A day following Southport’s budget committee’s initial meeting, selectmen received a nice note from a local nonprofit. Ashley MacMillan is LifeFlight Foundation’s director of annual giving. The foundation received a $1,200 municipal donation in 2022 and is seeking the same in 2023. MacMillan arrived from Camden on Jan. 17, and asked prior to the meeting to go first. “I wanted to send a quick note to pass along to the budget committee,” she wrote in an email. “You must have told (a committee member) I was coming a long way, and he let me present first (even though I arrived second). I was home by 8 p.m. to put my kids to bed which was a nice surprise after a long day.” 

Selectmen commented during their Jan. 18 board meeting at how well the previous night’s budget hearing went. “They did well. They were attentive and asked a lot of good questions,” Selectman Smith Climo said. The March town warrant will likely consist of 63 articles and be finalized by Jan. 23. 

In other action, selectmen approved a town hall use request for a Feb. 5 take-out meal event. Southport Island Association will hold its annual “Lasagna and Love” event. Meals are free for residents and families. Meals can be picked up at the town hall. 

Selectmen sent in a government surplus property application. This enables Southport to bid on surplus federal government materials. Selectman Mary Lou Koskella reported the list includes “everything from filing cabinets to police cruisers.” Selectmen reached an agreement with Midcoast Humane. Southport pays a $926 annual fee (based on population) to contract for animal control. 

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 in the town hall.