The town plans to pursue federal and state funds to build a sturdier dock at Potts Point that will replace the one lost during January’s storms.
While those funds could largely cover the extra cost of building the dock taller and wider to better withstand future storms, voters may have to approve the full cost at the March Town Meeting without knowing if Harpswell will be reimbursed.
The old dock was damaged in a storm on Jan. 9 before being finished off by a second storm on Jan. 13. The 26 people who have permits to tie up at the dock have been using a haul-off dinghy to access seasonal floating docks where their boats are tied up.
Harpswell Harbor Master Paul Plummer told the Select Board on Thursday, Sept. 19, that Custom Float Services, of South Portland, has estimated the cost of a more resilient dock at $135,000. The estimate is for a dock the same length as the old one, 150 feet, but 2 feet higher and 6 feet wider.
Harpswell’s insurance company, Trident Public Risk Solutions, has committed to paying about $95,000 toward the dock’s replacement. A Federal Emergency Management Agency program will make up the insurance policy’s $15,000 deductible.
The additional funds for a more resilient dock, which would come from a federal and state hazard mitigation program, are not a sure thing.
“The town would have to pay for this project essentially up front, and then seek reimbursement,” Town Administrator Kristi Eiane told the Select Board. She warned the board that, based on experience, the town should expect to wait months for any reimbursement from FEMA.
The town’s emergency management agent, Michael Drake, explained in an email that to secure the reimbursements, Harpswell will first have to gain FEMA pre-approval for the resilience measures. If approved, the town could be reimbursed for 75% of the cost by FEMA and an additional 15% by the Maine Emergency Management Agency, leaving Harpswell with only 10% of the cost.
The Select Board unanimously directed town staff to pursue the reimbursement, and to plan to ask voters to approve the taller, wider dock at the annual Town Meeting in March 2025. The resilience program has a February 2026 deadline for projects to be completed.Select Board Chair Kevin Johnson also asked Plummer to seek an estimate from Custom Float Services to add a second floating dock to the design.
