Harpswell voters will head to the polls this November to make key decisions on local issues, including a proposed public boat launch, while electing leaders who will represent them at the county, state and national levels.
The polls will be open at Harpswell Community School from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
“We’re expecting a really robust voter turnout,” Town Administrator Kristi Eiane said in an interview. “It’s important for voters to weigh in at all levels of government on issues and elections, and so we’re hoping that the municipal items get the attention they deserve.”
There are five questions on Harpswell’s local referendum ballot. In addition to the boat launch, voters will decide on a proposed solar farm at George J. Mitchell Field, changes to a local shellfish ordinance, the use of coronavirus relief funds for emergency services, and distributing state-issued disaster recovery funds to six waterfront property owners.
The Harpswell Select Board voted unanimously Sept. 5 to recommend approval of all articles except for the one regarding the solar array.
More information about the local ballot, along with sample ballots for local, state and national races, is available at harpswell.maine.gov/november5.
Local ballot
The most prominent article on the town ballot is a proposal to borrow up to $1,150,500, which the town would combine with funds on hand and state grants to build an all-tide boat launch at Mitchell Field.
The project’s history dates all the way back to 2007, when local officials contemplated including it in the master plan for Mitchell Field, Eiane said. It came up again when the master plan was updated in 2019.
During an Oct. 3 public hearing at Harpswell Community School, planning consultant Mark Eyerman explained that if the article passes, the tax impact on property owners would be an additional 6 cents per $1,000 of property valuation.
Responding to a resident’s question, Select Board Chair Kevin Johnson explained that use of the boat launch would be free to everyone, regardless of residency.
Harpswell resident Ned Simmons suggested extending Mitchell Field’s public access beyond daylight hours to allow more flexible use of the launch.
“I think if this gets approved, that will be a discussion the town will have about it,” Johnson said in response.
Cundy’s Harbor resident Catherine Gilley said the launch “could bring huge benefits to” the local fishing industry, which is vital to Harpswell’s economy.
Another article on the local ballot, if approved, would allow the Select Board to enter negotiations with a developer to install a 5-acre solar farm at Mitchell Field.
Eiane said that while discussions have centered on a recent proposal by South Portland-based ReVision Energy, the town would not be obligated to accept that plan.
If the question passes, Harpswell would issue a request for proposals and negotiate with the winning bidder, she said. So far, only ReVision has expressed interest in the site.
But the Select Board voted unanimously in September to oppose the article, citing conflicts with the Mitchell Field Committee’s vision for the roughly 120-acre town property and a seeming lack of public support.
Residents voiced mixed opinions about the solar array at the public hearing.
Philip Conner said he favors the plan and sees it as a good way for the town to generate revenue.
Gilley said she opposes it and that “people do not want to come to Harpswell to see a solar array.”
The other three local articles received less attention at the hearing.
County and state
In addition to the local ballot, voters also will choose one county and two state officials, as well as deciding on five statewide referendum questions.
At the county level, the only position up for a vote is the Cumberland County register of probate. The register oversees the administration of probate court records and proceedings.
In that race, Republican Jerry Lynn DeWitt, of New Gloucester, is challenging incumbent Democrat Susan Schwartz, of Portland, who is seeking reelection.
Harpswell voters also will choose their representatives to the Maine House and Senate.
In Maine Senate District 23, incumbent Democrat Matthea “Mattie” Daughtry, of Brunswick, faces Republican challenger Michael Lawler, a retired Apple engineer who lives in Brunswick. District 23 includes Harpswell, Brunswick, Freeport, Pownal, Chebeague Island, and part of Yarmouth.
In Maine House District 99, incumbent Democrat Cheryl Golek, of Harpswell, is defending her seat against Republican challenger Sean Hall, a Harpswell firefighter. District 99 covers Harpswell and northeast Brunswick.
In addition, there are five statewide referendum questions on the ballot. They include a citizens’ initiative to set a $5,000 limit on contributions from political action committees and a proposal to replace Maine’s current state flag with the pre-1909 version, known as the Pine Tree Flag.
There are also three statewide bond questions: $25 million to invest in technological innovation, $10 million to restore historic buildings, and $30 million to invest in multiuse trails.
National elections
Finally, voters will choose their preferred candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the presidency.
In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Sen. Angus King, a Brunswick independent, faces three challengers. They are independent Jason Cherry, of Unity; Democrat David Costello, of Brunswick; and Republican Demi Kouzounas, of Saco.
In the 1st Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a North Haven Democrat, is being challenged by independent Ethan Alcorn, of Saco, and Republican Ronald Russell, of Kennebunkport.
For the U.S. presidency, Harpswell voters have five choices on the ballot: Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Libertarian Chase Oliver, Green Independent Jill Stein, Republican former President Donald Trump, and Justice for All candidate Cornel West.
