Maine Chick, a New Restaurant, Opens on Cottage Street
Briefs: MDI graduation coming up, Roberson plea, real estate, so many other things.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen.
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, people, 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.
We’ve also started to put singular local briefs up on our website in their own tab as well. You can find those and past briefs/press releases here if you want those briefs a bit more timely. It’s just that there are so many that we’d be bombarding your email constantly if we sent them all out individually.
Salinity Restaurant Group Debuts "Maine Chick" — Quick service/Fast Casual Chicken Centered Eatery in Bar Harbor
BAR HARBOR—Salinity Restaurant Group, the hospitality team behind local favorites Testa's Bar & Grill, Graffiti Donuts, and The Loft Raw Bar & Seafood Grill, proudly announces the grand opening of its newest concept: Maine Chick, located at 15 Cottage Street in the heart of Bar Harbor, Maine.
A celebration of comfort food with a coastal twist, minus the shellfish, Maine Chick offers a fun, family-friendly menu focused on crispy, flavorful chicken tenders, wings, house-made nuggets, stacked sandwiches, fries, and more. The beverage lineup includes beer, wine, liquor offerings, and signature slushies, making it a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike.
Chris Jeffers, Bar Harbor native and co-owner of Maine Chick alongside his wife, Danielle Zyvoloski said, “We’re thrilled to breathe new life and bring new flavor to this end of Cottage Street.”
Helming daily operations is Chamber of Commerce board member and General Manager Christopher Kemna of Bass Harbor, Executive Chef Marlon Wright, originally from Jamaica, brings bold flavors and culinary creativity to a carefully crafted menu that appeals to all ages.
Maine Chick is now open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 11 PM, with extended hours planned as the summer season heats up.
For more updates visit MaineChickBarHarbor.com
BRIEF: GRADUATION!
BAR HARBOR—MDI High School’s graduation is this weekend. Just over 110 seniors will graduate in the ceremony that is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 1. The ceremony will be in the Bernard Parady Gymnasium.
Harlan Mahoney will deliver the welcome address. Class speakers are Fiona St.Germain and Lucian Avila-Gatz.
BRIEF: ROBERSON ENTERS GUILTY PLEA
ELLSWORTH—Samuel Roberson, 57, formerly of Bar Harbor has entered a conditional guilty plea to one of the three counts of unlawful sexual contact with a child under age 14 he’d been charged with, according to the Ellsworth American’s Jennifer Osborn.
The sentencing is expected to occur in August. His plea had been filed in late February.
Bar Harbor Sgt. Soren Sundberg arrested Roberson in March 2022. The alleged incidents occurred between and during December 2021 and February 2022.
COMMUNITY SHRED DAY!
BRIEF: COMMUNITY WARMING/COOLING CENTER MEETING
SOMESVILLE—There will be an informational coffee and discussion this Saturday, May 31 at 10 a.m. to discuss the new community warming and cooling center that will be at the Somesville Union Meeting House.
The meeting will also be at that location, which is at 1192 Main Street in Somesville. All are invited to attend.
BRIEF: HEARTS OF MDI AND TRENTON!
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION—The Bar Harbor Story wants to hear from YOU!
We’re launching a new community series that highlights what connects us — the people, places, and moments that make our towns feel like home.
Each week, we’ll feature a local voice answering three simple but powerful questions about love, connection, and hope.
We aren't trying to just get town officials.
We aren't trying to just get "leaders."
We are trying to get everyone to talk and share.
Why?
Because everyone makes a community. Everyone.
THE QUESTIONS:
What’s one thing you love about this community?
When have you felt most connected to your neighbors?
What gives you hope about the future of this place?
THE DETAILS:
Want to be featured? Or know someone who should be?
You can share your answers in writing, record a voice memo, or send a short video. We’ll help you through it — it’s easy, meaningful, and a beautiful way to uplift each other and to remember what our community is about. You can email us at carriejonesbooks@gmail.com or at the bottom of this article, you can hit “send a message.”
Bonus points if you send a photo, too! Why? Because we all like photos, honestly.
Let’s tell the story of our community — one heart at a time.
