Press Herald:

Pick-your-own (U-pick) farms in Maine are shifting from a focus on high-volume berry pickers to providing family-friendly experiences.

This trend reflects broader changes across the state: longtime farmers note fewer bulk pickers and more casual visitors who pick less fruit. While this increases foot traffic, it doesn’t always boost profits due to added operational costs like staffing and amenities. Some farms, like Libby & Son’s and Jordan’s Farm, have scaled back or closed their U-pick operations altogether, citing rising costs and logistical challenges.

Despite the challenges, Fairwinds continues to thrive by balancing tradition with new expectations, leaning into community engagement and adaptable business strategies to remain sustainable.

Bangor Daily News:

Whole Oceans, a company that once promised a $200 million, large-scale land-based salmon farm in Bucksport, Maine, is now moving forward with a significantly scaled-down version of the project—just 15% of the original size. The revised 3,000-metric-ton plan comes after years of delays, silence, and lapsed permits. Local officials remain cautiously optimistic, seeing potential benefits for the town’s economy, but residents are skeptical after years of inaction.

Originally envisioned as a transformative project for Bucksport after the 2014 closure of the Verso Paper mill, the development has lost momentum amid broader setbacks for large aquaculture ventures in Maine. Whole Oceans now presents the smaller version as a “proof of concept” to attract investors, in partnership with PR Aqua and Kuterra Salmon.

While town officials are open to scaling the project and diversifying land use on the former mill site. The shift in scope may also impact planned tax benefits for the town. Despite these challenges, Bucksport officials still see value in the location’s infrastructure and power access, and hope the project—if successful—can anchor further redevelopment.

Bangor Daily News:

Randall Park, Bangor’s first tiny home community, opened in late 2024 with 30 units and has been fully occupied since. Developed by local landlord Louie Morrison to help address the housing shortage, the 320-square-foot homes each include one bedroom, a bathroom, heat pumps, and some have lofts or closets. Rent is $1,300/month.

Residents include retirees, people starting over, and pet owners. Denise LaGasse moved there for a fresh start after her husband’s death, while Maggie Lusk-Johnson, a minimalist nearing retirement, appreciates the efficient design. Davi Barreiros enjoys the space despite sharing it with two large huskies, and Syd Danforth values the community feel after returning to Maine.

Residents praise the park’s quiet setting and sense of safety. Morrison received hundreds of applications and hopes the concept can contribute to solving Maine’s housing challenges.

Bangor Daily News:

Marshfield Solar LLC and its contractor, SolAmerica Energy Services, may face a $180,159 fine for unpermitted work and environmental violations at a 19.32-acre solar project in Marshfield, Maine. The violations included soil erosion, failure to maintain stormwater controls, sediment runoff into neighboring wetlands and streams, and unauthorized alterations to 26,209 square feet of wetlands. A consent agreement will be reviewed by the Maine Board of Environmental Protection on June 5. The violations have since been corrected, and the developer received a $4.385 million USDA loan in 2023 for the project.

Bangor Daily New

Andrew and Samantha Peters, founders of Vertical Bay, have been experimenting with Japanese scallop farming techniques in Maine’s Penobscot Bay for the past seven years. Their vertically netted, four-acre farm off Deer Isle has met strong demand, allowing them to sell locally since 2021 and expand out-of-state in 2024. Despite this, high costs and slow growth cycles have made profitability difficult. They are now seeking a 41.2-acre, 20-year aquaculture lease—the largest proposed scallop farm in Maine—to determine if scallop farming can support sustainable small businesses. Approval would make it one of Maine’s largest shellfish operations.

Bangor Daily News

At its May 6 meeting, the Bar Harbor Town Council denied a special amusement permit for Siam Orchid restaurant on Rodick Street after Kennebec Street residents voiced strong concerns about potential noise from amplified music. The permit would have allowed acoustic instruments and amplified vocals outside. Though nearby Lompoc Cafe received a permit renewal, residents stated that Lompoc works with neighbors to manage noise, while Siam Orchid, owned by Hatsana Phanthavong, did not demonstrate similar outreach. The council rarely denies such permits, but has done so before (e.g., Pat’s Pizza in 2023, also partly owned by Phanthavong).

Councilor Matthew Hochman warned that denial based on feelings rather than ordinance could expose the town to legal risk, emphasizing that existing processes and noise ordinances should guide decisions. Council Chair Valerie Peacock and others cited the cumulative impact of outdoor music on Kennebec Street residents. The final vote was 5–2 to deny the permit, with Hochman and Councilor Meg Kelly dissenting. Discussions arose about possibly amending the ordinance to better address residential noise concerns, but no action was taken that night.

“Short term rental owners would first be required to register their properties with the Land Use Planning Commission. Eventually, property owners will have to comply with a set of parking, wastewater disposal and other standards, which state regulators said they plan to address with a second round of rulemaking.

There would be no fee to register using an online platform. Commissioners said during a meeting Wednesday that the registration requirement will allow them to reach short-term rental owners and help them prepare for the upcoming regulations.

The decision comes after regulators spent more than a year collecting feedback from property owners and residents in unorganized territories.”

Source: Maine Public

“The Brunswick Town Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to enact an update to the town’s ordinance that would track the owner and property manager contact information for rental properties.

Since 2000, the midcoast town has had a registration requirement for owners of buildings with three or more units. No fees were associated with the registry, and Brunswick does not have somebody dedicated to tracking the number and condition of rental properties. But with the ordinance change, the town will now require the registration of all rental properties and enact fines for noncompliance.”

bangordailynews.com

“The amended bill authorizes, but does not require, municipalities and the Maine Land Use Planning Commission to deny, suspend or revoke a permit of the land owner or occupant from further development on all or a part of the land on which the violation occurred, until it is removed, abated or otherwise corrected and any penalties and court-ordered fees are paid.

It also allows the municipality and the commission to place a lien on the land on which the violation occurred and the ability to file civil action against the owner or occupant to recover unpaid penalties, restoration costs and reasonable attorney fees. The amendment requires owners who sell property to disclose any actual or alleged shoreland zoning violations on their real estate disclosure form. It also requires the municipality to provide written notice of the violations to the owner or occupant and 10 days for them to correct the violation.”

Source: Press Herald