Ellsworth to decide on YMCA summer camp

ELLSWORTH – City councilors will discuss and solicit public input next week on a proposal for a lakefront, environmental summer camp, but a decision likely will not be made until later this month.

The Down East Family YMCA of Ellsworth, which would run the camp, has been in negotiations with the city to lease an 18-acre parcel of land on Branch Lake.

That agreement between the city and the YMCA is nearing completion, but City Council chairman Gary Fortier said the board likely will not be ready to act at its meeting on Monday, June 18.

“We got a copy of the lease late last week, but some councilors haven’t seen it yet,” Fortier said. “We’ll probably accept public comment [at Monday’s meeting], and then take all that input and sit down at staff level.”

The chairman said if all goes well, the council will act on the YMCA camp proposal at a special meeting on June 29.

The new camp, which YMCA Executive Director Peter Farragher said he hopes will be open by the summer of 2008, would place a premium on environmental education.

“We feel it’s a fantastic opportunity not only for the YMCA but for the city as well,” Farragher said Thursday.

YMCA officials have been busy hosting a pair of public information sessions on Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon, which were sparsely attended, according to Farragher.

“We would have loved to have more people, but I think Monday will be the real chance for people to ask questions,” he said.

The land on Branch Lake was deeded to the city in 1972 by Bangor Hydro Electric Co., with restrictions that it be used only for low-impact recreation.

The YMCA’s proposal drew criticism in January when the idea was first brought before the city council. Resident Judy McGeorge, whose family owns 1,500 acres adjacent to the potential camp site, said the city would be wise to deny the YMCA’s proposal because it would set a bad precedent for development.

Ellsworth officials have worked diligently to restrict development on Branch Lake, which supplies the city’s drinking water, and there is currently a moratorium on building new boat launches.

Farragher said that while concerns have surfaced from neighbors, his staff has worked hard to convince them that the camp will have a minimal impact on the land.

“We’ve had a lot of meetings and discussions with concerned groups, and the city has taken all that and put together a lease agreement,” he explained. “So far, it’s a good arrangement and it has security for the city to ensure that the mission of the camp stays the same for many years.”

The YMCA currently runs a summer camp for more than 100 children each year but it has never had waterfront access.