Briefs: Mount Desert School Budget Proposed, Tree Removal Talk in Bar Harbor
New leaders at FOA, Sweet Fern Resistance meeting, ABBE hold winter community day, Common Good event, NARCAN class, real estate transfers, and more
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Swan Agency Real Estate.
A Quick Note From Us: Each week, we compile briefs and press releases and event images and share them all in one (sometimes very long) story.
Our briefs article is mostly just press releases that we don’t write, or claim to write, but just share from the agencies, businesses, and organizations that send them in.
If things are not a press release, they are labelled “BRIEF” in their headlines. The press releases will not have that label.
Brief: Mount Desert Elementary School School Committee Approves Proposed School Budget for FY2025/26
MOUNT DESERT—The Mount Desert Elementary School School Committee approved the school’s proposed budget at its meeting on Wednesday night, February 5.
The overall proposed FY25/26 budget is $5,843,006 which is an 8.18% or $441,642 increase over the FY24/25 budget of $5,401,364. The total proposed assessment to the town of Mount Desert for FY25/26 is $5,253,399 which is a 4.257% or $214,321 increase over the FY24/25 budget town assessment of $5,039,078.
That is an $8.58 increase per $100,000 of property valuation for taxpayers.
WARRANT ARTICLES AND INCREASES, IF ANY
By warrant article number the increases are as follows.
Article 61, “regular instruction” has a proposed increase of $212,501. This brings the FY24/25 budget of $2,277,445 to a proposed $2,489,946 for FY25/26.
Article 62, “special education” has a proposed increase of $193,035. This brings the FY24/25 budget of $781,366 to a proposed $974,401 for FY25/26.
Article 64, “other instruction, co-curricular/summer school” has a proposed increase of $15,843. This brings the FY24/25 budget of $109,785 to a proposed $125,628 for FY25/26.
Article 65, “student and staff support” has a proposed increase of $35,096. This brings the FY24/25 budget of $650,906 to a proposed $686,002 for FY25/26.
Article 66, “system administration” has a proposed increase of $21,833. This brings the FY24/25 budget of $120,349 to a proposed $142,182 for FY25/26.
Article 67, “school administration” has a proposed increase of $31,778. This brings the FY 24/25 budget of $329,223 to a proposed $361,001 for FY25/26.
Article 68, “transportation and buses” has a proposed decrease of $3,022. This brings the FY 24/25 budget of $289,640 down to a proposed $286,618 for FY25/26.
Article 69, “facilities maintenance-operations and maintenance of the plant/capital outlay” has a proposed decrease of $67,422. This brings the FY 24/25 budget of $762,650 down to a proposed $695,228 for FY25/26.
Article 71, “other expenditures, food service” has a proposed increase of $2,000. This brings the FY 24/25 budget of $80,000 to a proposed $82,000 for FY25/26.
The next meeting of the MDES School Committee will be March 5, 2025, at 4 p.m.
Brief: Parks and Recreation Committee Approves Park use Permits - Director of Public Works Bethany Leavitt Meets with Tree Contractors to Go Over Tree Removal
BAR HARBOR—After having not met since October 21, 2024, the Bar Harbor Parks and Recreation Committee held a meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025, to approve some park use permit applications. Because all of the events being applied for have been held in previous years and there were no changes to the applications, the meeting was fast. Member Ann Tikkanen was absent, excused.
All of the park use permit applications were unanimously approved by the committee. The permits, including the applicant, event name, location of the event, and date and time of the events are as follows (the dates and times listed are those for the permitted use and do not always corelate with the actual event times).
YWCA MDI - Annual Island Artists Spring Fair in the Park, Village Green, 8 a.m. Saturday, May 24 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025.
YWCA MDI - Annual Island Artists Labor Day Fair in the Park, Village Green, 8 a.m. Saturday, August 30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, August 31, 2025.
Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club - Annual Pancake Breakfast and Seafood Festival, athletic field, 10 a.m. Thursday, July 3 to 10 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025.
Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce - Memorial Day observance ceremony, Village Green, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce - Annual Art in the Park, Village Green, 7 a.m. Saturday, June 14 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 15, 2025.
Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce - Annual Seaside Cinema Series, Agamont Park, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesdays. July – 16, 23, 30. August – 6, 13, 20, and a rain date of August 27, 2025.
Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce - Annual Village Holidays, Village Green, 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025.
There was no public works update by Public Works Director Bethany Leavitt, however, Leavitt did say that she would be meeting with tree removal contractors at the tennis court parking lot on Friday, February 7, to discuss the tree removal work for the tree line that runs behind the eastern side Ledgelawn residences.
Leavitt said that she had sent out six requests for proposals and would be going over the expected work with contractors that showed up for the meeting. Three contractors out of six showed up for the meeting.
The next scheduled meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee is Monday, March 3, 2025.
TRENTON SPECIAL TOWN MEETING – March 10, 2025
TRENTON—The Town of Trenton will hold a Special Town Meeting from 2 pm – 6 pm on Monday, March 10, 2025 to vote on proposed changes to the land use ordinance, sections III and VIII solar. Copies of the proposed changes are available at the town Office. Absentee ballots for this referendum vote will be available February 10, 2025.
The Town Office will be closed for President’s Day on Monday, February 17, and will also be closed at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 10 2025.
