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Portland Public Library Digital Commons

Nor' by East Periodicals

6-1974

Nor' by East, Summer 1974

Casco Bay Island Development Association

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/peaks_nbe

Recommended Citation Island Development Association, "Nor' by East, Summer 1974" (1974). Nor' by East. 40. https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/peaks_nbe/40

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Periodicals at Portland Public Library Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Nor' by East by an authorized administrator of Portland Public Library Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. PRICE 20 Cents CASCO BAY - SUMMER 1974 Be kind. Rememher everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

RADAR TRAFFIC major disaster involvi~g loss of life, or further major oil .spills damaging the envi­ ronment. Groups of individuals wishing to CONTROL FOR unite in such an effort may contact Nor 1 by East as a means of communication and mobil­ PORl'LAND ization. Box 66, .

EDITORIAL- It has been learned through authoritative sources that Portland Harbor has been moved from eigth position to twentieth in the fed­ eral priority listing for installation of a VTS system of radar traffic control.The reason cited is the safety record of the Harbor in few spills and practically no loss of life.

busines~.g s on recor as e eving that with the probability of increased har­ bor traffic in the near future, prevention of colisions both with Cas~o Bay Lines heavy passenger traffic, and the tanker and fishing boat traffic is increasingly essential The milestone oil conveyance law was upheld and funds are mounting for clean-up oper­ ation. Public issue on radar for CBL ,is appropriate but constitutes only part of the action. This paper's editorial position is that both industry and the public unite to influ­ ence agencies and business interests to Underneath this placid scene of Hussey Sound jointly fund the installation of a VTS system lies the menacing Soldier's Ledge site of in Portland Harbor immediately and before the largest oil spill to date in Portland the necessity is highlighted by either a Harbor- the Tamano.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Living on while serving * BIRTH OF THE EXCHANGE a legal 'internship in a Portland law firm * ISLAND PROFILES (Pierce, Atwood ,Scribner et al) was the * CBL HEARINGS spark that ignited attorney Peter L. Murray's * SPECIAL EVENTS love for Casco Bay. This was in 1966 that island life make an impact on the future FALL ISSUE: of the Murray family. *FEATURE-WHERE YOU CAN GO In 1970 Peter purchased some former gov­ FROM PORTLAND HARBOR ernment property on Cushings Island and . founded the group of young family investors who have now 11 colonized 11 the idle brick NOR BY EAST is published quarterly buildings into beautiful homes. by the Casco Bay Island Development The next most important event was founding Association for the residents and his own law firm with two partners in 1973. visitors to the. Casco Bay Islands. The offices in a restored cdntury old Advertising Rate: $3.30 per col. inc~ building at 30 speak to the success of th~s venture. (E. Stephen Murray and Peter S. Plumb are partners.) continued ' continued CBIDA ATTORNEY FILES BRIEF WITH PUC It was somewhat of a natural that when the issae of the rate increase Conclusion: was proposed, Peter Murray, already a mem9er It is submitted that based upon the fore­ of the Casco Bpy Island Development Associ­ going analysis there is no emergency that ation, became available as intervenor on requires an inmediate order of this Com­ behalf of the association. mission without the benefit of the full record or adequate briefing and careful However, it was somewhat a new experience study. Almost all of the revenue de­ in representing the consumers inste~d of t~e ficiency that -can fairly be predicted utility~ Peter states, as most of his previous in 1974 and which should fairly be al­ transportation experience has been on behalf located to the CBL rate payers will be • of the applicant. J satisfied by the rate increases of the· J tours and charters. It is suggested that · Believing wholly in the welfare of island the small remaining revenue shortfall does ' residents, and the importance of effective not justify the extraordinary measure of representation, Peter Murray demonstrated an interim emergency rate relief order. both tact and persistence in his probings . Even if it did, such rate relief can and should be properly restricted to permit­ Born in Bethlehem, Penn . , Peter grew up in ting the ferry and freight revenue in­ Wilburham, Mass. and is a graduate of Harvard creases in the amount sought by CBL. The University and Law School. He Majored in sensitive and complicated subject of pas­ German as an undergraduate and enjoys as a senger revenue increases is much better pa.stime keeping upwith German 1iterature. left to be detennined in connection with He was admitted to the Massachusetts and the application for a permanent increase rr Maine Bars, and first served as law clerk in -rates upon the full record and after ,, to Honorable Edward T. Gignoux, United further opportunity for briefing and i States District Judge. He wa~ associated study. :,~ with the Pierce Atwood finn, first as an intern then a partner for a year and a half, We would seriously doubt the need for any I~, and served as executive secretary for the pennanent increase in the passenger rates Ii Maine Judicial Council; and Special Co,uncel based upon the foregoing analysis. Cer­ to the OEO Corrmission on CRLA. tainly, we believe that it has been amply demonstrated that the predictions and Active in community affairs, Peter is a projections of CBL management and Mr. trustee of the Home for Aged Women, and past Sti 1lman for temporary "emergency" as president of Greater Portland Landmarks. well as pennanent rates are wildly er­ roneous and not based upon sound and He is married to the fonner Anita Jones and proper utility accounting principles. they have two children, Peter· 5, and Anne 3. In fact, CBL is a lot healthier than it would like the world to believe. Dated: June 27, 1974