We think we need it. We think it helps to remember the good that we are and that we can be
MDI Rotary Raises $5,000 for MDI Hospital Food Insecurity Program
BAR HARBOR—Mount Desert Island Hospital extends its heartfelt thanks to the MDI Rotary Club for partnering to organize their 20th Annual Adventure Mini Golf Challenge at Pirate’s Cove, which raised $5,000 in support of the Hospital’s Food Insecurity Program. These funds will help ensure that patients have consistent access to nourishing food without barriers.
Last year, in partnership with Good Shepherd Food Bank, the Hospital launched “Help Yourself Shelves” at each Health Center —giving patients the option to take home a bag of food without needing to disclose that they are experiencing food insecurity. By removing this barrier, use of the program tripled, showing just how impactful accessible support can be. The proceeds from the Adventure Golf Challenge will allow this program to continue, ensuring no patient has to go without critical nourishment for themselves or their family.
“We are deeply grateful to the MDI Rotary for championing this cause and for their ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of our communities,” said Chrissi Maguire, President/CEO of MDI Hospital & Health Centers. “Their partnership in this event along with the community support allows us to provide essential food resources to patients who might otherwise go without.”
Thank you again to the MDI Rotary, all event participants, and generous sponsors. The 20th Annual Adventure Mini Golf Challenge not only raised essential funds—it also helped raise awareness of an important issue that many in our communities face.
Thank you again to the hole sponsors:
A Little Mad Shop,
Abel's Lobster,
Acadia Cornerstone Real Estate,
Acadia Law Group LLC,
Acadia Shops,
Atlantic Fleet Services Corporation
Atlantic Oceanside Hotel
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
Bar Harbor Savings & Loan
Bay Ferries Limited
Board Veritas
Steve Boucher, Real Estate Broker
Church of Our Father, Hulls Cove
Coach Stop Inn
Coastal Maine Realty
Coston & McIsaac
Coston, McIsaac & Shea
Cross Insurance
Edward Jones
First National Wealth Management
Friends of Acadia
Galyn's
In memory of Paul Hammond
The Lynam Agency
Chrissi Maguire
Mount Desert Island Marathon
Mount Desert Island YMCA
Jim Mroch and Mary Ratner
Paradis ACE Hardware
RL White & Son
Saltair Inn
Max & Ruby Spear
Swan Agency Real Estate
Window Panes
MDI TEACHER BATTLING CANCER COULD USE YOUR HELP
GROUNDBREAKING AT SUMMIT ROAD
MOUNT DESERT—Mount Desert 365, a nonprofit organization on a mission to revitalize the Town of Mount Desert, invites town officials, project partners and community members to gather to break ground on two new homes in Northeast Harbor on Thursday, June 12 at 5:00 p.m. This will mark an exciting step toward expanding housing options in Mount Desert.
Located at the currently empty lot between 26 and 34 Summit Road, across the street from the Seaside Church, the new duplex will provide two high-quality, all electric, energy-efficient, year-round homes for households earning median incomes. The project is part of a broader initiative to address housing needs in the Town of Mount Desert and the first of multiple efforts planned by Mount Desert 365 for the Northeast Harbor village.
The project will feature a 3-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,579 sf home and a 2-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,246 sf home. The two-story homes will share a wall between each ground level mudroom/back entrance, providing great privacy for each family while allowing for two homeowners on a single lot within a duplex. Construction is expected to be completed by late fall 2025, with applications for purchase opening this summer.
“This groundbreaking represents more than just new construction—it is a much-needed investment in our community’s future,” said Kathy Miller, Executive Director of Mount Desert 365. “We are committed to bringing back a more robust year-round community, starting with homes that will remain affordable into the future for families with moderate, year-round incomes.” Rick Savage, Board President, added “I am proud to be one of the directors and active participants supporting the noble goals of MD365 by promoting homes and housing in our Town and village of Northeast Harbor”.
Mount Desert 365 is working with Showcase Homes of Maine for modular construction, John W. Goodwin, Jr. for site work, and Norwood Delaittre & Sons Inc. for foundation work. The design of the homes was done by NEH part-time resident architect Gregory J. Scott, FAIA, Partner Emeritus RLPS Architects of Pennsylvania.
