Buck and Eaton elected, town meeting tonight
MAY 14, 2024
TREMONT—The short-term rental licensing ordinance in Tremont did not pass by just two votes with 120 voting against the ordinance and 118 voting in favor.
It is the second Mount Desert Island town in the past week to reject a short-term rental licensing ordinance. Mount Desert voters defeated an ordinance there, on May 7, by a vote of 134 to 72. That amendment was debated at its town meeting while Tremont’s was via ballot during elections. Bar Harbor has had an amendment since voters approved it 1,260 to 840 in November 2021, taking effect in December 2021. It is believed that Bar Harbor’s cap of 9% of housing stock pushed the activity into other towns where they are not regulated.
Since Bar Harbor’s ordinance has been enacted and the cap has been set, opponents have argued that there has been no increase in housing stock or affordable housing. Proponents of the measure say that it isn’t an instant fix and that it is keeping other properties from becoming short-term rentals. Bar Harbor’s changes were challenged in court on procedural grounds related to a two-thirds majority rule in its code for certain votes. That rule has been removed by voters since then.
Tremont’s town meeting is tonight, Tuesday, May 14, but its election results from yesterday are in and the town has even posted them on its Facebook page. Kevin Buck (155 votes) and Eric Eaton (182) were elected to two three-year term Select Board seats. Eliza Bishop (168 votes) and Keri Hayes (179) were voted to two three-year term school board seats. Hayes was also elected to a three-year term on the MDI School Board of Trustees with 179 votes. All races were uncontested.
The town’s comprehensive plan passed by a margin of 176-56. Article E, multiple changes to the town’s land use ordinance, particularly about the shoreland zoning, passed 137-90 and the site plan ordinance passed 152-70.
The annual town meeting is tonight, May 14. The open town meeting begins at 6:30pm in the Harvey Kelley Meeting Room.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
· Police Proposal- Hancock County Sheriff’s Department
· Police Proposal- Southwest Harbor Police Department
· Senior Property Tax Rebate Ordinance
· Board of Appeals Ordinance Amendment
MAY 13 VOTES:
Two (2) Select Board Members-Overseer for a three (3) year term.
- Buck, Kevin – 155 – Elected
- Eaton, Eric – 182 – Elected
Two (2) School Board Members for a three (3) year term.
- Bishop, Eliza – 168 – Elected
- Hayes, Keri – 161 – Elected
One (1) MDI School Board Trustee for a three (3) year term.
- Hayes, Keri – 179 – Elected
Article C Short Term Rental Licensing Ordinance:
- YES – 118
- NO – 120 – Did Not Pass
Article D Comprehensive Plan:
- YES – 176 – Passed
- NO – 56
Article E Land Use Ordinance:
- YES – 137 – Passed
- NO – 90
Article F Site Plan Review Ordinance:
- YES – 152 – Passed
- NO – 70
LINK TO LEARN MORE
https://www.tremont.maine.gov/departments/elections_-_town.php
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Correction! The headline said Buck and Damon were elected. It should have read Buck and Eaton. Many thanks to Luke Damon for letting us know. We should never write headlines so early.
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