Westport Island selectmen discussed Governor John Baldacci's veto of LD1932, a bill to amend Maine's school district consolidation at their meeting Monday evening. The governor vetoed the bill just hours after it was passed by the Senate Monday afternoon.

The bill would have allowed consolidating school districts to devise individual cost-sharing formulas, basing individual towns' tax contributions to their regional districts in measures other than property value.

It would also allow districts that currently receive a minimum special-education subsidy to continue to receive it when they consolidate. LD1932 also would have created a single budget format for all districts, according to a letter the selectmen received from Geoff Herman, from the Maine Municipal Association.

Herman urged the selectmen to contact their legislators and ask them to vote to override the veto and allow LD1932 to become law.

"The bill was created by the Education Committee and further developed by the legislature itself to comprehensively address any of the problems with school reorganization law enacted in 2007," Herman said in his letter.

Westport Island resident Dennis Dunbar told the selectmen that LD1932 would not be good for Westport Island, and the governor's veto should not be overridden.

In Dunbar's opinion, if the veto is sustained, the Legislature will attempt to craft another bill in few days that could benefit Westport Island more than the LD1932.

The selectmen took no action on Herman's request.

The selectmen scheduled several public hearings on Saturday, April 26, for seasonal ramps and floats.

The first public hearing will be held at 9 a.m. for Amanda and John Blaisdell on the Sheepscot River; at 9:30 a public hearing will be held for Lydia Kitfield on the Back River; at 10:15 a.m. for Richard Lorenson on the Back River; and Bradford Adler, at 11 a.m. on the Back River.

The selectmen approved Thomas Jacoby's Tree Growth application, and took no action on David Forrest's Tree Growth application because more information is needed.

Ronald Harrison and Gary Cromwell met with the selectmen prior to their meeting to discuss changes in the sand and salt shed design.

It is expected the recommended changes to the sand and salt shed design will be presented at the Selectmen's meeting next week.