Arndt failed to meet a Jan. 26 town deadline to meet conditions that would have temporarily relieved the project from its zoning nonconformity and given him three more years to finish building his boat.
For several years, Arndt has been trying to build a steel-hulled research vessel on his Lower Flying Point Road property. He envisions it being used as a floating classroom and laboratory, outfitted with ultramodern scientific equipment, to study Maine marine life and coastal conditions.
But the boat is far from finished, and its presence in a spot where municipal zoning doesn’t allow marine industrial construction is a sore spot for the council.
Since he started as Freeport’s town manager in September, Peter Joseph has been negotiating with Arndt in anticipation of the Jan. 26 deadline. Although the Island Rover project now is out of compliance, Joseph said Monday the town plans no immediate action.
He said he expects the Town Council to discuss the issue during its next meeting on Feb. 5.
However, Joseph warned that, depending on the tone of discussion during the meeting, “the council may direct me to take action” after they finish talking.
For his part, Arndt remained tight-lipped about the status of the negotiations, other than to say that they are ongoing and that he is hopeful that an agreement can be reached.
jtleonard@timesrecord.com
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