Southport voters spent nearly two hours approving 58 of 59 articles during their March 3 town meeting. Voters approved a combined $4,020,000 municipal and school budget which is up approximately 5%. Voters also accepted a $657,000 bequest from Marge and Elliot Winslow Trust. The funds are designated for infrastructure and recreation. Selectman Gerry Gamage reported the funds would repair municipal floats and docks damaged during last winter's storms.

The only article which didn't receive voter approval was a proposal to enlarge the growth district by one lot. Sponsors requested the article be "pulled" because they didn't think it was ready for town consideration. Southport United Methodist Church is considering developing a 20-acre parcel into affordable housing. The property was a gift to the church from the Winslow family to provide "community outreach."

The church plans on developing eight to 10 housing units in the growth district. Sponsors asked to remove the article over abutter concerns about expansion allowing businesses as part of the new development. Sponsors wanted to re-examine their proposal prior to a vote.

Residents unanimously approved the $1.594 million school budget which is a 23% increase. Some residents questioned the steep raise which pushed per pupil spending to approximately $45,000 per student. One resident asked if test scores showed the school was that much better than others. 

Former school committee member Adam Harkins understood residents' concerns, but defended the school's record. "We don't have enough students to test to make that determination," he said. "But these kids receive a first-rate education which extends into their future. When you see the top-10 BRHS seniors, you see several Southport kids."

Residents unanimously approved the $1,595,712 municipal budget.

During the meeting, residents elected Linda Brewer and Mary Hanley to the board of library trustees for three years; Evelyn Sherman and Amy Harkins to the cemetery board for three years; and Caitlin Shepherd, Wyatt Colby and Madeleine Kaler to the budget committee for three-year terms.

During the municipal elections, Selectman Smith Climo ran unopposed and won receiving 46 votes. School Committee member Katherine Tibbetts won re-election running unopposed with 53 votes and Gerry Gamage won re-election as a Boothbay Region Water District representative running unopposed receiving 52 votes.

School Committee member Adam Harkins didn't seek another term. Newcomer Mike Wallace ran unopposed and received 55 votes. All the municipal elected offices are for three-year terms.