; Respectfully submitted, r - COMBAT FIGHTS FOR EXISTENCE Peter L. Murray The consumer organ~zation known through­ Attorney for Intervenor out Maine .as COMBAT has run out of funds Casco Bay Island Development Association a_s the Model Cities programs grind to a . ha 1t. This Nadar-like organization effectively lead by Sam barouche has made a signifi­ cant contribution to the consumer movement FUNDS FOR CBIDA ATTORNEY and deserves support. As indicated elsewhere in this paper attorney Chief attorney Howard Reban, who has repre­ Peter Murray took on the challenging job sented the Island Citizens Association in of representing island residents as an the CBL rate hearings, has been prominently intervenor in the CBL rate hearinqs. identified with Combat in may public interest While he was working for everybody, he was issues. His future in Maine is closely directly responsible to the officers of CBIDA alligned to the survival of this consumer whd asked him to represent the organiation. group, which is currently conducting a fund He was not guranteed any particular stipend raising drive. Further information about and it certainly was not predictable that Combat may be obtained by calling the the hearings would go on for six days. headquarters at 772-3710 CBIDA has paid him a retainer from gereral funds made up chiefly -from membership dues. Other central organizations have also been ------..-. , invited to contribute and several have respon­ BENEFIT SALE FOR ewe ded already. Contributions from the member­ ship or any other interested individual will ' Citizens Who Care will hold a Garage Sale be welcome and should be sent to Winthrop· on July 27 at 11 A.M. at Norton's on K. Deane, · Peaks Island, treasurer of CBIOA. Long Island. Please come and buy, also All funds will be forwarded to Peter Murray bring something to sell. with appreciation for his excellent services. I Our organization is in need of funds. If you have a large article or many .sma 11 ones and you need he 1p in de- 1i veri ng them to us, please call 766-2219 Tel. 207-774•3671 or 799-4522 . We need your su~port.

Model Food Importers and Distributors GOURMET FOODS AND WINES I: "FROM AROUND THE WORLD"

MYER GOLDBERG 113•115 Middle Street SAUL GOLDBERG Portland, Maine 04111 2 )/,, SCENES AT THE CBL HEARINGS- • Upp~r left CBIDA representa- tives with exception of former CBL captain Rodney Ross at left with tape recorder, and Ron Pomquist .at right from WGAN; right, CBL owners Norman Thomas and Perer T. McLaughlin; Lower left, formerCBL captain Bill O'Connell testifying on need for radar; ~nd right, members of the Island Citizens Asso­ ciation - a Peaks Island group which also inter- vened. The six days of hearings drew rela- tively small attendance as those who took the responsibility for action tried to represent the welfare of the silent majority.

