Each week we compile briefs and put them initially only on the website (Substack) and then send them all on Friday or sometimes Saturday if things are chaotic like they have been for us this week.

We do that so that:

1. You get press releases from agencies and organizations and officials, which is a common aspect of a local newspaper.

2. You don’t get 10 (or more) emails every day, which is sometimes what would happen if we separated it all out and sent each press release to you individually.

If you click through to a release that interests you, you can read it in its entirety.

You can always keep up with all the briefs throughout the week by clicking here.

You can see all the past news articles by clicking here.

FOURTH OF JULY NOTE

We’ll be posting about the Fourth of July throughout the day on Facebook and have a story out on Sunday.

A story about the lobster boat fire late Friday night in Bass Harbor will probably come out Sunday or later as we wait for the United States Coast Guard to confirm details. No one was injured. Tremont Volunteer Fire Department, select board members, and staff all helped with the fire.

THIS WEEK’S BRIEFS AND PRESS RELEASES:

LOCAL RELEASES

HANCOCK COUNTY PRESS RELEASES (And Sometimes Neighboring Counties, Too)

STATE OF MAINE PRESS RELEASES

MAINE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION PRESS RELEASES, LOBBYING GROUPS, AND STATE POLITICAL GROUPS.

We’ve had a lot of these this week and this piece is also really quite long, so the releases from Maine’s Congressional delegation are all here (where they always are) on a dedicated POLITICS tab on our site. Releases that are from political entities (State Dems, State Republicans, lobbying groups) are also on that tab.

We also try to share some the local press releases on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky, but sometimes we get too busy and when we do? That’s the thing that we drop since we know we’ll share them here on Fridays or Saturdays (and at the end of an article during the week).

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on Independence Day, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) released the following statement to commemorate America’s 250^th birthday:

“Each Fourth of July, Americans gather with family and friends to celebrate with barbecues, parades, and fireworks. But beneath those traditions lies one of the most remarkable moments in human history. When the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, it introduced a revolutionary idea: that government derives its power from the consent of the governed, and that every person is endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those principles challenged centuries of inherited power exercised by kings, pharaohs, emperors, and monarchs, and forever changed the course of history.

“As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we’re reminded that the promise of our nation has always depended on each generation’s willingness to preserve and strengthen those founding ideals. Independence Day is not only a celebration of our past, but a renewal of our shared responsibility to uphold our founding values that remain at the heart of the American experiment.”

Click here to watch a video recording of his remarks.

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MOUNT DESERT—A woman died in the late afternoon of July 2 at Somes Pond in Mount Desert.

“On July 2, 2026, police and ambulance personnel from both Bar Harbor and Mount Desert responded to a medical event that occurred at Somes Pond in Mount Desert,” Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Sergeant Jerrod Hardy wrote in a short press release on July 3.

The 36-year-old woman passed away and her next of kin have been notified.

“This is an active investigation involving the Maine Medical Examiner’s Office,” the release concludes.

The initial call came over scanners as a possible “drowning or near drowning.” Police and ambulance staff from Bar Harbor and Mount Desert responded. Emergency responders were in the area at 5:30 p.m.

Somes Pond is west of Somesville’s center. Somesville is a village of Mount Desert. Nearby roads include the Pretty Marsh Road (Route 102) and Oak Hill Road.

According to Mark Latti, July 3, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, though the death occurred on the water, the department is not the lead agency.

We will update this story or have a future story when more information is released.

Follow us on Facebook or BlueSky or Instagram. And as a reminder, you can easily view all our past stories and press releases here.

If you’d like to donate to help support us, you can, but no pressure! Just click here (about how you can give) or here (a direct link), which is the same as the button below.

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If you’d like to sponsor the Bar Harbor Story, you can! Learn more here.

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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR COMMUNITY

All legislators were graded based on their votes on 12 of the most important gun violence prevention bills: six gun safety bills, including secure storage and a ghost guns ban, and six dangerous bills supported by the gun lobby, including an attempt to repeal the Extreme Risk Protection Order law, which voters overwhelmingly passed last November.

Seventy-eight legislators received a gun safety grade of A- and above. Ninety-six legislators received a gun safety grade of D or below.

“We hope these gun safety scorecards help voters decide which candidates will best represent our shared values in Augusta and work to save lives,” said Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. “Despite a handful of legislators who sank a secure storage bill weeks after a 4-year-old boy in Lewiston shot and killed himself with a handgun he found, we are proud of the progress we made thanks to the growing number of gun safety champions in the State House. We hope that all legislators, and candidates, learned from voters’ overwhelming support of Question 2 this last election that Mainers support common-sense gun safety laws that save lives.”

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AUGUSTA—As our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we hope you’ll join us in reflecting on the people, principles, and events that have shaped the United States over the past two and a half centuries.

This milestone offers a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our history, honor those who came before us, and participate in local and national celebrations throughout the year.

For patriotic resources, educational materials, events, and ways to get involved, we encourage you to visit:

• America250 (Official U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission) – – the official bipartisan U.S. Semiquincentennial initiative. Official events, educational resources, volunteer opportunities, and ways to participate.

• National Archives: America’s Founding Documents - home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.

• Library of Congress: American History Collections - extensive collections on America’s founding and history

• National Park Service: American Revolution and Historic Sites - Revolutionary War sites, historic parks, and educational resources

We hope you and your family takes part in this historic celebration as we commemorate 250 years of American independence and look forward with optimism to our nation’s future.

Happy 250th Anniversary, America!

Beat the Heat and Enjoy July 4th Festivities

The state is filled with beautiful public beaches, state parks, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and swimming holes, many of which are free or cost just a few dollars for parking or admission.

