The town’s 30-year-old shellfish propagation facility is in line for essential repairs under Article 43. The Department of Natural Resources is requesting $25,017 to replace deteriorating tanks and flooring at the lab, which serves as the town's municipal propagation facility.

CPC Chair Kathy Green noted that the facility's tanks have reached the end of their useful life and that maintaining the infrastructure is critical to avoiding a lapse in shellfish stocking. To keep it functioning until the infrastructure is either retrofitted or replaced, this is really a necessary upgrade, Green said. The funding will also cover additional educational materials for the lab's public tours and school field trips.

Both the Finance Committee and the Select Board have recommended the article for approval, citing the importance of the lab’s contribution to the local ecosystem and the town’s shellfishing industry.