C.arolyn Todd Appointed Principal at Pemetic.

Carrie Jones

Mar 15, 2026

SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Voters get to decide at a special municipal election, March 24, whether or not to fund two infrastructure projects in town.

The first is a public works garage replacement.

The second a project to fix the shoreline after the 2024 storms pummelled the area.

The town proposal would authorize the Select Board and town treasurer to do multiple things for the project: apply for state and federal grants, nonprofit grants, donations, and other revenues to be used for the town.

It would also allow the town to issue up to $618,000 in general obligation bonds to fund those upgrades to the public works garage.

“I just want to say that the public works garage and that area are in such desperate need of renovations for safety, as well as everything else, and also to protect the investment we have in the equipment we use on a regular basis to maintain the town,” said Warrant Committee Chair Anne Trotter. “The infrastructure of the town needs maintenance, and it needs this equipment…. This is the garage, and the rest of the stuff that’s out there, (it) is an investment in saving money longterm.”

The town’s proposal would also allow the town to issue up to $197,000 in general obligation bonds to repair those storm-damage shoreline areas at Harbor Avenue, Shore Road, Cable Crossing, and Manset Dock.

“The town got a really great deal,” Annaleis Hafford, vice president of Olver Associates said of the projects’ cost.

The shore repair project has been designed and bid. Whitcomb Landscaping was the only bidder. It would repair the end of Harbor Ave, Shore Road, and the Manset Dock. The town received FEMA/MEMA money ($263,481) and has to raise an additional $197,00 to make the budget work for that project.

The public works garage, which was built in 1980 has a failing roof. There were four bids and all were less than expected. DP Porter/CEM was the low bidder at $2.5 million. This means the town only needs to raise $618,000 after adjustments for in-kind matches. Those matches are required for the town to receive a federal grant. That’s because the town received Congressionally directed funds for $2.4 million to pay for the construction (and construction only) of the garage.

“It is in deplorable condition,” Hafford said of the garage.

The Warrant Committee and Select Board agreed.

“That current building is not insurable,” Select Board Chair Noah Burby said. “It’s in bad shape.”

Voters have a chance to learn more, March 17, at a public hearing at the Southwest Harbor Fire station. The meeting begins at 6. The election itself is at the same location, March 24. Votes can be cast between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

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CAROLYN TODD APPOINTED PRINCIPAL

The school committee unanimously appointed Carolyn Todd as its principal late last week. After Dr. Christine Gray resigned earlier this school year, Todd had originally been appointed interim principal. That was in October 2025.

The team had interviewed multiple candidates for the permanent position. Todd has previously been the guidance counselor at the school.

“I know it’s a really big job and I will certainly do my best,” Todd told her school board during that October.

That interim unanimous vote was greeted by applause from the public.

“I’ve talked to the staff about three commitments that I really want to fulfill,” she said.

Those commitments include communication, presence, and being available to those who need her.

“And also, acknowledging that sometimes teachers have a lot of things on their plates and being able to give them the gift of time when I can,” Todd had said.

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THE BUDGET MOVES FORWARD

Burby thanked the Warrant Committee members for their work on the town’s budget.

Trotter prepared the Warrant Committee’s report with its recommendations for the FY27 Budget.

The Warrant Committee recommended changes to fund the town’s 60% share of the fourth position in police department budget without increasing the burden to property tax payers. The remaining 40% is funded by the Town of Tremont, which uses Southwest Harbor’s police services.

The Warrant Committee members suggested taking approximately $107k from CIP funds, such as removing recycling service funds and deferring a cruiser CIP request and the harbormaster truck request and the parking lot CIPS for the Lower Town Dock public bathroom, and Upper Town Dock parking lot, and reducing the lower town dock funds and Manset dinghy float funds.

“It makes sense,” Select Board member Carolyn Ball said. “It gives us a way to fund a police officer.”

The committee also recommended that the town seek sources of revenue outside of property taxes such as reviewing building permit fees, and cost-sharing with Tremont for police services , and moving money from the historic cemetery reserve to the culvert replacement fund.

The Select Board adopted all Warrant Committee recommendations for the fiscal year 2027 budget. The Select Board’s final submission and vote is scheduled for March 24, 2026.

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ASSESSOR CONTRACT

The town renewed its contract with Matt Caldwell, who has left RJD Appraisal and started his own firm. The contract with Caldwell Municipal Assessing and Consulting, will cost $12,666.64 for the remaining four months of this fiscal year, a have costs of $37,300 for fiscal year 2027, and $38,400 for fiscal year 2028 and $39,600 for fiscal year 2029.

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PUBLIC HEARINGS

Select Board member Natasha Johnson recused herself for the discussion of a marijuana retail license renewal for Meristem, LLC. Tyler and Natasha Johnson represented Meristem, LLC for renewal of an adult use retail Store at 11 Seal Cove Road. It was approved.

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APPOINTMENTS

Town Clerk Jennifer LaHaye was appointed registrar of voters until December 31, 2028.

Madilynn Michaud and Adam Babbitt were appointed deputy registrars of voters until December 31, 2026.

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LINKS TO LEARN MORE

To read the packet

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