Mount Desert Board Backs Town Hall Renovation, Weighs Dumpster Removal

The Mount Desert Select Board on September 21 heard a presentation on proposed town hall renovations and voiced support for hiring the firm that drew the conceptual plans, DGC Architects, without a public RFP. The board also continued its discussion of the three dumpsters at the town garage, which staff said are being used far beyond their intended purpose and pose a liability risk. Utility and warrant items were approved.

Key points

• The board discussed town hall renovations, including a new conference room, two vestibules, a larger lobby, ADA fixes, and a secure employee area; members favored sole-sourcing the next design phase to DGC Architects, citing its prior work and knowledge of the building.
• Town Manager Brian (Speaker G) reported the three garage dumpsters handle about 20.8 tons in a week, roughly 35 percent of material going through the EMR transfer station, and are emptied up to three times a day in summer.
• Staff cited 24-hour unrestricted access, scavenging, out-of-town use, and CDL liability for town crews as reasons the dumpsters may need to be removed or gated; residents and board members pushed back, noting many rely on them.
• The board approved a utility location permit for phase three of the Ripples Hill development.
• The board approved warrants and payroll totaling about $348,086.71 and $296,738.51, with one abstention on the second, and acknowledged school payroll of $105,088.93.
• Public comment included a suggestion to gate the town garage entrance and questions about how many residents rely on private haulers.

Next steps

• Staff will bring an authorization to contract with DGC Architects at the next meeting, with drawings to be done over the winter and a warrant article targeted for spring.
• Staff will continue gathering data on dumpster use and explore options such as gating, restricted access, or alternate pickup for roads trucks cannot reach.
• Residents with trash collection concerns were urged to contact the town manager's office directly.

Read the full transcript