BUDGET MEETING
The Trenton Budget Committee will be meeting right after the select board meeting on February 18 The budget committee is comprised of the select board members, some chairs of official town committees, the fire chief, town clerk as well as a few interested citizens.
The meeting is at the town office. It is expected to begin between 7:20 and 7:30.
Sweet Fern
NORTHEAST HARBOR—A group of local citizens, now called Sweet Fern, after gathering on the Bar Harbor Village Green on Wednesday, February 5 to protest the actions and direction of Trump’s national agenda, met on Saturday, February 8 at the YWCA to start organizing and planning for political action going forward.
The next meeting is scheduled for this Saturday, February 15, from 2:00-3:00 P.M. at the Northeast Harbor Library, Mellon Room.
This is an open meeting and anyone interested is encouraged to attend and to join the group.
ABBE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES WINTER COMMUNITY DAY
BAR HARBOR—Looking for activities for your kids during February break? Interested in taking a tour of the Abbe Museum during the winter?
The Abbe Museum will be open for Winter Community Day on February 19, 2025, from 10am to 3pm.
Delve into the world of the Wabanaki with the Abbe Museum’s Curator of Education Christiana Becker. From 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. hear a reading of the children’s books The Canoe Maker: David Moses Bridges, Passamaquoddy Birch Bark Artisan by Donald Soctomah and Jean Flahive, Thanks to the Animals by Allen Sockabasin, and Kunu’s Basket by Lee Decora Francis. An arts & crafts station will be open for artists of all ages who want to color animals drawn by Wabanaki artists or create a customizable postcard about their experience at the Abbe.
Dr. Aaron Miller, Luce Curator of Exhibits and Collections, will be doing a collection spotlight featuring some rarely seen items from the Abbe’s collection, from 11 a.m.-noon.
Visitors are welcome to join a guided tour of the People of the First Light Gallery from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
2024 admissions prices apply for this event. Adults $12, Seniors $10, ages 5-17 $7, and children 4 and under are free.
For more information, go to abbemuseum.org, email the Abbe staff at info@abbemuseum.org, or call 207-288-3519.
About the Abbe - The Abbe is a museum of Wabanaki art, history, and culture, with the mission to illuminate and advance greater understanding of and support for Wabanaki Nations’ heritage, living cultures, and homelands. The Abbe works directly with Wabanaki Tribal Nations to share authority for the interpretation of their living cultures and history, and privilege Native perspective/voice. These practices can be seen throughout our exhibits, public programs, educational workshops, tours, research, collections management, and museum shop. In 2013, we became the only Smithsonian affiliate in Maine. The Abbe Museum contributes to global conversations through our work with the International Coalition for the Sites of Conscience, all while being an involved community anchor in Mount Desert Island, Maine.
Friends of Acadia Welcomes New Leadership Staff
Perrin Doniger comes aboard as Vice President of Communications and Marketing, and Megan Loomer joins as Vice President of Finance and CFO
BAR HARBOR — Friends of Acadia is pleased to welcome two new leadership staff to its team.
Perrin Doniger brings extensive experience in marketing, content development, and revenue initiatives to the role of Vice President of Communications and Marketing.
As Senior Vice President of Product and Marketing at Grid News, she oversaw the brand’s communications, marketing, and audience growth strategies from startup launch to acquisition. Prior to that, Doniger led digital strategy at Smithsonian magazine for 10 years, leading the publication’s digital transformation that brought significant growth in audience reach and diversified revenue streams. She also brings a data-driven approach to email marketing, social media, SEO, partner relationships, and content development.
“I’m incredibly excited to join Friends of Acadia and contribute to the vital efforts underway to protect and support one of our nation’s most cherished parks,” Doniger said. “I’m thrilled to be joining such a strong team and look forward to helping amplify the work of the organization, Acadia National Park, and our partners.”
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Yale University and was named one of Folio’s 2019 Top Women in Media.
Megan Loomer brings robust financial experience to the role of Vice President of Finance and CFO.
She comes to Friends of Acadia from The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, a nonprofit organization dedicated to igniting a connection to Long Island Sound, where she held various financial leadership roles since 2022, most recently Vice President of Finance.
Prior to the Aquarium, Loomer spent more than six years leading financial planning and analysis at Flashtalking, an ad tech startup in New York and Connecticut. During her nearly four-year tenure at x+1 Solutions, another ad tech startup in Connecticut, she earned their annual Operational Excellence award.
“Friends of Acadia’s focus on conservation, education, and community engagement drew me in,” Loomer said. “I look forward to immersing myself in Friends of Acadia’s finances and employing that data to best serve our organization, our dedicated donors, and Acadia National Park.”
A recent transplant to Bar Harbor, she spent the previous 20-plus years in the New York City- metro area but originally hails from Lexington, Kentucky, where she grew up and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at the University of Kentucky.
“We’re delighted to welcome Perrin and Megan and their respective talents and expertise to Friends of Acadia,” said Friends of Acadia President and CEO Eric Stiles. “Perrin’s strong background in building engaged audiences will help us share our messages and address key issues facing Acadia National Park and its surrounding communities. Megan’s robust experience in finance will bolster Friends of Acadia’s mission-driven work as we increase our contributions to the park.”
All Friends of Acadia staff contact information can be found online at friendsofacadia.org.
Friends of Acadia preserves, protects, and promotes stewardship of the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and distinctive cultural resources of Acadia National Park and surrounding communities for the inspiration and enjoyment of current and future generations. Visit www.friendsofacadia.org.
Common Good Soup Kitchen Overview with Debi Estep, Director
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—On Tuesday, February 25 from 5:30-6:30 p.m., join us at the Southwest Harbor Public Library to learn more about the Common Good Soup Kitchen from Debi Estep, Director. Hear about the Common Good’s meals, music, food pantry, and volunteer opportunities. Registration encouraged for this in-person program.
“We have great offerings and volunteers! Deb, Pat, Marlene, and I cook Wednesday lunches and Friday dinners. Marlene bakes our famous popovers on Sunday mornings. And the Common Good Band, other musicians, and guest chefs keep all of it lively and fun.”
Volunteers Debbie Krysak, Pat Pugh, and Marlene Davis are just three of the many volunteers who help keep the doors open and the food pantry possible. Deb is also on the Common Good Board.
Year-round, the Common Good Soup Kitchen is a vital lifeline for the island's winter residents, including adults, families, and children, who rely on weekly meals, food deliveries, and festive music to uplift their spirits and improve their quality of life. In the summer months, the popular "pay-what-you-want" popovers, porridge, and coffee offerings help generate the necessary funds to keep the kitchen's doors open throughout the year.
https://www.commongoodkitchen.org/
Register at https://tinyurl.com/26evh6x5. For more information visit www.swhplibrary.org, call 207-244-7065, or email programs@swhplibrary.org.
Narcan and Stop the Bleed Training: March 11 at MDI High School, 6:00 pm.
Class info and registration through MDI Adult and Community Education:
Stop the Bleed
You will learn how to control bleeding. Participants gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively control it with three quick techniques. The number 1 cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding. Stop the Bleed classes are public presentations that empower citizens to make a difference in a life or death situation.
Narcan Training
Will teach students how to recognize signs of an opioid overdose, and how to administer the opioid reversal drug Narcan/Naloxone.
COA Eliminates To-go Plastics
College of the Atlantic is the first school in the U.S. to fully eliminate disposable plastic foodware in all retail dining operations.
BAR HARBOR—A reusable to-go ware program launching at College of the Atlantic this winter is set to keep over 50,000 pieces of disposable plastic out of the waste stream and help the school meet its Break Free From Plastics pledge.
The school is utilizing stainless steel reusable to-go containers, insulated tumblers, and sporks, and establishing an app-based checkout system for the items in partnership with Reuzzi. COA will be the first campus in the country to use reusable stainless steel sporks to replace disposable cutlery, the first to fully eliminate disposable plastic foodware in all retail dining operations, and among the 1% of campuses in the U.S. experimenting with the implementation of digital tracking apps that allow students and others to check out dishes the same way they check out a library book, according to the Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN).
The program is supported by grant funding from the Marine Debris Foundation—a nonprofit charitable partner of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a generous, steep discount from stainless steel ware provider Klean Kanteen, and app designer Reuzzi. It was designed by Linnea Goh ’25 as part of her fellowship with PLAN’s Atlas Zero Waste Project.
“Klean Kanteen is proud to be a part of this program to eliminate single-use items on college campuses,” said Caroleigh Pierce, head of partnerships and community engagement at Klean Kanteen. “We have confidence in this program and that PLAN will successfully replicate it across the country, which will have a huge impact on how universities manage their waste and contribute to a cleaner environment.”
COA was the first campus to sign PLAN's Break Free From Plastics Pledge in 2019, committing to the elimination of all single-use disposable plastics. With the implementation of this program, COA will accomplish that goal for academic year operations and will become the first campus in the country to do so, PLAN founder Alex Freid said.
"We are so excited to support Linnea and the team at COA, and we're proud of all the hard work and creativity that went into bringing this experiment to life,” Freid said. “We're looking forward to developing a case study around this program and making sure that successes and lessons learned from this experience can be shared with campuses nationwide."
Colleges and universities have been experimenting with implementing reusable to-go programs for a decade, Freid said, but campuses have struggled with container retention rates as low as 30%, resulting in high annual replacement costs. In the 2022–2023 academic year, campuses began experimenting with app companies to track reusable containers with QR codes, which has resulted in return rates above 96%, with some campuses achieving 99% returns, resulting in significant cost savings and sustainability impacts, Freid said.
“Ending the marine debris crisis requires coordinated action within communities, industries, institutions and governments. By empowering college students to motivate and lead their peers toward results-oriented actions, we are shoring up the next generation to continue the critical work of environmental protection,” said Marine Debris Foundation executive director Susan R. Sherman.
COA was one of the first colleges to take part in PLAN’s Atlas Zero Waste Project in 2020, and to this day maintains the highest score that has been assessed, holding first place on PLAN’s Top 10 Zero Waste Campuses since that time. As part of Goh’s fellowship with the Atlas project, she completed a proposal and comprehensive return-on-investment analysis for the reusable ware initiative, making COA one of the first campuses to complete the process.
PLAN’s research has shown that these programs can easily cover the operational and logistical costs for collecting and washing reusable dishes through the cost savings from the avoided purchase of disposables. In 2024, 11 campuses across the U.S. completed this comprehensive assessment, proving a total potential cost savings of $7.7 million dollars with the proposed elimination of 18.6 million pieces of disposable foodware.
