It is uncertain when the Norwegian consortium began consideration of the waters off the town of Perry for two 15-acre lease sites, but it was certainly by August of last year. The Department of Marine Resources is on record with site evaluation in November of last year. Mid-March of this year, by chance, some of the townspeople became aware that these sites were about to be the subjects of a hearing pursuant to a lease application. They held a meeting on March 19 to discuss the prospect.

The people gathered knew that the required notice from the department for a hearing is 30 days. It was expected to be in the local newspaper the next day.

Discussion strongly reflected the realization that 30 days was a very short time to learn what the hearing process is, what they need to produce for information and then to do it.

There were lobster fishermen, weir fishermen and draggermen. There were local property owners and at least one person from the salmon industry. And there were people from the Blue Hill area who had been invited to give some idea about what the hearing process meant. They had been through it.

The moderator of the meeting had a gentle hand. She also made the coffee and several dozen very good homemade doughnuts. In laconic fashion, she deferred any criticism of management of the meeting or of the doughnuts to the organizers. Questions and observations came readily. One fisherman declared that one of the sites was on “the only rockpile in the whole area where you can catch a lobster in August.” Another said that they were so close to the Canadian line that there was no bottom to spare; if they gave up some to the salmon pens, it would mean some of the lobster fishermen would loose income. They could go no farther east and there were no productive lobster fishing grounds to the west.

There was serious concern about closeness to maritime traffic lanes. Many complained about the trash that lines the shores by existing pens. There was a quieter concern for friends and family members who worked on the salmon pens around the corner. They needed jobs, too. No one was anti-aquaculture; they knew what the jobs meant. But no one spoke in favor of the sites off Perry’s shores.

Perhaps the quietest voices to be heard, natives among them, were those who talked about the visual impact on the quality of life. There was also a clear desire from the majority to steer clear of the “environmentalists.” But the environment of the lobster got respect.

The folks from Blue Hill were courteously received and there were many questions. The visitors gave the strong impression that the hearing process required a lot of preparation and that it was likely to favor the applicant. Some in the crowd referred to a history with DMR that was not favorable, but an equal number questioned why the DMR wouldn’t be impartial. That issue rolled around a bit and the focus went more to the standards of review that might be lacking. The crowd as a whole wanted to believe in the process, but the prevailing view was skepticism.

In fairness to DMR, there is a probability that the town government was notified of the lease consideration in October. This came to light after the meeting. The letter has not been found, but there is some memory of it. Small- town government is part-time government. It’s probably buried in the blizzard of communication that towns get.

Once again we come face to face with the process. It’s easy to criticize DMR, but they are following established procedures. They are required to do site inspections, but lack the resources to examine in depth. It’s likely they notified the town; it just didn’t get out to the public. It’s the process, not the people.

The process in Perry has resulted in poor notification, minimal site evaluation and very narrow standards for review. All these factors favor the applicant. There is a bill before the Legislature, which, in the majority recommendation from committee, will improve the process. It requires a notice to area landowners at the early stages of the process. It gives more real input to the local area. It’s not perfect, but it deserves our support in behalf of towns like Perry.

The people of Perry have personal investment in a way of life, many with roots going back to the king’s grant. It can be hard making a living, but the quality of life is measured by more than income. It’s a beautiful place with strong ties to traditional fisheries. It has been their choice to live there with the balance of problems and pleasures that location offers. Their voice should be strong in any process that promises to change that balance. It is their town, their way of life and our duty to give it respect.

Bob Vaughan lives in Brooksville.