Belfast City Council backs off railroad plan> Some councilors worry about harbor’s image

BELFAST — The City Council has shied away from a Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad plan to use its waterfront rail yard as staging area for barge shipments of rock.

Although they initially supported the concept when it first came before them, worries about the project’s scope prompted the council to take a second look. As a result of the council’s hesitancy, the city missed the Monday deadline to apply for state grants to fund the project.

As proposed by city-railroad consultant, Maine Tomorrow, the plan called for creating a rail-marine intermodal transfer facility on or adjacent to the footbridge spanning the Passagassawakeag River. The facility was to be used to transfer cargo, including rock from the Lane Construction quarry on nearby Patterson Hill, to rail cars for overland shipments or to barges for sea route.

“I’m very disappointed with the council’s change of heart,” B&ML President Rod Rodrigue said Monday. “I think we are going to miss the window of opportunity to create a mixed-use harbor.”

The council sold the rail yard to the railroad earlier this year with the proviso that the B&ML contribute to the hiring of a consultant to develop a long-term plan for the waterfront. The intermodal freight terminal was a segment of that plan. Other features include bicycle and foot paths, a marina and park areas.

When the council reviewed the freight portion of the plan last week it voted 4-1 to notify the Department of Transportation of its “interest” in the concept. After further review, however, three of those who initially favored the proposal changed their mind. Councilor Michael Lewis remains committed.

One resident who opposed the plan was Mike Stein. Stein warned the council that rather than eliminate truck traffic from the city, the rail-marine facility would act as a magnet.

“You are not going to have 21,000 trucks going through Belfast if you don’t build the dock,” Stein said. “I don’t see how you can transport crushed rock into barges without noise and dust.” Stein added that the harbor “would be ruined” as a recreational area if the plan was adopted.

Councilor Walter Ash said the July 11 application deadline made it impossible for the council to study the question in detail. He noted that when Rockland jumped at a Department of Transportation offer to pay for the rebuilding of a rail spur through that city’s South End, detriments were overlooked in the rush to get things done.

“It’s getting shoved down that neighborhood’s throat,” Ash noted.

Councilor Kevin Page observed that while residents were supportive of the railroad as a tourist attraction, he doubted they were ready to accept an industrial complex on their waterfront. Page said the waterfront was fine for recreation. He said if the concept of the rail-marine terminal was “the best we’ve got going then I don’t think we’ve got much because the city is not going to want this.”

Rodrigue insisted his proposal was within the terms of the agreement to purchase the rail yard. He predicted that the council’s demand for more time to review the matter would be self-defeating, that the wait would put development of a multi-use harbor on hold.

“One thing Belfast never has to worry about is moving too fast. It leads Waldo County in unemployment, food stamps and child welfare. I think it’s an unfortunate turn of events for all of Waldo County when the council turns its back on opportunity,” Rodrigue said. “I think what they have done is contrary to the agreement. I’m an eternal optimist and the railroad will do its best to work for the county, even if we have to do it on our own.”