BATH

The City Council this week approved conveying an easement to protect acreage at Butler Head.

The vote Wednesday night left the public with perpetual access to more than 140 acres of forest and wetlands on the shore of Merrymeeting Bay — and left some unhappy abutting landowners asking questions.

The easement granted to Kennebec Estuary Land Trust means that people can continue to enjoy “lowimpact” recreational opportunities and scenic views, and wildlife habitat will be protected.

No one in the standingroom only City Council chambers spoke against the spirit of the easement.

Councilor Carolyn Lockwood didn’t immediately raise her hand to vote. Asked why, she said she wanted to make sure no sale of land was included in the easement.

Tom Barrington, longtime chairman of the Bath Community Forestry Committee, assured Lockwood that a stipulation against the sale of land is already written into the agreement.

The unanimous vote followed.

But Esther Sharrigan told councilors she wanted to purchase a small parcel of the land — 75 feet by 100 feet — so she can maintain it.

City Manager William Giroux told Sharrigan he would call her to discuss the matter.

“I will sit down with anybody who wants to sit down with me,” Giroux said. “There could be some minor tweaks.”

Sharrigan said she had sent a letter to the town years ago, asking to purchase the small parcel that is now under perpetual eastment.

“I’d like to maintain the land near the parking lot,” she said. “It’s awkward to have people and dogs running around our property.”

Sharrigan pointed out that a road leading to her property is gated because people used to dump trash, including white goods, nearby.

Nearby landowners also expressed concern this week with maintenance of roads in Butler Head.

Tony Brill, who purchased land there years ago and has been plowing roads there, was blunt as he left City Hall.

“It stinks,” he said of the easement.

Giroux said the town will continue plowing as it always has. That includes Mallard Drive.

The Forestry Committee will do road maintenance, he said.

Brill said two people who own land next to him are in the process of building new homes, and that the area needs additional parking.

“That would change the character of the land,” Giroux said, “and in the past, the council has not wanted to do that.”

Landowner Skip Stinson said he favors the easement, but added that there are issues that “the city, the committee and KELT might not be aware of.”

Stinson asked if there is an easement document, and suggested that a committee be established to discuss those issues with landowners.

“I dont see any disagreement here on the big picture,” Stinson said.

Councilor David Sinclair, who urged pasage of the measure, pointed out councilors were considering the easement for the third time.

Councilor Tink Mitchell said he fielded “a bunch” of calls from constituents, most of whom were in favor of the easement.

lgrard@timesrecord.com