The town of Southport will soon decide the fate of a popular beach after several months of uncertainty.

Residents will vote at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Southport Town Hall regarding the fate of Hendricks Head Beach.

The town has offered $1.25 million to buy the former Ruth Gardner property, which includes the bulk of the beach, but the offer is contingent on a town vote.

If voters OK the plan, it would not only include the largest chunk of the beach, but the house, the acreage and the small island (known as Kitten Island) as well.

The beach itself is not public; the largest section, which abuts the parking spaces, was owned by Ruth Gardner. Gardner allowed the public to use the beach, so long as it was left in good standing.

Had a private party purchased the beach, it could have been reverted to a private space.

With the town potentially buying it, the beach will remain public.

The plan for the beach will also have to wait until voters either pass or dismiss the town's potential purchase. Should the town OK the purchase, the town would likely seek to add more parking to the popular spot. Voting is open to Southport residents.

In the past few weeks, Southport’s selectmen have inquired about alternate ways to fund the project, including citizen bonds and conservation funds.

But that will have to wait; the vote comes first.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen