MEAGAN KELLY
Bar Harbor Warrant Committee Candidate
MEAGAN KELLY
THE BIO:
Hi! I’m Meagan Kelly (I prefer Meg!) Bar Harbor is my hometown. After some time away in my 20s, I moved back and now my sister and I own the Lompoc Cafe, a local bar and restaurant. I am proud to be a part of the community and to have served on the warrant committee for six years now. I am seeking re-election for another term. I am hopeful that my unique perspective as a hometown gal, business owner, experienced committee member and young person can help to shape the future of this town.
THE QUESTIONS
Why are you running for Warrant Committee? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
I have always been interested in the inner workings of our town and a few years ago I was encouraged to be involved. In 2018 I was appointed to the Warrant Committee. The experience has been rewarding and educational. Now, as a business owner in this town, I am fully committed to Bar Harbor and our community. I would like to be a voice for the service industry workers in this town, and the residents who live here year round.
The last year or so the news has been full of cruise ships, short-term rentals, and affordable housing. This isn’t saying that those aren’t all tremendously important, but what are some of the things that we might not be focusing on as a town that needs to be focused on instead?
I am the chair of the Public Infrastructure Subcommittee, so I have learned a lot about that aspect of the town budget. To get specific, I think we need to be thinking about our transfer station, the cost of the waste we generate, the amount we recycle, the environmental and budgetary impacts of our trash. It isn’t super glamorous, but it is important! Also, I am super passionate about people becoming involved in town politics and opening up the conversation to voices who have previously been unheard.
What are your thoughts on how the Town Council, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
This question is certainly challenging. I wholeheartedly believe in our town manager and the town staff, who create and manage the budget so effectively. They listened to the warrant committee this year and were able cut expenses drastically during the budget process. I believe in looking into generating more revenue for the town, applying for more grants and seeing if we can expand our PILOT program, and continuing to fight for a local lodging tax.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of?
I ran the MDI marathon! It was so challenging yet rewarding.
What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
The Lompoc Cafe is a place that I am really proud of. It is space that is focused on locals and community, and it is very inclusive and open to everyone. I am very proud of the values that our business stands for.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates, and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
My experience on the Warrant Committee over the past few years has helped me understand the budget in a comprehensive way. Now I feel confident in the nuances of the budget and feel comfortable discussing the budget with citizens as well as defending my decisions to the voters.
What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking? Feel free to answer it if you’d like to!
So many of us are arguing about our differences. I would like it if we were all talking about what is working or what we—as a town—are doing well. Asking about what actually ‘works’ or what is successful right now seems important to our path forward. It is much easier critique the town than to offer concrete solutions. I love Bar Harbor!