Four incumbents seeking re-election on Southport have filed nominating papers. The four will run unopposed as no other residents have filed papers.

The incumbents are Town Clerk Donna Climo, Selectman Smith Climo, School Committee member Katherine Tibbetts, and Boothbay Region Water District trustee Gerald Gamage. Each position is for three years.

Nominations closed Jan. 22. Residents will vote by secret ballot March 7,  between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

The town meeting follows in the evening.

Two warrant articles, if approved, will change the way town officers are selected. As Town Clerk Donna Climo explained, the process will involve two votes. The first would change the process for selection of the town’s clerk, treasurer and tax collector to appointment by the selectmen, instead of election by residents. The second vote would then change the bylaw itself, to reflect the method.

The town treasurer position would be appointed starting in 2017, the tax collector in 2018 and the town clerk in 2019.  

New food council coordinator

Southport resident Nancy Prisk told selectmen Jan. 27 that she has been selected to serve as coordinator for the Lincoln County Food Council. The council has been formed to address food insecurity, farm-to-table programs and the county food pantry.

“The council will provide a way to make sure that the various groups addressing food security in our county are not duplicating efforts,” Prisk said. The council has received a grant of $2,000 from the Maine network of food councils. Future projects include a food security forum in March.