J.W. Oliver

Harpswell students will have a new principal when they return to Mt. Ararat High School later this month — one who has a few things in common with them, as a graduate of the school who grew up on Great Island.

Property owners will see a two-cent hike in Harpswell's tax rate this year, from $6.74 to $6.76 per $1,000 of valuation.

A flare take-back program in Harpswell — the only program of its kind in Maine — is collecting hundreds of expired flares in its third year, protecting both the community and the environment. Meanwhile, a Harpswell legislator’s bill will help sustain the program and make it possible for more communities to participate.

Harpswell has a new road as of July: Willow’s Way. Willow’s Way branches off Hildreth Road, which branches off Mountain Road. The Harpswell Board of Selectmen approved the road name July 8.

The town will pay $451,265.55 for general law enforcement and $277,481.06 for marine patrol this year, contracting the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office for both services.

The town recently demolished and removed a boat from the beach at Mackerel Cove. The boat sank to the bottom of the cove about a year ago, Harbor Master Paul Plummer told the selectmen June 24. The town had sought to have the boat removed by its owner ever since.

Three town properties have new amenities this summer, or will soon, thanks in part to gifts of time and money.

The town of Harpswell will observe Juneteenth as a paid holiday in 2022, following recent moves by the federal and state governments to make June 19 a holiday.