CUMBERLAND, Maine - Residents of a Maine town are divided about whether it should approve a $3 million bond referendum to establish its first beach.
The Portland Press Herald reports that residents argued for and against the referendum at a Monday night town council meeting. The item is on the ballot Nov. 4. The town is asking voters if they want to borrow money to buy 23 acres off Foreside Road including almost 14 acres of shorefront property.
Most of the opposition is coming from residents of an adjacent beachfront neighborhood that started as a summer community in the early 1900s. Residents of the community questioned whether the proposal is legal or feasible. Residents who spoke in favor say the 1821-incorporated town is long overdue for public beach access.