PMC proposal for Boat School satisfies Friends and council

The deal almost didn't make it, but on the evening of September 1 representatives of Perry Marine & Construction (PMC) and the Friends of the Boat School were mostly all smiles at a presentation to the Eastport City Council for a purchase proposal for the property on Deep Cove Road where the Boat School is located.
Just under a year ago the property came under the public eye when David Marlow, a yacht-builder based out of Florida and China, visited Eastport with an interest first in the former Guilford mill building and then the Boat School property. In early June he withdrew from pursuing the property further, opening the door to other interested parties. Hinckley Yachts expressed possible interest in the property to Councillor Mike Cummings. However, the timing of that company's ability to come view the property meant that the earliest visit would have been after Labor Day.
Working with tight deadlines of their own were PMC principals and board members of Friends of the Boat School. The Friends had made known the devastating effect student recruitment delays could mean for the future of the school and the Friends' three‑year plan to sustainable operations. Paul Koziell, chief operating officer of CPM Constructors, which is a partner with Morrison Manufacturing Inc. in PMC, explained that a changing timetable with PMC's work contract with Ocean Renewable Power Company meant increased pressure to finalize an agreement.
Instrumental to the facilitation of a proposal that met both group's needs as well as goals set by the council, which asked for continued public boat access and for PMC and the Friends to work out a cooperative model, were Senate President Kevin Raye and his wife Karen Raye. "We hit an impasse with the Friends. Fortunately, Senator Raye and his wife Karen hosted a meeting, and we were able to come to an agreement," said Koziell.
That the agreement reached was very last minute was noted by alert members of the public who packed the room. While Friends President Tom Ries was given the floor as first presenter by council Chair Bob Peacock, rather than give an impassioned speech detailing the Friends' newest offer, which increased the purchase price from $1 to $125,000, Ries gave the floor to Koziell, a sure sign that something interesting had developed.
Koziell proceeded to outline the agreement reached with the Friends. PMC will purchase the approximately 20‑acre property for $300,000. "Within 10 minutes of receiving conveyance we would gift nine acres to the Boat School." The Boat School parcel will encompass all the buildings already in use for educational purposes, and all costs and revenue streams associated with the facility will become the responsibility of the Boat School. The Friends will have ownership of the nine acres and buildings, allowing the nonprofit to seek financing. Koziell noted that PMC also needed to own outright its section of the property to seek financing for the development of the property. Development will include a 100' x 120' manufacturing building, rerouted access road to accommodate the new building, ramp and pier repairs and, in the future, a marine railway.
Maintaining public boat access to Deep Cove was a more complex negotiation but showed that PMC had worked diligently to meet goals set by the council. The Boat School, Moose Island Marine and a few other entities will have easement rights to use the existing pier and ramp. If the Boat School were to sell its property, the transfer of its easement would be subject to PMC approval. Other easements, such as held by Moose Island Marine, will be permanent.
The site for a new public boat ramp will be just a short hop from the old one. PMC is negotiating with Butch Harris and Paul Thompson for the purchase of the former MacNichol property at Deep Cove. A portion of the property with water and road access would be conveyed by PMC to the City of Eastport, along with an additional $75,000 to offset costs associated with building a new site for the public boat ramp. The $75,000 might be used as a match for federal grant programs specifically for harbor improvements.
Thompson noted that costs might be kept quite a bit lower if the city were to utilize the Resource Conservation & Development agency, which would arrange for the engineering work. The reason for the lower cost, Thompson explained, would be a condition placed on the boat ramp that it be available for both commercial and individual use. This is how the current boat ramp is used. Koziell gave the transition from one ramp to the other as one year, and during the transition public use of the old ramp would continue as usual.
Former city councillor Earl Small summed up the general feeling of those in the audience who had voiced their support. "I support this project. It's local. It's time to invest local. Stop looking out."
However, there were some members of the public who were in support of councillor Mike Cummings' position that moving quickly was not in the city's best interest and that those people present at the meeting did not represent the full voice of the city. Cummings suggested that the property be advertised or that the PMC purchase proposal go out to vote in the November elections. "Who knows who's out there?" asked resident David Westphal. Cummings added, "Even if they're from out of town, we don't want people to think that Eastport is closed."
At the end of the meeting Friends member Meg McGarvey told the audience that a petition in support of the Boat School had been signed by 200 people, which she felt countered some of Cummings' reservations.
When it came time to vote, all councillors but Cummings voted in favor of the PMC purchase proposal. Cummings voted against it.