The building will not be paid for by the town.  In fact, keeping the building will save the town $65,000 to $80,000 in disposal costs.  

Restoration costs were estimated using experienced construction professionals and their estimating tools.    Time value of money, extra contingencies, overhead, profits, and inflation were included to make sure the estimates were conservatively made.    The total for both the restrooms and the recreation center is  $1,410,567.   Itemized details may be found in the proposal's costs section.

A fundraising plan by a group of experienced nonprofit development professionals who have successfully raised money for projects, operations, and capital campaigns exists. The plan does not include any federal funding.   Fundraising has already started from sources like:  grants, facility naming rights, foundation donations, estate plans, commercial donations, in-kind contributions from construction businesses.  

Details for funding may be found in the proposal's fund raising section. There was never any expectation put forward that the fundraising would be done by the March 2025 Town Meeting. The fundraising was slated to be done in the time between approval and the remediation of the toxins (which is expected to take a year at least). 

 In 2024 the Midcoast Council of Governments (MCOG) presented a full report on the administration building.  That detailed report suggested a logical sequence of steps and checkpoints in pursuit of a very useful resource, which is what this group is striving for.

In 2015 the Mitchell Field Committee suggested ways that the administration building could be refreshed to serve the public.   Bathrooms, satellite offices, general usage space, and parking for the same were suggested.     

The town's 2007 Mitchell Field Master Plan which was updated in 2019 states:  "...the administration building, could be developed for public use such as bathrooms, storage, and vending."  [ ref pages 3, 4, 12, 13 ]

The town will own the Recreation Complex, but an LLC will be responsible for annual operation of the Recreation Center.   Revenues, schedules, costs, building maintenance....will be the LLC's function, with Town oversight.    In such a desirable location the demand for gatherings, functions, and meetings will create revenue that will cover the costs of operating the facility from window washing to cleaning services to salaries for two part time roles.  Should revenues exceed costs, the overage will be used to further enhance the building and its facilities. 

Residents will enjoy steeply discounted costs for their private events.   Details of annual operation may be found in the proposal.

Residents will enjoy a significant discount in costs to use the Recreation Complex for their own events.   ie.  Weddings, anniversaries, club meetings, family reunions, graduation parties.   Cost and revenue projections include a mix of resident and out-of-town rentals and may be found in the proposal.

Local organizations have expressed a sincere interest to utilize the Mitchell Field Recreation Complex. 

To date we have support from: 

• Harpswell Aging at Home–for events and activities

• Harpswell Heritage Land Trust–for summer camp program

• Harpswell Neck Library Association–for small library, reading space, and internet kiosk

• Southern Maine Astronomy Club–for star parties and workshops

• Theater at Monmouth–for their traveling programs

• Harpswell Neck Physical Education Association–for their camp and programs

We have also contacted the following and are awaiting responses:

• Mitchell Field Bandstand Committee–rain location for summer concerts, Bandstand Holiday Lighting and other events 

• Harpswell Garden Club 

• Maine State Music Theater 

• Bowdoin Summer Music

In addition to those organizations, we expect the following will also want to utilize these facilities:

• Boat ramp and beach users, picnickers, cyclists, walkers….

• Clubs—knitting and quilting, book groups, etc. 

• Local artists hosting shows, sales and festivals

• Other musicians and theatre groups presenting concerts and plays

• School performance groups

• Children's camps, like theatre, music, athletic, environmental or art camps

A conservative schedule includes site remediation, voter approvals, bidding, demolition, construction, finishing, and even delays.   An open house is anticipated for spring of 2028.

The administration building has surface contamination which must be cleaned up.  In July 2024 Beacon Environmental Consultants provided the town with remediation options and cost estimates.   Page seven profiles the administration building.

Regardless of what happens to the building - demolition, disposal, or renovation - the town is responsible for cleaning this up.  

Demolished materials cannot be inexpensively sent to a land fill with contamination on them.    

If we renovate the building the cost of remediation is significantly reduced because far less demo material heads to a special landfill.  So a choice to renovate would cost the town less remediation money than total demolition.

Total remediation costs were estimated by Beacon Consulting:

If demolished costs could be $160,000 to $230,000.

If renovated costs could be $95,000 to $150,000.

Renovation would save an estimated $65,000 to $80,000.

The ballot item asks that the voters approve as one item,  remediation AND demolition, so it's important to vote NO to stop the demolition.  Remediation has to happen before anything else regardless of what happens to the building.

The 2024 boat ramp was designed with the Administration Building in place. There is no need to demolish the building in order to move vehicles with boats in and out of the area. The boat ramp and the Recreation Complex will support each other and make this space more usable and desirable for all.

The boat ramp traffic route does not conflict with the building as shown in the graphic below.  There is also plenty of room for a two-way road that circles behind the existing building, allowing the existing road to be used for emergency access only making the walk to and from the beach safer for children, pedestrians, shore and boat ramp users.

Parking for day-use boat trailers  and larger events at the Recreation Complex can be accommodated in the existing paved lot east of the bandstand, or in the overflow field lot.  The  parking lot at the present building location would be resurfaced and used for small events.

