The Harpswell Select Board has declined a local group’s request to ask voters in June to authorize a privately funded project to renovate a vacant waterfront building at George J. Mitchell Field for use as a nonprofit event space and recreation center.
The Select Board decided 2-1 against the request at its meeting on Thursday, April 10. Member David Chipman, who has served as an adviser to the proposed project, was the only one in favor. Chair Kevin Johnson and newly elected member Matt Gilley were opposed.
It was the second time the board has rejected a similar request from the group, which includes residents Bob Gaudreau, Dorothy Rosenberg and Philip Conner. In February, the group sought to have its proposal included on the March 8 Town Meeting warrant. That request was denied 2-1, with Chipman in favor, and Johnson and former board member Jane Covey opposed.
The March 8 Town Meeting was ultimately postponed when voter turnout exceeded the venue’s capacity. A makeup meeting was held March 22, but three high-profile items — including a proposal to demolish the Mitchell Field building — were removed from the warrant with the intent to place them on future secret ballots.
At Thursday’s meeting, the Select Board voted to advance the question regarding demolition to the June 10 ballot. But it rejected the rec center group’s request to add a competing question that, if approved, would have authorized the town to enter into an agreement with the group to lease the structure, commonly known as the administration building.
The group also sought to create a separate referendum item asking voters to approve funds for environmental cleanup of the site, independent of either demolition or the proposed lease. The Select Board denied that request, as well.
The item that will be presented to voters states: “To see if the Town will vote to appropriate up to $230,000 from unassigned fund balance for the demolition of the Mitchell Field Administration Building, including the removal of hazardous materials, and further to authorize the Select Board to accept and expend any grant funds for this purpose.”
Supporters of the rec center concept repeatedly asked the opposing board members to reconsider. They said their plan to fund the project through private donations would save taxpayers money and bring a one-of-a-kind amenity to the town-owned waterfront park.
Group members said denying voters a chance to weigh in on their concept directly was tantamount to the Select Board making the decision for them. “I’d appreciate it if someone could explain to me why you don’t want to let the citizens of the town say they want to keep the administration building,” Rosenberg told the board.
But Gilley said he shared Johnson’s previously stated concerns that if the group failed to raise enough money for the project’s estimated $1.4 million cost, plus ongoing operation and maintenance, Harpswell taxpayers could get stuck with the bill. He also noted that the town’s Mitchell Field Committee opposes the rec center proposal.
Gilley said residents would still have a chance to voice their support for the project — by voting against demolition in June. “If the town decides they don’t want to demolish, then they’re going to vote no on the original question, and then that’s when we approach the group and see if they can raise the funds,” he said.
The Select Board scheduled a public hearing for 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Harpswell Community school for three June 10 referendum questions: the administration building demolition, a $6 million municipal fire and rescue station, and an amendment to Harpswell’s Harbor and Waterfront Ordinance that would allow the town to classify certain local waters as legacy fishing areas.
