Dear friends and neighbors,

Just like those crocuses and tulips, it’s time to shake off the winter blues and come back to life! Spring is a great time to get involved with community, and there are a number of ways you can do so on Westport Island this month.

Every decade or so, Maine towns need to update their comprehensive plans in order to meet state requirements for “consistency findings.” Without a current or approved Comprehensive Plan, a town is not eligible for state funded grants to aid Shore and Harbor Planning or Coastal Communities. These and other state funded grants have helped Westport Island fund improvements to both the Wright Landing Municipal Boat Launch and the Clough Point Town Preserve. Westport’s Comprehensive Plan has not been updated since 2002, so it is high time to revisit our vision for the Island.

In February, our selectmen appointed members to the Planning Committee from various town committees that represent issues vital to the future of Westport and its residents, such as land conservation, planning and growth management, groundwater protection, code enforcement, public safety, technological infrastructure, roads, harbors, public lands, services, and preservation of history. Planning is expected to take between 18-24 months to complete, and will involve the participation and input of Westporters through surveys and workshops.

Residents are encouraged to review the 2002 Comprehensive Plan available at the official town website. (http://westportisland.us) Members of the Planning Committee include Dick Barker, Neil Cavanaugh, James Cromwell, Dennis Dunbar, Richard DeVries, Bud Gallagher, Jason Kates, Bob Mooney, Gary Richardson and Jeff Tarbox. If you have any questions, contact the temporary Chairperson, Jerry Bodmer, at 882-9244. The first meeting to kick off the planning process will be held at the Town Office at 6 Fowles Point Road this Thursday night, April 12, 2018 at 6:00 pm. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend.

The Westport Community Association will be sponsoring a Public Pancake Breakfast at the Old Town Hall on Saturday, April 21, from 8-10 a.m. Buttermilk pancakes with either blueberries or chocolate chips are on the menu. The breakfast is free; however, all donations will be appreciated to support the Island’s Helping Hands Food Pantry.

Westport Island’s Conservation Commission is planning the annual Island Clean Up for Saturday morning, April 28, 2018. This year all participants will be rewarded with a surprise gift for their clean up efforts! Just show up at the Old Town Hall by 9 am to enjoy some refreshments, to pick up some garbage bags, and to check in for a road assignment. For more information, call Dick Tucker at 882-7965. Many hands make light work. Hope to see you all there!

Finally, a list of Island businesses has now been compiled for your convenience under the Business Tab of the Westport Island website. Did you know there are currently at least thirty-seven small business owners on our Island? You can find a handyman, painter, landscaper, carpenter/builder, or marine contractor, as well as a bookkeeper/administrative assistant, educational consultant, digital media agent, photographer, surveyor, insurance agent, and bereavement counselor. You can purchase fresh roasted coffee beans, homemade pastries, instant comfort heat and cold neck wraps, handmade lip and hand balms, super squash scoopers, micro-greens, fleece scarves and shawls, pottery, and soon…beer! There are a lot of talented people on Westport Island! If you have a small business and would like some publicity, check in with the gals at the Town Office.

Contact your newshound pat-dick@midcoast.com or call 231-4049.