Feb 23, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware.
BAR HARBOR—”It’s important for folks to understand—and we’ve gotten almost as bad as Fox News said that we were a town that hated Christmas. That we’re a council that hates music has been out there,” Bar Harbor Town Councilor Earl Brechlin said during a February 17 meeting about potential changes to the town’s ordinance that regulates live music at places that serve alcohol. “But this gives us more ways to get to yes.”
The new ordinance has not yet been adopted, nor has the related policy. The council will hold a public hearing about it in March.
There had been an earlier workshop where the councilors gave feedback to Town Clerk Liz Graves about the new policy and changes. Since then, the plan has been refined a bit, Council Chair Val Peacock said.
Graves has previously said there are currently approximately two dozen special amusement permits in Bar Harbor. As of July 15, there had been 19 permits that went before the council. Three had been denied when neighbors brought up concerns.
The town’s current permit process does not allow councilors to put restrictions on applications such as “only play music in the north of the property facing east,” or “only play music on Saturdays.” This is somewhat typical for most towns with permits, which are required for places where there are both liquor licenses and live music.
Graves said that if the changes are approved, then applicants would have a full public review process for permits for the first two years and then a continuance in the third year and so on. There would be three review cycles according to the policy.
“This gives us more ways to get to yes when people apply, for the neighbors to be heard,” Brechlin said.
A goal, Peacock said, was that the council had hoped for some ability to make changes during the meeting when there were issues about a permit.
It also allows the council to create a record to explain why the council voted certain ways, with the transparent reason’s for an application’s approval or denial.
“I’m really excited about this,” Vice Chair Maya Caines said. “Do we want to approve this now? Or, we haven’t really had an opportunity to hear from the public about this except in workshop?”
Peacock said they could approve the policy tonight, but it would be ahead of the process for the ordinance.
“It would be nice to get more public input on that checklist. I think the public deserves that,” Councilor Randell Sprague said.
Caines and others agreed.
Peacock said that people had asked about Rodick Street where there are multiple permits and they are being treated individually. Having consistent changes so that one business isn’t singled out while there’s also space to make changes is something to think about, she said.
Caines also thanked Graves and Police Chief David Kerns for their work.
A special amusement permit is required by the town for any business licensed for the sale of liquor or malt liquor prior to allowing “any music, except a radio or other mechanical device, or any dancing or entertainment of any sort.”
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
Town Workshops Draft Changes to Music and Entertainment Permits
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