Here are just a few of the many options:

Ocean Beaches in Maine

These offer cool Atlantic water and refreshing sea breezes.

• Popham Beach State Park – Great for swimming, sandbars at low tide, and watching seals. Small state park entrance fee.

• Reid State Park – Beautiful beaches, rocky headlands, tide pools, and picnic areas.

• Crescent Beach State Park – Wide sandy beach close to Portland with facilities.

• Scarborough Beach State Park – Often has some of the warmest ocean water in Maine.

• Old Orchard Beach – Free beach access (parking may cost), lively pier, arcade, and restaurants.

• Sand Beach – Spectacular scenery if you’re visiting Downeast (park entrance fee applies).

Freshwater Lakes

If you prefer warmer and fresh water versus the ocean:

• Sebago Lake State Park – Large sandy beach with exceptionally clear water.

• Rangeley Lake State Park – Mountain scenery with cool, refreshing water.

• Mount Blue State Park (Webb Beach) – Excellent swimming plus hiking.

• Echo Lake Beach – Warmer than the ocean and surrounded by mountains.

• Damariscotta Lake State Park – one of mid-coast’s most popular day-use parks.

Swimming Holes & Waterfalls

Perfect for adventurous summer days

• Step Falls Preserve – Natural granite slides and crystal-clear pools

• Houston Brook Falls – Small waterfall with a popular swimming hole

• Frenchman’s Hole – Deep pool beneath cliffs near the Sunday River

• Moxie Falls – Swimming nearby after an easy hike

• Smalls Falls – Several cascades and pools along the river

• Coos Canyon – Natural rock pools

Rivers to Float or Wade

• Saco River – Rent a tube or kayak, or enjoy public access points.

• Kennebec River – Many public shoreline parks for wading and picnics.

• Presumpscot River – Several calm spots near Portland.

• St. Croix River – Excellent swimming in eastern Maine.

Hidden Gems (Mostly Free)

• Dodge Point Preserve – Easy walk to a quiet tidal swimming beach.

• Peacock Beach – Local favorite on Pleasant Pond.

• Lake St. George State Park – Small, family-friendly lake.

• Branch Lake Public Beach – Usually uncrowded.

• Mousam Lake – Several public access points.

Budget Tips

• Many town beaches are completely free.

• Maine State Parks typically charge only a modest day-use fee and often include restrooms, picnic tables, changing areas, and lifeguards.

• If you plan to visit several state parks during the summer, a seasonal park pass can save money.

• Go early in the morning or after 4 p.m. to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures.

Fourth of July Celebrations

There are many events planned around the state to celebrate the 250^th Anniversary of our nation. Check your local town website for specific happenings in your area. Here is just a sample of what is happening in Maine this weekend:

Augusta – July 4^th Celebration – parade, Old Fort festivities, family fun at Mill Park with food trucks, live music, family games and activities, and fireworks

Bangor – Fourth of July events include road race, parade, live music and fireworks

Bar Harbor – July 4^th Celebration – pancake b’fast, craft fair, parade, seafood festival, family activities, entertainment, music and fireworks

Bath – Bath Heritage Days – Four days of celebration with entertainment, concerts, family activities, parade, art in the park and firework

Brunswick – Family fun on the Town Mall

Camden – Music by the Sea – Fourth of July concert event

Eastport – 4^th of July Festival

Freeport – July 4^th Celebration (but no fireworks this year!)

Kennebunk – Fireworks show visible from all three beaches in Kennebunk

Lewiston/Auburn – 29^th Annual Liberty Festival parade, music, car show, food, vendors, etc. and fireworks. In Auburn, dance party and aerial arts show

Naples – America’s Block Party – Parade down the causeway, hot dog eating contest and fireworks

Ogunquit – Fireworks at Ogunquit Beach

Old Orchard Beach – Fireworks Display

Portland - Free Independence Day Celebration with Maine Historical Society featuring live music, historical storytelling and landmark tours. In the evening, enjoy Portland Fourth of July Fireworks

Saco – Ferry Beach Summer Cookout – BBQ, live music, family games and activities, beach fun, and fireworks

Sanford – July 4 Festivities – July 3^rd festival and fireworks at Number One Pond; July 4^th parade on Main Street

Scarborough – Pine Point 4^th of July Fun Run and Parade

South Portland – 4^th of July Celebration at Bug Light Park – Food trucks, music, yard games and fireworks

Southwest Harbor – 4^th of July Fireworks in the heart of the harbor

Thomaston – Independence Day Celebration – pancake b’fast, craft tent, car show, parade, live music, BBQ, activities and fireworks

Winthrop – Independence Day Fireworks July 3^rd

York – Fourth of July fireworks at Short Sands Beach

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SOUTHWEST HARBOR— Hear from Judy Taylor on Tuesday, July 14th in-person and online from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in her lecture “Sargent, Zorn, Sorolla: Masters of the Gilded Age” at the Southwest Harbor Public Library. In this talk, Judy will compare the works of three masters of bravura realism—John Singer Sargent, Anders Zorn, and Joaquín Sorolla. Drawing on insights from her March trip to Spain guiding a group to study in museums and explore the works of Sorolla and Zorn firsthand, Judy will discuss the artists’ training, the influence of Diego Velázquez on their development, and their lasting impact on today’s naturalistic and realist painters. Register to attend.

Judy’s work consists of figurative and narrative paintings, labor-focused work, landscapes and portraiture. Her scenes of workers and nature found on the Island often incorporate island residents as models. Judy has done many private and academic portrait commissions including three of top medical professionals at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. She recently completed a portrait commission, now installed, of University of Chicago Nobel laureate Douglas Diamond.

