Freeport, Maine. November 2026.
Freeport voters turned down the citizens' initiative titled "Ordinance to Launch the Island Rover Vessel" on November 3. The Return of Votes Cast signed by the Warden and the Municipal Clerk and posted by the Town records 2,405 yes, 3,025 no and 190 blank, on 5,620 municipal ballots cast on the question.
The vote leaves the MDR-I district as it was. Temporary boat launching facilities are not a permitted use in the district, permits for a launch stay with the Coastal Waters Commission and the Project Review Board rather than the Codes Enforcement Officer, and the lot coverage, accessory use and wildlife habitat standards of the shoreland ordinance apply as written. The two year sunset and the nonconforming use question the Town Attorney raised in August do not arise, because the ordinance never takes effect.
For the vessel, the situation returns to the courts. The Town's suit against Harold Arndt and Carter Becker over ownership of the vessel and the land is set for trial beginning December 7, and Mr. Arndt's suit against the Town is pending. The Coastal Waters Commission's 2025 denial of a temporary launch at Raspberry Cove stands.
For owners in the district, nothing changes. The rules that applied on November 2 apply on November 4. What the question would have changed is set out in our October report, and the district's shoreland rules, with links to the Town ordinance and the state guidelines, are on our waterfront and shoreland page.
We have no listing, client or other interest in 0 Shore Drive, the vessel or any party to the litigation. We report on property decisions in Freeport from the public record and take no position on how people vote.
Sources: Town of Freeport, Return of Votes Cast, November 3, 2026 Municipal Election, posted with the November 3, 2026 Election Results; Ordinance to Launch the Island Rover Vessel, Town of Freeport Citizens' Initiatives page; our October 30 report.
