Bright skies and warm temperatures welcomed community members to the Cranberry Isles annual town meeting on March 12.
Those arriving by boat happily walked the more than half-mile from the dock to the Great Cranberry Fire House where the meeting was held. Residents and non-residents from four of the five islands in the town were in attendance.

First of the 29 warrant articles was the election of a moderator. Barb Fernald was voted into this honored position for the fourth time. The remainder of the morning was devoted to addressing a majority of the subsequent warrant articles and citizens’ petitions. Hal Newell joined Aaron Gray and Dan Lief on the board of selectmen, replacing Phil Whitney whose term was expiring.

All of the morning’s warrant articles passed, exclusive of three citizens’ petitions, which were defeated by strong majority votes. Notable among the approved warrant articles were the allocation of funds to develop plans for a municipal storage and garage facility on Islesford and approval of funds to purchase a new vacuum pump tanker truck for the Zone 2 Fire Department. The petitions not passed included a proposal to sell municipal property located in Southwest Harbor, a proposal to establish a year-round police department, and a proposal to place a one-year moratorium on new ordinances.

A highlight of the day was the delicious dinner served by the Great Cranberry Island Ladies Aid Society. Unanimously approved, the meal put before the voters included turkey, biscuits, scalloped potatoes, greens and other vegetables as well as dozens of appealing sweets. In thanking the volunteers who coordinated and prepared the meal, Cynthia Lief cited the “several desserts” she had sampled, speaking for all of us who could not be held to just one piece of pie.

Following dinner the voters answered, 38-17 in the affirmative, the question of whether a Harbor Management Ordinance should be adopted by the town. Though the outcome was more than two to one in favor, this was the most debated article on the warrant. Discussion focused on enforceability and associated costs of the ordinance as well as the pressing needs within the harbors of the town. Several speakers on both sides of the issue commended the Harbor Ordinance Committee for their effort and responsiveness.

The meeting concluded with approval of a 1.43 million dollar budget for town operations. For a third consecutive year the budget and taxes in the town will remain stable, while both the quantity and quality of municipal services have improved.

Eric Dyer is an Island Institute Fellow in the town of Cranberry Isles.