Oct 09, 2025
MOUNT DESERT—Mount Desert Finance Director Mae Wyler has resigned from her position to the protests of the town’s selectboard.
“It’s been an honor to serve the town. I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” Wyler said.
Wyler began in Mount Desert in 2023. Her resignation was accepted October 6. Her resignation is effective as of October 31, 2025.
“Acceptance with regret,” said Selectboard member Martha Dudman.
“Can we say no?” another board member asked.
The town also hired a few employees during the Monday night meeting.
Those hires included Virginia Helton as a full-time patrol officer at a starting rate of $31.1971 and after successful completion of six-month probation, increasing to $32.9303 effective October 6, 2025.
Antwon Walker to the Buildings & Grounds Custodian position at a starting rate of $28.9105 and after successful completion of six-month probation, increasing to $30.2048 effective October 13, 2025.
GENERAL ASSISTANCE ORDINANCE
The town also approved amendments to its General Assistance Ordinance, a yearly process required by the state.
“This dictates what the town can and can’t do for general assistance,” said Town Manager Alex Kimball. “Every year, the state of Maine updates their guidelines, updates really the numbers that dictate it, and what this is, is us adopting to shift to what the state of Maine has mandated. It varies area by area, town by town, and it’s all governed by a pretty strict set of rules of what it can be. It’s intended to really be a means of last resort. Say, for example, you’re heading into, somebody’s heading into the weekend, their tank has run dry, and they have absolutely nothing else. Otherwise, they’re going to have everything freeze up. This enables a person to get through that, to have a small amount of fuel delivered. And so every year, we have to update this to stay consistent at the state guidelines.”
APPOINTMENTS
Kimball was appointed to the Mount Desert Economic Development Committee, the investment committee, and the LUZO (Land Use Zoning Ordinance) advisory group as an ex-officio member.
The board appointed Meredith Randolph as an alternate planning board member effective October 7, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
It appointed Heidi Smallidge as warden for the November 4, 2025 Referendum Election; re-appointed Anthony Smith to the Municipal Waste Hub (formerly MRC) effective January 1, 2026.
WINTER SAND CONTRACT
The board approved a contract with Harold MacQuinn, Incorporated to supply winter sand for fiscal year 2026 at a price of $18.50 per cubic yard. It also authorized Wyler and Kimball to conduct business on behalf of the Town with Bar Harbor Trust Services.
PLANNING BOARD NEWS
A six-unit workforce housing development that has inspired a lawsuit has now moved toward having the Mount Desert Planning Board review its open space requirement.
The Heel Way subdivision received the Supreme Court go-ahead earlier this year, but the court determined that that the town had improperly calculated the open space requirement. That requirement is from the town’s Land Use Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Board calculates how much open space is required according to the ordinance.
To do that, the board has to have a quorum for reconsideration, according to Planning Board Chair William Hanley. To get that quorum, he recommended Meredith Randolph come back to serve on the board again to serve as an alternate.
The selectboard, Monday, approved that ask.
The Mount Desert Planning Board, September 24, approved and signed final plat plans for the Area 51 subdivision.
Northeast Harbor Wharf Reconstruction Project
The Town of Mount Desert is seeking Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from Engineering firms to provide marine engineering and design services to reconstruct the Town Wharf at 40 Harbor Drive, in the Village of Northeast Harbor.
Sanitary Sewer Systems Testing Today (Via Town of Mount Desert)
Locations
- Main Street
- Harbor Drive
- Sea Street
- Memory Lane
Testing Schedule
Date(s): October 9, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (weather permitting)
What to Expect:
- Harmless, non-toxic smoke will be blown into sewer lines to detect leaks or improper connections.
- You may see smoke from vent pipes or ground cracks — this is normal.
- If smoke enters your home, it could indicate a plumbing issue. Call us if this happens.
Pro Tip: Pour water into seldom used drains before testing to help prevent smoke from entering.
Questions?
Public Works Department
(207) 276-5743
Thank you for your cooperation!
Neither Wyler or Police Chief David Kerns responded to a request for information for this story. We will update the story if we hear from them.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
NEH Wharf Reconstruction RFQ Document
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/DVHD2tze7Io?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
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