Whiting voters will be asked to determine the fate of the Whiting Mill Pond in a special town meeting to be held Monday, November 29, in the Whiting Town Hall at 6 p.m. On November 22 about 30 individuals braved cold, wet weather to participate in a public hearing to discuss the proposal and the warrant for that meeting. The question centers on whether the town is willing to undertake ownership and maintenance of the dam; the alternative is to see the pond revert to a free flowing stream.
     The Mill Pond was created years ago by the construction of the dam that is now the center of attention in this discussion. The dam is the property of the Downeast Salmon Federation (DSF), whose long understood goal is to return Maine rivers to their earlier free flowing status, thus allowing wild salmon and other species access to spawning grounds. Part of achieving this goal includes removing the Mill Pond dam, thus draining the pond.
      Language in the Mill Pond Water Level Ordinance, enacted by the voters in November 2016, states: "The Mill Pond is a high value fire safety watershed in the Town of Whiting. The Mill Pond is also highly valued by the people of the Town of Whiting for its economic, historical, cultural and aesthetic importance."
      During the hearing, Dwayne Shaw, executive director of the Downeast Salmon Federation, described the dam as being in "unsafe condition," stating that "it does not meet current safety requirements" and that "portions have already failed." He added, "Repairs can be made with the current water level."
      The DSF has offered to sell the dam to the town for $1, with the stipulation that the town commit to performing the needed repairs, estimated to cost over $1 million. The town would also be required to "establish a fish passage to accommodate all native sea run species" for an unspecified additional cost. The proposal, termed an option by town attorney Jon Pottle, would allow the town two years to achieve the real estate closing, then four years to demonstrate "substantial progress" toward completing the fish passage.
      "It's all about fish passage," said Shaw. "That's why we're here."
      In describing the process so far, Selectman Mary Alice Look pointed to the recently passed resolution that lists the steps since the presentation, in 2016, of a petition from the voters asking that the select board work to preserve the pond. "The fourth item says 2017," she said, "down a few it says 2021. It makes it sound like we haven't been doing anything," she said, drawing a general round of laughter from the crowd.
      Whiting town bookkeeper Kathi Mahar explained the proposed funding, describing it as "skin in the game." According to Mahar, $200,000 would be withdrawn from the town's undesignated fund balance, which according to the most recent audit totaled $468,000, thus leaving the balance sufficient to meet state requirements. An additional $75,000 would come from tax-acquired properties and $25,000 from tax-increment financing.
      Financing a bond, said Mahar, of $300,000 would result in "a quarter mill property tax increase," meaning that a property presently assessed at $100,775 would see an annual increase of $25, from $1,300 to $1,325, based on a 30-year term at 2.56%. "We could probably find a lower rate," she said. Grants would be sought to cover the balance of the projected cost, or $418,000.
      Questions from the audience focused on the cost of the fish ladder -- not included in the dam repair costs -- and on dealing with funding contingencies. Speaking of the fish ladder, Pottle said, "You seek funding for both at the same time," then added, "An unfunded obligation would be a bad idea," pointing out that he had no idea what the cost of the ladder would be. Shaw pointed out that the DSF "has a lot of experience in grants" and would assist the town in the process.
      One audience member, pointing to the warrant articles, asked, "What happens if article 2 fails?" prompting moderator David Burns to reply, "Then we're all done. There will be no need to vote on the following articles." Article 2 asks for board authorization to enter into the purchase option that begins the process.
      In closing, Burns urged all voters "regardless of your opinion" to come out and vote on November 29. Look repeated the request, emphasizing, "You need to tell us what you want us to do."