"We are so grateful to the Post Landfill Action Network, the Marine Debris Foundation, and Klean Kanteen for helping make this happen,” Goh said. “With their support, we will be able to completely eliminate disposable dishes from our daily operations, making us one step closer to the goals set out in our Discarded Resources and Material Management Policy and our zero-waste strategic vision."
While COA’s small size makes full campus implementation easier than at large universities, projects at a number of individual dining halls around the country, some serving thousands of students a day, have proven that a reusable system can be practical, economical, and scalable, Freid said. Such an expansion would have significant environmental impacts, he said.
“Large institutions can spend over a million dollars a year on single-use foodware, and reusable to-go programs can be implemented for a fraction of the cost. If all college campuses in the U.S. implemented this program, we could see the elimination of more than 1.33 billion pieces of single-use disposable plastics every year,” he said.
BELOVED SPANISH PIANIST RETURNS TO LAUNCH A NEW JESUP SERIES
Wednesday, February 19th and Thursday, February 20th at 6:30 pm
BAR HARBOR—Spanish pianist Antonio Galera will offer a recital at the College of the Atlantic at the Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Community center on February 19, followed by a free “Music and Conversation” program at Jesup Memorial Library on February 20 at 6:30pm. Gallera first visited MDI as a guest of the Bar Harbor Music Festival and, over his years of visits, has developed a devoted following among local music lovers. According to one admirer, “When Antonio sits down at the piano, he presents us with a gift of unimaginable beauty.”
The February 20th Jesup event marks the beginning of a new “Music and Conversation” series at the library.
“This and future programs have been funded by an anonymous donor who was inspired by a similar event offered by Antonio last year,” said Jesup Director Matt DeLaney. The library plans to schedule additional music and conversation programs this winter, followed by ongoing winter presentations in 2026 and 2027. “We are especially pleased that our conversation event with Antonio will be preceded by a full recital at the College of the Atlantic,” DeLaney said. He suggested that music lovers should plan to attend both events.
The richness of Hispanic classical music lies in its deep integration of folklore, guitar, and flamenco, creating a unique language that merges the popular with the academic. Composers such as Falla and Albéniz in Spain, and Ginastera in Argentina, drew inspiration from popular dances and songs, incorporating techniques like tremolos and strumming in their piano compositions to evoke the distinctive sound of the guitar. For Falla and Albéniz, the cante jondo and flamenco styles, with their rhythmic and emotional depth, also influenced their works, adding an expressive intensity and a distinctive cultural identity that enriched classical music and inspired contemporaries like Debussy. This influence continues to resonate in new repertoire, where echoes of these traditions remain present.
Get Ready for Krav Maga – Led by Kelly Cutler
BAR HARBOR—The Mount Desert Island YMCA is proud to announce an exciting and empowering Krav Maga Self-Defense Workshop, led by certified instructor Kelly Cutler. This introductory workshop is designed for individuals looking to enhance their personal safety, learn effective self-defense techniques, and build reality-based self-confidence. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, Kelly will guide you through a hands-on learning experience that focuses on practical defensive skills for real-life situations.
Some Workshop Highlights include: Situational Awareness: Threat assessment & setting / maintaining boundaries. Fight Stance & Basic Striking: How to keep your balance while moving and striking. Defensive Techniques: Learn the fundamentals of defending against common attacks.
Workshop Dates & Details:
Saturday, February 22 and Saturday, March 22. Time: 12:00 – 2:00 pm. Cost: $30 per workshop (Max 10 participants per session) Location: 21 Park Street Bar Harbor.
Sign up now! This workshop is only open to a limited number of participants, so early registration is encouraged. Sign up now at mdiymca.org or at the front desk to secure your spot.
The MDI YMCA is thrilled to offer this valuable opportunity to the community. You won’t want to miss out! Kelly is certified as a Krav Maga (Israeli close-quarters combat) and civilian self-defense instructor. She has taught group classes for children, teens, and adults; specialized self-defense workshops for women; and private training for all ages.
For more information or to register, visit mdiymca.org or stop by the front desk.
COBSCOOK WINTER CLASSIC CHESS TOURNAMENT HEATS UP
LUBEC—Chess competition can be hard to come by Downeast. This year has been especially tough with regional tournaments at All Saints Catholic School and John Bapst High School in Bangor cancelled this year. A more recent tradition, the MLK Day tournament at Cobscook Institute in January, was also cancelled due to a snow storm. So it is safe to say that student chess teams from Washington Academy, Machias Memorial High School and others were anxious to test their skills at this past weekend’s Cobscook Institute’s Winter Classic Chess Tournament.
Organized by Daniel Deluca of the Maine Chess Association, this Trescott tournament has been an annual favorite especially for students gearing up for the state chess championships in March. Twenty-six chess enthusiasts, from as far away as Orono and Bar Harbor, arrived ready to play in three separate sections based on ability or rating. They vied for various prizes including chess sets, medals, trophies and even cash prizes at the top level.
The biggest field of play was in the rated under 800 section with 16 players competing. Washington (WA) Academy and Machias Memorial High School’s (MM) chess teams wound up dominating the top spots. Thuong Phan and Tien Vo from WA came in first and second place tied with 3.5 wins out of four possible. In third and fourth place were WA’s Marcus Teran and MM’s Jason Yang with a solid three wins, followed by WA chemistry and physics teacher Mindy Dean securing a nice 5th place finish with 2.5 wins.
