The annual Southport town meeting was held Monday, March 5, the same day as local elections. Selectman and Fire Warden Gerald Gamage broke down the tax rate to show the value of each article out of $1,000 and showed that the millage rate would be 0.0042 up from 2017’s 0.00391.

“But never fear,” said Gamage. “We have some surplus and a few other tricks up our sleeve that I think we can get it back to .00391. And you can always vote something down, so have at it.”

Matthew Cole was elected moderator and gave election results. All candidates were unopposed. Mary Lou Koskela was elected for a three-year term as selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor with 65 votes. Donna Climo was elected for a three-year term as tax collector with 63 votes. Gamage was elected for a three-year term as fire chief with 63 votes. Adam Harkins was elected for a three-year term to the school committee with 63 votes.

Gamage and Pete Kidder were elected to three-year terms to the Board of Library Trustees. Gale Richter and Rebecca Singer were elected for three-year terms to the Board of Cemetery Trustees. Rob Hopkins, Karen Curtis and Guy Randlett were nominated as a group and elected to the Budget Committee for three years.

Article 22 outlined an undisclosed sum from the school fund balance to be spent on a new heating system. Harkins revealed the projected cost at $270,000. The article was approved despite one “nay” from the assembly.

Article 43, a designation of funds for street lights, was approved with a single “nay” from Gamage, which garnered a bluster of laughter from the assembly. Article 52 outlined that the sum requested for the Fireworks Fund Committee ($0.00) differed from the Budget Committee’s recommendation of $2,000 – voters opted to raise $2,000. Article 54 outlined a request for $1,000 from New Hope for Women. Voters opted for the Budget Committee’s recommendation of $2,000.

Before the moderator could introduce Article 67, which allows for the town to exceed the property tax cap set forth by the state, Gamage stood.

“Mister Moderator,” said Gamage. “Save your breath. I move that we dismiss this article.”

There was an immediate “second” from the audience. The article was dismissed unanimously.

Article 69 for adjournment was approved with no reservations.