Heel Way Subdivision Configuration Not Being Changed

Oct 09, 2024

The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Gary Friedmann for State Representative.

MOUNT DESERT—After a Maine Monitor article about a proposed subdivision on Heel Way in Northeast Harbor sparked concern for the Mount Desert Select Board last month, Town Manager Durlin Lunt arranged a meeting with the board of MD 365.

The board had been worried about potential compromises to the project’s design and potential de-prioritization. The subdivision creates six homes on one lot in Northeast Harbor. It passed Planning Board review prior to seven summer residents of the town suing the town. The project was upheld in court in June 2024. That is now being appealed.

This Monday, Lunt explained the organization’s position, which reiterated the October 6 memo he sent to the Selectboard.

At the meeting with MD 365, Lunt was told that there was no offer of a financial donation that is being considered by the organization in exchange for a reduced number of units on the site.

The directors also “reported that they were committed to the construction of the Heel Way project in its current configuration,” Lunt wrote.

There are two smaller projects on Northeast Harbor’s Summit Road that may be constructed prior to Heel Way. The fundraising for those projects is set for this fall.

MORE PEOPLE VISITING THE MOUNT DESERT CHAMBER

The Mount Desert Chamber of Commerce reported that its visitor center opened May 28 and was open six days a week through August. It is now open Monday through Friday until October. 11.

There have been 5,239 guests, which is an increase of 5%, year to date. However, August’s guest count was an increase of 20% over 2023.

Visitors who signed the organization’s guest book came from 45 states and 26 countries. The center offers free maps and publications, visitor guides, and Acadia National Park-provided materials as well as the brochures of area businesses.

Maps are the most requested items. Most interactions at the center with visitors are general and about 68.5% of those interactions are about directions.

“People who visit our villages are blown away by what they experience here,” Executive Director Georgeann Snead said.

She also suggested working with the town via a memorandum of understanding between the town and the chamber. The Selectboard agreed to put that on its agenda.

MDOT PROJECTS AND THE FIRE STATION

The Selectboard released $5,100 from the fire station building reserve account to repair overhead doors at two fire stations. It approved a winter sand contract with Harold MacQuinn, Inc., and two memorandum of agreements with the Maine Department of Transportation for work on the Somesville sidewalk and the Seal Harbor sidewalk. It also reviewed and approved an agreement with the DOT about the Babson Brook Bridge replacement.

ROLE OF THE LUZO COMMITTEE

The Selectboard heard some discussion about the role and duties of the town’s LUZO Committee. Selectman Rick Mooers said that it had begun as a rather simple ad hoc committee that reviewed inconsistencies in the ordinance itself.

There is a new board chair, Gail Marshall, and it seemed time to clarify what to expect from that committee as it goes about with its work.

There had been some concern that the committee had become something that it may not have been originally intended, he said.

Selectboard member Martha Dudman encouraged the committee to come to the Selectboard with a one-page document about its goals. This could help provide some clarity for all involved.

OTHER BUSINESS

The board agreed to close the town office on a date to be determined for personnel training.

The previous Selectboard meeting minutes were approved.

Heidi Smallidge was appointed warden for the November 5 referendum election.

Firefighter/EMT Kate Edwards’ October 3 resignation was accepted. Allen Kimmerly resigned from the Land Use Advisory Committee.

The board quickly approved the consent agenda, which included Hancock County budget estimates, a thank you letter from Lifeflight and a letter from Downeast Community partners.

The November Selectboard meeting will be at the Northeast Harbor Fire Department conference and training room because it’s the eve of the presidential election. Board members also adopted the general assistance ordinance amendments.