Westport Island select board approves payroll and accounts‑payable warrants, hires single contractor for town properties

The Westport Island Select Board on Dec. 29 approved two payroll warrants and one accounts‑payable warrant, accepted minutes from its Dec. 15 meeting and approved a contract to centralize routine property maintenance.

The meeting opened with the chair moving to approve payroll number 54 for $4,352.92; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board then approved payroll number 55 for $291.13 and accounts‑payable number 56 for $39,274.39, each by motion and voice vote. The chair also moved to accept the minutes of the Dec. 15, 2025 meeting, which the board approved.

On select board business the board discussed and voted to accept a property‑maintenance contract with Randy R. Russell, doing business as Triple R Services, to provide mowing, fall and spring cleanup, latrine and public‑landing maintenance and other routine tasks for town properties including the town office, town hall, the right landing, the flag pole and a new digital‑sign site. The chair said consolidating duties under a single contractor provides consistency across properties; the motion to accept the contract was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The board approved several small tax abatements. Two related to tree‑growth valuations for a property belonging to Jeff Tarbox (transcript shows variant spellings in places); the amounts cited were $14.93 and a second amount transcribed ambiguously. The board also approved a solar‑exemption abatement for Patrick and Dory Murvier for $34 after confirming required paperwork had been filed.

The board announced plans to convene an ad hoc deer committee to consider options presented at a recent state briefing. The chair said the committee will be an ad hoc body running through June, with a town meeting anticipated at the end of that period to decide on any measures; Lisa volunteered to begin outreach. Residents interested in serving were asked to contact the board by Jan. 5 to allow appointments around the Jan. 12 meeting.

The meeting closed after brief announcements and holiday remarks. The record shows motions and approvals by voice vote; individual roll‑call votes were not recorded in the transcript.