Diane Vreeland

TWO-YEAR SEAT, BAR HARBOR TOWN COUNCIL

I’m Diane L. Vreeland, a proud Mainer living in Town Hill. My professional background spans healthcare, real estate, and customer service. I’ve worked in radiology at both Maine Medical Center and Boston Children’s Hospital, earned a degree in real estate from USM, and served in customer support at IBM.

In a 300-bed hospital, I was responsible for medical coding, quality control, compliance, and reporting to accounts receivable—recovering thousands daily through problem-solving and process improvements. I also reviewed every edit received from the Foundation for Healthy Communities, all while attending night school at one of the universities.

I care deeply about our environment, ecosystem, and community. In Town Hill, I worked with the DOT to install a blinking crosswalk light for child safety and helped secure new sidewalks. I’ve served on the Town Planning Committee in Kennebunkport, on the American Cancer Society board in Indiana, and volunteered on outreach trips in Central America. Locally, I’ve raised funds for many Bar Harbor nonprofits and currently help organize special events for the HSPCA. I actively participate in Council and Planning Board meetings, as well as grassroots movements.

I believe in practical solutions, responsible governance, and keeping Bar Harbor a place we can all afford to call home. I’m not a politician—I’m a neighbor who gets things done. I’d be honored to earn your vote.

THE QUESTIONS

Why Am I Running?

I’m running for Town Council because I care deeply about our community and believe it’s time for responsible, transparent leadership. After attending countless meetings and writing letters that seemed to go unheard, I realized that to truly make a difference, I need to be at the table where decisions are made.

Like many of you, I’m concerned about how our town is managing its finances. Costs are rising, trash disposal alone is now approaching a million dollars and large sums of money are being allocated without enough community discussion or a clear sense of long-term priorities. We need a smarter approach to budgeting and one that ensures essential services are funded and taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and sustainably.

I'm also passionate about protecting our natural environment. Our ecosystem and local wildlife are increasingly under pressure from development, and I believe we can strike a better balance between growth and conservation.

I’m running because I believe in open dialogue, common-sense leadership, and preserving what makes our town special. I want to work with residents, not around them, to ensure our community remains a place we can all afford to call home.

There are a lot of issues currently that people talk about in Bar Harbor. But, if you had one local issue that matters to you more than any other, what would it be and why?

If I had to choose one local issue that matters most to me, it would be the council’s continued overspending and the very real impact it's having on the people who live here.

For several years now, I’ve watched our town’s budget grow without the kind of caution and planning that’s needed to protect residents. Like many of you, I’ve worked hard my whole life, saved for retirement, and lived within my means. But with the constant rise in taxes, I’ve had to dip into those savings just to keep up. That’s not just frustrating, it’s unsustainable.

This pattern of irresponsible spending affects so many in our community: seniors on fixed incomes, working families, renters, and those living near or below the poverty line. It’s creating a Bar Harbor where only the wealthy can afford to stay, while others who have deep roots here are being pushed out. And it’s just as hard for those who want to start their roots here. We should be attracting young families, not pricing them out.

There is a better way. We need leadership that values balance, lives within our means, and considers how every financial decision affects the people who call this town home. Everyone deserves to feel secure, supported, and heard, not just those with the biggest voices or bank accounts.

What is something you love about Bar Harbor that people might not notice enough?

Bar Harbor is naturally beautiful, and we all know how lucky we are to live here. But what many might not realize is how much power we, as everyday citizens, have in protecting this beauty. It’s easy to enjoy our forests, waters, and wildlife, but we also have a responsibility to care for and sustain the environment that makes Bar Harbor unique.

Each of us can make a difference whether it’s by voting for leaders who prioritize sustainability, serving on town committees, or simply making more mindful choices in our daily lives. We all play a part in preserving this place for future generations. The decisions we make today from how we manage growth to how we protect our natural resources will have a lasting impact.

In addition, we have community partners, local organizations, nonprofits, and businesses that share the same goals of environmental preservation and sustainability. By collaborating with these groups, we can amplify our efforts and create a stronger, more unified approach to protecting Bar Harbor’s natural resources. Together, we can lead by example and show that small actions, when combined, can create a big difference. It’s not just about appreciating the beauty around us; it’s about actively protecting it so that others can enjoy it for years to come.

