Westport Island selectmen Monday night set the June 8 elections for noon to 6 p.m. at town hall. Officials expect a lot of absentee voting. They said they have already heard from people asking when absentee ballots will be available. Officials expect that to be May 8.

Voters will pick a new second selectman for a three-year term. Candidates are Bailey Bartlett and Jeff Tarbox. Second Selectman Gerald Bodmer did not run. Mary Coventry is unopposed for a three-year term on the Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 board. And no one filed papers for a two-year term on the SVRSU board, Town Clerk Julie Casson said.

June 8 is also decision day at polls district-wide for SVRSU’s proposed $24.4 million budget. 

Also in Monday night’s UberConference call, selectmen held off considering an animal control contract with Lincoln County until they have all read it. The proposed pact would charge the town $16 an hour plus benefits, and equipment and other costs. Westport Island officials said most towns now contract with the county for animal control.

Selectmen accepted with regret Deputy Animal Control Officer Gary Webber’s resignation.

Friends of Westport Island History members reported they are starting to explore possible lighting and other improvements for the town-owned Wright House. First Selectman George Richardson Jr. asked if Friends will be paying for them. 

“Well, we haven’t sorted that out yet,” Mary Ellen Barnes said. “I think some (items) can benefit the building as a whole, some are tied to our uses.” 

Selectmen granted Kennebec Estuary Land Trust an abatement Richardson said totaled about $193; agreed to buy up to $150 in paint and other materials for Two Bridges Regional Jail inmates’ work at Wright House the week of April 26; and decided to not meet May 31, Memorial Day.