At the Southport selectmen’s meeting April 22, selectmen Gerry Gamage, Mary Lou Koskela and Smith Climo thanked two donors who had contributed $1,000 apiece to the general assistance program. “We see donations at other times,” said board chair Gamage, “But these two are in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The money will go into the general assistance funds and may be used at our discretion to help Southport residents in need. They are very welcome donations at this difficult time.”

In other business, Southport’s street lighting is under discussion. Currently, the town leases its 119 streetlight fixtures from Central Maine Power at a cost of $18,000 per annum. The board has received a proposal from Affinity LED Light LLC of Dover, New Hampshire, to replace all the island’s streetlights and convert them to LED lights, for $326.92 per fixture, including all equipment and installation costs.

“If we go ahead, we will then own the streetlights so saving the annual cost of the lease, plus the lighting would be more environmentally friendly, reduce our CO2 emissions, and save energy,” Gamage said. “We estimate that the cost of the installation will have been paid off in three years.” The proposal will go to a town vote, currently scheduled for June 9.

Finally, it was announced that Boothbay EMA’s acting director Michael Ciccarelli has tendered his resignation and will leave July 1. Scott Campbell, previous director of the agency, stood down this month. Ciccarelli is currently the only local EMA director for Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport. It is hoped a replacement will be found before July.