Chebeague Island Selectboard OKs $65,000 Stone Wharf geotech contract, restores harbormaster hours; schedules special town meeting on backhoe lease

CHEBEAGUE ISLAND, Maine — The Chebeague Island Selectboard on April 1 approved a series of administrative and capital items, most notably a $65,000 contract for geotechnical work at Stone Wharf and a change to the harbormaster position’s hours, and set a special town meeting to decide funding for a proposed backhoe lease.

The board voted to authorize the town administrator to sign GEI Consultants’ proposal for geotechnical explorations to support the 30% design for raising the Stone Wharf. The motion, moved by David Hill and seconded by Ehrhardt Groothoff, was recorded as "All in Favor; Motion Carried." The contract amount is $65,000 to be paid from Stone Wharf Reserve 9015. Discussion preceding the motion addressed pier overtopping, prior stability analyses that showed no significant movement, limits tied to Maine DOT grant funding, the fixed-price contract structure, timeline expectations, minimal public works involvement, and handling of drilling spoil materials.

The board also approved restoring the harbormaster job description and the Coastal Waters Commission’s recommendation to set the position at an average of 23 hours per week. The motion to approve the job description and hours was moved by Eliza Jane Adams and seconded by Richard Hackel and carried unanimously. Board members cited growing marine infrastructure demands and staffing challenges during the discussion.

On equipment financing, the town considered a three-year lease-to-own agreement for a CASE 580SNWT loader backhoe and the trade-in or surplus of two existing backhoes. The Selectboard concluded it could not authorize spending without a town vote and instructed the town administrator to prepare a warrant for a special town meeting; the meeting was scheduled for Friday, April 10, 2026. The board did not approve the lease at the meeting.

On Waldo Point right-of-way stabilization, the board reviewed a homeowners’ offer to fully fund design, permitting and construction but declined to meet the homeowners’ proposed May 1, 2026 deadline. The board cited FEMA funding limitations, insufficient design detail, potential impacts on public access, consultant capacity, and feasibility concerns, while expressing willingness to continue coordination in the future.

Minutes from the March 4, 2026 meeting were approved (moved by David Hill, seconded by Ehrhardt Groothoff). Following an executive session under 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) on personnel and committee appointments, the board appointed Kyle Koerber, Stephanie Miskill and Peter Walker to the Ad Hoc Comprehensive Plan and Advisory Committee; Tom Phipps to the Facilities Committee; and Alex Todd, Herb Maine, Justin Doughty and Jason Skillin to the Shellfish Committee. Each of those motions was recorded as carried with all in favor.

Votes at a glance: - Authorized GEI Consultants proposal for Stone Wharf geotechnical explorations ($65,000; Stone Wharf Reserve 9015). Motion: Moved by David Hill; seconded by Ehrhardt Groothoff; outcome: approved (all in favor). - Approved Harbormaster job description and Coastal Waters Commission recommendation to restore an average of 23 hours/week. Motion: Moved by Eliza Jane Adams; seconded by Richard Hackel; outcome: approved (all in favor). - Directed town administrator to prepare warrant for Special Town Meeting on a proposed 3-year lease-to-own for a CASE 580SNWT loader backhoe; Special Town Meeting scheduled for April 10, 2026; no authorization of funding at this meeting. - Approved minutes of March 4, 2026. Motion: Moved by David Hill; seconded by Ehrhardt Groothoff; outcome: approved (all in favor). - Appointments approved after executive session: Ad Hoc Comprehensive Plan and Advisory Committee—Kyle Koerber, Stephanie Miskill, Peter Walker; Facilities Committee—Tom Phipps; Shellfish Committee—Alex Todd, Herb Maine, Justin Doughty, Jason Skillin. Motions carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The GEI contract funds site-specific geotechnical work needed to advance a design that could reduce overtopping risk at Stone Wharf and supports use of Maine DOT grant funds. Restoring harbormaster hours is aimed at addressing growing marine infrastructure and operational needs. The backhoe lease will be decided by voters at the special town meeting.

The Selectboard adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The town clerk submitted the minutes.