Fluoride removal sparks debate in Lubec

Fluoride will be removed from Lubec's drinking water following a strong majority vote during the annual town business meeting on August 2.
The fluoride issue generated the most discussion during the meeting when it came up under Article 60. Due to an administrative oversight, this article was not included in the earlier, bound version of the town report and was later provided as an addendum, leading many participants to be, as one expressed, "blind sided."
Fluoride is voluntarily added to some drinking water systems as a public health measure for reducing dental cavities among the treated population. Alex Henry of the town's planning board outlined the results of several studies claiming that sufficient fluoride is obtained from other sources to effectively combat tooth decay, making the addition to drinking water unnecessary. Another resident, after hearing Henry's comments, termed the cited reports "one sided," leading to a pointed discussion.
Dallas Hood, speaking for the town's water district, stated, "The water board is 100 percent behind removing fluoride." At that point a motion was made to "move the question," which forced a vote on halting the discussion and led to a vote on accepting the article "as written," which passed by a strong majority. Hood also pointed out that the state mandates the addition of chlorine to municipal water; the article did not address this.
The agenda included 60 articles for public review; the first 36 were approved by 6:45 p.m.; most passed with no discussion and only scattered "nays." The 37th, which would allocate $500 for the Pirate Festival set for this fall, prompted some questions, mostly based on whether or not there would be a Pirate Invasion. One resident expressed concerns over whether this event would be "alcohol-fueled," reminding participants of the fatal motor vehicle accident the afternoon of September 1, 2018, following that day's Pirate Invasion. "I don't want to spend town money if it might lead to something like that," was said, prompting a response that the event was to center on the town's children and would not be part of the Eastport Pirate Festival, which at this time is not expected to include an "invasion" of Lubec. The article was approved.
Article 58 asked voters to approve the updated version of the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, which is required by the state and was first adopted in 1991. Henry, again speaking for the town's planning board, pointed out that most of the changes were clarifications of language, as suggested by the state. An earlier suggestion that the setback requirement be increased from 75 to 100 feet had been dropped, he said.
The total town budget of $1,829,139 for the upcoming fiscal year is an increase of $158,573 over the previous year, or 9%. County tax, the third component of the tax burden, is $379,937, an increase of 15% over the previous year. The school budget will be the focus of a meeting set for August 9.
The business meeting was preceded, as is customary, by a brief select board meeting. The sole purpose of this meeting was to select the board chair and vice chair for the following year. By unanimous vote, Carol Dennison was selected as chair and Rachel Rubeor as vice chair.

Municipal election results
The day before the town business meeting, Lubec voters went to the polls, choosing municipal officers for the upcoming year. Two positions were open for selectman, and incumbent Carol Dennison retained her seat with 159 votes. Challenger Daniel Daley received 154 votes, unseating incumbent Daniel Wagner, who received 138 votes. One seat was open for the school board; Deanna Newman, the sole candidate, took that with 194 votes. One seat was open for the town's Budget Committee; Georgina Brown Delnicki ran uncontested and received 212 votes. David Marston ran to retain his seat as water district trustee and received 223 votes as the sole candidate.
Voters were also asked to approve a bond issue of $495,000 to replace the storm damaged school roof; this passed by 216 to 49.
In total, 264 voters participated in this year's election, the highest number since 2020, when 267 voted. In 2021 only 131 ventured to the polls, likely from pandemic concerns.