Judy and Lynn Fantom are also collaborating on a forthcoming book, due out in May 2027, highlighting 50 extraordinary women who helped shape Acadia National Park. The book will feature essays by Lynn paired with original paintings by Judy.

Since 2002 she has resided full time in Maine where she maintains her studio and teaches there and at workshops in Austin, New York, Italy and France. In 2007 she was awarded the commission to paint the History of Labor in Maine which took a full year to complete. Her work is in many public and private collections including: The Maine State Museum, Johns Hopkins University, The United States Park System, Colorado Mesa University, Friends of Acadia, College Of The Atlantic, and the Jackson Laboratory. https://www.judytaylorstudio.com/

To register for in-person or online attendance, visit https://tinyurl.com/4zycfhr9, call 244-7065, or email programs@swhplibrary.org.

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BAR HARBOR— Join us on July 16 to learn more about pioneering new research and partnerships forged at JAX that will benefit those facing Parkinson’s diseaseand cancer, and that will create pathways for faster, safer drug developmentfor patients in need. You’ll also see how this groundbreaking work has been strengthened by JAX’s union with The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute (NYSCF), carrying forward NYSCF’s 20-year commitment to accelerating cures for patients.

With the power of world-class scientific talent, resources and expertise convened at JAX, the future is here— and we can’t wait to share it with you. Register today to reserve your spot.

Thursday, July 16, 2026

The Jackson Laboratory | In-person and virtual
600 Main Street | Bar Harbor, ME
Program | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
In-person Networking Reception | 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. ET

Visit our website to see the full program. Questions? Email us at advancementevents@jax.org.

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BAR HARBOR – On Thursday, July 23, at 5:30pm, join award-winning nature writer Margie Patlak at the Jesup Library as she takes you on a wonder-filled insect safari of common insects that you can find wherever there are green spaces. With her closeup photography, she’ll showcase the beauty of everyday bugs and their surprising capabilities, including using tools, farming, doing math, recognizing themselves in mirrors, and navigating by starlight. She’ll also give you tips on how to find insects, and help you overcome any fears you might have of them. You don’t need to travel the globe to find extraordinary creatures because they’re hiding in plain sight in your own backyard!

Margie Patlak is a science and nature writer, memoirist, and photographer. Her memoir More Than Meets the Eye: Exploring Nature and Loss on the Coast of Maine was published by Down East Books/Rowman and Littlefield and given an “Outstanding Book” award by the American Society of Journalists and Authors in 2022. Her photo book Wild and Wondrous: Nature’s Artistry on the Coast of Maine was also published by Down East Books/Rowman and Littlefield in 2023. Her most recent book, Insect Safari: Exploring the Wondrous World of Everyday Bugs, was published by Workman/Hachette in June of 2026.

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The Hancock County Democratic Committee’s July meeting will be held on July 16 at 7:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Ellsworth and via Zoom. Following brief business updates, we will hear from Democratic candidates Lt. Dakota Dupuis of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and Brian Thomas, Esq. Dakota Dupuis is running for Hancock County Sheriff and Brian Thomas earned a place on the ballot for Judge of Probate through a successful write-in campaign. Both candidates will discuss how the legal and criminal justice systems function and share their goals and priorities should they be elected.

This month’s meeting will be held both in person at the UU Church in Ellsworth and via Zoom. Pre-registration for Zoom participation is required in advance by noon the day before the meeting at www.hancockdems.org. You will receive a unique link that you will need to use to join the meeting.

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Photo by Visit Maine

Register before you ride

All ATV registrations expire June 30. Please make sure your ATV is registered before riding.

For every ATV registration purchased, more than two-thirds of the fee goes directly into the trail maintenance fund that supports Maine’s ATV trail system.

Know before you go: Maine’s oversized ATV law

Maine law limits the size of ATVs that may be registered and operated on public trails. If your machine exceeds Maine’s legal size limits, it cannot be registered as an ATV or operated on Maine’s ATV trail system.

Before you ride, make sure your machine meets Maine’s ATV requirements.

Protect the trails

Many ATV trails in Maine exist thanks to private landowners who generously allow public access across their property. Help keep those trails open:

• Stay on marked ATV trails. ATV trails are marked with green and white signs. Not all snowmobile trails are ATV trails.

• Respect closed trail signs.

• Drive to the right and at an appropriate speed.

• Tread lightly. Do not tear up trails, ride through mud holes, damage vegetation, or create new paths.

• Be respectful on ATV access routes. Yield to all traffic and never pass a vehicle.

• Be courteous on multi-use trails.

• Ride safely and legally

• Never drink and ride.

• Remember that modified exhausts are illegal.

• Help prevent wildfires. Stay on marked trails, avoid riding in dry vegetation, discard smoking materials appropriately, and call 911 if you see a fire.

Support Maine’s ATV trail system

Support a local ATV club by donating your time or money. Clubs and volunteers maintain the trails riders depend on.

You can also show your support for public access by becoming an Outdoor Partner and joining the team of outdoor enthusiasts, landowners, and Maine Game Wardens dedicated to preserving Maine’s legacy of access to private land.

Have a safe and memorable weekend on Maine’s ATV trails!

More information

ATV Laws + Rules

ATV News and Trail Notices

Bureau of Parks and Lands ATV Trails

Become an Outdoor Partner

ATV Safety Course

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BAR HARBOR — A heart-stopping singer-songwriter, Amy’s honest lyrics and mesmerizing voice carry audiences to their most nostalgic memories. Passionate about community organizing, she frequently teaches singing classes, songwriting workshops, and tours. Her latest album, “Coming Home” is available on most major streaming platforms.

