Camden Select Board extends coastal armoring moratorium 180 days

The Camden Select Board voted 5-0 to extend a moratorium on coastal shoreline armoring for another 180 days while a working group develops an ordinance. The board also heard a detailed update on McGunnicook Lake water levels and dam operations, approved routine items, and discussed follow-up meetings with neighboring towns on shared issues.

Key points

• The board voted 5-0 to extend the coastal armoring moratorium another 180 days, with the town aiming to bring a proposal to voters in June.
• A resident praised increased speeding enforcement and asked for more lake safety enforcement and educational signage at boat launches.
• Town staff reported that the lake level policy is being followed and that DEP found operations in order during an extreme drought, with evaporation, not dam releases, driving most of the lake level drop.
• Lower river residents urged the board to keep them informed of any policy changes, warning that holding more water in the lake would reduce flood protection.
• The board approved the state General Assistance ordinance and guidelines, and approved a consent agenda including an oyster festival assembly permit and victualer and lodging renewals.
• The board discussed a recent joint meeting with Lincolnville and agreed to seek similar meetings with Rockport and Hope before the end of the year.

Next steps

• Send a letter to the Rockport town manager proposing a joint select board meeting, and look at scheduling a meeting with Hope before the end of the year.
• Continue the coastal armoring working group and hold a November workshop on nature-based shoreline solutions (date to be confirmed).
• Bring back information on renting the public landing building and an update on the Snow Bowl window wall work.
• Board members should submit agenda items by Tuesday night before the Wednesday agenda-setting meeting.
• Review the board's consolidated list of priorities at the October 1 meeting.

Read the full transcript