Town-owned Brownfield Site Could Cost $300k to Fix CARRIE JONES OCT 4, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—Coal ash. Arsenic. Lead. Cancer-causing chemicals. It all lurks in the top three feet of soil at the MDI YMCA’s Park Street campus, a lot that’s owned by the Town of Bar Harbor. In 1998, before the Y was constructed, an investigation of footprint of the building found some unsuitable … Continue reading Coal Ash, Lead, and Arsenic in YMCA Soil
Other Council News, Hospital Traffic Brief, School Emergency Lights Malfunction CARRIE JONES SEP 21, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—Outdoor amplified music came under scrutiny at the Town Council’s September 20 meeting and after neighbors complained, an application by the Bar Harbor Lobster Pound was denied. Both Side Street Café (49 Rodick Street) and Bar Harbor Lobster Pound (414 State Highway 3) requested permits. Side Street wanted … Continue reading Council Drums Away Outdoor Amplified Music at Lobster Pound
Bar Harbor Tries to Determine How to Deal With Cruise Ships in 2024 as Court Case Continues CARRIE JONES SEP 20, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—After a public hearing, the Town Council unanimously disbanded the Cruise Ship Committee last night during its regular Town Council meeting, putting an end to the advisory committee, which is meant to make recommendations to the Town Council on cruise ship … Continue reading Cruise Ship Committee Is No More
Council Discusses Possible Moratorium on Transient Accommodations, Delves Into Short Term Rentals, Traffic, and Housing CARRIE JONES SEP 6, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—After remarks from Town Councilor Matthew Hochman during council comments at its August meeting, a potential moratorium on transient accommodations received a lot of press. That discussion continued at the September 5 meeting, but no action was taken since it was not on … Continue reading Will They Or Won’t They?
Original plans for contracted position hitched over wages CARRIE JONES AUG 17, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—The town council unanimously approved a mental health liaison as a shared position between the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Departments on Tuesday during its regular meeting. If it felt like déjà vu, that’s because in a way, it was. The position was approved earlier this year as a … Continue reading Council Approves Change to Police Mental Health Liaison Position to Town Employee
Council changes public participation rules, potential moratorium on building transient accommodations, bridge maintenance on Lower Ledgelawn CARRIE JONES AUG 17, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—Real estate taxes are committed for fiscal year 2024 and paper copies are being sent out, according to Bar Harbor Finance Director Sarah Gilbert. The town’s current mill rate is 8.68 per $1,000 valuation. Last year it was 9.32. While at first … Continue reading Property Tax Bills Headed Out in Bar Harbor
Town Council moves committee’s disbanding to public hearing CARRIE JONES AUG 16, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—After a majority of its members indicated that they are in favor of dissolving the town’s Cruise Ship Committee, the Town Council has scheduled a public hearing about disbanding the committee for its September 5 meeting. This is the next step required prior to the change. The committee was put … Continue reading Cruise Ship Committee Looks Like It Might Be Sinking
Town Council Will Discuss the Potential Eradication of Cruise Ship Committee BAR HARBOR—According to a press release sent out by Town Clerk Liz Graves Monday night after the Town Council left an executive session to discuss the town manager search, Cornell Knight, who retired as town manager at the end of 2021, was hired back on a part-time basis Monday. The press release reads, ”The … Continue reading Cornell Knight Back Part Time as Town Manager
Short-term rental violation heads to town attorney, APPLL Update, state ends senior-tax-assistance program CARRIE JONES AUG 2, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—Appeals Board Chair Ellen Dohmen stood before the Town Council last night and gave an impassioned speech about opening up public discussion at the council’s meeting. “Somebody comes because they feel they have something to share with you,” Dohmen said. “We can’t think of everything … Continue reading Black Helicopters and UFOS: How and Whether to Tweak Public Comment at Council Meetings Dives into Free Speech Discussion
APPLL court case update, Atlantic Street water issue has deadline, and Council News CARRIE JONES JUL 19, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—Bar Harbor Police Chief Jim Willis is retiring as chief for both Bar Harbor and Mount Desert, interim Town Manager Sarah Gilbert announced at the Bar Harbor Town Council meeting last night. Willis’ last day will be August 4. “As some of you may have … Continue reading Police Chief Jim Willis’ Last Day is August 4
