Several members of the Bar Harbor Town Council expressed reservations about a large salmon farm proposed on two lease sites off the town’s shore.
“The potential for something to go wrong is so great, it seems to me you’re suggesting we allow our bay to be a sacrifice zone for your experiment on the coast of Maine,” Councilor Gary Friedmann told American Aquafarms Vice President Eirik Jors during the council’s virtual meeting on Tuesday.
“This technology allows a new type of thinking in the aquaculture industry,” Jors responded, referring to the proposal’s use of a “closed-pen” system that he said is considered an emergent but also safe technology for fish-farming.
BAR HARBOR Unless someone forces a citizens’ initiative to allow marijuana businesses, it is unlikely that Bar Harbor will be participating in the retail marijuana trade.
During a special town marijuana workshop on Tuesday, Town Council members expressed a variety of reasons as to why it was not the right time to allow marijuana-related establishments in Bar Harbor.
Council members were aided in their discussion by Stephen Wagner, a member of Rudman Winchell’s municipal law practice group, who explained the opt–in process and took questions from council members, some of which will be answered at a later date.
Council to seek public input on cruise ships
BAR HARBOR On Tuesday, Town Council members moved to hire an outside company to create a survey to find out more about the public’s specific concerns surrounding cruise ship visitation.
“Try this, to hire an experienced professional to design, produce, compile and analyze the responses of a community survey of opinions on cruise ship visitation and to pay for this from the cruise ship fund,” proposed council member Gary Friedmann.
The motion passed unanimously.
In response to concerned citizens who would like to see some changes regarding cruise ships, council members have discussed creating a cruise ship policy to regulate the number of ships for the future.
The Bar Harbor Town Council has said it s received dozens of communications in recent weeks about the benefits of cruise ship visits and their impact on the community and local economy.
The communications come after residents got a look, due to pandemic restrictions, at what Bar Harbor might be like without cruise ships. The feedback also comes at a time when town officials are reviewing the potential, and the unknowns, for a 2021 cruise ship season.
Some residents are calling for a permanent ban going forward. Many want the number of cruise ship visits scaled back, while others said the ships are important to the economy.