Castine Select Board Approves Pavilion Dedication, Salt Bid, and Event Requests

The Castine Select Board approved a slate of routine items, including warrants, minutes, a bottle license renewal, and the annual general assistance maximums, during its September 21 meeting. The board also backed naming the town dock pavilion for Noah Brooks with an October 25 dedication, awarded winter salt and sand bids, and approved several community events. Members heard a presentation on a regional social vulnerability report and a public comment about the reported sale of the Habitation property.

Key points

• The board approved a general fund warrant of $64,958.84 and accepted minutes from several August and September meetings.
• The board approved the annual general assistance appendices after a public hearing, with administrator Derek explaining the state-set maximums and confidentiality rules.
• The board voted to support naming the town dock pavilion the Noah Brooks Pavilion, with a dedication ceremony planned for October 25, though members discussed whether a weekday might suit town employees better.
• The board awarded the winter salt bid to New England Salt at $77.47 per ton and the sand bid to Robert Wardwell Construction at $19.50 per cubic yard.
• The board approved a $150 refund for an unusable dinghy permit, $250 from contingency for the MMA workday cookout, and permission for Derek to sign a Water Street pole permit.
• The board approved a food truck for MMA homecoming and a stargazing event at Fort George on October 8, and voted to encourage Blue Hill Peninsula Forward to seek nonprofit funding for social vulnerability work.
• Resident David expressed concern about the reported sale of the Habitation property to a California buyer, and the board said it would look into it.

Next steps

• The board will look into the reported sale of the Habitation property and identify the new owner.
• A public infrastructure forum with town engineers is set for September 24 at 6 p.m., available via Zoom.
• A work session is scheduled for September 28 at 4 p.m., with select board meetings on October 5 and October 19.
• Derek will follow up with FEMA on Fort Madison and Water Street project cost shares and possible construction oversight funding.
• A session on the Blue Hill Peninsula Forward social vulnerability findings is planned for October 1, with a conference on November 19.

Read the full transcript