Southport selectmen signed a contract with Axiom Technologies Chief Executive Officer Mark Ouellette July 28. The signing means work can begin to bring fiber network internet services to town. Also at the signing were Southport Community Broadband Committee members Nancy Prisk, Geoff Chatterton and Maureen Kinsey.

All parties were pleased. “Southport has worked incredibly hard and diligently to get here, and we look forward to a good working partnership,” Ouellette said.

Speaking for the committee, Prisk said, “This is a great moment. It’s been six years since our first conversations with interested parties.”

After the signing, talk turned to next steps. Ouellette said he will get the pole licensing application out as soon as possible, and residents can expect to see activity around town soon. The committee and selectmen agreed to host a public informational meeting at town hall on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 4 p.m. The committee and Ouellette will also have a booth with informational material at the Southport Firemen’s Auction on Aug. 21.

In other business, Emily Hurd of the Southport Common Project Committee informed the board the committee has raised the funding for a master plan and hopes to have project visuals in time for the Firemen’s Auction. Alice Mutch said the Southport Island Association supports the project.

Finally, Select Chair Gerry Gamage announced the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee voted July 22 to approve Southport’s Assistance With Specific Know-How (ASK) grant application for 2021. The grant’s size has not yet been confirmed.