Select board acts to clean up debris from Lubec house fire

At the June 17 Lubec Select Board meeting, board members took additional steps to remedy the house fire debris hazard at 63 Pleasant Street. They also heard about community playground issues and discussed the disposition of a tax-acquired property.

After hearing from Lubec residents at the June 3 meeting of the debris hazard and the site's subsequent use as an unregulated dump, board members voted in favor of allocating up to $5,000 to fence in the property to prevent people and animals from entering.

In addition, Town Administrator Suzette Francis reported that the human waste was cleaned up on June 5 for $1,500, and plans to install a security camera are under way.

The next step for debris cleanup, according to Chair Carol Dennison, in consultation with the town attorney and the code enforcement officer, is to declare the property abandoned. This involves sending a letter accusing the owner of abandonment and setting a hearing for the Monday, July 13, select board meeting. After the hearing, the town and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) should have permission to go on the property. Then the DEP can tell the town what needs to be done, and a cleanup estimate will be generated. All associated costs for fencing and cleanup will be charged as taxes in the form of a lien on the property.

Community playground limit challenged

The board also heard from community members who requested clarification on accessibility to the Lubec Community Playground during school hours. The discussion, almost tabled due to the absence of the community member who requested the agenda item, appears to be prompted by an exchange between a teacher, school children and others from outside the school during school hours.

Lubec resident Melissa Lee recounted the history of the Lubec playground, saying it was "built by the community, money was raised by the community and it has been maintained for 27 years by a community volunteer maintenance committee. It's not a school playground, but I don't think that's in writing anywhere," said Lee, adding, "The school has a dedicated playground on the other side of the building." The property is on school grounds but is owned by the town.

Director of Public Works Richard Huntley said a sign states that there is to be no activity from outside the school during school hours.

In an April 1998 letter read by Huntley, the chairman of the school board stated, "The MSAD 19 Board of Directors approves and supports the construction of a creative playground on the Bennett athletic field." Board member Mark Kelley responded that "things have changed since 1998, and the school should have a say in who is on their property and for what reason."

Lee suggested, "It would be great if the playground committee, school board, select board and someone from the school could hammer this out to get it in writing."

No action was taken by the select board.

Tax-acquired property to be sold

In accordance with advice from Maine Municipal Association legal services, the board voted to sell a tax-acquired property in deteriorating condition on North Lubec Road for $99,000. A local real estate broker suggested lowering the price due to the presence of a tenant. Legal services advised against the town accepting rent, due to the obligation and cost of bringing the house up to code.

The tenant was renting from the owner until the checks came back uncashed and, when taxes went unpaid, ownership transferred to the town. The new owner can ask the tenant to leave, but eviction cannot occur in the winter, due to state laws. The town will recoup funds spent on sewer and the furnace through tax liens on the property.

Other business

Lubec Celebration Committee member Wanda Reed requested help from the board to hang 140 veterans' banners before the Fourth of July, saying there are just three people on the committee. Suggestions from the board and the community included contacting a tree service company or the Arise Addiction Recovery program or renting a cherry picker machine. No action was taken.

Dennison distributed engineering plans for the Safe Harbor breakwater, recently awarded for $25.7 million, saying there will be a preconstruction meeting and a small groundbreaking ceremony with the Department of Transportation soon. The plan includes a rubble mound breakwater, floating docks, boat ramp, parking, one tie‑up for the Marine Patrol and 16 floats in a protected mooring field. Dennison said no overnight docking is allowed. Dennison hopes that in the future the remaining unallocated funds -- $21 million -- could be used to construct an L at the west end of the breakwater.

William Feltman and Jennifer Robinson were appointed to the Community Emergency Response Plan Committee. 

Town office will be closed Tuesday, June 30. for end-of-year processing and on Friday, July 3.

A ceremony to honor lost fishermen will be held Tuesday, July 21, at the Lost Fishermen's Memorial in Lubec for the first official Maine Commercial Fishing Remembrance Day.