St. Saviour’s weekly, free music series features local artists performing a variety genres -- folk, acoustic rock, country, blues, pop, originals and standards. A throwback to the 1960s folk music movement when churches opened their doors to emerging music, all concerts take place in the historic and beautiful sanctuary of St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church in downtown Bar Harbor.

These one-hour concerts, every Tuesday from 5-6 pm throughout the summer, are free, appropriate for all ages, and handicap accessible. St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church, 41 Mount Desert St, Bar Harbor.

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NORTHEAST HARBOR – On Wednesday, July 15th at 5:30 p.m. the Northeast Harbor Library will host photographer Buddy Doyle along with Martha Dudman and Jan Coates for a conversation about the importance of literature in our lives and the joy of reading.

Doyle has traveled the state capturing images of Mainers reading. He has compiled his photos into two volumes, and the most recent, Maine’s Still Reading: Images and Essays Celebrating Literary Culture in the Pine Tree State, was published earlier this year.

Doyle will be joined by contributors Jan Coates, founding executive director of Island Readers and Writers, and Martha Tod Dudman, MDI-based author whose memoir Augusta, Gone was adapted into an award-winning Lifetime production.

An enthusiastic sequel to the book Where Maine Reads, Maine’s Still Reading features 50 new portraits by Buddy Doyle, capturing Mainers of all backgrounds curled up with their latest read in Adirondack chairs by the water, porch hammocks and armchairs in front of the fire. Each portrait includes original reflections from the readers themselves, sharing not just where they read, but why these moments and places matter to them.

The volume goes beyond portraits to become your guide to Maine’s literary landscape. Readers will discover a complete library “bucket list” featuring over 200 libraries worth visiting across the state, and get reading recommendations directly from their fellow Mainers.

Books will be available for sale and signing. A portion of the proceeds from each sale go to support the Maine Library Association.

Register at nehlibrary.org/events or by calling 207-276-3333.

NORTHEAST HARBOR — Downeast Restorative Justice and the Northeast Harbor Library will host monthly sessions of the ongoing Community Circle program, a discussion space to share, listen and support each other while acknowledging differing experiences.

Upcoming topics include processing grief (July 9th), affordability on MDI (August 13th), and communicating through conflict (September 10th). Circles meet on the second Thursday of each month at 4:30pm. There is no expectation to share; showing up to listen is just as valuable.

At the opening of each circle, DRJ’s Restorative Practitioner Kayla Gagnon introduces Restorative principles and practices to facilitate the circle conversation, followed by a new discussion topic guided by the interests of participants and recent events.

Downeast Restorative Justice is a worker self-directed non-profit organization that helps to repair harmed relationships through equitable, non-adversarial, community-based, justice. The Northeast Harbor Library is a non-profit educational institution and public library that serves the Town of Mount Desert, the Town of Cranberry Isles, and their surrounding communities.

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BAR HARBOR—A young boy on his bike in downtown Bar Harbor had a close call on July 1 when he couldn’t stop the bicycle he was riding down Rodick Street.

The boy was cycling down Rodick Street toward West Street at an increasing rate of speed on the downhill.

His family, who have not been identified, were screaming and following.

A camera at the West Street Cafe captured the boy on the bike barreling across the intersection with West Street as a woman working at the Acadia GEM rental booth ran into the street to try and stop traffic.

The timing was lucky. The boy narrowly missed being hit by a silver minivan.

The camera also captures Eben Salvatore rushing across the parking lot of the Harborside Hotel and another man, who was walking on the sidewalk at the entrance to the hotel, getting in front of the boy directly across the West Street intersection to stop the child with their bodies.

The closer man took the brunt of the impact as the child on his bike smashed into him. This stopped the boy from going further down the hill and likely hitting a parked truck or other structures.

The man was knocked to the ground and the boy and his bike toppled over with Salvatore helping the child get back up. The boy was uninjured. The man suffered a minor cut to his calf and was treated by staff of the hotel. He was also offered a gift certificate from La Bella Vita for his kindness.

On Rodick Street another man in red was running along the sidewalk to catch the boy. The boy’s father, also on a bike with another child, crosses West Street just behind his son and a small dog comes from the Acadia GEM office to check on all of the humans.

Salvatore, who’d been at a lower point in the parking area, said that they’d heard yelling, as the boy’s family tried to reach him. The family was visiting the area.

Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park have been busy this week with accidents, rescues, and falls. The two days of high heat have also increased the possibility of breathing difficulties, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion, as well as dehydration.

All state agencies are urging people not to drink and drive and to not boat and drive, to be wary of cold water conditions and to always wear a personal floatation device (PFD) also known as a life jacket.

Bar Harbor’s Chamber of Commerce, the town itself, and Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary host an all-day July Fourth event that’s received national coverage as one of the best—if not the best—small town celebrations in the nation.

The celebrations and preparations begin months ahead, with many events starting this week.

The Bar Harbor Town Band played despite the heat to a grateful crowd on the Village Green, July 2. Across the way in the parking lot of the Bar Harbor Congregational Church, the Bar Harbor Masonic Lodge raised money for scholarships for local kids via a cookout. A lemonade stand also made Town of Bar Harbor's Village Green the place to be that hot, July 2 evening.

A little bit earlier in the warm afternoon, the Bar Harbor Music Festival headed to the Bar Harbor Historical Society for the first of two American Songbook afternoons.

There will be a July 5 noon concert as well.

All photos Bar Harbor Story unless stated otherwise, but the video is courtesy of Kevin DesVeaux and West Street Cafe. There are more photos of the July 2 events and Rotarians on our Facebook page. We will be posting there all day and weekend long.

The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Brochures of Maine.

HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY

When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it. But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other.

We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories takes time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going.

If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship.

