In Maine, voters can vote in the 30 days preceding an election by voting in person at the Town Office during office hours, or by filling out an absentee ballot application to pick up a ballot, or have a ballot mailed or delivered. Absentee ballot applications become available 90 days before the election. For federal or state elections, absentee ballots can be requested online. For a complete guide to absentee voting, see the State Absentee Voting Guide. To be counted, absentee ballots must be received by the Town Clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. 

The town of Westport Island contracts with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Dept. for animal control. 

• General animal complaints: Lincoln County Sheriff's Dept., (207) 882-7332.  When you call, please have a description of the animal, its behaviors and whether any individual or animal was injured. 

• Animal cruelty or neglect: State Animal Welfare Dept., (877) 269-9200, animal.welfare@maine.gov, also notify the Town Clerk at townclerk@westportisland.gov. 

• Deceased wild animals: Town Office, 882-8477, townclerk@westportisland.gov 

You can register a boat, snowmobile or ATV online or in-person at the Town Office. Here's what you need to bring:

• Re-Registration: Old registration

• New Registration (Dealer Sale): Proof of sales tax paid (this is usually found on the bill of sale), ME-assigned number on used recreational vehicles

• New Registration (Private Sale): Bill of sale that includes year, make, model, price, ME-assigned number, serial number; horsepower and length for boats

• New Registration (Transfer): Same as above PLUS registration of the vehicle the plates are being transferred from

Before building any new structures or modifying any existing structures, it is important to obtain a building permit. Start by filling out a Building Permit Application online or in person at the Town Office. The Code Enforcement Officer will follow up with you with next steps. 

Burn permits are administered by the Westport Island Volunteer Fire Department. Please use their online portal to request a burn permit. 

Sole proprietorships or partnerships operating under an assumed name are required by state law to file a DBA ("doing business as") form with the Town Clerk. Additionally, businesses operating on Westport Island should also fill out our Business Registration Form to be included on our website business listing and to determine if any additional permits are required. 

All dogs living or staying on Westport Island for 10 days or more must be licensed at the Town Office. If you get a new dog, it must be licensed within 10 days. Puppies must be licensed by 6 months of age. To license, you will need an unexpired rabies vaccination certificate from a vet. Dogs must be licensed every year, beginning on October 15th for the upcoming year, through January 31st online or in-person at the Town Office. 

Westport Island does not have an ordinance regulating the use of fireworks.  The use of fireworks on the island is regulated by the State.  See the Guidelines for Using Fireworks for the regulations that apply. Please be courteous of your neighbors when using fireworks.  No fireworks after 10 p.m.   There is an exception that allows fireworks until 12:30 a.m. on the 4th of July and on New Year's Eve, and on the weekends before and after those events.

The Municipality of Westport Island administers a General Assistance program for the support of residents in need of emergency financial assistance. Fill out a General Assistance Application online, or at the Westport Island Town Office during our regular office hours. Applications are accepted by appointment only. Please contact the General Assistance Administrator, Donna Curry at (207) 882-8477 ext. 4 to set up an appointment. See our General Assistance Notice and General Assistance Ordinance for more details. 

Hunting and fishing licenses may be obtained online or in-person at the Town Office. First time buyers will need to purchase a license in person, and if purchasing a hunting license, show proof of completing a hunting safety course or being previously licensed in another state. 

Westport Island residents or couples getting married on Westport Island may obtain a marriage license from the Town Clerk. The first step is completing a Marriage Intentions form and submitting it to the Town Clerk. If either party was previously married, a certified copy of a divorce decree or death certificate of the prior spouse is required. The Town Clerk will then review the information with both parties present and if everything is in order, issue a marriage license. 

All moorings require a permit, and mooring permits must be renewed annually by May 1st. There is also a public mooring area with moorings available on a first come, first served basis for residents without access to the waterfront or ability to access the water. Fill out and submit a Mooring Permit Application to the Harbor Master to start the process. 

