Plans to keep Boat School in city floated

With funding for the Boat School to remain in Eastport under the Maine Community College System appearing increasingly unlikely, supporters of the school are preparing for a plan that seeks the transfer of the school to the city. Eastport City Manager George "Bud" Finch says plans call for the state to relinquish ownership of the Marine Technology Center property, facilities and equipment so that school still can be run in Eastport.

Finch met with Governor John Baldacci on April 10 to prepare for the possible abandonment of the facility by the community college system. He believes the relinquishing of the Eastport campus should be handled in a manner similar to how the state believes the federal government should handle the closing of military bases. The property, which was obtained by the state in a negotiated deal for one dollar, needs to be returned to the city, Finch says. The facility is a branch of the Washington County Community College, and a proposal to move the boatbuilding program to the Calais campus has generated controversy for the past year.

WCCC President William Cassidy says, if the additional funding is not provided by the state, that most of the boatbuilding program will be moved to Calais. He would not be recommending the transfer of the property to a private entity, though. "We still need that campus for the boatbuilding and adventure recreation programs," he says, noting that they would be used for Travelift and boat handling training even if most of the boatbuilding program is moved to Calais. Cassidy also says that people like the accessibility of the public property, which provides access to the water for fishermen and fish farmers. Those parts of the facility that the community college would not need could be leased out to help cover overhead cost.

Plans being considered
The proposal for transferring ownership of the property would have the facility operated by a committee made up of representatives of the city, the port authority, the Friends of the Boat School and industry. The property would be used as a training facility to meet the growing needs of the marine trades industry and students seeking technical skills of the industry. The boatbuilding industry in Maine is a highly skilled labor force capable of producing high-quality boats, Finch notes. "With the failure of the current system to provide the students and the industry with these skills," he says, "it is a natural transition for the Boat School to be reborn at the Eastport site with the direct input of the industry."
Plans call for certificate, one-year and two-year programs to be offered at the campus along with distance learning and on-site training throughout the state for workers in the industry. Classes would begin without interruption in September.

Tom MacNaughton, president of the Friends of the Boat School Marine Trades Development Corporation, comments, "Everyone concerned in the city government, the Friends corporation and the community college system will certainly be fully committed to a seamless transition so that all students' needs are fully supported." The nonprofit corporation will serve as a supporting organization for the operation of the school.

MacNaughton says, "A viable boatbuilding school can only be in this good waterfront facility, and if the community college can only afford to move it to Calais, the only sensible thing is to split the school off and run it as a separate institution."

While details of a business plan need to be finalized, Finch believes there is no doubt among those working on the project that it can be pulled together. "This is an exciting opportunity for Eastport, the region, the state and the boatbuilding industry," he says. "The mission of the project will be: 'The promotion of education for and development of the marine trades industry in the State of Maine.'"

Cassidy, though, comments that privately run schools may end up being too costly for people in the state to attend.

Hearing on legislation
Over 30 people attended a March 28 public hearing by the legislature's Appropriations Committee on a bill to provide funding for the Boat School in Eastport, with about 16 testifying in support of the legislation. WCCC President Cassidy had prepared a report calculating it would cost $433,877 to keep the school running for the coming year in Eastport. His report also estimated that an alternative of moving the program to the Calais campus would need $100,000 in additional funding.

Among those testifying were Susan Swanton of the Maine Marine Trade Association and several boatbuilders, including Ralph Stanley of Southwest Harbor. The sponsor of the bill, State Senator Kevin Raye of Perry, says they "did an excellent job," presenting compelling arguments for keeping the Boat School in Eastport. Cassidy spoke in favor of the bill, but said that the Calais campus could also offer a good boatbuilding program, according to Raye.

The boatbuilding industry believes that the Eastport location on the water, with its facility and pier, is of paramount importance, says Raye, noting that the program would be placed in a building about the size of a two-car garage in Calais.

Cassidy says he is "cautiously optimistic" about the legislation, noting that the committee was "very positive" about it. At a work session on April 4, the committee "killed dozens" of bills but set the Boat School legislation aside. Raye believes that committee members recognize the value of the school, but he is worried that since funding wasn't included in the state's supplemental budget that was passed last month. "We're fighting for table scraps in terms of funds," says Raye, noting that only about $750,000 is left to be considered by the Appropriations Committee. However, he notes that "miraculously" legislators find money at the last minute to fund projects. The legislative session is expected to end later this month. "It could be that things will get ironed out in the final minutes," he notes.