Long Island voters gathered at the island’s newly repainted community center on May 12 for their 15th annual town meeting. Sustained by coffee, donuts and hot dogs provided by the Recreation Department, voters decided 52 warrant articles, elected a new selectman and a school board member, and heard presentations from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s department, the Long Island Fire Department and the Long Island Civic Association.
“You are a true legislature,” said Mark Greene, who has moderated the town meeting since the town’s inception. “Town meeting is the house, senate, governor, and the courts all wrapped up in one.”
One hundred and thirty-seven voters attended the meeting, which Greene said was “amazing for a town of two hundred people.” Newell Stewart was elected to his first term as selectman with a 69 vote majority. Yvette Dunnigan was elected to the school board with 83 votes. After a presentation from Finance Committee chairman Paul Riley, voters passed all articles relating to the town and school budget, as well as budgets for several capital improvement projects. A school funding article, which would have required the town to reimburse the tuition of children attending religious schools, was withdrawn due to legal concerns.
Voters also accepted the gift of the former Falmouth Harbormaster’s boat. After upgrading to a new vessel the Town of Falmouth offered to donate the twenty-two foot boat and outboard to Long Island. The boat will enable Long Island Harbormaster Jay Wallace to perform his duties without using the town’s rescue boat, increasing its availability for emergency calls. The donated boat also features a de-watering pump that can be used to pump out sinking vessels.
Another article authorized the selectmen to investigate hiring a town manager or town administrator. Such a position would be responsible for personnel management and day-to-day government operations, as well as for seeking grant funding.
“It could enhance our town and open us up to better things,” said Dick Clarke, Fire Chief and Director of Public Works. “Our volunteers are getting tired.”
Article 47, which authorized the selectmen to lease parcels of town land through the island’s year-round housing program, provoked extensive discussion. The article resulted from the work of the Year-Round Housing Committee, which has spent the past year researching ways to counteract the high price and limited availability of housing on the island. Under the committee’s proposed scheme, eligible tenants would lease parcels of town land and construct their own houses on them. By eliminating the need to purchase land, the program would overcome the greatest barrier facing many prospective long-term residents. The article passed with broad support.
“The group has worked hard this winter on some very tough questions,” said Mark Greene, who chaired the committee. “We’ve tried to build in success.”
Voters also approved a change to the land use ordinance that would allow the construction of multi-family housing. The change allows owners of residential dwellings to add an accessory apartment, provided their lots meet size requirements and the appeals board grants permission. The change also allows the construction of multi-unit dwellings in the business zone, which could pave the way for hotel or condominium developments on the island.
The meeting also saw the presentation of the first Francis “Tiny” Murphy citizenship award. Sharon Marr received the honor for her years of service to the community, including her work with Changing Tides, a non-profit counseling and social service organization she runs on the island.
“Sharon adds beauty to everything she touches,” said Helen Kay, president of the Long Island Civic Association, who presented the award. “Even when she works with her husband, Tommy, on their lobster boat she always wears her earrings.”