One thing is for sure, Eastporters have a soft spot in their hearts for the Boat School. Through ups and downs in enrollment and changes in management, the city has supported the facility. Last year, David Marlow of Marlow Yachts (see “Eastport to Sell Boat School” February/March, 2011) courted the community with a plan for a state-of-the-art luxury boat-building facility. His offer of $850,000 included a promise to maintain a school component and would provide relief for the city’s financial obligations.

Husson University has operated the facility as a boat school since 2007. This spring, Husson’s president Robert Clark announced that it was discontinuing the program after graduating its last students in May 2012.

Then, in July, Marlow sent a lengthy email of regret withdrawing his proposal. Among reasons cited were “complications concerning claims of rights and obligations between parties, “an atmosphere created by the high level of dissent,” a concern over the former town dump, and “the near manic obsession among some about the school and its reality versus a fictional accounting of its foundational elements.”

Clearly surprised and disappointed, the city manager and council began to weigh options. With the legislature having recently approved an action to allow the city to sell the property, City Manager Jon Southern began courting Perry Marine Construction (PMC), which was looking for property in the area to assemble and deploy units for Ocean Renewable Power Company. At the same time, the Friends of the Boat School, a nonprofit organization, was pulling together support and resources to acquire the property.

Shortly before a city council meeting, an agreement between the two parties interested in the Boat School property was reached with the help of Senate President Kevin Raye and his wife Karen. Eastport city council voted four to one on September 1 to sell the property to PMC for $300,000 with the agreement that they would deed over the Boat School buildings to the Friends.

Councilor Mike Cummings was the one dissenting vote. “I would have liked to see it go out to bid; we needed to take time to explore all options,” he said, referring to the quick action taken. He was concerned that the price was too low for such a valuable piece that may have “attracted a greater investment potential.”

Southern believes it’s a winning solution. “It is a highly specialized facility and the buildings are outdated,” commented Southern about the price. “There were a lot more dynamics to consider.” The sale is scheduled to close by October 28.

Besides the Boat School’s three buildings, the 20-plus acre parcel, assessed at $2.2 million, includes a boat ramp, pier, floating docks and a travel lift that was upgraded five years ago with a $450,000 grant from the Department of Transportation through the Small Harbor Improvement Program, matched in part by local businesses. PMC has promised $75,000 towards the cost of a new public landing that would offset the new public-use restrictions to the property.

Dean Pike, first a student and then an instructor with the boat school since 1978 when it first came to Eastport from Lubec, is an founding member of the Friends of the Boat School, which formed in 2005 during a successful effort to keep the school from moving to Calais. He also owns Moose Island Marine, with a boat yard across the street that maintains and operates the travel lift (the only one east of the Mt. Desert Island region). On an October day, 40-foot yachts are lined up to be stored for the winter. Permanent rights for Pike’s company to use the waterfront facilities are part of the sale agreement. Pike, an active member of the community, believes that “the future of the marine industry in Eastport relies on a combination of everything to survive: the school, the port, commercial fishermen, aquaculture, pleasure boats and research and development.”

PMC will begin construction of “the first of two buildings totaling 20,000 square feet,” according to Paul Koziell, chief operating officer. “This is a commercial neighborhood environment. These are exciting projects on a lot of levels” referring to the overall complex that is “preserving a piece of Maine industry and introducing another.”

“We can now make the school into what we have envisioned for the area,” said Meg McGarvey, a member of the Friends group, who delivered the 200-signature petition of support for the Boat School to the city council. Admitting that there are challenges ahead, including the need for obtaining accreditation, she is optimistic. Tom Ries, president of the Friends, notes that there is already enough financial backing in place to carry the program through the first two years.

John Miller, city councilor and strong supporter of the Boat School, feels positive moving forward: “Its all about a great plan, great PR, finesse, relationship building and building a strong board.”

UPDATE:

A restraining order plea has been filed in State of Maine Superior Court on behalf of Phyllis Bradbury and David Gholson of Eastport. “They crossed the line when they did not advertise,” said Gholson of his decision to retain a lawyer and proceed with action to try and stop the sale of the Boat School property based on his understanding of the city charter. On Friday, October 21, the Eastport City Council was sent notice of this action and are now awaiting notification from the court. Councilor Cummings said that October 28 (the expected closure date) may pass without completion of sale.

Coverage of Washington County is made possible by a grant from the Eaton Foundation.

Leslie Bowman is a freelance writer and photographer living in Trescott.