Important Vote Monday in Southwest Harbor

If you live in Southwest Harbor, Monday, March 10th is a very important date. There is an election, that will in all intents and purposes decide the fate of the town's summer, as voters will decide whether to spend $300,000 to halt work on the Main Street reconstruction project for two months this summer.

This $300,000 would come out of the Contingency Account ("Rainy Day Fund"). There would be no increase in the tax rate if this were to pass! Many have expressed concern that it would be next to impossible to get into the center of town, and as a result, businesses in the heart of Southwest Harbor would be terribly affected, as tourists and summer visitors might not come to Southwest Harbor given the road construction. The majority of these businesses profits are made during the summer months, allowing them to stay open year round, and serve the population in the winter and off-season.

The Southwest Harbor Chamber of Commerce has recommended passage of this question. Voting is at the Fire Station from 10 AM - 7 PM. Please be sure to vote!

The ballot question reads as follows:

ARTICLE 2:
Shall the voters appropriate and authorize the Town to use an amount not to exceed $300,000 from surplus funds as additional funds for the purpose of improvements to the Town's infrastructure systems including, but not limited to road, water, sewer and storm water improvements on Main Street?