I urge the appropriate town decision-makers to hold all future annual Town Meetings at Mt. Ararat Middle School’s Orion Performing Arts Center, after the 2025 Town Meeting exceeded the 420-person limit for the fire code at Harpswell Community School.
Even at past annual meetings when such large crowds did not show up, two problems existed that continue to plague us. These problems can discourage residents from participating and voting on important town decisions.
Inadequate seating is one hurdle, especially for persons with mobility challenges when the folding chairs are all taken and one is left to stand for hours or try to safely maneuver up those bleachers.
The lack of safe, adequate parking at our Harpswell Community School for annual Town Meetings is another problem that the Orion center would resolve. The overflow parking along Route 24 creates a risky, if not downright dangerous, challenge for pedestrians walking to and from the meeting and/or voting at the polls. Lines of vehicles extend a mile or more along Route 24.
Many Harpswell residents stay home on annual meeting days rather than deal with these obstacles. Let’s make this important citizen governing activity more accessible and safer for all Harpswell residents.
Kathleen O’Donnell, Harpswell Neck