In the rated under 1200 section, WA math teacher Noah Dean scored a perfect three wins out of three to take home the 1st place trophy. Conners Emerson 6th grader Finn Monahan placed second with two wins and Lubec Chess Club member Alba Briggs III held 3rd place with one win.
In the open section, which typically has the highest rated players, Hancock Grammar School ed tech Isaiah Fallon was victorious in all three of his games while Lubec Chess Club member Chris Chrittenden scored second with two wins.
The top PK-8 players, that were rated under 400, were Ashton Anderson of Hancock Grammar School, Elam Monahan of Rose’s Little School in Bar Harbor, Shane Mourino of Trenton Elementary School, and newcomer Nolan Robinson of Lubec Elementary School.
For full tournament results, see: https://www.uschess.org/msa/XtblMain.php?202502087522.1
For more information, or to get involved, contact Daniel Deluca at dcdeluca@yahoo.com or visit the Chess Maine events page at https://chessmaine.net/chessmaine/events/.
All photos courtesy MDI Chess Club
Identifying Frauds & Scams
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—How can you better protect your online presence? Find out by signing-up for the 10:00-11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 25th “Identifying Frauds and Scams” class at the Southwest Harbor Public Library. Learn about types of frauds and scams, how to avoid being exposed, identify when you’re exposed, and what to do if you are a victim at the Southwest Harbor Public Library. Sign up for the class at https://tinyurl.com/2s32w6be. Space is limited.
To provide opportunities for digital skill-building and to learn online safety strategies, the Southwest Harbor Public Library and the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) are partnering to provide Digital Skills Classes. These classes are free but space is limited. Registration is required for the classes. Online interactive classes are available to any Mainer at https://digitalequitycenter.org
These classes are being offered in the Clark Room where participants interact with the NDEC instructor via live video with an in-person facilitator available to assist the instructor and students. For more information, questions or assistance registering, call (207) 244-7065 or email programs@swhplibrary.org.
The National Digital Equity Center’s “Maine Digital Inclusion Initiative'' program promotes and advocates for Digital Inclusion for Maine and its people. Digital skills classes are available both at onsite locations and online.
https://digitalequitycenter.org
TOWN NEWS FLASHES BAR HARBOR
Transfer Station / Recycling Center CLOSED on Monday, February 17, 2025
The Transfer Station / Recycling Center will be CLOSED on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day.
Public Works Facility in Hulls Cove CLOSED on Monday, February 17, 2025
The Public Works Facility in Hulls Cove will be CLOSED on Monday, February 17, in observance of Presidents Day.
TOWN NEWS FLASHES MOUNT DESERT
President's Day Holiday Will Affect Collection Days - See Message Below
Town Office Closed
Posted on: February 10, 2025 - 8:00am
Presidents Day: Monday, February 17, 2025 - NO COLLECTION. Monday and Tuesday will be on Tuesday. No change the rest of the week.
POP UP IN BAR HARBOR
MAINE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE LAW SEMINAR
ELLSWORTH—The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce and the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce are pleased to be able to offer a joint seminar presented by Anne-Marie Storey, Esq. of Rudman Winchell on Wednesday, February 26th from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM at the Ellsworth Public Library.
The seminar will be focused on the new Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave law including a variety of PFMLA topics including eligibility requirements, how employees apply for leave, qualifying reasons for using the leave, what the program requires from employers, potential benefit offsets, and how the PFMLA may interact with existing state and federal leave law requirements. With the Maine Department of Labor recently announcing the adoption of the final rules governing the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program, there will be much to talk about and questions are encouraged.
ACADIA WILDLIFE WELCOMES NEW WILDLIFE VETERINARIAN
BAR HARBOR—We are very excited to welcome our new wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Avery Berkowitz to the Acadia Wildlife Center staff! After graduating from Tufts University with a focus in wildlife medicine, they then worked in large wildlife clinics in California, Nebraska, and New Mexico, before moving to Maine in the last few weeks. The difference they will make to our patients, to our volunteers and pre-vet students is already apparent. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for Acadia Wildlife Center!
Support the lifesaving work at Acadia Wildlife Center today!
Avery and their partner, Stephanie Lindsell, an extremely experienced wildlife rehabilitation manager and education animal trainer, plan on opening their own non-profit rehabilitation facility “Maine Wildlife Rehabilitation” in Alton, Maine with a focus on surgery and critical care. With a grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Foundation, they have already started setting up, and plan on soon having the facilities to do advanced wildlife surgery, x-ray, critical care, and much more. With these capabilities and their expertise, they will be able to provide much needed veterinarian services to all local wildlife rehabbers who want them.
Avery taking blood for testing on a Great Horned Owl with the help of our staff member Kaiti Hall, (who hopes to enter vet school after graduating from College of the Atlantic this year!).
For the past 30 years, the amazing people at Schoodic Animal Hospital have provided as much as they could in way of veterinarian services, and we can’t thank them enough. As you can imagine we are very excited to have a vet on hand for all of our patients. Being able to obtain radiographs, test for lead, use a sedative, or do any kind of surgery (all which require veterinarian license and or equipment) for more of our wildlife cases, will have a tremendous impact on patient care.
