Westport Island selectmen on July 3 signed 54 appointments to town offices and committees.  

With the town’s small population, the government depends on the participation of many of the 720 year round residents. The committees showcase the civic spirit of residents who volunteer to serve so that the government functions smoothly.   

They serve on 11 municipal boards and committees. In general, each has five to seven members. The panels include the Board of Appeals, Cemetery, Conservation Commission, Harbor Committee, History Committee, Horticulture Committee, Planning Board, Road Committee, Shellfish Committee, Town Hall Committee and Wright Landing Committee. A complete list of officials and committee members can be found at http://westportisland.us/

In other news, resident Dennis Dunbar told selectmen the Squam Creek Preserve is tentatively slated for a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 29.  Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) acquired the former Segerstrom property in March. The town voted to provide $50,000 toward the purchase.

As Dunbar reported, “Two miles of trails are under construction by teams of volunteers, and four bridges, over stream crossings, are planned.  Work on a parking area will be beginning shortly by G&D Cromwell.” Trail-building takes place on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and noon. Those interested in volunteering may visit www.kennebecestuary.org to register. The property will be known as “The Carl and Barbara Segerstrom Preserve at Squam Creek.”