It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light.

Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now.

Thank you so much for being here.

Founding member information can be found here.

Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you.

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The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen.

MOUNT DESERT—In a speedy special meeting that lasted less than three minutes, the Mount Desert Selectboard approved a slightly tweaked treasurer’s warrant for the town this week.

The June 29 meeting might have been even quicker, but new board member David MacDonald wanted to be sure what and why they were voting.

“We did not have invoices from Bar Harbor Bank in time for the last meeting to give you the right amount,” explained Town Clerk Claire Woolfolk.

Most of the items are fixed amounts.

“So I could have just grabbed last year’s except there’s one that isn’t, of course. So rather than being inaccurate, we said we got to wait till we know for sure,” she explained.

The items were debt service, general assistance, and the Gray Cow parking area.

The warrant is now $1,744,106.07.

NEXT MEETING

The July 6 meeting will likely be a bit busier. Durlin Lunt might be appointed to the housing authority and Jesse Hartson might be appointed to fill one of the vacant seats on the MDIHS Board of Trustees. There are multiple liquor licenses up for renewal. The board will review an assessing proposal, and funds for a security camera system at the Seal Harbor Pier.

SOMESVILLE COOLING STATION

Due to the high heat index, the Somesville Union Meeting House will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today July 2 and tomorrow July 3 as a cooling center. Please remember to stay hydrated!

Somesville Union Meeting House is located at 1134 Main St., Somesville. The telephone is 207-244-9260.

LINKS TO LEARN MORE

Special meeting agenda

Upcoming July 6 meeting agenda

CORRECTION: *At 9:48 a.m., Friday, July 3, we corrected Select Board to Selectboard. It’s the holiday weekend and apparently we both forgot that Mount Desert uses one word for its governing body. Many apologies.

RECENT PRESS RELEASES AND BRIEFS

To see all the press releases, click here. To see our news, click here. For the full archive, click here. All of these are on our dedicated website.

HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY

When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it. But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other.

We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories takes time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going.

If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship.

It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light.

Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now.

Thank you so much for being here.

Founding member information can be found here.

Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you.

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The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop.

BAR HARBOR—Cap hotels in the two main downtown corridors in Bar Harbor, a coastal tourist town, to 12 guest units or less?

Nine residents out of ten who spoke at a Planning Board meeting the July Fourth week said to go for it.

However, the town’s Planning Board Chair Ruth Eveland had concerns about an ordinance amendment that would create new limits in different development zones.

Any final change, if the amendments to the town’s Land Use Ordinance goes forward, would have to be approved by town voters in November.

One of two proposed ordinance changes that might go before Bar Harbor voters elicited no public comment, during a July 1 meeting meant expressly for just that.

However, the afternoon meeting brought nine local citizens out to publicly speak in support of the cap which had been reduced from 30 to 12 guest units at the last Planning Board meeting. Another expressed concerns about another aspect of the proposed plan. One of the nine said the change was a “no-brainer” but didn’t know if it had true practical impact.

That graduated lodging scale proposal, which includes the caps, had a split 4-2 June vote to go forward to the public meeting, with one Planning Board member, Kathy St. Germain, who voted in favor, saying afterward that her vote had been a mistake.

J. Clark Stivers had voted against moving the proposal forward—a proposal that speaks to multiple lodging definition changes and placement changes—is no longer on the board, which now has two vacancies. He’s been elected to another position.

Former Chair Millard Dority had resigned earlier in his term. His seat is vacant. St. Germain is up for reappointment this year.

In a series of daytime workshops this spring, the board has been tweaking, creating, and discussing a graduated lodging scale meant to be presented to town voters in November.

If this cap moves forward, it would be one of those changes and would primarily impact the area of Main Street and Cottage Street in Bar Harbor.

Throughout the spring, the Planning Board discussed the proposed potential cap for Downtown Village I and Downtown Village II as 30 guest units.

The further reduction to a 12-room cap came during the Planning Board’s June meeting, as a result of a motion of Planning Board member John Seavitt.

Planning Director Michele Gagnon said at that same June meeting that a 30-room cap in those zones (rather than 12) was optimal. She spoke of recent, future, and ongoing plans throughout the town and the park meant to decrease congestion.

The changes would create new rules and definitions about lodgings throughout the town as well.

The work comes as a lodging moratorium, which has been occurring since November 2024, expires this month. The Town Council will determine to extend that moratorium or not.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON LODGING SCALE CHANGES

Though the 12-unit cap in downtown areas has generated the most comment, one man began the discussion about his worries about how the changes will impact his family’s cottage colony and the legacy he hopes for his own son.

Edgewater Hotel owner, David Bowden, came with his father, who is 99; their family owns Edgewater Cottages in the town’s Shoreland Development IV zone out in Salsbury Cove.

According to the Edgewater’s website, “David, Jayne, and Brody are the third and fourth generation to run the business that David’s grandmother opened in the late 1930s.”

The previous family members had actually settled the same land more than two centuries ago.

The proposed changes would keep lodging units in their district to 20 guest units or less in their zone.

That worried Bowden, a former town councilor.

“Bar Harbor zoning is like insurance,” he said. “You don’t know what you’ve got until you go to court.”

He’s concerned since he and his father both have homes on the property where the cottage colony and motel is located.

“There’s not much I can do with that house. It needs considerable amount of work,” Bowden said of one of the homes, a home which is close to 240 years old.

He doesn’t currently have plans for it, but he’s going to be paying a great deal of property tax on a house he can’t really use if the changes go through.

Cottage colonies, Bowden said, quoting from a letter from Maine’s State Historian Earle Grey Shettleworth, Jr., are a part of Bar Harbor’s culture and its heritage.