The groundbreaking will be a celebration open to all. Food and beverages – along with shovels and hard hats – will be available on the site.
For more information about the project or housing availability, please contact Mount Desert 365 at 207-276-0555 or community@mountdesert365.org.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE WONDER OF PLACE
Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Richard Russo and his books, will be featured as a part of the Southwest Harbor Public Library’s 130th Anniversary Celebration events in June and July.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Richard Russo and his books, will be featured as a part of the Southwest Harbor Public Library’s 130th Anniversary Celebration events in June and July. I
n preparation for Russo’s talk on Thursday, July 24 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the lawn of St. John Church across from the library, take part in pre-talk activities: an Empire Falls Book Group on Wednesday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m., a screening of the Empire Falls HBO TV Mini-series, Part 1 on Wednesday, June 25th from 5:30-7:00 p.m., Part 2 on Wednesday, July 2 from 5:30-7:00 p.m., and a Life and Art Book Group on Wednesday, July 16 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Books are available to purchase at the library; Book Group attendees receive a discounted price. View details and registration information as well as other anniversary events at https://swhplibrary.org/celebrate/.
Richard Russo has written two memoirs and ten novels, most set in fictional small towns in New England. They include Straight Man, Bridge of Sighs, and three books set in upstate New York and referred to as the North Bath series: Nobody’s Fool, Everybody’s Fool and Somebody’s Fool. His 2001 Empire Falls, set on the Maine coast, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and Russo later adapted it into a television mini-series.
For more information or questions, email programs@swhplibrary.org, or call 244-7065.
2025 BLUEBERRY JAM!
Free Sports Gear Available at the Northeast Harbor Library
NORTHEAST HARBOR—On Saturday, June 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. the Northeast Harbor Library will host a Sports Gear Swap in collaboration with the Sustainability Committee of the Town of Mount Desert.
The Sports Gear Swap is a drop-in event; get outfitted for an upcoming season or find a new hobby, all at no cost. Items will be made available for free to all - no contribution needed.
The library will be accepting donations of sports gear for all ages in good condition during its standard open hours, from Saturday, May 24th until 10:00 am on the day of the Swap. Accepted items include bicycles, skis, climbing equipment, bats, balls, rackets, sticks, wearable gear and similar.
DOWNEAST ROWING CAMP!
LIVE MUSIC WEDNESDAYS
Axe Women Loggers of Maine Founder to Speak in Northeast Harbor
On Wednesday, June 4, at 5:30 p.m., the Northeast Harbor Library will host a history lecture by the founder/owner of the Axe Women Loggers of Maine, Alissa Wetherbee.
Wetherbee will speak on the history of lumberjills during WWI & WWII, as well as their impact on modern day female foresters. In addition to her extensive track record as a competitor, promoter, and instructor in logging sports, she is deeply involved in preserving its heritage, serving as a member of the Board of Directors at the Maine Forest & Logging Museum in Bradley, Maine.
Reserve your seat for free at nehlibrary.org/events or by calling 207-276-3333.
FROST FARMS SUMMER KICK OFF PARTY
Understanding Immigration Law with Don Wilkinson (ILAP)
Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
BAR HARBOR—Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is a nonprofit that works to advance justice and equity for immigrants and their families through legal services, community education, and systemic advocacy. On Thursday, June 12th, immigration attorney Don Wilkinson will provide information about deportation, immigration court and ICE check-ins, and documentation during this know-your-rights session hosted by the MDI Red Cards. This event is offered in-peron and online.
Don Wilkinson is the Rural Maine Project Attorney at ILAP. He travels throughout the state to conduct immigration law outreach and bring ILAP services to individuals that live far away from our offices in Southern Maine.
LET’S TACO ‘BOUT IT
Acadia National Park Advisory Commission meets on June 2, 2025
BAR HARBOR, MAINE – The Acadia National Park Advisory Commission will meet at the Training Trailer at Park Headquarters on Monday, June 2, at 1 p.m. There will be a virtual meeting option for those unable to attend in-person. The meeting is open to the public and will include an opportunity for public comment.
The agenda will include a Superintendent’s report with park updates. Friends of Acadia and Schoodic Institute will also provide reports.
