Although Westport Island Selectmen George Richardson and Jack Swanton both say they are not in favor of the proposed gasification plant on the property formerly owned by Maine Yankee, they will be sending a survey to the taxpayers seeking additional input from all residents.

Each of the surveys will be numbered to avoid fraud and stuffing. Residents are asked not to make copies (copies will be discarded,)

If more than one resident over the age of 18 lives in the household, they are asked to use a different colored ink or pencils to mark the survey, and indicate the number of adults completing the survey so they can be counted.

There are 22 questions with three choices of answers - yes, no, not sure.

Selectman Brenda Bonyun said she is not taking a stand on the plant. "I want to see how the residents feel about it," she said.

Future residents on Westport Island will be given a welcome letter from the town. The letter was developed by the town's Code Enforcement Officer, Gary Richardson.

The letter congratulates the property owner on their recent purchase, and gives information on the permitting process, such as burning permits from the town Fire Chief, construction projects requiring a permit from the code enforcement officer, and the limitation on clearing tress and vegetation within 75 feet of the shoreline. The letter also says that the standards can be found in the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance.

Included in the letter are the names, and telephone numbers of the town officials, and the office hours of the tax collector, treasurer, excise tax collector, and town clerk. It also says that all the town ordinances and fee schedules can be obtained by logging onto the town Web site at www.westportisland.us .

The selectmen approved five tax abatements.

They also approved moving a small building in back of the fire station to Lori's Convenience Store. The building had been use to store bottles to benefit the fire department.

Although the building will be moved, the selectmen made it clear that people who return bottles and want the money to go to the fire department just need to tell the person at the store.

The selectmen thanked School Superintendent Jay McIntire, and school board member Sandra Crehore for their hard work and many hours of dedication to the school consolidation plan.

"We really appreciate all the hard work you have done," Richardson said.