It’s a heritage that needs a secure place for the community in the future, Bowden said Shettleworth argued in the letter.

“I could have developed more in the last ten years,” Bowdoin said of his property, but it hasn’t been an economic necessity.

However, he said, his son might need to to deal with the town’s increased property taxes, electric costs, and other increasing costs for necessities.

Areas like his are not really residential zones, he said. He talked about how his home abuts the MDI Bio Lab and hears trucks, generators, and other business-style noise.

Cottage colonies like his, which is mostly not visible from the main road, he said, “we’re not disturbing the residential neighborhood.”

He also has long-term rentals within the site and has many guests who stay for over two weeks. One customer has returned for 47 years. Some have returned for 30.

“I’m not $400, $500, $600 a night,” Bowden said speaking to assertions that have been made in the past that lodging owners are from-away and gouging visitors.

There isn’t that sort of homogeneity of lodging or lodging ownership throughout, or even within, the town’s villages.

“The only one it effects is me in that district,” he said of the proposal. The other similar businesses, he said, look like they are maxed in terms of lot coverage and can’t build more.

Once Bowden was done, the conversation focused on the proposed L-12 cap in the downtown corridors.

DOWNTOWN LODGING CAP DISCUSSION BEGINS

Rep. Gary Friedmann thanked Planning Board members for their work. One of the last things he did as a councilor, he said, was to help pass the current lodging moratorium.

“People realized we had a challenge here in this town,” Rep. Friedmann said, saying that the quality of life was threatened by the potential increase of lodging in the downtown area.

Limiting the lodging in downtown proper’s two main zones would protect the quality of life, he said.

He reasoned that proposed 12-room limit would send a message to citizens supporting the moratorium that they were heard. He believed the moratorium had widespread approval and support.

“Our (quality of) life was threatened by any development of lodging in the downtown area,” Rep. Friedmann said.

At the time, moratorium supporters worried there weren’t appropriate town ordinances to limit the size and location of lodgings.

The island, Rep. Friedmann said, is at carrying capacity, which he defines as how many people are absorbed where all who live and visit can still enjoy a quality of life.

“We don’t need more, larger lodging in the downtown area,” he said.

Bar Harbor’s hospitality industry, he said, is the largest generating sales tax revenues in the state.

According to the State of Maine’s annual taxable sales by town report (which combines lodging and restaurants as a single category) last year, Bar Harbor reported $295,304,192 while Portland reported $674,950,272.

Rep. Friedmann later refined his statement via email to just Bar Harbor’s lodging industry being the largest in the state.

Bar Harbor does come out ahead of Portland in lodging in 2025. Bar Harbor brought in approximately $1.36 million more than Portland lodging tax.

“I would be cautious about treating that as proof of more than it shows,” Nate Cloutier, government affairs director for Hospitality Maine said via an email, July 2.

The MRS (Maine Revenue Service) lodging category is not a hotel-only figure.

“It includes hotels, inns, B&Bs, cottages, vacation homes, campgrounds, short-term rentals, and platform-facilitated rentals,” Cloutier said. “So, that figure doesn’t necessarily show that larger hotels are driving Bar Harbor’s lodging tax position. It also doesn’t show what the properties affected by the ordinance generate.”

Historically, Portland has led Bar Harbor in lodging taxable sales every year from 2007 through 2019. Bar Harbor moved ahead after 2020, and as recently as 2023, the gap was about $65k in lodging tax between the two municipalities, Cloutier explained.

“That is probably the fairest way to view the stat. It shows lodging matters to Bar Harbor. It doesn’t show that larger hotels are the problem, and is a thin case for restricting future lodging investment,” Cloutier said.

For Rep. Friedmann it’s about how much the town and island can support.

“We have a very small town, a very small downtown. We have a small island and we draw so many people here,” Rep. Friedmann said during the meeting.

And that rate, type, and placement of growth should continue to be discussed and growth should be slowed, he reasoned.

The cap, would be to “take that control back into our own hands,” he said.

OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT SUPPORTING THE 12-UNIT CAP

Dennis Bracale seconded Friedmann’s comments.

Bracale believes the town needs to do major planning focused on making downtown pedestrian friendly, focusing also on transportation and the park.

“It makes no sense to allow major development in our downtown,” he said.

The 12-guest-room cap limitation downtown doesn’t have to remain and could be voted out in a future land use amendment, which would likely require a similar process as this one, he reasoned.

He said he’s studied 46 tourism hotspots in the world and in many of the places, the major positive step is getting cars out of the central area.

“A bigger solution is needed” for Bar Harbor, he said.

Bracale also commended the board members for their hard work.

“I don’t think it’s done. I think we should limit development” until the citizens have been more involved, Bracale said.

“We’re kind of in crisis,” Brad O’Neil said, speaking next.

O’Neil was worried that developers might destroy houses to create parking for lodging.

Because of that, he supports the 12-room cap downtown.

Sharon Knopp also thanked the board members. She also adamantly supported the cap.

“This area is extremely congested in season,” which she defined as five months long and not just summer.

Cottage and Main streets should not be the location for new hotels, period, Knopp said.

Knopp advocated for the requirement of onsite parking being the next step for all new lodging.

Ellen Grover said the conversation occurring during the public comment during this meeting has been missing in the process.

Planning Board members are not allowed to respond during public comment.

“We were not included in all this planning,” Grover said though she said that the board members have done a good job.

Bill Shaw said the town needs to be proactive in limiting the number of people visiting. He was in favor of limiting the number of beds throughout the island.

“I think it’s a good compromise. Twelve units? It’s good,” he said.

That would make it more likely not to be purchased by foreign investors and would be nicer for tourists, he surmised.