What skills do you bring to the table that you think only you can bring?

I believe that every person brings their own unique skills, life experiences, and perspectives, and diversity is one of the strongest assets any team can have. For me, my perspective is shaped not only by my life experiences but also by the fact that I live with a disability. My mind works differently, allowing me to approach problems creatively and find solutions that others might miss. I’m determined to put in the time and effort needed to tackle even the most complicated issues, because finding the right answers is always worth it.

Additionally, I know the power of collaboration. I understand that no one person has all the answers, but by bringing together people with expertise from diverse fields, we can solve complex problems more effectively. It’s about leveraging everyone’s strengths and working together to make the best decisions for our town.

I’m also passionate about the environment, and I’m running because I’m the only candidate focused on bringing strong, sustainable environmental leadership to the table. I believe we can protect our natural resources while still fostering a vibrant community, and that’s a balance I’m committed to finding.

If you could make one change to Bar Harbor tomorrow, what would it be?

If I could make one change tomorrow, it would be to bring greater accountability and balance to the way we spend and plan. We need to take a serious look at our budget, make sure we're living within our means, and stop making financial decisions that place unnecessary burdens on taxpayers. Many in our community are struggling to keep up with rising taxes, and this is something that affects all of us.

At the same time, I would prioritize protecting our environment, which is at the core of what makes Bar Harbor such a special place. Too often, decisions are made without fully considering the long-term impacts on our land, water, and wildlife. Sustainability must be a guiding principle, not an afterthought.

Equally important is the need to bridge the gap between different members of our community, especially between business owners and residents. We’re all part of this town, and I believe we can find common ground by working together toward shared goals: a strong local economy, a protected environment, and a community where everyone feels heard and respected.

What is your stance on short-term rentals, specifically now that VR2s are capped and decreasing while VR1s are on the rise? Do you have general thoughts about any potential ways to increase affordable housing in the area?

When it comes to short-term rentals, I recognize that there’s a delicate balance. On the one hand, I believe VR1s can provide an important source of income for homeowners, particularly those in need of supplemental earnings. However, there are concerns that some owners may be taking advantage of this opportunity in ways that are detrimental to our community, contributing to the housing shortage and driving up costs for renters.

I’m not in favor of eliminating VR1s entirely, as they offer a vital financial resource for many residents. However, I do believe we need to put conditions in place to ensure that short-term rentals don’t harm our town’s long-term housing stability. One potential solution could be requiring that VR1 owners must reside on the property. This would help strike a balance, allowing for the economic benefits of short-term rentals while protecting the integrity of our local housing market.

Regarding affordable housing, I’ve been researching several innovative solutions that other towns have implemented successfully. For example, Belfast used Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to create an Affordable Housing TIF District, partnering with developers to secure funding for new units. Similarly, Ellsworth leveraged TIF for senior housing, and Lewiston repurposed an old mill for affordable housing. These collaborative, multifaceted approaches can work here as well.

Brunswick created the Affordable Housing Support Fund (AHSF), which helps provide grants for housing development projects aimed at increasing affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. By combining TIF districts, state and federal funding, and local collaboration, we can create new housing options that are truly affordable for our community.

With the hospital’s recent announcement of its closure of its maternity wing, what are your thoughts about healthcare and any links to the town’s role (if any) in ensuring that services continue?

Having worked in a large hospital in compliance and quality control, I can appreciate the hospital’s perspective on managing resources and operating within budget constraints. However, that doesn’t mean I think the closure of the maternity wing is the right decision. If I were one of the mothers impacted by this, I would feel blindsided, and it’s unfortunate that there wasn’t more dialogue with the community and stakeholders before this decision was made.

The loss of maternity services is a significant blow to our community, particularly for women’s healthcare. The privatization of healthcare has been contributing to increased discord between institutions and the public, as decisions are often made without full consideration of the community’s needs.

While the town’s direct role in healthcare services is limited, we can and should be advocates for our community’s well-being. We must explore ways to ensure that essential healthcare services, like maternity care, remain accessible to all, whether through collaboration with the hospital, the state, or alternative healthcare providers. Open communication and proactive planning are key to protecting the health of our community.

Do you think Bar Harbor is a thriving community? How would you define that?

Do I think Bar Harbor is a thriving community? Not yet.