Avery's first patient at Acadia Wildlife:
The first patient that Avery helped us with was a juvenile porcupine with an injured front paw. Porcupines depend completely on their powerful front limbs for climbing and this one was severely limited. With palpation I could feel no fracture, and this was confirmed with radiographs, the conclusion being that he had nerve damaged. Nerves require long term care to heal, and many do not heal at all. But with pain medication this little guy has begun to bear weight and is slowly improving. Keep your fingers crossed!
Avery and Denise Salvadore from Schoodic Animal Hospital checking his vision and radiographing him. Until Avery has set up their own surgery, Schoodic has very kindly offered their facility.
Recent Owl Patients:
When people litter the sides of roads with food scraps and trash, mice among others come to eat the garbage, and owls (especially young ones) think roads are a great place to hunt, which leads to so many owls being hit by cars. When those owls come into our clinic one of the major injuries that can prevent them being released back to the wild is damage to their eyes. If an owl has one good eye and two good ears, it can return after recovery to its territory since they hunt with their extraordinary ears as much as their eyes. There are many medications that can help eyes, but it is discouraging how many are damaged permanently. We have had a series of Barred Owls, several recovered and released, and several Great Horns, all with eye issues this winter. Our new vet Avery has been teaching all of us his advanced knowledge of wildlife ophthalmology, from assessing injuries to the eyes to treatment options.
This Great Horned was caught in the netting placed around a chicken pen where it hung until cut out by the homeowners. The foot involved is injured, but also one eye is blind. We are hoping for a good outcome, but it is a difficult case.
This Barred Owl is one of many we have had this winter, this one with a fracture of the coracoid, the bone between the shoulder and the keel which enables upward flight. Each patient now has its blood tested and is checked and treated for parasites, both procedures can give a lot of information that help us heal them.
Healthy Acadia to Host Free Virtual Mindfulness Workshop, “Reading Our Buddha Body,” on March 6
MAINE—Healthy Acadia invites community members to participate in a free virtual workshop, “Reading Our Buddha Body,” on Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 5 to 6 p.m. via Zoom. The event, part of Healthy Acadia’s Monthly Mindfulness series, will feature special guest Paul Weiss.
The workshop will guide participants in using the natural posture of the sitting body as a "meditation manual" to help connect with wholesome states of being, such as feeling grounded, centered, and open. Attendees will learn techniques to "bookmark" these experiences, making it easier to return to them in daily life.
Paul Weiss began his Zen study and practice in 1966 and has led Zen meditation retreats for over 40 years. He directed The Whole Health Center in Bar Harbor from 1981 to 2023 and is the author of The Dharma of Direct Experience: Non-dual Principles of Living and Moonlight Leaning Against an Old Rail Fence: Approaching the Dharma as Poetry. Weiss now resides in Blue Hill, where he continues to teach and maintain his counseling practice.
Pre-registration is required for this free event. To register and receive the Zoom link, visit bit.ly/mindful-3625.
For more information about this event, future mindfulness events, or other programs promoting mindful living, contact Ursula Hanson at ursula@healthyacadia.org. To stay updated and register for free events, subscribe to Healthy Acadia’s e-newsletter or visit healthyacadia.org/hpm-mindfulness-for-health.
Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) community health organization dedicated to building vibrant communities and making it easier for everyone to lead healthy lives. Serving Washington and Hancock counties, the organization provides community health support and leadership across Maine. For more information, visit healthyacadia.org.
LANDING SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
MDI HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Statement from Gun Safety Coalition on Decision in Waiting Period Lawsuit
PORTLAND—Today the judge hearing the gun lobby’s lawsuit to roll back Maine’s 72-hour waiting period law for gun purchases issued a ruling in favor of the gun lobby. In response, Nacole Palmer, executive director for the Maine Gun Safety Coalition released the following statement:
“We’re deeply troubled by the decision of a Trump-appointed judge to roll back Maine’s gun safety laws. That the gun lobby sued to roll back a common-sense law that doesn’t prevent anyone’s right to buy guns but does help prevent suicide is unsurprising. That a judge granted them this political victory at the cost of Mainers is surprising.
“Suicide is the leading cause of gun death in Maine, especially for men. Three-day waiting period laws provide a brief cooling off period so someone in crisis who may be buying a gun to take their own life has time to reconsider and get help. These laws have been upheld as constitutional in countless other states where they exist, some up to 10 days. Once again, Maine is an outlier and this ruling is an exception to established law, and it’s an exception that will cost lives and cause Maine families heartbreak and loss.
“We’re confident the state will appeal and this poor decision that could cause more Maine families to lose loved ones to suicide will be overturned.”
Generous $300,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental will allow popular program to serve more Maine veterans
AUGUSTA—Governor Janet Mills announced today that the Maine Veterans' Dental Network (MVDN) will continue to serve Maine veterans this year thanks to a generous $300,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental.
The MVDN is an oral health safety net for Maine veterans who cannot pay out of pocket for dental care and do not have dental insurance. Since its launch by Governor Mills and Northeast Delta Dental in 2021, the program has provided oral health care services for 1,471 Maine veterans -- with many indicating that it was their first time receiving dental care since separating from the military.
