A look at more top stories in 2016 in the Midcoast:
Harpswell
2016 saw the culmination of a lawsuit by a group of Harpswell residents to preserve access to Cedar Beach on Bailey Island via a small pathway over private property. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled against Cedar Beach/Cedar Island Supporters, Inc., overturning a lower court decision that had established public access. In the aftermath of the court’s decision, the property owner, Betsy Atkins, informed the town of her intention to continue allowing access to the beach indefinitely. While the legal battle may be over, some in the town continue to look for a way to ensure permanent access to the beach via the pathway.
Harpswell Community Radio issued its first broadcast in 2016. The volunteer operated community radio began broadcasting a test signal in November, following years of work applying for a license from the FCC and fundraising to purchase equipment. The station is continuing to plan out original and syndicated programming and has held a number of training days for community members.
Woolwich
Following the short-lived Pay-as-you-throw recycling initiative that was repealed in 2015, Woolwich initiated a new recycling and trash disposal program through Ecomaine in 2016. Ecomaine is a single-sort processing center, meaning that different types of recyclables are separated from each other at the facility, not by residents. Ecomaine serves 25 percent of the state’s population.
Georgetown
2016 marked the 300th anniversary of Georgetown. The town, which was incorporated in 1716, and at the time included the territory that would become Woolwich, Phippsburg, West Bath and Bath.
Bowdoinham
Bowdoinham residents attended a special town meeting Dec. 14 and enacted a moratorium ordinance regarding recreational marijuana retail establishments and social clubs.
The 180-day moratorium was effective immediately. After its expiration, selectmen may continue the moratorium for another 180 days following a hearing.
Bowdoinham voters at that meeting also unanimously authorized selectmen to buy 54 acres at 121 Pond Road to house a future public works facility, using up to $105,000 from the town’s undesignated fund balance for the purchase.
dmoore@timesrecord.com & nstrout@timesrecord.com
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