In November 2005, voters in Maine approved tax breaks for owners of waterfront property where the land is used for commercial fishing activities and other "working waterfront" uses. To help those who may be eligible for Waterfront Current Use Tax program learn more, five workshops are being offered along the coast this winter. Representatives of the Maine State Planning Office and the Working Waterfront Coalition will describe the new program, and how it might apply to those interested in preserving working waterfronts. In addition, workshop attendees will explore other options for preserving working waterfront infrastructure and public access. For example, through the Working Waterfront Access Pilot Program, nearly $1.3 million dollars in public funds have been awarded to protect critical working waterfront properties from being converted to other uses. The goal of the workshops is to improve the chances of successful applications for working waterfront preservation.

These workshops are open to property owners, tax assessors, harbormasters, town managers and others. Light refreshments will be available, and there will be plenty of time for questions. The meeting schedule is:

Machias: Tuesday, February 20, 6:00 p.m., Community Room of Machias Savings Bank.

Ellsworth: Tuesday, February 27, 6:00 p.m., Ellsworth Town Hall auditorium.

Rockport: Friday, March 2, 10:30 a.m., Maine Fishermen’s Forum, Samoset Resort.

Brunswick: Tuesday, March 6, 6:00 p.m., Parkwood Inn.

Saco: Tuesday, March 13, 6:00 p.m.,  Hampton Inn.

The meetings are sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, in partnership with Maine Sea Grant, Island Institute, Maine Revenue Services, Maine State Planning Office, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., and the Working Waterfront Coalition.

For more information, contact Dana Morse at 563-3145 x205 or Jennifer Litteral 594-9209.

Contacts:

Dana L. Morse
Maine Sea Grant/UMCE
Phone: 207.563.3145 x205

Jennifer Litteral
Island Institute
Phone: 207.594.9209