House kills bill to allow Peaks Island secession

AUGUSTA – The Maine House killed a bill Wednesday to allow Peaks Island to secede from the city of Portland.

The proposal would have allowed Peaks, House, Pumpkin Knob and Catnip islands to form a Town of Peaks Island if the legal residents of those islands had approved.

The proposal drew a large crowd to a committee hearing in late April. Supporters of the bill said they were not adequately represented in the city government and that without secession, the unique character of Peaks Island would disappear.

Critics dismissed the move as a tax revolt.

Peaks Islanders tried to separate from Portland 12 years ago, but legislative authorization failed by a single vote in the state Senate.