Bar Harbor council will postpone any curbs on cruise ship visits to 2023
FILE PHOTO / LAURIE SCHREIBER
The Bar Harbor Town Council voted this week to focus on reducing the impact of cruise ship visits in the 2023 season and beyond. The port is a highly popular stop for cruise ships and tour boats.
The Bar Harbor Town Council has voted to scrap discussions with the cruise ship industry about reducing its impact on the town this season, and instead will focus on ways to do that in 2023 and beyond.
The council in December adopted a draft proposal to eliminate visits during 2022 from cruise ships with a capacity of 3,000 passengers or more.
But at their meeting earlier this week, councilors agreed with the assessment of the town’s manager, Kevin Sutherland, that it would be too difficult to change the 2022 season and would likely result in a lawsuit against the town.
Sutherland recommended the council authorize him and select a couple of councilors to negotiate with the industry for 2023 and beyond, with the goal of reducing the passenger loads that arrive in Bar Harbor
“I know the industry is willing to work with us,” said Sutherland.
The goal is to begin discussions in March, he said.
“We can take council input and say, ‘Here’s what we want. When can we get this? How can we get this?’” he said.
“I feel very comfortable in working through the process and making sure the cruise ship industry understands we’re willing to work with them,” said Councilor Erin Cough.
Some councilors noted that residents continue to contact them about reducing the 2022 season.
Councilor Gary Friedmann proposed a motion to reduce cruise ship visitation for the 2022 season by 30%.
“I think we need to do something this year,” he said. “It would be a disservice to our citizens to at least not discuss doing something in 2022.”
Friedmann noted the discussion has been underway with industry group Cruise Lines International Association for at least a couple of years now, and “has just led to delays and sloughing off of responsibility for doing anything.”
He added, “It’s the council’s responsibility to do something.
Councilor Jill Goldthwait seconded Friedmann’s motion “because there’s so much angst in the community about 2022.” But, she continued, it appears there’s nothing the town can do at this point about the 2022 season, which is already booked solid.
“I would love for this group to focus on ‘23 and forward,” said Sutherland. “I know the community’s upset about 2022, but I think we lost that chance to address it a year ago.”
The council rejected Friedmann’s motion and instead authorized Sutherland to move forward with the industry negotiations.
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