Service, Farewells, and Standing Ovations: Mount Desert’s Town Meeting Honors Past and Budgets Its Future
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by First National Bank.
MOUNT DESERT—There was something poignant about the Mount Desert Town meeting this Tuesday, something that really showed that town meetings aren’t just about town business, but also town community.
Before the meeting, voters could share a meal, offered by the Neighborhood House. Mingling, getting sustenance, catching up with neighbors or people from far-away villages before settling down to listen to moderator Jerry Miller bringing them through 75 warrant articles.
It was more than that this time, though.
This town meeting in Mount Desert on May 6 was also about service, about acknowledgement, about loss and about celebration.
Not only was it retiring town manager Durlin Lunt’s last in that position due to his upcoming retirement, but the town report was dedicated to long-time police officer Ken Mitchell, who died of cancer in October of last year.
Lunt was honored in person with a standing ovation; Mitchell was honored in written word in the town report’s dedication, but also in Police Chief David Kerns’ report.
“Officer Mitchell served our agency for 15 years, demonstrating kindness, compassion, and dedication to his work and community,” Kerns wrote.
“Officer Mitchell began his law enforcement career in the early 1980s as a part-time patrol officer for the Mount Desert Police Department. He later served briefly with the Portland Police Department before joining the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, where he worked as a patrol deputy for nearly 20 years,” the report reads.
Officer Mitchell was a victim witness advocate for many years at the Hancock County District Attorney’s Office.
“On December 28, 2009, Ken returned to the Mount Desert Police Department as a full-time patrol officer, serving proudly and honorably for the remainder of his career. In April 2023, he was promoted to the newly created position of Public Safety Communications Supervisor for the Bar Harbor & Mount Desert Police Departments, a role he held until his passing.”
“Ken was a role model in our community, forming strong relationships with residents and colleagues who cherished his friendship. His unwavering positive attitude and ability to bring joy to those around him, even in the face of his health challenges, were a true testament to his love of life and dedication to service. We miss Officer Mitchell dearly but have lasting memories of a man who truly loved his family, his colleagues and the communities he served so admirably throughout his career in law enforcement,” the report read.
LAST TOWN MANAGER REPORT FOR DURLIN LUNT
In the town report’s manager’s report, Lunt—a man known for his quotes—began with one by former Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith.
“The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character,” Senator Smith said.
With other staff Lunt sat at a long table directly in front of the stage at the Neighborhood House. He was flanked by Mae Weaver and Public Works Director Brian Henkel. Behind him was the selectboard, and in front of him, the residents of the town he grew up in and that he serves.
“It is with a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the town manager for the last fifteen years that I submit this report. I believe that they have been a time of progress and optimism for our community, despite the many challenges we face, and will continue to face over the coming years. Mount Desert may never be what it once was, but that does not mean we should not strive to ensure that it may become all it can be. I wish to thank the selectboards I have served with, the wonderful employees of our town, the colleagues and friends I have met along the way, and the dedicated volunteers serving our community, but most of all I would like to thank the residents of Mount Desert both seasonal and year-round for their kind words and encouragement during my tenure,” Lunt wrote.
SPIRIT OF AMERICA AWARD
State Representative Gary Friedmann (D-Bar Harbor) drove from Augusta to be part of the presentation of the Spirit of America Award to two local men: Jerry Miller and Tom Wallace. The legislature also had a special commendation for Lunt. Select Board Chair John Macauley began the presentation for Wallace.
Wallace has been more than a mainstay in the firefighting community and had been assistant fire chief in Mount Desert. He has trained, laughed with, and helped countless people and raised countless dollars for fallen hero projects. He’s volunteered in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth, and trained firefighters at the Hancock County Fire Academy.
He became assistant fire chief in 2001. At the time, the four volunteer departments merged.
“The Spirit of America Foundation was established to encourage and promote volunteerism, and the foundation presents awards to honor local individuals, organizations or projects in appreciation of community service. We extend our congratulations and best wishes,” the special sentiment reads.
