There is a new regional emergency management agency director. John Oakes of Wiscasset recently received approvals from the Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay and Southport selectboards to receive the appointment.

Oakes has experience working with the County EMA team. He is a volunteer firefighter with the Walpole department. In his resume, he listed several trainings and certificates related to the position: Basic Emergency Level 1, Emergency Operations/Reporting, Local damage assessment, community emergency response team trainer, communications leader, traffic incident trainer, and emergency operations center basics.

He was recommended by the Boothbay Harbor selectmen. On April 23, Oakes met with the Southport and Boothbay selectboards in separate meetings. In Southport, Board Chairman Gerry Gamage said "If you want to work with us, then we want to work with you."

Oakes attended the Boothbay selectmen's meeting later that night.

In other Southport selectboard action, two town hall rentals were approved. Selectmen approved Eileen Higgins' request to hold a graduation party on June 13. Karen Cronk also received approval to hold a United Methodist Church lobster lunch on July 16.

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 in the town hall.