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.
Bar Harbor denies live music permit
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.
North Maine Woods
The North Maine Woods, a 3.5-million-acre privately owned working forest, offers extensive recreational opportunities like hiking, camping, and paddling, drawing over 100,000 visitors annually. Managed by a nonprofit coalition of landowners since 1971, access is allowed through 19 gates with a small user fee, but the roads remain private and maintained solely by landowners.
Safety is a top priority, particularly around active logging operations. Logging trucks always have the right of way, and visitors must follow strict road rules: drive with headlights on, stay to the right, obey speed limits, and yield to working vehicles. Radios are recommended to monitor truck traffic, and visitors should carry spare tires due to rough conditions and lack of cell service.
Landowners stress respect for the land and roads to preserve access for future use. The access fee does not fund road maintenance, and misuse could result in road closures. Overall, the North Maine Woods is a successful model of cooperative land use, balancing forestry with public recreation.
Regulators plan rules for short-term rentals in Maine’s unorganized territories
“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
Brunswick changes to rental registry
“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.”
Maine lawmakers give power to fix shoreland violations
“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
Maine DEP seeks to speed recovery permits after winter storms
“The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is trying to fast-track efforts to recover from a string of devastating winter storms while giving impacted property owners the flexibility to adapt to changing climate conditions.
The state is trying to make it easier to build back better, with infrastructure that can withstand a wetter, warmer future with rising, stormier seas, but that can also be finished before piping plovers return in March, lobstermen start setting traps in April and the summer tourist season kicks off in July.”
Source: Press Herald
New Maine law cause solar farm projects to downsize
“A 2023 change in Maine law means that two of four Nexamp solar farm projects in Washington County will lose over half of their generating capacity when online.
Nexamp Communications Manager Keith Hevenor explained the company is continuing to work within the new framework and will try to modify those projects affected by the change in the net energy billing (NEB) law that now limits megawatt (MW) production for the farms in question to 1 MW or less.
Originally the projects in Lubec and Eastport were expected to produce 2.7 MW each, or enough power each to serve about 450-500 average single-family homes.”
Source: The Maine Monitor
Maine dealing with devastating storms
“The impact of the Dec. 18 storm was more severe in western and central Maine than elsewhere, while coastal communities were hit harder in the back-to-back storms that brought record storm surge on Jan. 10 and 13. But in all three storms, which wreaked havoc from Bethel to Eastport, flooding caused the worst damage.
In the storms this month, beachfront homes in southern Maine suffered heavy damage when high winds and peak tides combined to push waves up against houses and into low-lying streets. But for much of Maine’s mostly-rocky coast, it was working waterfront properties that were pummeled by the surf.”
Source: Bangor Daily News
5 Things to Know if You Are Moving to Maine
1. If you are purchasing a home (or vacation cabin), Maine’s laws on right-of-way easements can be crucial if you are on a private road, or have access to water (or others have access across your land). This article on right-of-way easements in Maine provides an in-depth review of the different types of easement, how they are created and can be terminated.
2. Planning on exploring Maine’s vast areas of forests? Much of Maine is in private hands, but most are generally open to the public for recreational purpose. Property owners are protected from liability if someone is injured on their land by the Recreational Use Statute. The law has lead to thousands of acres of Maine be available biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, skiing, fishing and camping (among other things).
3. Maine has 3,478 miles of coastline! While much of this land is in private hands, there are hundreds of places to go to enjoy the beautiful coastline. Here are two key resources for discovering great places to access the coast.
4. You can find property deeds online for almost all private property in the state. Each county has it’s own Registry of Deeds, and most have deeds going back at least several decades available through their website. The registers also have surveys and plans available for download. Most offer a limited number of documents for free. Find the websites at the Maine Registers of Deeds Association.
5. Much of Maine’s land is protected from development, but often open to use, thanks to the many Land Trusts throughout the state. Many of the Land Trusts have created and maintain a large network of trails through these areas, and free maps and guides are available. View Maine Land Trust Index.
