BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick Town Council is set to take possible action on the property at 946 Mere Point Road next Tuesday at 7 p.m. All committee reports have been received and recommendations made by each.

In a memo from Mark Worthing of the Rivers and Coastal Waters Commission to the council, the commission voted 6-1, deciding on its final recommendation.

“In our judgment, the property at 946 Mere Point Road does not meet guidelines (for) recommended uses as listed in the harbor management plan,” the memo reads.

The Marine Resources Committee, after a review of the property at high and low tides, held meetings that were attended by several shellfishermen who spoke in favor of retaining the property for ocean access.

The committee voted unanimously to recommend the town retain ownership of the property.

The committee noted that for nearly a century, generations of shellfishermen have been utilizing the shores of Brunswick to support their families, build ships, forage for food and grow hay.

Also noted, was that as properties changed hands, shoreline access has dwindled — even recently losing an access point just a few properties away from 946 Mere Point, although the report did not mention which lot.

The committee noted that currently 50 residents and five non-residents rely directly on access to the Brunswick intertidal areas and local shellfish resources to survive.

“Those same local shellfishermen and their families provide an estimated $4 million economic benefit to the town of Brunswick. Not to mention that Brunswick is one of the highest producing shellfish management towns in Maine,” the memo stated.

If the town decides not to retain the property, the committee recommends a shellfishing right-of-way be attached to the deed.

The planning board chose not to make a recommendation to the town as to whether or not to retain the property, but simply outlined the permitted property uses.

It clarified that the property is not in a “residential” or “town residential district,” but rather designated as being within the coastal protection district. The board was concerned too much erroneous public comment has revolved around the lot being zoned “residential.”

The planning board recommended establishing protective covenants in regards to the on-site historic grave as well as covenants to protect wildlife habitat or endangered species.

Should the town sell the property, the board asks that proceeds and future taxes from the parcel go to improving the utilization of existing town-owned waterfront facilities or acquisition of new properties.

The Parks and Recreation Department looked at the land use under the 2002 parks, recreation and open space plan, directing them to “acquire and develop more water access points.”

“While we have some concerns, on the whole, we believe that 946 Mere Point Road does indeed have recreational value to the town. We recommend the town further explore the potential for swimming, the use of small non-motorized watercraft, recreational shellfishing, observing nature, picnicking, bird watching and use of the open space on the parcel,” the memo reported.

That said, the recreation department is concerned with being left with the parcel while its resources are already strained.

The department recommended that should the town retain the property, provisions be made to the recreation department to adequately maintain the property.

The Conservation Commission weighed in, voting unanimously to recommend the town retain the property.

“The Conservation Commission has noted that the property at 946 Mere Point Road has significant conservation values, and that it is to the benefit of the public to keep this in public ownership. If the town retains this property, the commission urges the protection of these conservation values as the future uses of this property are considered,” the recommendation read.

The memo listed the historic gravesite, as well as the presence of the mountain honeysuckle, considered rare in Maine, as reasons for conservation. Also, commission co-chairman Kurt Stinson noted the parcel contains important coastal wildlife habitat.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com