Good news doesn’t often come in the form of a tax bill, but Southport’s 2024 Lincoln County tax bill is a welcome sight. On March 27, Selectman Gerry Gamage reported the $653,627 county tax bill is down almost $7,000. In December, commissioners approved a $13,743,701 budget, representing an 8.99% increase. “I thought it would go up, but I’m glad it went down,” Gamage said.

In other action, selectmen unanimously approved the 2024 municipal holiday schedule. The town office will be closed for 13 dates. Town employees have already received a paid day off for New Year’s, Martin Luther King Jr. and Presidents days. The other nine days include Patriots’, Memorial, Juneteenth, Independence, Labor, Columbus (Indigenous Peoples), Veterans, Thanksgiving and the following Friday, and Christmas days. 

Gamage reported he would provide Maine Revenue Service’s requested documentation pertaining to 2025 state valuation records. Gamage said the town’s and state’s numbers don’t match. According to Gamage, Southport’s valuation is around $600 million while the state assessment is at $811 million. “I will send the state our commitment book for real estate and personal property,” he said. 

Selectmen approved two town hall rentals. Southport Central School received approval for an April 25 talent show. Friends of Southport Historical Society received approval for a Sept. 7 lecture. 

Selectmen received correspondence from Dunning Concrete in Wiscasset about a Cameron Point Road inspection April 9. Dunning is ready to pour the concrete, but was unable to schedule a code enforcement officer inspection. Gamage, who previously served as the municipal inspector, volunteered to review the concrete pour.

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 in the town hall.