Enoch Albert said recent hotels built were not within the character of the town.

“No more right now. Extend the moratorium until we really find out what our carrying capacity is for this town,” he said.

Parking and traffic are good examples for the issues the town faces, he said. He added that local people want locally owned small businesses.

Jane Boynton said the town has no places for seniors. She thought it would be nice if developers would develop senior housing with 12 affordable units rather than just hotels, inns, and motels.

“If they thought outside the box, they could make a real contribution to the community,” Boynton said of developers.

She asked for developers to give the “older people” a place to go that is safe.

Cara Ryan said, “I really believe that if we put this L-12 (lodging with up to 12 rooms) on the ballot, I believe it will pass.”

People she talks to see the downtown cap as an opportunity and she believes the board and town have heard from people in support of this throughout multiple processes over the years.

“Right now the barn door is wide open, so what we’re proposing is to close it a fair amount,” Ryan said.

It’s anybody and everybody who can invest in the town, she said.

“There is so much profit in lodging,” she said.

She said tourism is sustainable, but only if a town gets out in front of it. She asked for data-driven information about how hotels benefit the town.

In 2024, the ten largest taxpayers in Bar Harbor provided 11% of the town’s levy, or just over $3 million in property taxes.

Most of those ten taxpayers were hotels.

The Witham Family LLC provided almost $900,000 to the town’s taxes for fiscal year 2024. That fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

Golden Anchor, LC, which is involved in a lawsuit against the town’s cruise ship ordinance which limits disembarkations, paid approximately $414,000.

Eden Street Trust, which is the Regency Hotel, paid approximately $355,000.

Almost all of the top ten were hotels or lodging. Jackson Laboratory’s housing, Versant Power, and Northerly LLC (private residence) were the exceptions. The audit for 2025 is not yet on the town’s website.

During public comment, Charles Sidman, speaking last, said the L-12 was almost a no brainer but he was unsure about the practical impact since he wasn’t sure where a large hotel could be built in downtown Bar Harbor. He doesn’t think it can solve the “endless crowding” and overdevelopment issues that he feels.

He spoke to short-term rentals, which compromised the financial planning for local families and retirees. The town approved a cap on non-owner occupied short-term rentals and also required all rentals to pay a fee each year and undergo inspections. It is the only town in the region to do so.

“We took something huge away from lots of little folks,” Sidman said.

How can you argue against doing something comparable for the bigger pockets, he asked.

BOARD COMMENTS

Ruth Eveland said she felt the ordinance amendment was creating policy for the town, which is the council’s job, not the Planning Board’s. The board hasn’t spoken to the Council about the specifics of policy to see if it goes with the Council’s vision.

She worried the board had extended themselves in a way that wasn’t entirely sustainable.

She also worried that there hadn’t been enough conversation with the community at large though there have been “zillions of workshops” but not extended conversations with the public.

That, she said, was because the board felt under pressure to get something done for the November election. That process, detailed in the town’s rules, takes months and specific steps.

“We’ve felt pinched by this,” Eveland said.

She felt like the specifics of the right number of lodging units in different locations has been worked on previously and there could be constrained discussions without going back to square one in the process.

The moratorium was meant, she said, to help create more homes in a variety of living situations in the community.

“We’ve been desperate to get back and have more conversations,” about housing, Eveland said.

Dority had said similar things when he chaired the board last year, prior to his resignation.

There are ways to work together with lodging businesses, such as having a year-round business on the first floor and lodging above, Eveland said, which this cap could potentially prevent.

And when it comes to the proposed changes that are set to go before the Town Council and then the voters?

“I feel it is not fully cooked,” Eveland said, though she also emphasized that Board members are brilliant and hard working. There just wasn’t quite enough time.

Eveland said she would share her thoughts at the next Town Council meeting, which is scheduled for July 9.

St. Germain agreed there needed to be more time spent developing and that some people felt the 4 p.m. or earlier Planning Board workshops and meetings were at a hard time for workers. It has been previously noted that it’s also a hard time for families with school-age children.

Planning Board member Teresa Wagner worried about taking more time without a moratorium, which she said would protect the town from development.

She said that she looked back at previous tools for community input, including the Comprehensive Plan, which speaks to protecting and promoting housing, the environment, and said there were a lot of interesting comments in the index section that spoke to community comments.

“Thirty units is not small in my mind,” Wagner said, adding that tourism is often spoken of being capped, restricted, and managed. “It’s a real pain in the neck when you have to go to Ellsworth to shop.”

DEFINITIONS PUBLIC HEARING

No one moved forward to speak to the definitions.

A member of the public called out and asked to be read the definitions.

Planning Director Michele Gagnon said it’s a first pass at getting definitions into one section and making it consistent with state law, and clarifying them.

No one chose to speak about it.

MORATORIUM MENTION

During the regular public comment time at the beginning of the meeting, Dennis Bracale said there had been a lot of talk around town and letters to the papers about a moratorium.

“Having the moratorium is essential. It’s essential for this town,” Bracale said.

He believes that extra time would help bring in more citizen involvement in the planning process.

OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT

Eveland said that the Planning Board had received emails about the proposed changes but that a glitch in the town’s system, which they were alerted to on July 1 had prevented the board members from receiving those comments. Hard copies were printed for the members for the meeting. No written public comment was included in the 25-page packet of materials for the meeting. The packet included the agenda and two draft orders of the proposed amendments.

HOW IT WORKS

Ordinances in Bar Harbor can be initiated by the Planning Board, citizens’ initiative, or Town Council.

“We have concluded the discussion about the specific language in these ordinances,” Eveland said.

In this point of the process, that language can no longer be changed by the Planning Board.