It has to do with unfortunate wording.  The ballot question asks if the building should be both remediated of toxins AND demolished.   Remediation has to happen regardless of the building's future, but we need not demolish the building when it can be used after clean up.   A yes vote would automatically lead to demolition.  

Clearer ballot language was proposed to the Select  Board but they chose not to embrace it.   That language would have allowed voters to vote clearly about these various options.  Instead we must first vote NO to avoid demolishing the building.  With the building secure, we can next pursue approvals of a renovation plan that will include clean up at a lower cost because debris won't get landfilled.

Harpswell has already allotted the money for the clean up.  The clean up costs will be reduced with the choice of renovation rather than demolition, saving Harpswell money. 

No.  The boat ramp plan was finalized with the existing building and roads in place.  It routes two-way traffic well around the existing building with plenty of clearances.   On the contrary, boat ramp users will enjoy restrooms, rinse-off showers, picnic tables, and information kiosks.  

The ramp application, page 38, shows how the ramp and boat trailer traffic clear the building.

The funds will come from private donors, grants, organizations, and fund raising campaigns.  Fundraising will start substantially once the ballot question is defeated.   A fundraising plan was put together by a group of experienced nonprofit development professionals who have successfully raised money for projects, operations, and capital campaigns who view the $1.4M goal as achievable. The plan does not include any federal funding.  Fundraising has already started from sources like:  grants, facility naming rights, foundation donations, estate plans, commercial donations, in-kind contributions from construction businesses.  

It will be renovated.  The thick walls are easily cut and repointed.  The roof beams are huge, sound, steel beams that can support a new roof.  The dangerous elements that will get removed, like missing handrails, holes in interior walls, hanging fixtures -  not unlike the repairs you make in a remodel.

Trim and accent features like new windows, roof trim, accent granite stone work, landscaping, and cleaning will make the building look appealing instead of out of place.

Renovating the administration building has been proposed by committees, citizens, or councils in 2007, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2024.   The community voiced their desire to renovate the building in the 2022 Mitchell Field Survey.  However the Mitchell Field Committee seemingly made no progress moving that forward.  In 2024 the Midcoast Council of Governments (MCOG) presented a detailed study to Harpswell.  MCOG suggested taking logical, sequential steps toward the best outcome for the buildings and town.    A group of residents has proposed that we get moving with these steps toward  renovation.

In 2015 the Mitchell Field Committee suggested ways that the administration building could be refreshed to serve the public.   Bathrooms, satellite offices, general usage space, and parking for the same were suggested.     

The town's 2007 Mitchell Field Master Plan which was updated in 2019 states:  "...the administration building, could be developed for public use such as bathrooms, storage, and vending."  [ ref pages 3, 4, 12, 13 ]

Regardless of what happens to the building, the hazardous waste must be cleaned up first.   The majority of the issues require only surface remediation. This does not require substantial quantities of hazardous waste to be disposed of. But if the building is torn down completely then all of  that rubble must be taken to special landfills that cost lots of money.  If we only remove a small section of the building and repurpose the rest of it, the landfill costs that the Town will incur will be much less.

In July 2024 Beacon Environmental Consultants provided the town with remediation options and cost estimates.   Page seven profiles the administration building.

Total remediation costs were estimated by Beacon Consulting:

If demolished remediation costs could be $160,000 to $230,000.

If renovated remediation costs could be $95,000 to $150,000.

Renovation would save the town an estimated $65,000 to $80,000.

The Mitchell Field Committee (MFC) has existed for several years.  They carry out various operations and meetings concerning the overall area. They have not actively pursued renovation which they suggested in 2015.   

A group of residents has come together to propose renovating the Administration Building to provide features that the Harpswell residents have asked for.  If the renovation goes forward they will form a Mitchell Field Recreation Complex Committee (possibly MFRCC).

 In 2015 the Mitchell Field Committee suggested ways that the administration building could be refreshed to serve the public.   Bathrooms, satellite offices, general usage space, and parking for the same were suggested.     

The conversation about what to do with the buildings has languished since the Town took over the field.  In 2015 the Mitchell Field Committee suggested ways that the administration building could be refreshed to serve the public.   Bathrooms, satellite offices, general usage space, and parking for the same were suggested.    Major changes to the field like the boat ramp, have been designed with the building remaining in place.  

Years of inaction regarding the building does not justify tearing down a great resource.  With the threat of the building being wasted, our committee decided to get involved to try and save the building and give the community the features they've asked for - more importantly - at no cost to the taxpayers.

Residents were surveyed in 2022 about what features they would like at Mitchell Field.    Abundant suggestions included 'real' bathrooms and amenities that complement the shore location, such as rinse-off showers, picnic tables with shade,  a refreshment stand or kayak rentals.  

The MFC members have suggested that  "portables such as those found at Mere Point would be fine."  when in fact that is exactly what the citizens have asked to be replaced.   This is an example of not listening to the voters who want a more reasonable solution.

People visit Mitchell Field for many good reasons.    Complementing those visits with real bathrooms, comfortable and shaded seating places, information kiosks,  picnic areas, features that aid in shore activities, playgrounds seems obvious.   Holding small gatherings or meetings with such a stunning view is also appealing.  

If the field were empty, you might not create a building there.  But remodeling the existing asset seems possible in an appropriate aesthetic AND it saves the town a lot of money..