At Monday’s Portland Water District meeting, trustees lamented the “ongoing dispute” with the town of Standish. Then, we hear from town councilors in Standish that they, too, are weary from the “ongoing dispute” with the water district. Standish town officials blame the district, and the district blames the town. And this drone goes on and on and on…and on some more.
As editor Harry Foote, of American Journal fame, once wrote: ‘Nuff already, folks.
But the hard truth of the matter is, when two sides have differing visions and goals and are unwilling to compromise, an “ongoing dispute” is unavoidable.
Surprisingly, it looked like the two were on the path to reconciliation just a few weeks ago. The option of opening a second boat access point on the eastern shore looked to be in the works. That is still a real compromise that must be pursued with intensity.
Problem is, both sides want what they want. The town wants continued access at the Standish Boat Launch. And they won’t agree to a second boat launch unless they have written guarantee from the district that it won’t close off access to the existing boat launch.
Standish doesn’t want to lose access via Northeast Road Extension. The town is now pushing for acceptance of the road’s “original” width of 132 feet, versus the 99-foot width that the water district recognizes. Town officials want the extra 33 feet to give boaters as much access as possible, once the water district permanently closes off access to the boat launch parking area, as it probably will this summer.
The water district wants to reduce all access in an attempt to clean up the Lower Bay. It wants to reduce harmful runoff coming from the village. The trustees’ vision, issued a few years ago, is to close off Lower Bay to all recreation in an attempt to improve water quality for their 300,000 greater Portland customers.
Obviously, both sides want what they want. That’s why there will never be “Peace in the Lower Bay” until one side gives in.
We recommend that both sides give in. Tough as it may seem, Standish must give up its obsession with the boat launch and take advantage of another boat, and maybe beach, access point within the town’s limits on Sebago Lake. Standish needs to realize that the circular flow through Lower Bay leads straight to the intake pipes. And reducing the amount of needless pollution is top priority for the water district. That priority should be shared by everyone – Standish residents, as well – because clean water is an enviable Maine tradition and treasure.
The Portland Water District, conversely, must give up its vision of closing the Lower Bay to all recreation. The district must support continued recreation in the Lower Bay, especially continued vehicle access at the existing boat launch. People in southern Maine are lucky to live near Sebago Lake, and nothing should stop them from getting out and enjoying their natural paradise. And for those who don’t have a boat, viewing access from the existing boat launch area must be continued and improved. The chance to sit, eat lunch and ponder nature’s beauty from the expansive vista at the current boat launch is necessary for all of us rush-rush Americans.
That would be a happy compromise in this most tricky of dilemmas. As Harry said, ’nuff already. Stop using taxpayers’ and ratepayers’ money to pay the lawyers. The entire board of trustees and town council should have a summit of sorts. Figure this out, and let’s move on.
John Balentine, editor
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