Earlier this year, the U.S. government approved a $1,670,161 Federal Emergency Management Agency matching grant for the Hendricks Head Coastal Infrastructure Resilience project. FEMA would provide 75% of the project spending and Southport is responsible for the remaining 25%.

On Wednesday July 1, Southport residents will decide whether to accept the grant. Residents will gather at the town hall for the 6 p.m. meeting.

The 25% equals $479,903 in local matching funds, and consultant Shri Verrill told residents June 25 at a special informational meeting, the local match would come from state grants. If voters approve the proposal, she would seek Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund grants. She estimated if Southport is successful in securing MIAF grants, it would leave Southport’s total cost at around $29,000.

The July 1 special town meeting is seeking voter authorization for the municipal match. If Southport isn’t successful in receiving state grants, the $292,000 match burden would fall upon local taxpayers' shoulders or the town has an option to not take the federal monies.

Despite the hefty price tag, residents minds were focused on other factors than cost. Resident Charlie Britton was concerned about the proposed culvert he believed posed a significant hazard to young children. “I grew up here on the island and I know the beach is rife with young children. Has there been a safety study regarding the culvert?” he asked. Verrill said she didn’t know of any safety studies regarding culverts in these types of projects.

Nick Hurd is a seasonal resident. He wondered if the seawall being raised an average of two feet was worth it when federal studies showed a much higher wall was needed. “What the hell good is it, if it’s not going to do the job," Hurd said. Verrill explained other options were cost prohibitive resulting in selectmen choosing the current proposal.

Selectman Smith Climo said of the four options, one was to do nothing. “We own the beach and thought it was better to get out in front of it instead of letting the next big storm rip through the wall and road,” he said.

Forty-seven seasonal and year-round residents attended the 90-minute informational session. About half were seasonal residents who can’t vote on the proposal. One asked, “I’m a property owner, but I can’t vote. is that fair?"

Resident Bill Royal proposed selectmen make more of an effort to include seasonal residents in project details. But Climo said the selectboard had already made the effort. “We have gone out of our way to make sure abutters have been contacted,” he said.

Town Clerk Donna Climo said that, under town bylaws, a special town meeting needs 10% of registered voters participating. She estimated about 60 voters would be required for the vote.