Sidman Denied Intervenor Status in Town's Golden Anchor Case; Trenton Land Deal No Longer a Go
Briefs: Upcoming Dances, Events, Trout Meeting and More
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BAR HARBOR—In a four-page order, November 27, the Maine Business & Consumer Court’s Judge Michael Duddy denied Charles Sidman’s request to act as a defendant intervenor in the Golden Anchor, L.C.’s case against the Town of Bar Harbor.
The town took no position in Sidman’s request to be involved with the case, according to the order. Its attorneys had previously filed a response to Sidman’s request, which stated, “The town does not object to Mr. Sidman's intervention. However, the motion contains a number of factual inaccuracies, omissions, and distortions that the town feels obligated to correct for the record.“
The Golden Anchor objected to his request. The case revolves around a notice of violation issued to the Golden Anchor. It concerns whether or not the Golden Anchor can continue to accept more than 1,000 passengers disembarking from cruise ships each day without applying for a permit, which is a new requirement since the cruise ship rules were enacted this summer. The ordinance was approved by voters in 2022 and upheld by a narrow number of votes this November.
A case against those cruise ship disembarkation limits (Association to Protect and Preserve Local Livelihoods, et.al, v. Town of Bar Harbor) had been litigated in federal court and the ordinance was upheld this winter in a decision by Lance Walker, the judge in that case. That case is now in federal appeals court. Sidman had been granted defendant intervenor status in that case and was seeking the same in this case, Golden Anchor L.C. v. Town of Bar Harbor.
The rules were enacted on June 18. On August 5, Bar Harbor issued the Golden Anchor a notice of violation. This case is the business contesting that notice of violation. It is also appealing the notice at the town’s appeals board level.
In denying Sidman’s motion to appeal, the state court wrote that this is about the disembarkation ordinance’s enforcement, not the passenger limitation. Because of that, the court says, it is “an essentially private dispute.”
The court also said that “through its efforts in the federal litigation, the town has demonstrated that it is willing and able to defend the disembarkation ordinance.” The court cites the town’s defense of the cruise ship ordinance in federal court, passing of the disembarkation ordinance, and issuing the notice of violation as examples of it not shirking “its duty to defend the disembarkation ordinance in good faith.”
Related documents:
TRENTON’S LAND SALE A NO-GO
TRENTON-A potential land sale of a lot in the town’s industrial park, which had frontage on Route 3 has ended.
At the Trenton Select Board meeting on Tuesday, Select Board member John Bennett explained that the potential buyer, Ron Murphy was no longer interested in the lot, which has wetland within it. The board had previously approved entering into negotiations with Murphy about the land. Bennett said during the meeting that Murphy said it would be too expensive to develop because of the wetlands. Bennett has one realtor’s opinion on the value of the land and is seeking others.
Celebrate Lucia Fest with the Downeast Folk Dancers and the Kotwica Band!
BAR HARBOR—According to Swedish tradition, Santa Lucia brings light and treats to all during the cold, dark days of December. We'll feature the Langdans, Hambo, and other Swedish dances plus holiday songs and dances from Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Serbia, and more - December 7, 7:00-9:00 p.m., at the MDI-YWCA, 36 Mt. Desert Street, Bar Harbor. Dances will be taught by Carolyn Rapkievian and friends - no experience and no partner is needed. Sponsored by the Downeast Folk Dancers. Admission is $10 at the door. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559917761571
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Pledges $5,000 to Five Hancock County Food Pantries
BAR HARBOR— Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has pledged $5,000 to help improve food security for residents of Hancock County. The bank will match, dollar for dollar, up to $1,000 of donations made to each of the following food pantries during December 1-13:
· Bar Harbor Food Pantry (Bar Harbor)
· Common Good Soup Kitchen (Southwest Harbor)
· Emmaus Homeless Shelter (Ellsworth)
· Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry (Ellsworth)
· Schoodic Food Pantry (Gouldsboro)
“No one should have to worry about whether they have enough to eat, but that is the reality for too many of our neighbors,” said Jack Frost, VP director of community giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “We are honored to make this pledge of $5,000 and hope the community will join us in donating to a local food pantry so that, together, we can help those who are experiencing food insecurity.”
Visit www.barharbor.bank/food to learn more.