A truly thriving community is one where everyone, not just a few, has access to the essentials: safe and stable housing, affordable healthcare, healthy food, and meaningful economic opportunities. Right now, in Bar Harbor, too many people are being left behind.

While some are doing very well, others are struggling more than ever. We face excessive town spending, a serious lack of affordable housing, growing threats to our environment, and a rising cost of living that’s pushing out seniors, workers, and young families. These aren’t just inconveniences they’re barriers to well-being.

That said, there is a strong spirit of giving and caring in this town. We have local businesses that give back, community kitchens that help feed those in need, and neighbors who quietly step up for one another every day. That’s the heart of Bar Harbor, and it gives me hope.

But we can’t let that spirit carry the weight alone. We need leadership that lifts everyone, builds on that generosity, and makes sure the systems and policies behind our community are just as supportive as the people in it.

This year the town stands to give almost $500,000 to two nonprofit entities (the Jesup and the YMCA). Do you agree with the current application process for nonprofits? If not, what would you change? Is there anything you would change about the budget process itself?

We all recognize the important role nonprofits play in our community, from providing essential services to enriching our cultural and social fabric. However, it is simply not sustainable for the town to continue funding private or nonprofit entities to the extent that it is currently doing, especially when we are struggling to balance our budget and taxes are rising.

As much as I support nonprofits, we are not philanthropists with unlimited resources. We already contribute to these organizations through their annual appeals. We make those donations voluntarily and based on what we can afford, but it is unreasonable for the town to have to raise taxes to fund these operations, particularly when nonprofits don’t contribute to the tax base.

We need to live within our means, and if we’re looking at tax increases just to cover nonprofit contributions, it’s clear that we’re spending beyond our capacity. Nonprofits themselves must also put more effort into fundraising to support their missions, rather than relying on the town’s budget to cover operating costs.

One potential solution could be to implement a flat fee for nonprofits that is agreed upon by the town. This would give nonprofits some predictable funding while still helping us control our budget. Another approach would be to have an honest conversation with the community where individuals are heard, and where people can decide which organizations they want to donate to directly, rather than being required to fund them through taxes. After all, this is our money, and we should have more control over how it’s spent.

It’s also worth noting that taxes are not paid by nonprofits in Bar Harbor on a staggering $1,059,950,700 assessed value of property. That’s a significant amount of revenue that we’re missing out on, and it’s time for us to have a serious discussion about how we balance that with the needs of our community.That’s a significant amount of revenue that we’re missing out on, and it’s time for us to have a serious discussion about how we balance that with the needs of our community.

Bar Harbor’s been recently talking about solid waste issues. Do you have thoughts about changes to that?

Solid waste has been an ongoing challenge in Bar Harbor, and the reason we’ve struggled to reach a consensus is that it’s a complex issue with many competing interests. On one hand, we need to ensure that trash disposal remains affordable for residents, especially for seniors and families on fixed or lower incomes. On the other hand, businesses, who are also contributing to waste, are benefiting from the same system without necessarily paying their fair share. This has created a situation where the town is subsidizing business waste disposal, and residents are carrying the burden.

I’ve researched several coastal communities that have implemented a "pay-as-you-throw" system. In these towns, each household or business is charged based on the amount of waste they produce, which encourages waste reduction and recycling. These communities also work with waste management companies on contract agreements, helping to streamline costs and make the process more equitable.

Here in Bar Harbor, our trash disposal fee has exceeded a million dollars. This cost is growing, and it’s unfair for the town to continue subsidizing businesses while the financial burden falls disproportionately on residents. It’s time for a fairer system where we all pay for what we dispose of whether it's a resident or a business. This will help ensure that the cost of waste management is shared more equitably, reduce the strain on taxpayers, and promote more sustainable practices for everyone.

How would you try to create more trust and transparency between people and the town?

Trust and transparency are vital in local government, and we can certainly do better in Bar Harbor. One area to focus on is how boards are formed. Appointments should be based on expertise, not personal preferences. When knowledgeable individuals are blocked from serving, it damages trust and limits the effectiveness of our boards.

We need diverse perspectives on our boards to ensure balanced decision-making and better accountability. Transparency is key. Residents need to feel confident that decisions are made with their best interests in mind and that town resources are spent responsibly.

Building trust starts with leadership being open, accountable, and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.