Pat’s Pizza Special Amusement Permit Renewed; LifeFlight Gives $10k to Endow Helipad Maintenance Fund
Nov 20, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Shops.
BAR HARBOR—During the town council public comment at its November 18 meeting, a business agent from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters requested a liaison from the town council to be part of the negotiations of the next contract for the town’s public works staff.
“We are going into mediation,” said Joseph Piccone of the Teamsters’ Union. “And I’m making a request to the chair woman and the vice chair woman that a councilor—that you folks get together and assign someone who sits on the council to participate in the negotiations. This isn’t anything new that I’ve asked; I do this at a lot of units.”
Piccone represents public works in Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, and Southwest Harbor, as well as the Hancock County RCC and Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, he said.
The staff’s contract expired June 30, 2025.
Approximately 10 members of the town’s public works crews sat in the audience at the Bar Harbor Town Council public comment period during its meeting, November 18, while Piccone spoke.
There are 25 total current employees in the town’s public works department. Ten are in the highway department; seven in wastewater, five in water and three in environmental services.
“These guys are deserving of—well, a contract,” Piccone said.
The positions are funded and filled and each could join the Public Works Union and are technically covered by the town’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA); however, they may not all be active dues paying members. There is no requirement to join the union. Membership is voluntary.
“The Town of Bar Harbor values the work of all our employees and we remain committed to negotiating a fair and responsible labor contract,” Town Manager James Smith said on Wednesday. “Our goal is to support a strong municipal workforce while protecting the taxpayers and ratepayers who fund these essential services. We will continue to move forward in good faith with steady negotiations, clear communication, and responsible management of the resources entrusted to us. Our aim is an agreement that supports the employees who serve this community while keeping Bar Harbor on a sustainable financial path.”
“I’m not looking to negotiate or debate. It’s to introduce ourselves. You had mentioned about making Bar Harbor a better place,” Piccone said. “These are the folks that really help you do that so we would ask for your consideration in sending someone who actually has a vote on the contract.”
He said he is disappointed at where the negotiations are currently. Because of the nature of negotiations, it has not been publicly released what the sticking point (or points) is.
“We really think it’s been a nonstarter at this point,” he said. “We’re not close at all.”
During public comment at Bar Harbor Town Council meetings, people are only allowed to speak for three minutes about items not on the agenda or in litigation. Vice Chair Maya Caines stopped Piccone when he reached that time limit.
CONSENT AGENDA
The town authorized Town Manager James Smith to sign a quitclaim deed for 169 Gilbert Farm Road. It also accepted funds from LifeFlight of Maine to help create a Helipad Reserve Fund.
The medical helicopter service has donated $10,000 to support the town’s continued and perpetual maintenance of the new helipad on Park Street.
WAGE STIPEND PLAN
Due to his relationship with Planning Director Michele Gagnon, councilor Joe Minutolo recused himself about the town council’s yearly vote to maintain percentage maximum annual payouts under the opt-out reimbursement and wage stipend plans for employee health expenses. It passed unanimously.
PAT’S PIZZA
The restaurant’s special amusement permit was renewed. The permit for the 6 Pleasant Street business in Bar Harbor proper is Class 1ad, single musician with mechanical amplification and dancing.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
Council Meeting Agenda (this includes the ordinance and Smith memo)
Photos: Shaun Farrar/Bar Harbor Story.
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