Library Kick-off of Holiday Book Sale and Scallop Raffle
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Find wonderful treasures for everyone on your holiday gift list, at the Southwest Harbor Public Library’s Holiday Book Sale Kick-off beginning Saturday, December 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hundreds of new & nearly new hardcover and paperback books, perfect for gift giving, will be for sale, including a selection of glass ornaments.
We’re also kicking off our annual one-gallon fresh-caught Scallops Raffle. Holly Masterson, our Southwest Harbor fisherman featured in Ali Farrell’s “Pretty Rugged: True Stories of Woman of the Sea”, has once again generously offered to arrange for a special order of one gallon of fresh-caught scallops for the lucky winner. Tickets are 1 for $1 or 6 for $5. The winning ticket will be drawn at 12 noon on Friday, December 27. If you can’t be here in person to buy tickets, call or email, and staff will assist you.
All proceeds from the book, ornaments, and raffle ticket sales support the Library’s ongoing programs and operations. Find a gift for everyone at the library!
The book sale and raffle will continue through the holidays during library hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wed 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Sat 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Contact us at 207-244-7065 or at circulation@swhplibrary.org.
FAMILIES WITH UNIQUE NEEDS MEETS DECEMBER 15!
BAR HARBOR—Families with Unique Needs is for people who are neurodiverse, ID/D, autistic and their families and guardians. Families with Unique Needs gathers monthly to share a meal, make friends, network, and share resources. Our mission is to support neurodiverse people to interact with their community and build skills for independence.
The group meets Sunday, December 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the choir room at St. Saviour's Church in Bar Harbor for a potluck meal and games.
VICTORIAN ORNAMENT MAKE-AND TAKE
WINTER FITNESS AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Maine’s Inland Underwater World
ELLSWORTH—If you’ve ever been curious about what it looks like beneath the surface of your favorite fishing spot then come watch technology reveal what very few people ever get to see. Jason Smith is a lifelong Maine resident and avid fisherman. He uses a FIFISH v6 underwater drone watch to explore aquatic habitats all over Maine. Stunning scenes are captured in 4K video and brought to life right before your eyes.
Jason Smith loves fishing and hunting and exploring new places in the outdoors. After 15 years in manufacturing, he wanted to do something that allowed him to combine his interests and love for Maine. In July of 2023, he started a YouTube channel called Maine Freshwater Exploration Going Deep. He uses an underwater drone to explore lakes, ponds and rivers all over Maine and makes videos from the footage of what he observes. Born and raised in Maine, he lives in Milo with his wife and three children.
“It has been amazing capturing video and photos of fish in their natural state and environment,” he said. “I enjoy being able to share that with people!”
https://www.youtube.com/@MFEGoingDeep
https://www.facebook.com/p/Maine-Freshwater-Exploration-Going-Deep
The hybrid meeting is December 18, 5:30 p.m. at the Moore Community Center 125 State Street Ellsworth and via Zoom. Pre-register here.
Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) chapter 305 is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine's cold water fisheries and their watersheds. To join go to www.tu.org/join305Downeast New memberships are half price! For more information contact Tammy Packie, tpackie@gmail.com or visit https://www.downeasttu.org/
COME MEET THE ARTIST!
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Come meet the artist! Join us on Saturday, December 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a special Meet-the-Artist Reception with Terre Lefferts. Celebrate her seasonal exhibit of landscapes and winter activities done in oil, pastel, and acrylic, while enjoying light refreshments. The exhibit will be on display from Tuesday, December 3rd through Saturday, January 4th. Don't miss this chance to experience art and connect with the artist!
The ongoing Holiday Book Sale and Scallop Raffle will be up during this time and through the holidays. The drawing for the winning raffle ticket will take place Friday, December 27 at noon.
BAR HARBOR GARDEN CLUB TALKS COMPOST PROGRAM
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—On Tuesday, December 10 at 5:30 p.m., at the Southwest Harbor Public Library, hear from representatives Barbara Amstutz and Jane Sanderson from the Bar Harbor Garden Club (BHGC), Renee Duncan, Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s MDI Regional Outreach Manager and Stone Barn Farm Steward, and Kate Tomkins, founder and owner of Chickadee Compost. These organizations are partnering to provide a subscriber-based service that diverts household food scraps from the waste stream and contributes to compost production.
Learn how you can participate as a subscriber in the first MDI program of its kind. Registration encouraged.
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