Westport Island selectmen on Monday night reviewed a number of items that will be placed before residents for a vote in the coming weeks.

Chief among these and the subject of a lengthy discussion was a citizen petition for Westport Island to provide $50,000 to help the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust acquire a Squam Creek property for use as a preserve. The petition was certified by Town Clerk and Registrar of Voters Gaye Wagner and received 71 authorized signatures although only 44 were needed to get it on the secret ballot at the June 14 election.

Resident Dennis Dunbar serves as president of the land trust and attended the meeting, responding to the selectmen’s questions about the wording of the petition. In a May 8 email to selectmen, Dunbar reminded them of the successful petition initiative and he suggested ways the town might fund the $50,000 pledge if the measure passes.

“It is anticipated that the town would secure a 20-year bond for the pledged amount with the Maine Bond Bank or with MMA (Maine Municipal Association) or secure a loan with a local bank...,” he wrote.

At the meeting, Dunbar provided the selectmen and press with information from the Maine Municipal Bond Bank. “Why would we want to do this,” First Selectman George Richardson, Jr. asked.

“To keep annual costs within reason,” Dunbar replied and indicated that he expected the annual cost for a 20-year municipal bond to be “around $3,700 per year.”  

Discussion then turned to the wording in the item. The petition wording stated, “Shall the Town of Westport Island authorize and pledge $50,000, to be matched by private donations, for funds to be used in support of the acquisition...”

Richardson had asked Wagner to contact MMA earlier Monday for a legal opinion about the use of the word “pledge” and its implications. The response was that the wording indicates support but does not actually allocate funding.

As a result it was determined that, if the measure passed, residents would then need to vote on a specific warrant item to allocate the first year of funding. The selectmen asked Dunbar to provide the wording for the warrant article to address the year one funding question.

Dunbar agreed and mentioned that there will be a public hearing on the matter on Thursday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the town hall. The land trust has scheduled walks of the property on Saturday mornings through June at 9:00 a.m. Those who wish to join the walks may meet up with the group at the entrance to the property on West Shore Road, half a mile from the junction with Main Road. Those who have questions or would like more information may call Dennis Dunbar at 882-8143.