Harpswell Select Board Approves Docks, Fire Staffing, Hunting Policy

The Harpswell Select Board approved three wharf applications, a new hunting policy for town properties, and staffing changes in the fire department at its September 24 meeting. Members also re-enrolled in a resiliency partnership, set a public hearing on the general assistance ordinance, and heard public comment raising concerns about dock construction during an ongoing algae bloom.

Key points

• The board approved three residential dock applications, two on High Head Road and one on a third property, over objections from one member who said shoreland development should pause during the current algae bloom; the chair said he did not see a significant impact.
• The board voted to reclassify two part-time firefighters as full-time and to advertise for up to two per diem firefighters, effective September 27, with the town administrator noting the benefits budget may need contingency funds.
• The board adopted a draft hunting policy for town properties covering documentation of tree stands and game cameras, and agreed applications would go to Parks and Recreation.
• The board approved re-enrollment in the Community Resiliency Partnership after changing language on EV charging infrastructure from "promote" to "examine the feasibility."
• The board set an October 8 public hearing on the general assistance ordinance and agreed to open heating assistance applications October 1.
• Resident Pete Nicotis and others raised concerns about fire and rescue staffing and about permitting new docks during the algae bloom, and the board honored outgoing Mitchell Field steward Don Miskell.

Next steps

• Set a public hearing on the general assistance ordinance for October 8 at 6:15 p.m.
• Open heating assistance applications on October 1, with Katie Neal handling them confidentially.
• Schedule a televised workshop on a solar proposal from engineer Jeff Wooten with the Resiliency and Sustainability and Energy and Technology committees.
• Town staff to meet October 2 with a TV board member and Selectman Gilly on the Harpswell Community Broadcasting MOU and report back.
• The architect and construction company plan to go before the Planning Board in the next month on the emergency services building site.

Read the full transcript