A resident is organizing a public discussion regarding an evaluation of Pratt's Island drinking water wells. Nov. 19, Sarah Sherman discussed a letter she submitted to the selectboard and code enforcement officer regarding blasting on the south end of Pratt's Island. Sherman told selectmen she is already on her third water well and is concerned about an upcoming blasting project by her abutter.

"There is no place for a fourth. A salt-water osmosis system starts at $60,000 which is something we can't afford," she said. "We are year round residents and not only are we concerned about our well, there are concerns about saltwater intrusion to the 20 other wells on the island."

In the letter, Sherman wrote she has two main concerns. One is further blasting may create more saltwater intrusion into local wells . The second regards the structural integrity of "our homes, blasting can crack foundations, windows, and sheetrock."

Sherman told selectmen the public meeting's purpose is for the 20-something property owners to learn what is going on and to ask questions. "My goal is that by raising homeowners' concerns, the selectmen and code enforcement officer could see the benefits of a  water study before any blasting is allowed," she said. "It's not just my well I'm trying to protect, it's all my neighbors and for future generations on the island."

Sherman identified her South End abutters as Darby and Jennifer Brower.

Sherman requested the town host a meeting of Pratt's Island homeowners before the estimated Dec. 15 blasting start date.  Sherman wants the meeting to focus on information sharing, question and answer, and that the group request an environmental study on Pratt's Island's "fragile" ecosystem to be conducted before allowing the project to move forward. "This would also provide an excellent opportunity to learn what other alternative methods may be available should it be deemed the blasting risk to the island's water supply is too great," she wrote in her letter. "If the study finds that there is latitude to proceed with the project that we, as a community, will know the issue has been thoroughly vetted."

Selectmen agreed to allow her to arrange a December public meeting by Zoom. Sherman requested a combination in-person and Zoom meeting to allow several seasonal residents to participate in the discussion. In 2024, Southport enacted a 12-month moratorium on blasting, but Selectman Gerry Gamage reported the moratorium expired.

In other action, the Captain's Way homeowner association has safety concerns about their vehicles entering Route 238. Dimzie McBride represented the association in an effort to have a large mirror installed to improve traffic safety. In recent weeks, she has contacted town and state officials. "I go to the town and you tell me to contact the state. I go to the state and they tell me to contact the town. Tell me what should I do now," McBride asked selectmen..

McBride described association members as "elderly." She also further explained the traffic safety concerns. "It's really a bad spot with cars and trucks just coming bombing up the road," she said. She said Maine Department of Transportation advised placing a 40-inch mirror at the road's (exit/entrance) but wouldn't purchase or install it. Selectmen weren't anxious to either purchase or install a mirror, but they advised McBride to find a suitable mirror and a potential price. "Come back and we will talk about it," Gamage said.

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 in the town hall.