Westport Island selectmen gave final approval for the town’s 2016-17 warrant articles at their meeting on Monday, June 6.

There are three articles to be decided by secret ballot vote on June 14, when polls open at 8 a.m. at the town hall. These are the selection of a moderator for the town meeting on June 25, election of a first selectman and a road commissioner and the authorization of $50,000 toward the acquisition of the Squam Creek Preserve by the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust.

George Richardson Jr., the town’s current first selectman, is seeking a return to the office. Garry M. Cromwell, current road commissioner, is also asking to be returned.

The third article on the June 14 ballot is one that has created discussion over the past several weeks. The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) hopes to acquire a 144-acre parcel of land referred to as the “Squam Creek Preserve.” KELT has been soliciting donations to fund the acquisition and seeks $50,000 in support from the town.

On June 25, the voting will continue at the town hall, beginning at 9 a.m.

If the Squam Creek issue passes on June 14, Article 18 asks voters to authorize the town to fund the first annual payment of $5,000 plus interest on the $50,000 pledge.

Article 19 asks authorization for the selectmen to accept grants and spend matching funds up to the amount of $5,000 for “conservation” projects.  Under this article, $10,000 would be set aside in a fund for these purposes.

Article 20 seeks voter approval for the selectmen and the conservation commission to apply for financing assistance from the federal government for the Squam Creek Preserve.

Snow removal, sand and salt account for $120,700 of the overall amount. Approval is also sought to borrow up to $150,000 in funding to construct and operate a sand and salt shed. Offsetting this amount are a decrease in the school budget for 2016-17 and a final payment on a previous note, creating a net zero impact for the shed on the mil rate.

Operating expenses for the town office are $34,656, slightly down from the previous year’s request of $35,454.

Westport Island is charged 13.9 percent of the Wiscasset Transfer Station budget. The amount sought for 2016-17 is $77,378, which is an increase of $4,614 over 2015-16.

Service organizations seek $2771 and the town’s contribution to the Wiscasset Community Center for its residents is $4,308.

Westport Island’s proposed funding for for 2016/17 includes: Warrant subtotal, $630,690.53, excluding the Squam Creek funding; county tax, $286,980.64; and education, $716,513.23.  The combined total is $1,634,112.40, excluding overlay.