Harpswell Information

1. Introduction

2. Letter to Selectman with request for fulltime Harbormaster

3. Email to members of Committee informing them of Selectman Weil's offer

4. Email to Selectman Weil requesting advice on how to present amendment

5. Flyer given out at Town Meeting

6. Comments I have received

7. Comments made to Selectmen 5/26/05

8. Comments made at hearing for Harbormaster

This is an email that I sent to the HWC after receiving the call from Selectman Weil, followed by a clarifying message from  Selectman Weil.

• This email shows that Gordon called me on Wednesday, February 23, 2005, 22 days before the town meeting.

• I did say that there could be time to prepare, but that turned out to be a naive and ignorant prediction on my part.

• It turned out that the HWC had good reason to hesitate. They felt recommending a fulltime HM  was too quick, that it might just provide one more person to tell them what to do, and that there had been many past abuses at the hand of earlier HMs. I received similar responses from other people I spoke with.

• When I left the HWC meeting scheduled for March 2(changed to March 1), to attend the Library Hearing, I thought the idea of a full time HM had been dropped, and so informed Selectman Weil. However, I informed him of our new idea later. (see next page)

• However, in my absence the committee concluded that, while a fulltime HM was not a good  idea, it would be an excellent idea to increase the time (and pay) of the HM.

• At a HWC meeting on March 8, (4 days before town meeting) the Committee decided, with then HM Steinman and Selectman Theberge present, that the pay and the appropriation for harbor management be increased. Selectman Theberge volunteered to get proper language for the proposed amendment and get a flyer written by the town office. The flyer was considered essential because the committee did not want to surprise town meeting any more than necessary.

• This shows that neither I nor the committee "blindsided" the Selectmen. Selectmen Theberge was present and participating in our efforts. On the next page you will see how Selectman Weil was informed.

• Selectman Theberge was unable to fulfill his offer, so I came up with wording for a flyer and an amendment. Since I was unsure how to write the amendment, I emailed Selectman Weil on Saturday for advice. (see next page)

To be clear on this: the article in the warrant will allow for any amount of money to be attached to it. The selectmen will propose their amount. You may propose to amend that proposal with another amount. The Town would then vote on the amendment. If adopted, it would become the appropriation. If not, the Town would then vote on the Selectmen's proposal.