Property owners wishing to add a pier, ramp, or float to their property must first obtain a building permit by filling out a Building Permit Application and returning it to the Town Office. 

Any major plumbing work requires a plumbing permit. Minor plumbing repairs done inside a home by homeowners do not require a plumbing permit. If you think you might need a plumbing permit, please complete a Plumbing Permit Application and return it to the Town Office. 

Property is assessed and ownership established each year by April 1.  Property tax bills are mailed at least 30 days prior to the due date of October 15.  If you are sending your tax payment by mail, the postmarked date constitutes the date of payment. Contact the Tax Collector & Treasurer with any questions. 

All shellfish harvesting other than mussels requires a license! A limited number of recreational and commercial shellfish licenses are available at the Town Office on a first-come-first-serve basis. Licenses go on sale July 1st of each year and expire on June 30th of the following year. See the Dept. of Marine Resources website for information on the harvesting and size limits on different types of shellfish. 

Please be aware that shellfish can contain dangerous bacteria and biotoxins. Check for shellfish harvesting closure areas before harvesting. See the Maine Dept. of Marine Resources (DMR) Shellfish Closures Map and zoom in to Westport Island to see the status of areas around the island. Then check the DMR Shellfish Closures Webpage for any short term or emergency closures by scrolling down and clicking on any notices related to area "WN." You can also call the DMR Shellfish Sanitation Hotline at 1-800-232-4733. 

McCarty Cove off of Sortwell Rd. is closed by the Town for conservation measures until further notice. 

The historic Town Hall on 1217 Main Rd. is available for rental for private events. This beautiful venue was constructed in 1794 as a church, and was acquired by the town in 1885. We've been using it for town meetings and social gatherings ever since. It features beautiful woodwork, a stage, a vaulted ceiling, a full kitchen, and restrooms. The building is approximately 1,934 square feet, has a capacity of 180 people, and approximately 40 parking spaces.  It sits on an acre of land which also allows some outside open or tented space.   If you are interested in renting the Town Hall, complete a Town Hall Rental Application and submit it to the Town Clerk. 

The Town Office Community Room is available to Westport Island residents to reserve for small events or meetings, and to use during regular office hours. It has a small kitchen, chairs and tables, and guest wi-fi. Contact the Town Clerk to reserve. 

Westport Island contracts with the neighboring town of Wiscasset for use of their transfer station on 78 Fowle Hill Rd. in Wiscasset. Residents need to transport their own trash and recycling to the transfer station. The transfer station requires a letter from the Town Office confirming residency. Please email or visit the Town Office to get a residency confirmation letter. There are also several private businesses that offer curbside trash and recycling pickup. 

New vehicles and trailers can be registered at the Town Office, and registration renewals can be done at the Town Office or online. 

• We always need your current insurance card & mileage! Plus extra for the following scenarios:

• New Registration (Dealer Sale): Proof of sales tax paid (this is usually found on the bill of sale), title application form, window sticker (if new vehicle)

• New Registration (Private Sale): Bill of Sale (including year, make, model, VIN, price, buyer & seller signatures), title for vehicles 25 years or newer

• New Registration (Transfer): Same as above PLUS registration of the vehicle the plates are being transferred from. This vehicle must no longer be owned or must be permanently discontinued in order to receive excise tax credit.

Registering a trailer/camper:

• First time: No insurance needed, title application if over 3K pounds, bill of sale

• Renewals: Old registration or plate number

The Town Clerk can provide certified copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates to eligible individuals. Please bring photo ID, and - for copies of records for relatives - proof of your relation to the individual such as a birth certificate. 

Residents may register to vote online, via mail through voter registration drives or by requesting that the Town Clerk send you a voter registration card, in person at the Town Office, or at the polls on election day. If this is your first time registering in Westport Island, you will need a government issued photo ID and proof of residency. If you are changing your current Westport Island voter registration, for example to change parties, just bring a government issued photo ID. See the Secretary of State's website for more information.