"Our veterans have given so much to Maine and the nation, and the least we can do in return is ensure they have the support they need to maintain their health and well-being,"said Governor Janet Mills. "I thank Northeast Delta Dental for their continued generosity and the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services for administering the program. Together, this important partnership will ensure more Maine veterans have access to the dental services they deserve."
"Serving those who served us is an important mission for our company and for me personally," said Tom Raffio, President & CEO, Northeast Delta Dental. "We are grateful to MVDN for partnering with us to provide veterans with the oral healthcare they deserve."
Northeast Delta Dental provided generously contributed $35,000 to launch the MVDN in 2021, and has extended the program with grants of $100,000 in 2022, $200,000 in 2023, and $300,000 in 2024. The Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation has also been a generous supporter of the program, contributing $37,500 in grants over the last two years.
The MVDN is administered in partnership with participating non-profit dental clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Maine's Dental Teaching schools. Services are offered on a first come, first serve basis until grant funding is exhausted.
"I thank Northeast Delta Dental for their continued commitment to Maine's veterans," said Dave Richmond, Director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services. "Our continued partnership will ensure this vital dental care program will continue to provide oral health services to veterans in need next year."
"Access to oral healthcare is intrinsic to a person's overall wellbeing and these programs wouldn't be possible without the generosity of our grant funders and the dedication of the dental clinics in our network," said Sarah Sherman, Maine Bureau of Veterans Services Director of Strategic Partnerships & MVDN Founder. "We look forward to helping even more veterans connect with the MVDN in the new year."
To qualify for the MVDN, the veteran must meet the following criteria:
Be a Maine resident
Not 100% service-connected to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Cannot afford to pay for dental care out of pocket
Does not have dental insurance
Must submit a DD-214 that shows an Honorable or General Under Honorable conditions discharge
For National Guard Only -- Served on Active Duty (other than for training)
The Network has 23 non-profit dental clinics, FQHCs, and Maine Dental Teaching Schools participating, including:
Lincoln County Dental (Wiscasset)
Kennebec Valley Family Dentistry (Augusta)
Waterville Community Dental
UNE Dental Clinic (Portland)
UMA Dental Clinic (Bangor)
Katahdin Valley Health Center (Houlton, Patten, Ashland, Brownville, Millinocket, and Dover Foxcroft)
Greater Portland Health
St. Croix Regional Family Health Center (Princeton)
Eastport Health Care (Eastport)
Fish River Rural Health (Fort Kent, Madawaska, and Eagle Lake)
Community Dental (Biddeford, Portland, Farmington, and Lewiston)
Mainely Teeth (Portland and mobile dental clinic)
Penobscot Community Health Center (Bangor)
Individuals or businesses interested in supporting the MVDN can donate directly to participating dental clinics. Funds will be earmarked for eligible veterans.
Veterans who are interested may apply online by filling out the form available at www.maine.gov/governor/mills/veteransdental, by emailing MVDN.mainebvs@maine.gov, or by calling 207-287-6836.
Home and Community-Based Services Access Rule Focus Group Sign Up
AUGUSTA—Interested in participating in an Access Rule focus group? The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will host targeted focus groups on the CMS Access Rule requirements and planning for complying with the new rule. More information about the Access Rule can be found here.
As part of our planning, it’s important for us to hear from you around what is working well and where we can improve. These sessions will cover how to plan for complying with the rule and will not focus on making policy decisions. Sessions will be split into those for service providers, case managers, etc. and those for individuals and families.
Please register to participate in a focus group.
Who: Individuals and Families
Access Rule Topic(s): Person-Centered Planning and Grievance Management
When: Thursday, February 20th from 4-5pm
If you haven’t already, you must register on the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Portal.
It is the online system for employers to file quarterly wage reports and remit quarterly premium contributions. If you use a payroll company, they can request access to your account and file for you after you register. The portal also allows self-employed individuals and tribal governments to elect coverage.
Thank you to the thousands of employers who have registered on the portal so far!
Any employer with at least one Maine-based employee must have begun payroll withholdings January 1, 2025:
Employers with 15 or more employees contribute 1 percent of wages and may deduct up to half of the contribution from the employees' wages.
Employers with less than 15 employees contribute 0.5 percent of wages and may deduct the entire amount from the employees' wages.
Employers will begin their first quarterly wage reporting and premium payments April 1, 2025. They are due by April 30, 2025.
If you have questions, call the PFML call center at (207) 621-5024 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
The Department of Marine Resources announces proposed rulemaking:
Chapter 34 Groundfish - Halibut Measures.
Brief Summary: This proposed regulation seeks to align expected halibut catch in Maine’s territorial waters with the state waters subcomponent established in the New England Fishery Management Council’s Framework 69 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This regulation proposes to prohibit fishing for Atlantic halibut in Maine’s territorial waters on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It also proposes reducing the number of allowable hooks for commercial vessels from 250 to 200 hooks, and clarifies that individuals fishing for halibut recreationally are limited to 100 hooks both per person and per vessel. Finally, this regulation adds a prohibition on the use of gaffs to land Atlantic halibut.
Public Hearings: Two public meetings have been scheduled. Meeting information and links are available on the DMR Upcoming Meetings webpage.