The July 1 public hearing was another mandated space that allows people to speak about the proposals.

“We have no further action today,” Eveland said.

The next step is Town Council’s call for a public hearing on the two ordinances at its July 21 meeting. The actual public hearing before the councilors is August 18. This is also when the Town Council would move forward with the ordinances or not.

LINKS TO LEARN MORE

Meeting agenda

To watch the meeting

Maine annual sales by town

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AUGUSTA—As mosquito season gets underway in Maine, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) urges residents and visitors to prevent mosquito bites.

Infected mosquitoes can spread three viruses in Maine: Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE), Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV), and West Nile virus (WNV).

The Maine CDC recently confirmed two mosquito pools positive for JCV in Augusta. A mosquito pool is a group of 50 or fewer mosquitoes collected during routine surveillance. Warm and rainy weather creates perfect conditions for an increased mosquito population and higher risk of illness from mosquitoes.

While most people who become infected do not get sick, some can develop serious illness. The Maine CDC monitors mosquito activity throughout the summer and fall to help identify potential risks early.

“The best way to prevent mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites,” said Dr. Puthiery Va, Director of the Maine CDC.“ A few simple steps can help protect you, your family, and your community.”

The Maine CDC recommends:

• Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks. This is especially important at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

• Use an EPA-approved repellent when outdoors. Look for products that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

• Remove standing water around your home. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in very small amounts of water. This includes water in buckets or plant pots, tarps, toys, or clogged gutters.

• Change water in bird baths and pet bowls at least once each week to prevent mosquitoes from hatching and growing.

• Check window and door screens and repair holes to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

• Consider moving outdoor activities from dawn or dusk to another time when mosquitoes are less active.

Most people who get sick from a mosquito bite experience mild flu-like symptoms, but some people can become severely ill. Severe symptoms can include neck stiffness or pain, loss of coordination, speech difficulties, or confusion. Some people with severe symptoms may also develop seizures or swelling of the brain or spinal cord.

If untreated, some severe infections can lead to death. Survivors may have long-term health problems. If you experience flu-like or severe symptoms after a mosquito bite, call a health care provider right away and be sure to mention the mosquito bite(s).

The Maine CDC monitors mosquitoes each year to track disease activity in the state. Risk levels change throughout the season based on weather and mosquito activity. In 2025, the Maine CDC launched the Mosquito Meter to share risk levels and recommendations for prevention. This tool updates weekly on Tuesdays during the mosquito season.

Mosquitoes in Maine do not spread viruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. People can still get infected while traveling, however. If you feel sick after a trip, tell your health care provider about where you visited and if you were bitten by mosquitoes.

Talk to your veterinarian about ways to keep your animals safe from mosquitoes. If you have horses, ask about vaccinations for EEE and WNV.

For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, prevention tips, and surveillance updates, visit the Maine CDC’s Vectorborne Disease webpage.

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CRANBERRY ISLES — Town of Cranberry Isles Tax Commitment Book 2026 Town of Cranberry Isles Tax Commitment Book 2026 (Map & Lot) Older editions available in the Tax Committment Books Archive.

Tax Commitment Book

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Maine’s lakes, ponds, rivers, and coastal waters are a big part of summer. Whether you are boating, paddling, fishing, swimming, or spending time near the water, a few simple steps can help keep everyone safe.

Take a moment to consider your abilities, your group, and the conditions. Cold water, wind, fatigue, alcohol, and changing weather can all increase risk. Stay within your limits, make safe choices, and be prepared before you go.

Keep these safety reminders in mind:

• Wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone has a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, and have children wear one whenever they are on or near the water.

• Keep a close eye on children. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly. When children are in or near the water, designate a responsible adult to actively watch them without distractions.

• Check the conditions. Look at the weather before you go, watch for changing wind or storms, and remember that water temperatures can still be cold even on warm days.

• Boat and paddle responsibly. Operate at a safe speed, follow Maine’s Headway Speed law, and stay alert for other boats, paddlers, swimmers, and wildlife.

• Never boat impaired. Alcohol and drugs affect judgment, balance, and reaction time. If you are operating a boat, paddling, or supervising others near the water, stay sober.

• Protect Maine’s waters. Before moving between waterbodies, clean, drain, and dry your boat, trailer, paddling gear, and fishing equipment to help prevent the spread of invasive species.

Plan ahead, stay alert, and help keep Maine’s waters safe for everyone this summer.

Boating Safety Tips

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AUGUSTA — For America’s 250th Birthday, The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety is reminding drivers that drinking and driving is deadly and never an option. Join Maine Law Enforcement Agencies in sharing this message for a safe celebration of Independence Day: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Every year, the days around and including the Fourth of July holiday rank as one of the deadliest periods on Maine roads. In 2025, a motorist died due to a traffic crash that occurred around July 4th. Alcohol/drug impairment was a factor in that deadly crash. In 2024, there were three people killed in traffic crashes during the holiday period. These unfortunate tragedies can be avoided by making the responsible decision not to drive impaired.

“Impaired Driving is never acceptable. For some people, even one drink is too many to drive safely. While everyone is making plans with friends and family for Fourth of July festivities, it is crucial to also make plans for a sober ride home and completely rule out drinking and driving,” said Major Dana Thompson with the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office. “We’re partnering with The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety to remind drivers that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Celebrating our nation’s independence safely is our biggest responsibility.”

Make a plan for sober transportation before participating in any Independence Day Festivities. Impairment clouds a person’s judgment and endangers others on the road. Folks should plan to arrange a safe ride home by securing a designated driver, calling a taxi, or rideshare. When someone has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive — take away the keys and help them get a safe ride home. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact local law enforcement immediately.

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