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Fri 20 Jan 2023 5:42PM

Community Vision

JC Judy Colby-George Public Seen by 20

Help us create a vision for Harpswell's future!

Please take a moment to share your opinion about what you think is important about the community, what you think is missing from the community, and what you might be willing to let go of as the town moves into the future.

BH

Brian Hirst Thu 9 Mar 2023 5:14PM

I would just like to inform the commenters that one part of the Comprehensive Town Plan is devoted to Under Ground Water Resources. Harpswell also has had two or three outside studies done (one in 1982, another in 2008) on this topic. The need for an updated study will be considered when the CTP is written and then voted on at the 2024 Town Meeting. In general, the studies seem to conclude that there is sufficient water available in the bedrock to meet the needs of our wells. However, the increase in housing and population needs to be looked at. Certain areas of and wells in Harpswell do have problems with providing sufficient water. Perhaps a good idea is to identify those areas where there are problems. One difficulty is that we are unable to see the underlying bedrock. So you may have a well that gets 20-40 gpm (rare) and two hundred feet way one that get 5. So predicting is difficut. Then there is the issue of salinization of wellwater in wells that are close to the water. I hope that people will continue to be involved in the process of identifying ways to address this important issue.

GG

Gregory Greenleaf Fri 10 Feb 2023 2:50PM

I would like to see money spent on making Harpswell more kid-centric. I was at a Harpswell Community School meeting yesterday and parents talked about having more places for kids to play and hangout with other parents. For example, how about a community hall with a basketball court/pickle court that could be utilized in the winter. A bike path or playground at Mitchell Field was also discussed. Skate parks are also an attraction. After-school programming at HCS would also be helpful as currently there is no before or after school childcare at HCS. For working parents, this lack of childcare adds a lot of stress and financial burdens to a family.

AP

Alex Piper Sun 5 Feb 2023 1:45PM

Hey all, I'm interested in funding a large modern fun-for-all ages playground with picnic tables, etc at Mitchell Field, maybe located near the band stand. Who would I talk to about that ?

Also, I know there has been discussions about what to do with the old admin building there. It seems that companion restrooms and large covered area there for getting out of the rain would be an appropriate matching project. Who best to talk to about ?

SL

Susan Lowery Thu 2 Feb 2023 10:12PM

  1. Given the nature of the town as a peninsula and islands, I strongly concur with Kara Douglas that obtaining a better understanding of freshwater resources is critical, and also, the capacity of the soil to handle septic systems. These issues should be resolved before undertaking any further development of any kind.

  2. Much of Harpswell retains a rural character that I would not like to see lost. We're fortunate to be close to larger population centers that offer a wide range of cultural opportunities; it would be nice if there were some form of regular public transportation to facilitate access to these opportunities, and even, ideally, to facilitate commuting for folks who work in surrounding towns. This could also reduce increasing traffic burdens on our roads.

  3. At the same time, I agree that community centers here in town would be useful to support local events and gatherings. The charter school seems an ideal candidate for use as a community center, with or without inclusion of a library; it might also offer rental office space for those who need an office outside the home. As someone who lives close to the school, I oppose using it for housing as I fear that the impact on the potable water supply for those of us living in the area.

KD

Kara Douglas Wed 1 Feb 2023 11:24PM

  1. A better understanding of freshwater resources and the amount of development that local aquifers can (or cannot) support. In South Harpswell, our well has run dry for two of the last three summers, coinciding with drought conditions and increase in local development.

  2. A discussion about how to focus development while preserving natural resources and the rural character of the Town.

JC

Judy Colby-George Wed 1 Feb 2023 3:22PM

Thanks everyone for your comments. We appreciate hearing from as many people as possible. Please continue to comment and discuss your vision for Harpswell's future.

DW

Dennis Wilkins Mon 30 Jan 2023 11:03PM

  1. Fresh groundwater needs to be protected and preserved. This may require a number of restrictions on new development.

  2. Affordable housing is required for our working fellow citizens, e.g. fishermen, construction workers, teachers, et al. I, for one, do not want to gentrify all the flavor out of Harpswell.

  3. Reliable 21st century electronics (cell service, internet) available to all.

  4. People powered paths: safe biking and walking possibilities by widening shoulders or constructing off-road trails de novo.

  5. Let Brunswick, Bath, and Topsham have the big industry with its traffic, eyesores, +/- pollution. Let's keep our fishing and tourism endeavors unchallenged, and may our town remain renowned for its beauty.

  6. We can ban the chemical treatment and fertilization of lawns, and our waters and sea life will thank us. And the bees, likewise, will thank us if spraying for mosquitoes is banned. Private "rights" such as these should not infringe upon the public good.

LW

Linda Wilkins Mon 30 Jan 2023 6:52PM

JT

Janice Thompson Thu 26 Jan 2023 11:44PM

We moved to Harpswell from Boston five years ago for the open spaces and natural beauty of the place. I am concerned about keeping it that way. I am concerned about what climate change is and will be doing to our working waterfront. I am concerned that with the housing prices constantly rising so steeply, no working or young family will be able to afford it here. I know we wouldn't have been able to afford living here if we were to move here today. I am concerned that our businesses and nonprofit organizations and schools will continue to struggle with hiring because of the high cost of living. I used to work in a wealthy independent school in a very well-heeled community, and all of the teachers had to commute up to 10 miles to get to their jobs because they couldn't afford a rental or a house in the town. This doesn't help build community within an area when workers can't even live here. But then there are competing needs -- someone else posted something about the problem of not being able to subdivide properties so that the next generation can live here -- but if there is a lot of that kind of building, we will have a lot of issues -- crowding, water/well problems, drainage into the sea, etc. It's a tough nut to crack, and I'm happy that the town is thinking so strategically/long term about it.

BP

Brad Power Wed 25 Jan 2023 4:36PM

My concerns are walking and biking safety along the main roads. There are narrow places where pedestrians are forced into the roadway, and drivers treat bicyclists as an annoyance in their way on their road. If you are walking or biking on the island, it's impossible to fully avoid the main roads.

We are unlikely to be able to afford or get acceptance for road widening from owners, so we need to adopt signage and traffic calming measures in congested areas; for example, printed signs on the pavement that signify that pedestrians and bicyclists are sharing the road in a narrow section.

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