Westport Island selectmen on Nov. 20 set a Saturday, Dec. 9 hearing on the Griffin-Groto ramp and float permit for map 2A, lot 71.01A. The hearing starts at 1 p.m. at the property.

The town has heard from the U.S. Census Bureau concerning its 2020 Census Local Update of Addresses Operation (LUCA). This effort is the only opportunity the Bureau provides for the town to review the list of residential addresses before the 2020 Census. Among other benefits for towns, having an accurate list helps in the federal government’s allocation of more than $675 billion  every year. The deadline to register for LUCA is December. Census Day is April 1, 2020.

William Cooney, chair of the town hall committee, asked selectmen for their thoughts about painting the interior this winter. He explained he had received an informal estimate of $3,000 to $4,000. The committee has $13,684 in its reserve account. Selectmen asked Cooney to solicit bids and said any expense over $5,000 would take voter approval.

Richard DeVries, who serves as a member of the Regional School Unit 12 board, reported he had received complaints from some residents that the school bus route did not include side roads. Superintendent of Schools Howard Tuttle spoke with the Wiscasset Newspaper about the decision not to travel side roads. “We are now busing to Edgecomb Eddy as well as Wiscasset and that would have meant that some students would be on the bus for two hours,” he explained. “Some side roads become muddy or snow-covered and rather than pick and choose certain roads, we decided we wouldn’t travel any side roads.”

Gaye Wagner, town clerk and assistant EMA director, presented information concerning damages from the recent severe storm. Wagner stated she and Roger Higgins, town EMA director, had documented storm damage on the island and estimated it would reach around $18,000. The deadline to submit the amount to Lincoln County EMA was the following day, Nov. 21.

It may take a few months before the county knows if it will be eligible for disaster relief, but if that happens, the town could receive up to 75 percent of the estimated storm costs.

Selectman George Richardson presented costs for the purchase of salt from Harcros Chemicals Inc. Costs are $73 per ton for 15 tons, but the town would need to transport the salt from Searsport. The other option is to purchase 30 tons at $77 per ton delivered to the island. Selectmen voted to have the salt delivered for $2,310, under the $2,500 voters approved.