Articles by: Becky Pritchard
Becky Pritchard covers the town of Bar Harbor, where she lives with her family and intrepid news-dog Joe-Joe. She worked six seasons as a park ranger in Acadia, and still enjoys spending her spare time there.
Public debates employee housing
BAR HARBOR — Public hearings on proposals to allow Employee Living Quarters (ELQs) and Shared Accommodations (SAs) once again drew a crowd at a Planning Board meeting Jan. 8. After hearing comments, the Planning Board voted to recommend amendments to the Land Use Ordinance (LUO) that would allow both types of housing in certain zones. …
And the winner is… Red carpet glamour arrives Downeast
BAR HARBOR — On the surface, Bar Harbor and Hollywood have nothing in common. One is a glitzy urban center, warm and fast-paced all year round. The other is half boarded up each cold winter, as residents slow the hectic pace they kept all summer. But for one night a year in February, Bar Harbor …
Public to weigh in on vacation rentals
BAR HARBOR — The Planning Office will hold three public listening sessions on vacation rentals later this month, from Jan. 28-30. The purpose of the sessions is to hear public input before the town begins “to review and revise its rules for vacation rentals,” according to an informational flyer prepared by Assistant Planner Steve Fuller. …
Window Dressers make homes cozy
BAR HARBOR — Volunteers are setting up shop in the Bar Harbor Congregational Church this month to make weatherizing window inserts. According to organizer Brad Stager, more volunteers are welcome. The statewide organization Window Dressers is holding its fifth annual community workshop from Thursday, Jan. 9 through Saturday, Jan. 18. The workshop will be held …
Some nonprofits pay town taxes
BAR HARBOR — The Criterion Theatre is a registered nonprofit and owns its own building. Yet the organization paid almost $23,000 in taxes last year, according to its 2018 financial report. The historic building and the land it sits on are designated commercial property, listed in the tax assessor’s database with a combined value of …
MDI Hospital CEO announces retirement
BAR HARBOR — After 20 years at the helm of Mount Desert Island Hospital, President and CEO Art Blank has announced he will be retiring at the end of the year. “Serving as your CEO for the past 20 years has been a great honor and privilege. I’m proud to have been part of a …
Maine Supreme Court dismisses zoning challenge
BAR HARBOR — A lawsuit challenging a zoning ordinance amendment passed by voters in June 2017, which created a Shoreland Maritime Activities District at the ferry terminal property, was dismissed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court last month. Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice Andrew Mead wrote in a Dec. 19 decision that the property owners …
Schools weigh budget increases
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND — School budgets for the coming fiscal year for local elementary schools are beginning to take shape. Administrators and school boards are anticipating increases of 5-11 percent from the current year. A social worker position to serve all schools in the Mount Desert Island Regional School System has been proposed as a …
Public hearing scheduled for five LUO amendments
BAR HARBOR — The Planning Board will hold public hearings on Wednesday, Jan. 8, on five proposed land use ordinance (LUO) changes. The public hearings will take place at the 4 p.m. meeting. The five proposed amendments are “making their way through the formal process to possibly be on the June 2020 ballot. The process …