Carrie Kinne, executive director of the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, and KELT board member Dennis Dunbar asked Westport Island selectmen March 26 to reduce the remaining portion of property taxes for three parcels the nonprofit acquired. They are identified as map 4, lots 55 and 61 and map 1, lot 75.

A January letter to the town calls them the “new Carl and Barbara Segerstrom Preserve at Squam Creek” and “one lot added to the Bonyun Preserve.”

The letter presented KELT’s request to eliminate a remaining 5 percent of the property tax on the lots and cited a 2014 Maine Supreme Court decision that property held by land trusts would not be taxed if it is “for benevolent and charitable purposes.”

Kinne and Dunbar joined selectmen in a lengthy conversation during which First Selectman George D. Richardson reminded them KELT had proposed offering monetary compensation in lieu of taxes when the acquisition of the Squam Creek property was discussed in 2016.

Richardson cited KELT’s suggestion of a “pilot” program to offset the revenue loss. According to the town, the total assessed value for the three properties is $58,327. In 2017 granted a 95 percent tax reduction, or $7,699. KELT is requesting a reduction of the remaining taxes of $384.96.

Dunbar and Kinne reminded the selectmen KELT has protected 277 acres on Westport Island. The acres are maintained and improved in perpetuity. Selectmen voted to grant the additional 5 percent reduction.

They also askef KELT to contribute to the island’s non-profit community service organizations per its “pilot” program offer in 2016. Kinne and Dunbar said they would take the request back to the KELT board. Discussion on an additional property identified as map 1, lot 77.2 was postponed.

In other business, Lincoln County Economic and Community Development Director Mary Ellen Barnes presented a draft letter for review concerning a planning grant.

Her office is submitting a grant to the state’s ConnectME Authority to help identify broadband goals and needs for the county.

According to the flyer describing the Community Broadband Planning Grant Program, funds would be awarded to create a plan that defines broadband needs and goals and includes potential designs and costs.

Barnes explained that by obtaining a multi-town planning grant, the towns in Lincoln County may have greater influence on connectivity decisions.  Selectmen approved the letter in support of the grant application.