Battle of Hermon

The battle between the Hermon Family Restaurant and the “residents who moved in more recently” is over. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Munn Sr., who “truly believe they were doing this for the good of the town and neighbors,” are the victors.

As a resident of Hermon for 13 years, I guess, by Maine standards, I’m considered a newcomer. I came from the big city — Bangor — with my radical ideas, modern education for my children, which the newly established residents fought hard against the people who have lived in the community for many years. The battle to preserve a peaceful residential area for my family is lost.

Property values will not be affected according the testimony of Walter Munn’s expert. The town accepted whatever the experts said and dismissed anything the newcomer residents refuted. This restaurant was going to pass no matter what opposition was present. When a lifetime resident of the community who just happens to have relatives, business associates and friends dominating the town council, planning and zoning boards wants a restaurant, he’s going to get it.

After 18 months of legal curve balls the newcomer residents managed to delay the inevitable. It cost these residents thousands of dollars to force the town to abide by town and state laws; and it cost the town about $15,000 in legal fees to answer the charges. In the end, the town ruled and proved you can’t fight city hall. Richard P. Economy Hermon