As the winter season begins, Mitchell Field is entering a period of significant change that will carry forward into 2026 and beyond. Some may have noticed that the boat launch construction is underway, and the remediation and demolition of the administration building will begin shortly. While these are the two major events of the coming months, there is a lot more happening at Mitchell Field. Here’s a brief overview:
Boat launch: Construction began Nov. 4 and will continue through the winter, with a scheduled completion date of May 29, 2026. There are restrictions to public access at the waterfront for your safety. Please abide by the signs. You’ll be able to watch the progress on Harpswell Community Television’s website, harpswelltv.org, as there is a camera mounted at the waterfront to capture time-lapse video of the project.
Administrative building: The contract has been signed and remediation will begin on Dec. 1. The scheduled completion date is Dec. 31. With work on the boat launch and administrative building taking place simultaneously, Mitchell Field will be closed to vehicle access from Dec. 1-31. Only Merrymeeting Shellfish and construction vehicles will be allowed beyond the main gate. Pedestrian and bicycle access will be allowed on the perimeter roads, but not on Mitchell Field Drive. For your safety and the safety of your pets, please abide by these restrictions. If the building demolition is completed early, we will reopen the road and the waterfront area outside of the boat launch construction zone.
Generator building: We recently had the roof evaluated as part of a larger discussion about the future of the building. Stay tuned as we move forward.
Coastal erosion study: Mitchell Field was selected as one of three sites by the Greater Portland Council of Governments and the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District for a detailed study of ongoing shore erosion and recommendations to mitigate the damage and prevent further erosion. We just received the draft recommendations and expect the report in January 2026. The report does not come with funds to implement the recommendations.
PFAS testing: Mitchell Field is a former fuel depot, so we are sensitive to the possible presence of hazardous materials at the property. With the current focus on the presence of PFAS, we are participating in one test program and conducting a separate test program. First, in cooperation with the Friends of Casco Bay, we have three sample points at the field: two in the waters north and south of the causeway, and one in the creek that drains most of the property and empties out into the bay south of the causeway. We are awaiting the final set of test results before we develop an action plan. Finally, we are testing the large dirt pile and will test the smaller topsoil pile that Wyman & Simpson, the boat launch builder, is making in the lower meadow. We will keep everyone apprised of our plans going forward.
Well water testing: We recently had a visit with a state hydrologist looking for wells that have not been actively used in two years. Of the six wells at the field, five meet those criteria. We will update everyone when we receive further guidance. I should note that the well across from the solar panel tested clear for PFAS and is being used as the Harpswell Community Garden’s water source.
Master plan update: We have begun what will be a long, deliberate process to update the Mitchell Field Master Plan. The master plan was issued in September 2007 and updated in October 2019. With the major changes happening at Mitchell Field, we thought it appropriate to look at the impacts of those changes and what we should address in the future. We will conduct an extensive interactive program informing the public as the process moves forward and soliciting feedback to produce a plan that residents will support.
The boat: No update would be complete without addressing “the boat” at Mitchell Field. This abandoned vessel is involved in a process through which the town will take responsibility for its disposal. In the meantime, it has been moved to the Recycling Center so the contractor can break up the concrete pad to create trailer parking as part of the boat launch project.
As you can see, the Mitchell Field Committee has been busy and will stay busy in the new year. Stay abreast of what’s happening at Mitchell Field by checking the town website at harpswell.maine.gov. Our meeting agendas and minutes are posted, along with all handouts the committee receives.
We meet on the first Monday of the month, unless it’s a holiday. The public is welcome to attend.
Finally, you can provide feedback on the town website. Go to “Things to do” and click on “Mitchell Field” in the drop-down menu, then follow the link for “Questions, Comments or Lost Items.”
