habitat,” Kinne told the Wiscasset Newspaper. “It will make a great property for recreation.”

Petitions are currently being circulated by Dunbar, Archie Bonyun and Nancy Shaul.   Those wishing more information may call 207-442-8400.