The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a notice of violation to Worcester Holdings LLC on July 15, after an on-site investigation at Flagpole View Cabins in Columbia Falls revealed issues with permitting and soil retention.
      What began as housing for seasonal workers is now an established cabin rental business that includes more than 50 cabins and a take out restaurant. Flagpole View Cabins has its own website and is listed on multiple vacation rental websites. The cabins are advertised as the perfect place for the family to view the future Flagpole of Freedom Park (FFP), a $1 billion project the Worcester family is hoping to move forward. Cabin rentals range from $169 to $199 per night, according to its website.
      The citation relates to the following observations made by DEP officials: "During the inspection staff found 54 cabins, an office building, a take out restaurant, parking areas and access roads that were either under construction or had been completed. An area in excess of three acres had been stripped, graded and not re vegetated at the time of the inspection. Aerial imagery reveals that much of this area has been stripped and graded since at least 2019. There were no erosion and sediment controls in place at the time of the inspection." In addition, DEP noted that no permit application was received for this specific project, but that there is on record a site location application for a similar project in another location on the Worcester family's land.
      "When we received the violation notice from the [DEP], we reached out immediately to provide any additional information and access the state needs to fully resolve the potential concern," says Rob Worcester. "Worcester Holdings respects the important oversight role of Maine's DEP, and it is our intention to be in full compliance at all times. In this particular case, we believe we followed all of the appropriate state and municipal guidelines for the particular size and scope of this project and are actively working with DEP to ensure that this is the case." A spokesperson for the DEP does confirm that discussions are occurring between the Worcesters and DEP staff.
      In 2019, building permit applications for the cabins were submitted by Worcester Holdings and approved by the Columbia Falls planning board. "The permits came in two phases," says planning board Chair Philip Worcester, who is not closely related to the Worcester family that is developing the flagpole project. "The intended purpose for the cabins I recall was for housing to be used by seasonal workers." According to Philip Worcester, construction began almost immediately after the permits were approved in 2019.
      With the latest DEP citations, Worcester admits he and the other planning board members are somewhat concerned what the future might bring. "If smaller projects like the cabins are seeing issues with DEP, what do you suppose we will be dealing with should the flagpole project become reality?" asks Worcester. "The planning board is concerned, and we intend to pay close attention should that project ever begin."
      At an August 8 Columbia Falls select board meeting it was noted that the citations are of concern. The board members acknowledged that this is an example of an issue they must keep focus on due to the potential that construction of the Flagpole of Freedom Park may become a reality. At that same meeting, the Worcester family issued an email statement read by the town's attorney, Roger Huber, that indicated the FFP project would not require as rapid a decision by the town on the annexation request and that they were seeking an eight week pause. No reason was provided for why the annexation process was being put on hold.
      A critical decision still faces town residents on whether to allow the annexation of approximately 10,400 acres for the project, which a state law signed by Governor Mills on April 18 permits, if the town approves. This pending vote has been at the crux of many meetings over the last four months. Annexation would bring the unorganized territory land Worcester owns into the coffers of Columbia Falls' tax base. Columbia Falls, instead of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission, would then provide oversight and planning on the entire FFP project.
      "There is still a whole lot of information both the select board and planning board have requested and continue to wait for," says Philip Worcester. "We have asked plenty of questions; we just need the answers."