Two construction bids for the Lubec Safe Harbor project have been received, and both are well above the funding amount approved by the federal government for the project. Proposals from Rockland's Prock Marine Company and Sargent Corporation, located in Stillwater, to construct the harbor project were opened during the January 19 meeting of the Lubec Select Board. Prock Marine proposed building the breakwater and related components for $24,300,000; Sargent came in higher, asking $41,272,000. In November of 2019 it was announced that the federal government had approved the expenditure of $19.6 million for the project, which is intended to provide the fishing fleet a refuge during bad weather.
      The plan is the result of design work carried out over the last five years, including studies of the submerged surface. The first public airing of the Safe Harbor project was the subject of a special town meeting held on September 14, 2017, when voters approved the town's purchase of waterfront land located behind the Lubec Historical Society building. In December of that year the Butler Conservation Fund provided $5,000 towards the needed engineering studies. The committee went to work, and the fishing community provided their input as to what they felt was needed and wanted.
      "With six million more dollars we can build it," said Select Board Chair Carol Dennison at the January 19 meeting. Dennison has been deeply involved in the project since the beginning, along with Trescott resident Julie Keene and a large contingent from the local fishing community. Keene was instrumental in launching the project, when a nasty storm evoked memories of community members lost in the bay while attempting to reach land.
      Dennison plans to reach out to both Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to see if the federal funding amount can be increased.
      When asked if it were possible to scale the project back a bit, she replied that the funding was based on the submitted plans, thus it would require grantor permission to downsize. She will also ask Prock Marine what would be needed to reduce their plan to fit the budget. Both companies put significant resources into preparing their bids, she observed, noting the extensive documentation provided with the bids.
      In other business before the board, Lubec Town Treasurer Suzette Francis updated the board regarding the Maine Property Tax Deferral Program. The program is available to low-income residents over 65 years of age; applications can be provided by the town office.
      The board also approved, by a 5-0 vote, to prepare and advertise a request for proposal for the establishment of a town owned broadband network designed to serve the entire town. It was explained that the town's economic development committee has been in contact with potential providers, but that the project needs to be advertised before moving forward. "It's very speculative," said selectman and committee member Rachel Rubeor, "but we believe Lubec will continue to grow."
      At the close of the meeting Selectman Jason Evasius, a local contractor, spoke of the derelict building on Pleasant Street adjacent to Monument Lot. "It's coming down," he said, "as soon as I can get my equipment in there." Town records show that the property is owned by Eileen Roche of Mauricetown, N.J. Official letters have been sent requesting demolition of the building, deemed "hazardous," but the owner has failed to respond.