Congress created the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission in 1986 to consult with the National Park Service on matters relating to the management and development of the park, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of lands and interests in lands. The Advisory Commission is comprised of 16 members with three members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, three members appointed by the Governor of Maine, and one member appointed by each of the following towns: Bar Harbor, Cranberry Isles, Frenchboro, Gouldsboro, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Swans Island, Tremont, Trenton and Winter Harbor.
Advanced registration is required if you plan to attend the meeting virtually. A confirmation email with the zoom connection information will be sent after you register.
BAR HARBOR PRIDE SCHEDULE!
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust’s Chairman of the Board and Senior Executive Team Recognize Ten Employees for Demonstrating Extraordinary Leadership
BAR HARBOR—Ten Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees were recognized for their extraordinary leadership at the Bank’s annual Chairman’s Dinner and Celebration, held May 16 in Bar Harbor, Maine. The Chairman’s and Emerging Leaders Awards honor employees who have played key roles in helping the Bank achieve its strategic goals and delivering positive outcomes for customers and fellow colleagues.
The Chairman’s Award, presented by Board Chair Matt Caras, is the event’s highest honor. The winners are selected in recognition of their consistent display of the Bank’s brand behaviors, strategic thinking, perseverance, and ability to motivate. The recipients of the 2025 Chairman’s Award are:
Dawn Anderson, Vice President Director of Internal Audit. She joined the Bank in 2020.
Peter Brockelman, Senior Vice President CRE/Hospitality Relationship Manager. He joined the Bank in 2020.
Mark Giordano, Senior Vice President Enterprise Architect. He joined the Bank in 2015.
Maureen Kimball, Senior Vice President Senior Wealth Manager at Bar Harbor Wealth Management. She joined the organization in 2016.
“The success of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust depends on the commitment and dedication of a lot of hardworking people, and the Chairman’s Award is reserved for those whose leadership skills and contributions set the bar of excellence throughout the Bank,” said Curtis C. Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “This year’s Chairman’s Award winners – Dawn, Maureen, Pete, and Mark – are all exemplary colleagues whose pursuit of excellence is unwavering. I’m confident they will continue to make a positive impact for many years to come.”
The Emerging Leader Award is presented to high-performing employees who demonstrate strong leadership skills and significant potential for growth in the organization. The recipients of the 2025 Emerging Leader Award are:
· Olivia Erickson, Vice President SEC Manager. She joined the Bank in 2016.
· Kevin Gendreau, Vice President Director of Real Estate Management. He joined the Bank in 2021.
· Jessica Hooper, Vice President Human Resources Business Partner. She joined the Bank in 2020.
CALLING MDI NONPROFITS
Author Talk with Kristyn Miller: “Given Our History”
Thursday, June 5 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
BAR HARBOR—On Thursday, June 5 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Maine-based romance author Kristyn Miller will read from her newest book, Given Our History, and offer a Q&A and book signing.
In Given Our History, assistant professor Clara Fernsby has wanted to teach history since she was fourteen, and she hasn’t let anything stand in her way—not even the love of her life. It all paid off in the end, because she landed a well-paid position at a private liberal arts college fresh out of grad school, and this year, she’s finally up for tenure.
When Theodore Harrison is brought on for the fall semester as a visiting scholar, it’s an unexpected blast from Clara’s past. Now that he’s here, she’s reminded of their time together at every turn: autumns spent at a sleepaway camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains, trading battered history books and burned CDs with the quiet, dark-haired boy she once fell in love with.
That boy might’ve been her best friend, but the man teaching HIST-322 is a total stranger—or so she thinks. As they spend evenings working on a shared project, Clara realizes she’s at risk of falling all over again. Given their history, she knows there’s every chance he’s not interested. But history’s all down to interpretation, and this time around, she’s got no intentions of repeating it.
