Votes at a glance: Bar Harbor council excuses absences, approves permits and denies tax-abatement request

The Bar Harbor Town Council at its March 3 special meeting recorded a series of unanimous actions, including excusing three councilors from tonight’s meeting, approving minutes and the agenda, granting two special amusement permits, and denying a property tax-abatement request after executive session.

Excused absences: Councilor Earl Brechlin moved, with a second from Councilor David Kief, to excuse Councilors Peacock, Boucher and Minutolo; roll-call vote recorded Kief Y, Brechlin Y, Caines Y, Sprague Y and the motion passed 4-0.

Approval of minutes and agenda: Councilor Brechlin, with a second by Councilor Kief, moved to approve the February 17 and February 24 minutes as presented; roll-call vote passed 4-0. Brechlin, with a second by Kief, then moved to adopt the meeting agenda as presented; roll-call vote passed 4-0.

Licenses and permits: The council held public hearings with no public comment and approved two new special amusement permits: Order 1 for Jack Russell’s (moved by Councilor Brechlin, seconded by Councilor Kief; vote 4-0) and Order 2 for Siren & Sailor (moved by Councilor Brechlin, seconded by Councilor Randy Sprague; vote 4-0).

Executive session and abatement decision: The council entered executive session pursuant to 36 MRS §841(2)E to consider a request for a property tax abatement for reasons of poverty. Town Manager James L. Smith, Town Clerk Elizabeth N. Graves and Finance Director Sarah Gilbert participated in the executive session. After returning to open session at 5:57 p.m., Councilor David Kief, with a second by Councilor Earl Brechlin, moved to deny the abatement request received February 24, 2026 on the grounds that the applicant did not meet the burden of proof that they were unable to contribute to the public charges; the roll-call vote was 4-0.

Adjournment: Councilor Brechlin, with a second by Councilor Sprague, moved to adjourn at 5:58 p.m.; the motion passed 4-0.