The phrase “Southporters taking care of Southporters” is mentioned a lot at the town hall on Hendricks Hill Road. During the recent major windstorm and subsequent weeklong power outage, selectmen realized some of their most vulnerable residents were not getting the help they needed.

“We have a lot of senior citizens on this island,” Selectman Smith Climo said. “And if their power goes out, who checks on them?”

“We hate the idea of someone being alone and needing help, with no way to reach out,” Selectman Gerry Gamage said.

Even though there was a lot of information available on social media regarding people to contact and places to go with heat and power, Gamage said many older residents – and even some younger ones – don’t use sites like Facebook.

There were also signs on the roadways directing motorists to the firehouse as a shelter, but many citizens did not feel comfortable braving the roadways with all the lines and trees down right after the storm.

At the regular selectmen’s meeting Nov. 15, Deputy Fire Chief Mike Ciccarelli brought in the final draft of a “safety check” form. In the event of a major storm or power outage, people who have filled out these forms will be paid a visit by someone from the town to make sure they are OK.

“One thing I love about this is it’s completely voluntary,” Climo said.

“We can see if they need anything,” Gamage said. “They won’t have to worry about phone lines being down or the internet being out, because they know someone will be there personally to help if needed.”

Forms are available at the town hall and the Community Center at the Meadow Mall in Boothbay Harbor. Once completed, they can be turned in at the Southport Town Hall.

The selectmen meet every Wednesday at 5 p.m.