Harpswell Zoning Board of Appeals tables Cribstone Commons septic appeal

The Harpswell Zoning Board of Appeals met on Oct. 14, 2026 with only three members present and voted to table an administrative appeal of a septic permit issued for a neighboring property on Bailey Island. The appellant, Jeffrey Roark of Cribstone Commons LLC, argued the permit was inaccurate and that the right to rebuild on the lot had expired, while the new owner and the code enforcement officer defended the permit. The board agreed to obtain an independent licensed site evaluator before taking up the appeal again.

Key points

• The board convened with three members after a late arrival resolved a quorum problem; the meeting was held on an off night from the board's usual fourth Wednesday.
• Jeffrey Roark, manager of Cribstone Commons LLC, appealed the septic permit, citing a mislocated shared well, incorrect window sill elevations, an outdated pretreatment agreement, and his claim that the right to rebuild the storm-destroyed structure had lapsed.
• New owner Dino Scognamiglio said he bought the property with an approved septic permit and supports an independent review.
• Code Enforcement Officer Tony Simmons defended site evaluator Brady Frick's work, saying the well was buried and not visible, and that the design met requirements and variances.
• Town Planner Margaret McIntyre said the board must conduct a de novo review of the licensed plumbing inspector's decision and offered to help retain outside expertise.
• The board voted to table the appeal and seek an independent licensed site evaluator; members disagreed over whether to remand the matter to the Planning Board instead.

Next steps

• Town staff will work with the administration to retain an independent licensed site evaluator to review the appeal.
• The appeal will be taken up again at a future meeting, with the next regular meeting expected on the fourth Wednesday of November.
• Meeting minutes will be recirculated by email for adoption at the November meeting.

Read the full transcript