Tremont Select Board Split on Approving Consent Agreement for Shed's Land Use Violation
Policing contract with Southwest Harbor renewed for another year
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Ironbound Restaurant – Inn – Gatherings.
TREMONT—When Code Enforcement Officer Angela Chamberlain started working for the Town of Tremont, her predecessor, John Larson left her a list of possible code violations. One of those possible violations is an 8-foot by 12-foot shed that sits on the property of William and Charlene Weir at 154 Tremont Road.
At its June 16 meeting, the Tremont Select Board heard about this now confirmed violation and a possible solution of entering into a consent agreement with the Weirs.
Charlene Weir uses the shed, which was permitted in 2022, for her antiques and artwork resale business and according to Chamberlain the siting of the shed does not allow it to meet the 15-foot side setback requirements of the zone.
“According to the Weir’s measurements, it is less than a foot from the property line,” said Chamberlain.
Chamberlain and the Weirs have been working together on options to rectify the situation and as the first option wanted to pursue a consent agreement, knowing that the select board is not obligated to approve it.
William Weir said that they have a narrow lot and they actually have a septic system that “bulges” onto the neighbor’s land, but they have an easement for that. According to Weir, the neighbor is aware of the violation and has no problems with it. The shed, which is on skids rather than a foundation, also has underground power that runs to it. The underground power, the slope of a good portion of the land, and the presence of wetlands all make the current site the best place for the shed according to the Weirs.
Vice Chair McKenzie Jewett said, “My only issue with signing the consent agreement is that Angie has violations to other people, does that mean everybody that she has issued a violation to is going to want to come in and have us sign a consent agreement?”
There was some clarifying discussion, perusing of lot lines on survey maps, and discussion regarding other possible options. In the end, the agreement was approved in a split vote of 3-2 with Chair Jamie Thurlow and Jewett in opposition.
Member Kevin Buck then mentioned having read some language that included a penalty or fine and after some discussion of a fair amount a second motion was made to institute a $250 fine to cover the cost of Chamberlain’s time on this project. That motion passed unanimously.
POLICING CONTRACT
Also at its June 16 meeting, the select board unanimously voted to renew the town’s contract for policing services with the Town of Southwest Harbor for another year. With very little discussion other than a couple of member questions the contract was passed.
Buck asked Police Chief John Hall if the department was fully staffed now.
Hall responded that the department is.
“I have seen a lot more of you around,” Buck said.
The budget for the contract of $340,137 was approved at town meeting on May 13 and the contract calls for automatic renewal as long as both Tremont and Southwest Harbor wish to continue with the agreement. This process is a formality and is the select board officially signing off that they wish to continue with the policing contract.
At its full contingent of officers, the staffing of the police department currently looks like this.
Chief John Hall
Sgt. Ryan Blakeney
Officer Charles “Rick” Graham
Officer James Kamorski
Officer Kristen Roulet
Officer Bradley Russell
USE OF BERNARD WHARF FOR PTO MACKEREL DERBY
Two representatives of the Tremont Consolidated School Parent Teacher Organization came before the select board to ask permission to utilize the Bernard Wharf for a mackerel derby fundraiser. The event would be held on Sunday, August 24.
The request was unanimously approved.
BOARD, COMMITTEE, AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS
The select board made many appointments during the meeting and one was not approved.
HARBOR COMMITTEE
Peter Gott was unanimously reappointed to an at large seat, term expiring June 30, 2028.
Arthur “Art” Paine was unanimously reappointed to an at large seat, term expiring June 30, 2028.
Ben Harper was unanimously reappointed to the riparian owner seat, term expiring June 30, 2028.
Richard “Rich” Helmke was unanimously reappointed to the boat storage/repair seat, term expiring June 30, 2028.
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Weslea Sidon was unanimously reappointed, term expiring June 30, 2028.
Rachel Ramos was unanimously reappointed, term expiring June 30, 2028.
PLANNING BOARD
Beth Gott was unanimously reappointed, term expiring June 30, 2028.
BOARD OF APPEALS
Richard Cohen was seeking reappointment to the seat he previously held as an alternate seat on the town’s planning board.
Cohen’s bid for reappointment did not pass in a split vote of 2-3 with Thurlow and Buck in favor and Jewett, Eric Eaton, and Howard Goodwin opposed.
Cohen’s seat expired at the 2025 town meeting, so the seat is now vacant.
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
David Edson was unanimously reappointed, term expiring June 30, 2027.
PUBLIC SAFETY BUIDLING COMMITTEE
An impromptu item was added to the agenda after the sustainably committee vote when Thurlow asked if they should have a vote to fill the council representative seat on the public safety building committee that he recently resigned from.
After some discussion and lighthearted negotiations, Buck volunteered and was unanimously voted into the seat. Buck abstained from voting for himself.
ACADIA DISPOSAL DISTRICT
Carey Donovan was unanimously reappointed, term expiring June 30, 2027.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS
Sarah Abbott was appointed to the following positions:
Town Clerk
Tax Collector
Deputy Treasurer
Deputy General Assistance Administrator
Registrar of Voters
Janice Sprague was appointed to the following positions:
Deputy Clerk
Deputy Tax Collector
Katie Parsons was appointed to the following positions:
Administrative Assistant
Deputy Clerk
Deputy Tax Collector
Beatrice Grinnell was appointed to the following positions:
Deputy Clerk
Deputy Tax Collector
Tyler Damon was appointed to the following position:
Harbormaster
Angela Chamberlain was appointed to the following positions:
Code Enforcement Officer
Plumbing Inspector
911 Addressing Officer
Health Officer
Matthew Caldwell, CMA was appointed to the following position:
Assessor
Heath Higgins was appointed to the following position:
Animal Control Officer
Keith Higgins was appointed to the following position:
Emergency Management Director
After the regular business, the select board entered executive session to discuss a possible land acquisition. According to Town Manager Jesse Dunbar, no action was taken after the executive session.
The next meeting of the select board is scheduled for July 7, 2025, at 5 p.m., in the Harvey Kelley Meeting Room at the town office.
CORRECTION: The previously published sentences which read, “he currently holds as an alternate seat on the town’s planning board” and “Cohen’s current seat expires at the 2026 town meeting,” now read, “he previously held as an alternate seat on the town’s planning board” and “Cohen’s seat expired at the 2025 town meeting, so the seat is now vacant.”
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