enlarge Press Herald 2007 file

Judith Redwine, who chaired the committee that developed the Mitchell Field Master Plan, said, “We knew that we would be disappointing some people in this town who wanted to see more business uses being proposed.” The 118-acre property includes a large pier, in background, that is in need of repair.

Aerial view of Mitchell Field

Members of the Harpswell Coastal Coalition are scheduled to present their plan to the Board of Selectmen this week. Coalition members want the selectmen to place the $2 million offer before residents at Harpswell's annual town meeting in March.

If voters approve the offer, uses such as a liquefied natural gas plant would not be allowed on the oceanfront property. Marine business uses -- such as boatbuilding -- would be permitted.

In 2003, voters rejected an offer to lease the land to an LNG production company. And in October, Washburn & Doughty withdrew its offer to expand its tugboat manufacturing operations on the site.

Another group of residents recently proposed that the town consider expanding the acreage at Mitchell Field dedicated for commercial use from 9 acres to 20.

"If we don't do this, Mitchell Field will continue to be a battlefield," said Chris Duval, a spokesman for the Harpswell Coastal Coalition. "All our plan does is lock in what the town has already voted for."

In November, voters authorized the Mitchell Field Master Plan. It envisions the land, beach and pier being used primarily for recreation, with some land set aside for mixed housing. Nine acres would be reserved for marine-related businesses.

Judith Redwine, chairwoman of the Mitchell Field Committee, acknowledged that the plan is more a guiding document than something cast in stone.

"When we put this plan together, we knew that we would be disappointing some people in this town who wanted to see more business uses being proposed," Redwine said. "I don't see any of this as being over, but for the first time in years we do have a vote from the entire town on what they would like to see happen there."

Meanwhile, another group of residents has suggested that the town create an elected commission that would craft a strategic plan for attracting commercial development to Mitchell Field.

Tony Barrett and Keith Brown, who presented their plan to selectmen last month, could not be reached last week. Their report to the town says, "The town's current concept plan for Mitchell Field is physically and economically unbalanced. This large site can accommodate multiple uses in a balanced, harmonious manner and at the same time provide substantial financial and economic benefits to the town."

Barrett and Brown served on the citizen board that the town appointed to negotiate a lease with Washburn & Doughty, the company that wanted to expand its tugboat manufacturing operation onto 5 acres at Mitchell Field.

Town Administrator Kristi Eiane said selectmen are aware of both group's proposals but have taken no action. Eiane said selectmen will discuss the coalition's offer at their Thursday meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Office.

Meanwhile, Duval said the coalition is prepared to make a $200,000 down payment on the easement if voters accept its offer. The coalition would need two or three years to raise the remaining balance on the $2 million offer.

Duval said the town could do whatever it wanted with the $2 million.

Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be reached at 725-8795 or at

dhoey@pressherald.com