Mount Desert Select Board Advances RSU Referendum and Town Hall Contract

The Mount Desert Select Board held two public hearings and approved a November referendum on consolidating several MDI-area schools into a regional school unit, along with amendments to the general assistance ordinance. The board also approved a contract with DGC Architects for town hall renovations, set election officials for November, and discussed summer noise complaints without taking action on a noise ordinance.

Key points

• Both public hearings, on the RSU consolidation referendum and the general assistance ordinance amendments, drew no public comment and were closed; the board then adopted the general assistance amendments.
• The board approved a contract with DGC Architects for town hall improvements, described as detailed work on a complex building.
• Ballot clerks and Heidi Smolich as warden were appointed for the November 3, 2026 general election.
• The board approved the final warrant, a special event application for the 2027 Seal Harbor Library Fair, a $500 gift to the fire department, and contracts with Coastal Energy for heating oil and BFT Trucking for winter sand.
• A board member raised safety concerns about the new Babson Creek bridge, including slippery conditions and parking, and asked for an update from the contractor.
• Members discussed a resident's request for a noise ordinance, noting most complaints involved construction noise and blasting; no ordinance was proposed, and the town manager said staff would research alternatives.

Next steps

• Staff will follow up with the Babson Creek bridge contractor about fall safety work and report back.
• The town manager will research options short of a noise ordinance for addressing construction noise.
• The town manager plans to bring a proposal to the next agenda to move the February school break week meeting to the following week and make it a standing policy.

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