Southport Column: DOT and the nest, Ship Ahoy and more

Tue, 04/09/2019 - 10:00am

Last Thursday demolition took place on the Southport Bridge that many of us find upsetting. The Maine Department of Transportation, which I am sure has plenty of pot holes to fill, and I know has plenty of rickety bridges to repair, chose to send a lift trunk with a bucket in which a worker could reach to top of the bridge and to remove Mazie, the osprey’s, nest.

Last year Mazie returned on April 9, so perhaps by now she has learned the sad news and will have to decide whether to rebuild or to chose another site. According to the bridge tender the nest came down in 2012 and was rebuilt the following year with the osprey filling the nest each year since with eggs and then babies.

If the reason for the demolition is distraction, many would argue that the view on either side of the bridge is also a distraction, especially if a boat is approaching. Does that mean the bridge should also have high sides so drivers have little choice except to look straight ahead? The initial response, when I phoned the Department of Transportation, was that the Environmental Office had requested the removal, but even the individual returning my call agreed that was most peculiar and has promised to investigate the matter further. Stay tuned.

I know that among life’s disappointments and challenges, an osprey losing her nest may not be our largest problem, but if you wish to protest to the Maine Department of Transportation, their address is Maine DOT, 24 Child Street, Augusta, ME 04330, or you can call 624-3000 and ask for Maintenance and Community Service, or you can go online to to Maine Department of Transportation and click on Contact Us, which will bring up a form for sending an email.

One other possibility for the nest’s extraction may be that eventually repair work is planned for the bridge. A meeting convened by Department of Transportation folks to discuss such work is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1 at 6 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall. Much activity is due to occur on our Southport bridges as work on the Thompson Bridge over Decker Cove is scheduled for this fall.

Activity also abounds at Ship Ahoy Motel although I have not yet been able to learn whether or not the property has been sold. Saturday large trucks and their occupants were at work removing items from the property, perhaps in preparation for sale.

In spite of the accumulation of snow this Monday morning, returning our white world, Oliver reports from the Island Store that some seasonal residents are returning too, adding a bit more energy to our quiet island. And travelers are back, Fran Scannell from soaking up some sun in Florida, Rosalie Baker from traveling with her family in Portugal, and the Maces from an exciting trip to the Antarctica. I wish we could have an evening, perhaps in the Town Hall or the library, when traveling folks could show their slides and tell their tales.

Back to island news, we thank Jane Good for accepting the responsibility of being an associate member of our Planning Board. Citizen involvement in town affairs takes time, energy, and study, so we are grateful for all those who accept responsibility.

As I mentioned last week, Maria and Peter Doelp are back in residence, and Maria is back at work creating notecards with her art work on the front. A new card just out is a luscious picture of a piece of breakfast pizza with the inscription inside saying, “We will save you a piece.” If you have never had a piece of the Island Store’s breakfast pizza, you have a culinary treat in your future.

At the store I met a person new to me, but who Oliver says has been working for about two years. His name is Dorelle, and he lives in Boothbay Harbor.

Another reminder that the Island Clean-up will be Sunday, May 5 from noon and until 2 p.m. Gerry Gamage will provide grilled hot dogs, and other nibbles will be available to give us energy to police our chosen section of the island. Thanks to the Island Store and the Southport Island Association contributing to and organizing this activity to keep our Island looking pristine.