Town meeting comes a little earlier in Southport each spring. With the first Monday in March scheduled as the annual town meeting date, selectmen began scheduling budget sessions during their Nov. 13 board meeting.

Selectmen will assemble at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15 to discuss budget goals prior to joining the committee at 6 p.m. in the town hall. Selectmen have started receiving budget requests from outside agencies. Last week, selectmen received funding requests from LifeFlight of Maine and New Hope Midcoast.

LifeFlight of Maine requested $1,200. Last year, LifeFlight reported raising more than $980,000 from 278 Maine communities. This year, Chief Executive Officer Joe Kellner stated this year's goal is raising over $1 million. "LifeFlight plays a vital role in our state, ensuring that people everywhere have access to critical care in an emergency. Whether it's transporting someone from a car accident along a country road, rushing a stroke victim from a coastal village to a specialized hospital, or responding to a life-threatening injury on a rural farm, LifeFlight is often the critical connector between our patients and their survival," Kellner wrote in a request letter.

New Hope Midcoast requested $2,665. New Hope is located in Rockland and provides confidential services for domestic abuse victims. "Our free confidential services include: a 24/7 helpline, the first point of contact for many; residential services with emergency sheltering, and up to two years of housing, case management services, support groups, and legal advocacy with assistance in completing protection from abuse orders," wrote Development Director Joan LeMole in her request letter. 

In other action, selectmen decided to discontinue one of two public works employees' phones. The board decided to cancel Steve Markowitz's phone and provide him with a stipend for his personal one. 

Selectmen approved Jeffrey Barrett's town hall rental request. Barrett will rent the hall for a Nov. 23 children's birthday party.

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 in the town hall.