Monday, March 3, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.: Hybrid Hearing - DMR Conference Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta and Join remotely via Microsoft Teams
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.: In-person Hearing - Yarmouth Town Hall Community Room, 200 Maine Street, Yarmouth
If either hearing is cancelled due to inclement weather, an alternative hearing will be held on March 6 at 4:00 p.m. in the DMR Conference Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta and remotely via Microsoft Teams
The Department of Marine Resources announces proposed rulemaking:
Brief Summary: This regulation proposes expanding the special hook and release season/area and the waters seasonally closed to the use of bait regulations on striped bass from May 1 to June 30 to the Saco and Presumpscot rivers. This is intended to reduce mortality of Atlantic striped bass in Maine territorial waters in recognition of the current overfished status of the stock. The proposed rule also provides an exemption for for-hire operators and crew to fillet legal striped bass dockside provided specific criteria are met.
Public Hearings: Two public meetings have been scheduled. Meeting information and links are available on the DMR Upcoming Meetings webpage and below.
Monday, March 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.: Hybrid Hearing - DMR Conference Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta and Join remotely via Microsoft Teams
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.: In-person Hearing - Yarmouth Town Hall Community Room, 200 Maine Street, Yarmouth
Please note: these hearings will follow the public hearing on proposed rulemaking Chapter 34 Groundfish - Halibut. The start time may be delayed if the Chapter 34 hearing runs over. The same meeting link will be used for both hearings to avoid any confusion.
If either hearing is cancelled due to inclement weather, an alternative hearing will be held on March 6 at 4:00 p.m. in the DMR Conference Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta and remotely via Microsoft Teams
Comment Deadline: March 17, 2025
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS
The following are recent deed transfers from the Hancock County Registry of Deeds
BAR HARBOR
• Wayne M. Lee, Bar Harbor to Lee Family Greeley Avenue Irrevocable Trust, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
• Estate of Carolyn A. Miller, New York, N.Y., to Keith Edward Miller, Riverdale, Md., undivided one-sixth interest, land with buildings and improvements.
• Jon D. Tierney, Bar Harbor to Jon D. Tierney and Heather S. Blake-Tierney, Bar Harbor, as joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
• Christopher Webster and Heather Webster, Bar Harbor to Tuscawilla LLC, Bangor, land with buildings and improvements.
• Edith Schriever, Bar Harbor to Ronny Korstanje, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
MOUNT DESERT
• Ledgewood Cottage LLC, Lowell, Mass., to 78 Ledgelawn LLC, Enfield, Conn., land with buildings.
• Eleanor E. Browder, Freeport to Eleanor E. Browder and Eleanor E. Browder 2013 Revocable Trust, Freeport, land with buildings.
• Estate of Edith S. Mann, Bernard to Rodney E. Miller and Deborah M. Miller, Bernard, as joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
• Trevor L. Herrick, a/k/a Trevor Herrick, and Bettina Herrick, Mount Desert to Trevor L. Herrick and Bettina Herrick, Mount Desert, as joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
• Conservation Limited Development LLC, Topsham to Jeffrey P. Alexander and Ellen H. Alexander, Bethesda, Md., as joint tenants, land.
• Karlene L. Additon-Strout, f/k/a Karlene L. Additon, Waterville to Aaron Additon, Portland, 50% interest, time-share estate, Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 44, Week 35.
• Karlene L. Additon-Strout, f/k/a Karlene L. Additon, Waterville to Aaron Additon, Portland, 50% interest, time-share estate, Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 44, Week 35.
• Karlene L. Additon-Strout, f/k/a Karlene L. Additon, Waterville to Aaron Additon, Portland, time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 12, Week 5.
• Karlene L. Additon-Strout, f/k/a Karlene L. Additon, Waterville to Ryan Additon, Windham, 50% interest, time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 55, Week 28.
• Roger P. Lycette and Sally J. Lycette, Bangor to Kevin R. Lycette, Biddeford, interest in time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 18, Week 20.
• Timothy J. Clapp and Pamela A. Clapp, Scottsdale, Ariz., to Timothy J. Clapp, Pamela A. Clapp and Dustin James Clapp, Scottsdale, Ariz., as joint tenants, 50% interest, time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 46, Week 28
• J. Mark Worth, Ellsworth to Harbor Ridge Condominium Association, Southwest Harbor, 50%, time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 11, Week 5.
• Franklin J. Ouellette and Sharon T. Ouellette, Bangor to Franklin J. Ouellette and Sharon T. Ouellette, Bangor and Marisha R. Ouellette-Bean, Hudson, as joint tenants, 50% interest, time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 22, Week 1.
• Pearl G. Lewis, f/k/a Pearl Lewis, New City, N.Y., to Harbor Ridge Condominium Association, Southwest Harbor, interest in time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, Unit 28, Week 14.
• The Octagon Nominee Realty Trust u/d/t May 8, 2023, Lexington, Mass., to Sheryl E. Harper, Southwest Harbor, land with improvements.
• Denise Duzick, Naples, Fla., to Duzick Revocable Trust, Naples, Fla., land with buildings and improvements.
• Guy Dunbar, Paula J. Dunbar and Hollie A.Sawyer, Southwest Harbor to Hollie A. Sawyer, Southwest Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
TREMONT
• P. Joy Radle Cutrone, Hollis Center to Sargent Properties LLC, Bar Harbor, corrective deed, land with improvements.
• Melvin T. Atherton and Constance L. Howe, Bass Harbor to Sarah Atherton Levesque, Hancock, land.
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