On Nov. 5, we’ll all make some consequential votes at the ballot box at Harpswell Community School. National and statewide ballots notwithstanding, Harpswell residents will have six warrant articles to vote on that will directly impact residents and town facilities.
I encourage voters to, in particular, vote yes on Article 3 to fund the boat launch at Mitchell Field. After years of discussion and design work, everything is ready to go. Mitchell Field reserve funds for the project are in place, along with Maine Small Harbor Improvement Program grant funds, together getting us nearly halfway there.
This will be Harpswell’s first full-service, all-tide boat launch, with a double-wide ramp, large trailer turnaround, and parking for 30 or more vehicles with trailers. It will handle everything from small recreational boats to the largest full-bodied fishing boats at any tide, providing access to Casco Bay and an excellent emergency haul-out when the weather turns foul. If and when a major storm or hurricane comes our way, the Mitchell Field boat launch will play an important role in getting large boats ashore and out of harm’s way, something fishermen in particular have hoped for. So, let’s get the boat launch built!
I also encourage everyone to vote yes on Article 5 to accept working waterfront funding and get those funds distributed as soon as possible to those who need it. Harpswell would not be Harpswell without our working waterfronts.
Spike Haible, Harpswell Neck
