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Naples Voters Prefer Swing Bridge, Three to Two

May 28, 2008 - NAPLES -- Swinging? Fixed? No, split.

As predicted, Naples voters didn't produce a landslide either way, in their nonbinding straw vote on the preferred form for the Bay of Naples Bridge.

But the swing bridge choice was at least a clear winner. The vote was 484 for the swing bridge option, to be completed at some later date, and 339 for a fixed bridge option, which would have come sooner, at a cheaper price, and including some fixup work for the adjacent Causeway area.

The issue has split the town. Physically, the vote was split near the beginning of Tuesday's vote, too; because the bridge question was a non-binding vote, officials decided to have the school budget ratification vote in the gym this past Tuesday. And they decided to hold a non-binding straw vote in the nearby selectmen's meeting room, town clerk Judy Whynot said.

There has been some concern because the Save the Bridge group had set up a table near the polls on Tuesday, as they had previously requested. Some questioned whether the setup was even legal, however, citing title 21A, the statue concerned with proximity of political supporters to voting places.

"Judy checked with the town attorney and with MMA," town manager Derek Goodine explained Tuesday morning. "Today, she checked with the state, too. This is not an official ballot, nor is a straw vote an official anything; it is non-binding. Title 21 A does not apply. The select Board wanted the vote the same day as the election; thus, here we are."

To determine local interest on the fixed versus swing bridge question, the straw vote was requested by the Maine Department of Transportation. The MDOT couldn't construct a proposed lift drawbridge with the $11 million originally set aside for the project. They said a fixed bridge is the only project that fits under the budget; a replacement swing bridge would cost more, and, further, any moving bridge project would have to wait, the MDOT said.

Meanwhile, boating and commercial interests in particular say that, because of the nature of the MDOT's proposals, the wording of the non-binding ballot question definitely tended to lead those voters not following the issue closely to choose the apparent "sweeter" deal offered with the fixed bridge; the state would spend up to $8 million putting in the bridge and also fix up the nearby Causeway, sidewalks, traffic, green space, sea wall, and more. But the competing swing bridge option would leave no extra money for such tie-in improvements. On the contrary, swing bridge supporters argued at Monday's selectmen's meeting, the swing bridge option on the non-binding ballot included language indicating that the town, state, Feds, other parties -- or somebody -- needed to supply the $3.5 million shortfall needed to put in a new swing bridge.

"A lot of people are coming to the conclusion that the town has to come up with this money. That's not right," realtor Maggie Krainin argued.

She also suggested the town and its voters and even town officials still "have no real idea where the numbers come from" on the various bridge options. The MDOT has neither accurate designs, specs or bids, she pointed out.

The town is not going to come up with the extra money, in any case, others said, and neither is the business community. Nor should they, several argued Monday. "It's the state's road, it's the state's bridge, if the state's river, it's the state's responsibility," Tim Hamilton said.

On Monday, Save the Bridge supporters asked selectmen to "pull" the question from Tuesday's ballot; either that, or seal the results, others asked. They insisted the question was loaded. Local attorney Bob Neault suggested the town was "asking people to make a determination on a question that makes no sense." What then, would be the value of their answer, he indicated? What is the MDOT supposed to make of the split vote that resulted?

Paraschak noted that for many road projects, towns do kick in money, so that's why the DOT wanted the several possible funding sources, including Naples area towns, to be listed on the ballot. "We are lacking $3.5 million. Where is that money going to come from?" He said that question was essential to the debate.

Chairman Christine Powers had said during the debate in forming a question that she just wanted to ask which bridge type is preferred, regardless of extenuating factors.

"It is a troubling vote," she said Monday. "It may be we can do very little with it."

Many voters seem to have heard the arguments and have told selectmen they don't want the swing bridge option, however, because of an opening bridge's inconvenience to vehicular traffic and the congestion that results. But others have explained their opposition to the committee by saying that the town can't afford to pay for a swing bridge, Maggie Krainin, a local realtor, said. To convey the message that any significant town share is a red herring, she said, the Save the Bridge desk was to be set up the next morning near the polls. She said, "If we restrict boating, you're going to lose taxable impact and property values. You are not going to be able to go from lake to lake. 44 miles of navigable waters is why people come here. Can't afford to build a moving bridge? We can't afford not to."

Others in town had been vehemently opposed to the moving bridge idea, but their presence was far less visible at meetings and hearings, nor did they organize. Selectmen said opposition was out there, however, and they had heard from many against a new swing bridge, in more private settings, they said.

Tuesday's vote showed their numbers were indeed strong, though the "swingers" won.

What all this means may take some time to figure out.

The controversy has even spilled beyond Naples borders. Weeks ago, other area towns were asked for their opinions on the fixed versus swing controversy; other town's official support for solution stop short of offering any funds.

This article first appeared in the Bridgton News, May 22, 2008.

Lakes: Brandy Pond, Long Lake
Regions: Sebago


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