YMCA BENEFIT POOL PARTY
Author Talk with Jim Wright: “The Real James Bond”
Wednesday, June 11from 6:30 to 7:30pm
BAR HARBOR—James Bond—ornithologist, author of the classic “Birds of the West Indies” and world’s most famous identity-theft victim—spent his summers on Mt. Desert Island his entire life. What’s more, he and his uncle wrote the classic field guide to the birds of Mt. Desert nearly eight decades ago. Bond also helped his uncle —Carroll Sargent Tyson -- create the most famous set of bird prints in Maine. Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” is involved as well (you won’t believe how). Jim Wright, the author of the lavishly illustrated biography, “The Real James Bond,” will tell all about Bond, his amazing wife Mary Bond, Carroll Tyson, the birds, the books, the illustrations, and several Mt. Desert Island locales in this colorful illustrated talk.
Jim Wright is a longtime nature writer, blogger and public speaker. He writes “The Bird Watcher” column for USA Today newspapers in New Jersey. Wright has written lavishly illustrated nature books about screech owls, Central America’s largest rainforest, Pennsylvania’s legendary Hawk Mountain, the New Jersey Meadowlands – and the real James Bond. He lives with his wife Patty in Allendale, N.J., where he is a deputy marsh warden. Jim has been on the board of his local library for several years. He thinks libraries are the best.
GOLF FOR ALZHEIMER’S
The 11th Annual Golf for Alzheimer’s, organized by Birch Bay Retirement Village, is set for Thursday, June 12th at Kebo Valley Golf Club. Presenting Sponsors include Carroll Harper & Associates and Ed Darling. Hole in one contest is sponsored by Stanley Subaru. Cart sponsors include First Express, Fletcher’s Auto, and Nichols Construction. Towel Sponsor is Cross Insurance Agency. We are still in search of a lunch sponsor!
The $100.00 entry fee per player includes a golf cart, lunch and prizes. Pre-registration is required.
Birch Bay Retirement Village supports residents and community members living with Alzheimer’s through its Safe Harbor residential memory care neighborhood, the Don & Beth Straus Adult Day Program, as well as Alzheimer’s education and support groups.
For more information about playing in the tournament or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Susanne Hopkins at susanne.hopkins@birchbayvillage.us or 288-8014.
Exploring Future Sea Levels with Science, History & Art on Mount Desert Island
Join us in Maren Auditorium for our first in-person Science Cafe of the summer season!
Monday, June 9, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Hybrid event (Maren Auditorium & via Zoom)
BAR HARBOR—How do we document the changing coastline of Mount Desert Island? How can history, science, and art come together to help us understand and prepare for the future?
Join panelists Raney Bench, Executive Director of the Mount Desert Island Historical Society; Jennifer Steen Booher, artist; and Catherine Schmitt, Science Communication Specialist at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park, for an update on installations of the “Coast Lines” stencil that involved community partners, teachers, and students, as well as how sea level observations contributed by volunteers have informed scientific models of future sea levels and storms.
We look forward to seeing you in Maren Auditorium for our first in-person Science Cafe of the 2025 summer season!
EASTERN MAINE FLY-CASTING COMPETITION AND FISHING GEAR SWAP
Downeast Trout Unlimited and the Pleasant River Fish and Game Conservation Association will host the first Eastern Maine Fly Casting Competition on June 7th in Columbia. Their aim in this joint venture is to get people outside for some fun while promoting the art of fly-fishing.
The event runs from 9am-2pm on Saturday June 7 and will be held on the grounds of the Pleasant River Fish and Game Association located at 1597 Tibbetstown Rd. Columbia, Maine
There are four categories for competing: Men, Women, Youth (under age 14) and Team. Competitors will win prizes, trophies, and bragging rights for being the best fly caster in Eastern Maine!
Each contestant will have trials for both Distance and Accuracy, and will use a standard fly and leader with a one- handed rod (9’ max length). Everyone will have two casts to get as close to the target as possible and then two casts for distance. The best score of each trial will be entered into the competition.
There will also be a Fishing Gear Sell and Swap meet at the event. Fly tiers, Gear Manufacturers, Outdoor Organizations & anyone with recreational fishing gear are welcome to rent a table to sell their wares.
Fees range from $5 General Admission to $20 to compete.
Competition $20, General Admittance $5, Sell/Swap Table $15, Lunch $10.
Call or text Al West: 207-632-7267 or email aldime04658@gmail.com to pre-register and receive guidelines for the event.Rain date June 8.
Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) is a local chapter 305 of Trout Unlimited, a national non-profit organization with over 300,000 members and supporters dedicated to the conservation and preservation of North American cold water fish species and their habitats.
The Pleasant River Fish and Game Conservation Association is a local organization whose mission is to foster good sportsmanship through the education of members and the public, particularly among juniors, with adherence to the State’s conservation laws, and respect for the natural environment in order to insure its protection and enjoyment by future generations.
For more information contact Al West 207-632-7267 or visit Downeast TU website or on Facebook.
REAL ESTATE
BAR HARBOR
• Eric J. Uberseder and Linda S. Uberseder, Bar Harbor to The Uberseder Family Real Estate Trust, Bar Harbor, land with buildings.
• Douglas G. Kidder, Berkeley, Calif., to 509 Norway Drive LLC, Berkeley, Calif., land with improvements.
• Marjorie K. Curtis, a/k/a Marjorie G. Curtis, Greenfield, Mass., to Douglas G. Kidder, Berkeley, Calif., land with buildings.
• Matthew J. Losquadro and Kristina M. Losquadro, a/k/a Kristi M. Losquadro, Bar Harbor to Losquadro Family Properties LLC, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
• Peter A. LaPlant, Palmyra and Elissa M. LaPlant, Bar Harbor to AshSky Point L3C, Seal Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
• ABC LLC, Hulls Cove to William F. O’Connell and Patricia A.L. O’Connell, Bar Harbor, condominium Unit #1, “Harborcove,” Bar Harbor.
• Joel Robert Avila, Hulls Cove to Joel R. Avila and Christine M. Smith, Hulls Cove, as joint tenants, land with buildings.
• Ann B. Smith, South Portland to Ashley M. Rosborough, Bar Harbor, land with buildings and improvements.
MOUNT DESERT
• Brock Houghton, Santa Monica, Calif., and Nicholas Houghton, Glendale, Calif. to Vivek Tomer and Isabelle Smith, Wayne, Pa., as joint tenants, land with buildings and improvements.
• Temple Grassi Personal Residence Trust, Chevy Chase, Md., to Estate of Temple Grassi, Chevy Chase, Md., land.
• Amanda T. Madeira, Gloucester, Mass., Martha L. Madeira, Haverford, Pa., and Melissa M. Gormley, Freeport to CRG Wedgerock LLC, Boston, Mass., land with buildings.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
• Faye Sheldon, Morrill to Michelle L. Perkins and Gregory S. Perkins, Orono, as joint tenants, 50% interest, time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, unit 56, week 40.
• David J. Bernier and Barbara A. Bernier, Oakland to Peter Santalucia Revocable Trust Oct. 10, 2018, Orchard Park, N.Y., 50% interest in time-share estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, unit 22, week 42.
• David J. Bernier and Barbara A. Bernier, Oakland to Peter Santalucia Revocable Trust, Orchard Park, N.Y., 50% interest in timeshare estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, unit 33, week 42.
• Robert J. Holmes Jr. and Virginia T. Holmes, Mount Pleasant, S.C., to Peter Santalucia Revocable Trust Oct. 10, 2018, Orchard Park, N.Y., as joint tenants, interest in timeshare estate at Harbor Ridge Condominium, Southwest Harbor, unit 33, week 23.
SWAN’S ISLAND
• Almer L. Dinsmore and Linda T. Dinsmore, Trenton to Benjamin T. Dinsmore, Brunswick and Aaron C. Dinsmore, South Thomaston, land with buildings and improvements.
• Estate of Kenneth Foree Holbert, Conyers, Ga., to Alice B. Ford, Conyers, Ga., land with buildings and improvements.
TREMONT
• C.H. Rich LLC, f/k/a Premium Brands Seafood Group LLC, Richmond, B.C., to Rich’s Wharf LLC, Bass Harbor, land with improvements.
TRENTON
• Jeffrey B. Linscott, St. Agatha to Dylan J. Linscott, Ellsworth, land with improvements.
STATE LEGISLATOR UPDATE
Dear Neighbors,
Last week the State’s Joint Standing Committee on Taxation, on which I serve, sent three bills to Maine’s House and Senate in an attempt repair a small part of the damage Republicans in Washington are about to rain on Maine.
