Hello, Islanders. It's sweater weather! Time to get the firewood in before the snow flies (or fly to warmer climes!) Before you hibernate or abscond to the sunny south, don't forget to pay those property taxes, license those dogs, and perhaps cast a vote (or eight) on some referendums! Here's your monthly round up:

Property Taxes: Time to get out that checkbook before the interest starts accruing! Property taxes are due Tuesday, Oct. 17. Questions? Reach out to our Tax Collector, Ashley Murray at treasurer@westportisland.us

2024 Dog Licensing: All dogs in Maine over 6 months old must be licensed with their local Town Office every year starting on Oct. 15 for the following year. This includes snow-bird-dogs and long-term-visitor pups too. To license a dog, you need an unexpired rabies vaccine certificate from a licensed veterinarian, and to pay a small licensing fee that helps cover the costs to towns for animal control services. It's easy to do online, over the phone, or by stopping by the Town Office during our regular hours of Tue. 10-6, Wed. 10-2, and Thu. 10-2. Don't delay! The fee goes up quite a bit next year and eventually the Sheriff may pay you a visit. We don't want to see you with your tail between your legs! 

Nov. 7 Referendum Election: Absentee voting is now underway for the referendum election on Nov. 7! The Secretary of State has written a 62-page guide to overwhelm – ahem, I mean, educate – you about all these decisions. You can also find all kinds of information online and in your mailbox of varying quality from different organizations who may or may not have some skin in the game. Read away, but keep your grains of salt handy! When you're all read up, come on down to the Town Office to vote  absentee during our regular office hours through Thursday, Nov. 2. After that, you'll have to come find us at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also have us send you a ballot, or take one with you, by completing an absentee ballot request online, over the phone, or at the Town Office. 

Hunting Season: For those of you who don't fly south or hibernate, remember to renew your hunting licenses at the Town Office, and wear orange when out and about. Don't go out in November dressed like a deer!  

2023 Spirit of America Award: The Selectboard is pleased to announce that Dennis Dunbar is the recipient of this year's Spirit of America Award to recognize outstanding volunteer service to the town! Dennis has been instrumental in securing multiple grants to help Westport Island protect our natural resources and plan for the future. Just this past month, we received a grant to study the impact of climate change on our vulnerable road crossings over waterways, thanks in large part to his hard work. Thank you, Dennis, for all you do! If you would like to join us in honoring Dennis, there will be a short award ceremony at the beginning of the Oct. 23 Selectboard meeting at 7 p.m. at the Town Office. 

WCA Halloween Costume Party: Dust off those witch hats and vampire teeth! Time to show your Halloween spirit at the WCA Halloween Costume Party! Saturday, Oct. 28, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Music, snacks, drinks, fun and prizes! Fun for the whole family!

And in the meantime, check out their cool online auction to raise funds for more events like this in the future! Got something you'd like to donate to the auction? Reach out to Rose Bodmer at rosiebodmer@gmail.com

Please see the Town of Westport Island webpage for more information and follow us on Facebook. You can attend Selectboard meetings most Mondays at 7 p.m. in person at the Town Office or via Zoom by clicking on the meeting you would like to attend in our website calendar and then clicking on the registration link that pops up. You can also watch them after the fact on our Youtube channel. If you know any Westport Islanders who are not receiving these emails, feel free to forward this and let them know they can be added to the list by emailing townclerk@westportisland.us

You can find us at the Town Office at 6 Fowles Point Road during our new office hours of Tuesdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Call us at 882-8477or email us anytime!

April Thibodeau, Town Clerk, townclerk@westportisland.us
Dedee Greenleaf-Hodgdon, Municipal Agent, municipalagent@westportisland.us
Ashley Murray, Tax Collector/Treasurer, treasurer@westportisland.us 
Select Board Members Donna Curry (Chair), Jeff Tarbox, and Lisa Jonassen, selectboard@westportisland.us