Miller has been a longtime town volunteer and moderator for the town as well, his resonating voice reading off warrant question after warrant question while also running the town meeting year after year.
THE ELECTION
There weren’t any big surprises in the multiple uncontested races for the town’s selectboard, school board, and MDI High School board of trustees races at this Monday’s election.
Rodney King (with 82 votes ) and Wendy Littlefield (with 91 votes) headed to the selectboard. Littlefield was the vice chair and running for her seat. Rick Mooers had decided not to run for his.
Gail Marshall (with 86 votes) and Andrew Solomon (with 74 votes) headed to the school board, and Daniel Kane (with 94 votes) headed to the high school board of trustees. All received a round of applause during the May 6 meeting.
Town Clerk Claire Woolfolk thanked those who ran, those who took the time to vote and attend the meeting, and she also thanked the Neighborhood House for feeding attendees before the town meeting Tuesday night. She swore in the newly elected officials before those attending.
There were more people than expected, Miller said, and they brought in more chairs.
THE BUDGET AND THE WARRANT ARTICLES
Voters gave the go-ahead to all of the town’s 75 warrant articles during the meeting. Most passed without discussion or amendment.
The funding for social service agencies was tweaked during the meeting, reduced by $5,000 after Gail Marshall proposed removing money that would have been allocated to the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association, which she defined as a political action group.
Chris Moore disagreed with that categorization and said the association helps those who work in the fishery industry.
One of the biggest conversation generators was the approval of a $600,000 bond meant to renovate the town’s tennis and pickleball courts.
Public Works Director Brian Henkel explained that those major renovations had been in the works for a long while and that it would include a chiller for the ice rink to help maintain it during the winter and prevent it from melting and closing during warmer days. It would also even out the tennis court which is not level.
Private donations fund the actual ice rink construction.
Some expressed concern over the potential noise of the chiller. Henkel explained it would not be constant and would be approximately the same sound level as a hair dryer.
Allen Kimmerly was not in favor of the bond.
“I just want to keep our property taxes at a reasonable rate,” he said.
The school budget’s increase is approximately 8.2% to $5.8 million. The town’s appropriation increase is 4.25% or approximately $5.25 million. This increase would be approximately $8.58 per $100,000 valuation. It was approved as was the $6 million bond for MDES building repairs.
THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
It was a congenial and unanimous group that approved multiple amendments to the town. The warrant committee had recommended passage of all the changes.
Voters also quickly supported multiple amendment to the town’s land use and zoning ordinance including:
Harbor Ordinance Amendments Sections 7.6 and 7.7These amendments to the Harbor Ordinance are to update the mooring allocation priority list and to bring clarity to dinghy and public float use regulations. The sections referenced will be amended.
Repeal of Mobile Home Park Ordinance This Article will repeal the Mobile Home and Trailer Park ordinance which is not fully compliant with current State laws.
LUZO - Certificates of OccupancyThis Article clarifies that only structures permitted after March 3, 1998 require a Certificate of Occupancy.
LUZO - Mobile Homes This Article amends the Land Use Ordinance to be in compliance with updated State laws associated with Manufactured homes and mobile homes. The new law requires that manufactured homes be permitted on all lots where a single-family dwelling is allowed. The Town already allows this and these changes correct contradictions in the Performance standards and Definitions.
LUZO - Shoreland Commercial District This Article is intended to clarify that the dimensional standards of the adjacent shoreland residential district are to be used when a primary residential use is proposed in the Shoreland Commercial District.
LUZO - Solar Energy Systems This Article adds standards for Solar Energy Systems to the Land Use Ordinance.
TO WATCH THE MEETING
TO READ THE TOWN REPORT
Follow us on Facebook. And as a reminder, you can easily view all our past stories and press releases here.
If you’d like to donate to help support us, you can, but no pressure! Just click here (about how you can give) or here (a direct link), which is the same as the button below.
If you’d like to sponsor the Bar Harbor Story, you can! Learn more here.