Washington House Republicans are advancing a bill that guts food and health care programs to pay for tax cuts for billionaires and large corporations. It includes the largest Medicaid cut in U.S. history, over $880 billion; here in Maine, that means up to 34,000 of our neighbors, friends and families could lose their health care coverage.
The bill would also cut $230 billion from the SNAP nutrition program over the next decade. That means nearly 20% of the Mainers who use SNAP –
that’s more than 30,000 people – could lose food support, including veterans and numerous families with kids.
Additionally, the plan of the Washington House Republicans would end help for low-income seniors on Medicare, blocks access to gender-affirming care and cuts access to basic health care services including cancer screenings offered by Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health providers. It even fines states that go the extra mile to provide health care to more people.
Together, this adds up to a direct attack on the most vulnerable Mainers: children, older adults, disabled people and families trying to make ends meet.
Now, some Republicans have suggested their suffering is necessary to fix our federal and state finances.
In fact, numerous nonpartisan analyses agree the House bill would have the opposite effect. Because it doesn’t pay for the tax cuts, it will add at least $2.5 trillion – and likely much more – to our long-term national debt. This borrowing will only add to the fiscal headwinds already facing our economy, and it means our children will be paying for this gift to the wealthiest Americans long into the future.
In addition, the plan simply shifts enormous costs to states. In Maine, it will blow a nearly $190 million hole in our state budget. That includes a $90 million penalty for covering immigrant children, pregnant and postpartum people and $97 million to cover SNAP.
All this is to cut federal taxes for millionaires and billionaires by 4.3% – an average $389,000 per household annually.
To bring fairness in Maine’s income tax rates, Rep. Matlack’s (D-St. George) bill, LD 229, will lower rates for households making less than $123,250 and raise taxes on those making more than $289,000. It will add new 7.75% and 8.95% brackets for incomes in excess on $289,000 and $1 million, respectively.
Rep. Golek’s (D-Harpswell) LD 1089, which I co-sponsored, would add a 2% surcharge on household income greater than $2 million. And Rep. Pluecker’s LD 1879 would raise the corporate income tax by 1% on net income over $3,500,000 to 10%.
These bills would make our tax system fairer and help cushion Maine from irresponsible behavior in Congress. But the State of Maine cannot make up for all of Trump’s cuts across many agencies. Americans nationwide could lose access to popular clean energy programs that save families money on electricity costs. Millions of acres of our public lands and coastal waters could be sold off to the highest bidders, closed down and destroyed.
The air we breathe and the water we drink will be less safe for all Americans if Trump and Congress get their way in rolling back clean air and water protections. Communities won't get the help they need to recover from wildfire and extreme weather if they cut funding for critical disaster relief programs.
But if a majority in Augusta pass significant tax reforms, we can assure that the most vulnerable Mainers will have food and shelter, that child care workers will be fairly paid and families can afford quality care for their children, that our schools are funded and that veterans benefits are not slashed.
We cannot let thousands of our neighbors lose their healthcare or go hungry.
Let your representatives in Washington know that handouts for billionaires are unacceptable. And urge the Governor to support progressive taxation like the bills listed above.
It’s time to stand up for our State’s motto, Dirigo – “I lead.”
STATE BRIEFS
We want your feedback! Take Our Infrastructure Investment Fund Survey
AUGUSTA—The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is soliciting feedback from agriculture, food system, and forest products producers and professionals, as well and capital and technical service providers for these sectors, to help inform the structure and funding priorities of the new Agriculture, Food System, and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Fund.
The Fund was established by the Maine legislature to expand infrastructure investments and strengthen the State's agricultural, food and forest products economy, with a priority of making resulting efforts more inclusive of and increasing investments in historically marginalized, underrepresented and underserved communities.
Please complete the survey that best fits your profession: producer/business owner or capital/technical service provider. Either survey should take between 8 - 15 minutes to complete. Responses are due June 2.
Thank you for taking the time to respond! Please reach out to Jo D. Saffeir, Special Assistant to the Commissioner at DACF, with any questions at jod.saffeir@maine.gov.
$50 Million Water Quality Bond: What's Next After Public Hearing.
