Southport selectmen approved a Pratts Island resident's request Dec. 10 to join a statewide saltwater intrusion study. Selectmen made their decision a week after a Pratts Island homeowner's meeting discussing potential risks to the drinking water wells from potential blasting.

Sarah Sherman organized the Dec. 3 meeting to provide information to the 20-plus homeowners on how her neighbors Darby and Jennifer Brower's proposed blasting project would impact the island's wells. One of Sherman's asks was delaying the project until a hydrology study was completed.

Dec. 4, the Browers cancelled the blasting permit request, but Sherman still wants the hydrology study. She contacted Dr. Jessie Meeks, a hydrologist, who is conducting a statewide saltwater intrusion study. Meeks agreed to include Pratts Island in her study, which is funded by a grant, according to Sherman.

During the Dec. 10 selectmen's meeting, Sherman presented the board with a memo regarding the informational hearing which highlighted specific information and requests. Her first request was for selectmen to approve participating in Meeks' study. No. 2 was updating a 1993 groundwater availability report. No. 3 was updating Evelyn Sherman's, her mother, well survey map by map and lot number. No. 4 is enhancing the 2024 planning board blasting ordinance. No. 5 was protecting the nearby lobster habitat which was identified in 2013 as a significant juvenile nursery on the northern East Coast, according to Sherman.

Selectmen also received two emails supporting the town becoming part of the hydrology study. Jennifer E. Wickline sent a letter. Susan Grimes McPhee sent an email. "As a Pratts Island resident, I encourage the board — and  town — to do whatever is necessary to participate in Dr. Meeks' study of saltwater intrusion, Grimes McPhee wrote.

In other action, Lincoln County Publishing's $3,334 bid to print 600 town reports was accepted.

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17 in the conference room.