On September 29th at 7 p.m. at the Gouldsboro Community Center, Gouldsboro will have a special town meeting to vote on a “mostly commercial” (as stated in the town newsletter) pier to be constructed in Prospect Harbor.

While access to the waterfront in small fishing communities is an identified need this appropriation raises more questions that have not to date been researched and publicly answered. And with the Maine tax reform initiative looming to possibly reduce budgets within the town is this an appropriate use of the towns potentially limited funds.

Is it the responsibility of a town of 1,700 plus taxpayers to raise money and build a pier for “mostly” the benefit of about 190 commercial fisherman? (There are approximately 50 fisherman who fish out of the Prospect Harbor area surrounding the proposed pier and they would gain the most benefit).

The land was donated by Conners Brothers (formerly Stinson’s) with the stipulation that a pier be built.

What about the upkeep and maintenance of the pier? Lighting costs? Garbage disposal costs? Hazardous waste disposal costs? Security costs? Will we need another town employee? Will the commercial fisherman be charged for the maintenance of the pier?

I know that some of these concerns will have no answers at this time but they are the actual cost of ownership and need to be justified, planned and budgeted.

I encourage every resident from the town of Gouldsboro to attend this meeting – ask questions and expect answers – and vote in best interest of the town as a whole always being mindful of the fact that what we obligate now may not be the end of our costs or obligations regarding this pier.

Cynthia Stanley

Gouldsboro