The Department of Environmental Protection has submitted a Department bill for a $50,000,000 bond that would provide grants to publicly owned treatment works for infrastructure projects facilitating proper management and disposal of wastewater sludge or biosolids, such as dryer and digestor projects. The bill is LD 25, An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction of Infrastructure Projects. The intent of the bill is to address current concerns with state sludge disposal capacity. The bill can be tracked here under LD 25.
A public hearing on LD 25 was held on April 10, 2025, by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA) Committee: https://legislature.maine.gov/committee/#Committees/AFA
The Department, along with several other entities, testified in support of the bill. The legislative website above for LD 25 currently contains 27 testimony submissions in support of the bill. Testimony can still be submitted online at https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/
The Department has discussed this bill with MeWEA, MWUA, and MRWA and we expect these associations will be reaching out to their members and other partners to promote this important bill and garner support via submittal of testimony to the AFA Committee and contact with your local legislative representatives.
Typically, there are many bond requests in each legislative session and only a few are approved by the legislature. Currently there are a total of 20 General Fund bond requests totaling $997 million before the legislature. The next step in the process will be work sessions held by the AFA Committee to deliberate on LD 25, and the other bond bills. Each of these will then be voted on by the AFA Committee. A unanimous vote of “ought to pass” from the AFA Committee would strengthen the possibility of LD 25 being passed by the full legislature.
Bonds bills that are approved by two thirds in both the House and the Senate must then go to the voters for final approval. Voter approval for bonds is typically in November. If approved by the voters, the Department intends to solicit proposals for funding in early 2026 along with the annual CWSRF request for proposals.
Questions on this issue should be directed to Brian Kavanah, Director of the Bureau of Water Quality, brian.w.kavanah@maine.gov, 530-0293.
Cybersecurity - Evaluating Threats & Vulnerabilities.
AUGUSTA—A valuable tool for evaluating the cyber hygiene of your facility plant is to conduct a vulnerability assessment. A vulnerability assessment is a systematic examination to determine the adequacy of security and privacy measures by identifying security holes that may be exploited on a computer or network. The assessment may also include a vulnerability scan that detects and classifies system weaknesses in computers, networks, and communications equipment. Results are used to predict the effectiveness of security controls and countermeasures over time.
A vulnerability assessment may be conducted by an organization’s IT department or a private security service provider. In addition, the EPA offers free assessments to public drinking water plants (DWP) and wastewater facilities (click Here for more information on EPA’s vulnerability assessment program), and the Maine National Guard (MENG) is developing a program to provide free vulnerability assessments to POTWs.
There are currently no state requirements in Maine for a water or wastewater facility to perform a vulnerability assessment, so all efforts at this time are voluntary.
Vulnerability assessments can include:
Configuration Review of operating systems, database settings and configurations.
Interviewing individuals or groups within an organization, reviewing policies, procedures, security plans, security requirements, standard operating procedures, architecture diagrams, engineering documentation, asset inventories, system configurations, rulesets, and system logs.
Penetration Testing to determine susceptibility to an actual attach by infiltrating the target environment, using current, real-world tactics, techniques, and procedures. Testing also allows organizations to measure levels of compliance in areas such as patch management, password policy, and configuration management.
Vulnerability Scanning - includes continuous monitoring to assess internet-accessible network assets to evaluate their host and vulnerability status. Vulnerability scanning can help your utility identify and address cybersecurity weaknesses that an attacker could use to impact your system.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers free vulnerability scanning to POTWs and PWS using automated tools that look for vulnerabilities and weak configurations that adversaries could use to conduct a cyberattack.
For more information on free cyber vulnerability scanning for public water and wastewater facilities, go to CISA’s website or email vulnerability@CISA.gov.
2026 Draft Air Monitoring Plan
AUGUSTA—Maine DEP is required by federal monitoring regulations (40 CFR 58.10) and grant requirements to annually develop its air monitoring network description plan for the next calendar year, post it for at least 30 days for public review and comment, and submit a finalized plan to EPA. Anyone wishing to provide comments on the proposed air monitoring plan for 2026 may send them to David Lemery electronically at David.j.lemery@maine.gov.
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