Council authorizes Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition to run Maine Healthy Beaches pilot

The Belfast City Council voted 5–0 to authorize the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition (BBWC) to participate in a Maine Healthy Beaches pilot water‑quality testing program this summer.

Joy Bowles, introducing the BBWC request, said the coalition budgeted to take six samples this year — two each at three sites (Heritage Park, Allen Street and City Park) — and is not requesting city funds for the pilot. "We're not asking for any money," Bowles said, adding the group will train volunteers and take samples in August and September, when water temperatures and bacteria counts are likely highest.

Alice Eiffer, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection coordinator for the statewide Healthy Beaches program, described the voluntary monitoring effort and its public‑health purpose. Eiffer said participation is voluntary, that participating towns must agree to the program’s guidance and designate a local point of contact, and that all monitoring data become public and will be posted on DEP’s website and at participating beaches.

Bowles emphasized coordination with the harbor master and local staff; BBWC will work with harbor and city staff on signage and volunteer training. A council motion to authorize BBWC to participate in the pilot program carried unanimously.

Councilors said posting results publicly would be educational and useful for swimmers and harbormaster decision‑making. The council did not appropriate funds for the sampling; BBWC and the DEP are providing sampling coordination and training for the pilot year.