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Resident asks council to support petition to rescind easement tied to Nordic Aquafarms sale
Summary
A Belfast resident alleged deeds associated with the 2018 sale of Belfast Water District property to Nordic Aquafarms failed to protect public trail access and asked the council to support a petition to the Maine Public Utilities Commission to vacate that approval.
Andy Stevenson, a Belfast resident and member of the Harriet L. Hartley Conservation Area, asked the council to read a letter from attorney Kim Tucker that challenges deeds tied to the 2018 sale of the Belfast Water District’s former headquarters to Nordic Aquafarms. Stevenson argued the deeds may grant broad easements and that, as a result, permanent public access to Little River trails was not protected.
He urged the council to support a petition before the Maine Public Utilities Commission asking that the commission vacate the June 2018 approval. Stevenson specifically asked whether councilors were aware of joint-defense agreements and questioned whether city officials had acted within the city charter when the city’s attorney and city manager engaged in recent legal positions.
Several residents in public comment later echoed transparency concerns and asked for public answers. Councilors said some items involve ongoing litigation and that the council would provide responses during the communications portion or at a future meeting; staff and the city manager indicated they would follow up and that some questions may be limited by active legal processes.
No formal council vote on the petition or on supporting the PUC filing occurred during the July 2 meeting. Stevenson left copies of the letter with council staff for follow-up.
