The following article is the third in a series designed to break down the draft comprehensive plan into smaller, more digestible segments. Previous articles have addressed the town’s demographics, the working waterfront, natural resources, recreation and community services, public facilities, and transportation. This article focuses on the town’s fiscal capacity, economy, historic and archaeological resources, and agriculture and forestry.
Fiscal capacity
Harpswell’s fiscal capacity remains strong thanks to careful management and oversight. The town has relatively low debt, a strong cash balance and attentive financial management. These factors will be particularly important moving forward because a number of recommendations in the plan will involve significant cost. For example, the plan recommends the potential construction of a central fire and rescue station and the enhancement of roads and facilities to combat sea-level rise and climate change.
The plan’s key recommendations regarding fiscal capacity include extending long-term capital planning from the current three- to five-year time frame to 10 years to match the time frame of the comprehensive plan; pursuing grant funds whenever possible; and pursuing policies and strategies that mitigate climate impacts and enhance resiliency.
Economy
Harpswell’s economy is governed by three main factors: the marine economy and tourism, residents employed outside the town in health care and social services, and retirees with significant disposable income. All three factors are influenced by regional and national conditions more than local ones. However, support for local businesses and services will ensure the economy remains healthy.
The following goals and strategies are recommended: Support commercial fishing and associated businesses through marketing on social media that encourages “buying local”; consider ways to finance improvements to public infrastructure, such as parking, to support business development; support existing tourism in ways that respect the needs of local residents; and seek creative ways to house seasonal staff for local businesses, as well as ways to expand housing diversity.
Historic and archaeological resources
Harpswell has an array of historic structures and archaeological sites, including the Cribstone Bridge, Halfway Rock lighthouse, the Adm. Peary house on Eagle Island, the old town hall in Harpswell Center, and Bailey Island Library Hall, to name a few. Any future development must not take place at the expense of any of these resources. The impact of climate change on sensitive coastal areas with middens and other Native American remnants must also be considered and appreciated.
The following recommendations are included in the comprehensive plan: Preserve historic and archaeological resources through both public and private funding; improve signage throughout the town to better identify significant sites; foster a better understanding of Harpswell’s history through town activities and the teaching of local history in public schools; survey and prepare a list of historic and archaeological sites to educate the community.
Agriculture and forestry
At this point in time, neither agriculture nor forestry is an economically significant part of the community. That said, forests and agricultural land contribute to the town in a variety of important ways. They provide scenic vistas for residents and visitors; provide space for outdoor activities; and enhance wildlife habitat, groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration, and local environmental cooling. These resources should be protected from development threats and considered in future land use planning. Additional sections of the comprehensive plan will be summarized in future Anchor editions. As always, the community is invited to review information posted on the town website and to participate in meetings of the Comprehensive Plan Task Force. The task force meets at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
