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The following proposal was presented by Randy Perry (536 Cousins Street, Yarmouth, ME 04096) at the Region 6 Regional Transportation Advisory Committee meeting held in Buxton, Maine on June 24, 1998.
Comments regarding this proposal and how it would affect Chebeague Island should be directed to the Town Councils of both Yarmouth and Cumberland, to Ron Roy of the Department of Transportation (State House Station #16, Augusta, ME 04333), and to Governor King (Blaine House, Augusta, ME 04333).
The lease on the Blanchard Lot that is currently being used for parking for the Chebeague Transportation Company ferry from the Cousins Island town dock will expire December 31, 1999. Nancy Blanchard, the owner, has publicly expressed her desire not to renew the lease. Chebeague/Cumberland has expressed a need for increased parking and increased barging due to the growth of the Chebeague Island population, and anticipated future growth.
The Cousins Island-Chebeague Resolution Team was formed in 1996 to find a permanent solution for mainland access for Chebeague residents and visitors. In 1997 the Team recommended acquiring a piece of property owned by Central Maine Power on Spruce Point. The site would include a new ferry dock, a barging ramp and parking for 286 cars. The Team also recognized in its recommendation that the amount of parking available would be insufficient for summer visitors and future growth, and there would be a need for off-island parking and continued busing.
The recommendation was passed along to the Maine Department of Transportation for review.
MDOT returned an opinion that the site would not be suitable because of the difficulty in
obtaining permits due to environmental damage to wetlands, eelgrass and clamflats; and because
of the probable cost of $6.8 million, for which there was no funding planned or available. In the
meantime, CMP put the power plant up for sale, and the buyer, FP&L has not expressed an
interest in selling any pieces until the acquisition is complete and they have an opportunity to
assess their needs.
Cousins Island is a residential neighborhood. The existing parking lot is owned by Nancy
Blanchard, a private citizen. We believe that every private citizen is entitled to the enjoyment of
their property and that the state should not consider the taking of private land for other's benefit.
We also believe that a parking lot in a residential neighborhood damages the character of the
neighborhood, will hurt property values of Yarmouth citizens and is not an appropriate use under
Yarmouth ordinances.
We recognize that Chebeague Islanders need transportation services to and from the mainland,
especially for medical emergencies, school children and commuters that live on Chebeague and
work on the mainland. It is not our intention to deny them access.
The existing parking lot is not large enough to accommodate the needs of Chebeague now. Any
parking lot on an island with limited space, in a residential neighborhood is not a long term
solution. We must seek an off-island, long term solution for all parties involved.
Cousins Island is a residential neighborhood, not a commercial port. As Chebeague grows, the
need for more and more barging will grow, further impacting the host neighborhood and the
fragile Yarmouth shoreline. Again we believe a more permanent, off-island long term solution will
he in the best interest of all parties involved.
There was a recent proposal to take the Blanchard lot by eminent domain for parking and to move
the ferry dock closer to the parking. Since there was not enough parking to begin with, there was
included a plan to acquire the piece of property located on the corner of Wharf Road and Cousins
Street, currently zoned Low Density Residential. Since that lot is at least a half a mile from the
water, there would be the need for shuttle buses to get to the ferry dock. This proposal still fails
to address the problem of inadequate space for parking for summer visitors and future growth in
a residential neighborhood.
We seem to be stuck in a rut. Neither of these proposals present a long term, permanent solution, and will only continue to feed the anxieties and distrust of two neighboring communities.
A group of Cousins Island residents have gotten together to present a proposal for your consideration. We believe it is an equitable and permanent solution that requires compromises on both sides.
The ferry dock should remain where it is to provide fast, convenient access for Chebeague residents, school children, visitors and emergency services. Nancy Blanchard should retain the right to use her property any way she sees fit. The Town of Cumberland should acquire a parcel of land on US 1 that is currently for sale and zoned commercial to provide safe, adequate parking for now and the future for its citizens. The parcel I refer to is just over the Cumberland Town line next to Cole Haan on US I and half a mile from exit 16 on 1-95. The parking lot could provide year round permits as well as day, weekend and weekly parking. It could also provide plenty of future expansion. It is convenient regardless of whether you are traveling north or south on 1-95 or US I. The distance is the same regardless of whether you travel by car or in a shuttle bus. Chebeague Transportation Company or a municipal transportation service can shuttle all ferry riders from the parking lot to the ferry dock.
Barging should no longer be allowed from the Cousins Island neighborhood. Chebeague is currently the only island in Casco Bay that barges to a mainland residential neighborhood. All barging should be from the commercial port of Portland.
We believe this proposal provides convenient and adequate parking for now and the future, and
allows the residents of Cousins Island to maintain the character of their neighborhood. Perhaps
more importantly, it is a plan that can be implemented by December 31,1999, will not impact the
marine environment and does not require the building of a new ferry terminal.
This proposal is designed to provide value to all Yarmouth citizens - a Yarmouth municipal bus service.
The Yarmouth Bus Service could begin at the Town Dock where passengers debark now from the CTC ferry. They would be quickly taken to the off-island parking lot mentioned above. From there it could go to the Yarmouth Marketplace on Route 1 (lots of shopping), then to Town Hall/Merrill Library, the Yarmouth Post Office, the Shop n Save (lots more shopping), on to Yarmouth Bluffs and Blueberry Cove (low cost transportation for seniors); and finally to the new YMCA of US 1 in South Freeport.
It could return to Shop n Save, the post office, Town Hall, Yarmouth Marketplace and finally the Cumberland parking lot for the next ferry. As far as Ms. Blanchard's property is concerned, we feel it is her right to do with it as she chooses. We understand that Ms. Blanchard has wishes of her own for her property that will be beneficial to others
Along the way the bus could stop at Lower Falls Landing (more shopping & a restaurant), then to
Sandy Point Beach and finally the Blanchard Park and the ferry dock. Additional stops might be
available depending on the transportation schedule.
Not an overhauled school bus, but a modern, efficient bus with handicapped access.
Same passenger ferry service - 15 minutes to the mainland. Same emergency service. Same
service for Cumberland schools. Lots of parking with plenty of expansion possibilities. No delays!
Bus service directly to the parking lot with easy access to US I and 1-95. To go shopping they
don't even have to get in their car, they could use the bus service. Chebeague & Cumberland
would have their permanent solution.
The citizens of Yarmouth could get two sea side parks that they could get to without having to worry about parking. Kids could even ride the bus to the beach or to the YMCA without Mom or Dad. We wouldn't have to worry about them riding a bike on Gilman Road, over the bridge or on US I. For Cousins Island & Chebeague kids they would have access to town without having Mom or Dad as chauffeur for Little League, soccer, etc. Seniors would have transportation, especially during the winter, without worrying about traffic or parking. It would also open up the waterfront to Yarmouth boaters that currently cannot get a mooring because there is no parking available. It opens up a world of possibilities!
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