open space recommendations would complete WATERFRONT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM the chain. Both landfill and water reclamation ANNOUNCED BY CITY PLANNERS must be investigated in order to fully mesh land and water characteristics in selected It goes without saying that any improve­ open space areas. ments along the Portland Waterfront will directly affect the Casco Bay Islands. Noting that Commercial Street contains numerous For instance, more opportunities for employ­ pro~lems, both Don Megathlin and George ment; better parking, and more convenient Notter recommended that considerable effort access to both private and public boat was necessary to make Commercial Street facilities. And mot€ kinds of enjoyment for "work" proper 1y. Mega th l in, in more gerera l Casco Bay residents, both seasonal and terms, stated that all modes of transpor- year round. tation on Commercial Street - rail, cars, trucks and pedestrians - must be accommo- For these reasons we asked the Portland dated moreefficiently. Channelization for Planning Board for an update on Waterfront rubber-tired vehicles is mandatory while the p7ans and received the following release. rail trackage must remain not only because of its function but also due to the special aesthetic character it lends to Commercial At the annual luncheon of the Greater Portland Street. Pedestrian traffic,-as shown by the ~hamber of Commerce, the Portland Planning slides viewed by the Chamber, experiences Department released its preliminary plans many hazards both in crossing Co1T111ercial for revitalization of the City's waterfront. Street as well as in dodging trucks and rail Funded under a "City Edges" grant from the cars on the sidewalks themselves,according to National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, Megathlin. Pedestrian corridors, both the City Planning Board and staff have across and along Commercial Street, must been looking closely at the area between be improved. George Notter demonstrated the · and the Veteran's Bridge specific design alternatives for providing during the past year. pedestrian linkages approaching Convnercial Street and on the street itself. Using the The preliminary plans, presented by Don rail line as the center line of the vehicular Megathlin, the City Planning Director, and roadway, selected widening of sidewalks George Notter of ~nderson Notter Associates, could not only facilitate vehicular channel­ consultant to the Porland City Edges Program, ization but would also provide for increased outlined gereral areas for co1T111ercial, pedestrian access and better off-street loading. industrial and residential areas, some areas to contain a mixture of these uses on a With regard to the water side of Commercial controlled basis • . Megathlin noted the Street, both Megathlin and Notter strongly tremendous revitalization that has already reco1T111ended the retention of the finger taken place in the waterfront, privately piers in the waterfront. This proposal is via rehabilitation in the Old Port Exchange based upon protection from wind and sea and publicly by the development of the provided by the piers, the abundance of International Ferry Terminal. He stressed berthing space permitted by finger piers, that the potential of the waterfront has the increased accessibility to the water only rreen partially exploited·and that edge from land areas, and the gereral the cooperation of the public and private aesthetic desirability of finger piers by sector can bring the waterfront to its residential and business uses. This reconmend­ fullest potential. ation was supported by the Urban Land Institute in its annual conference in Houston, Ttxas In addition to encouraging further co1T111erc4al on April 29th. residential and industrial development in the waterfront, the plans also recommend the Mr. Megathl_in concluded the presentation provision of open areas a.nd pedestrian access by stating that more work was underway to_ routes in and around development areas. refine and update the plans and that meet1ngs would be held with all interested groups Citing the fact that the peninsula is ringed in the next few months in order that full co11111un­ by open space land except in the waterfront, ity input can be obtained. Megathlin proposed that implementation of

3 HISTORIC ISLAND PROFILES.------t lsland Profiles are being collected to com­ LITTLE DIAMOND - A TRANQUIL RETREAT rise a future Casco Bay Brochure with in­ fonnation from authoritative persons on (fonnerly known together .each island. The second and third profile with" Great Diamond Island as Hog or Quahog Island) · on Long and Little Diamond are presented is the nearest inhabited island to the Portland here ·for review. mainland. Up until this century, it served mostly' as pasturage and hayfield for Portland residents. · By the middle of the 1_800' s the eastern half of the approximately 60 acre island was owned by the Fessenden heirs and the western end owned and ultimately inhabited by the Abel Smith family. Two of the Smith family dwellings still stand, al~ About 1920 the Little Diamond Island Association though much altered. was fanned to acquire the remaining properties from Maine Coast Realty. These included most The island has extensive kitchen middens that con­ beaches, intertidal areas, all walks, roads, un- tain indian and colonial period artifacts. There sold lots and a parcel near the ferry landing are several fresh water springs of exceptional called Cogowesco Park. The Association also quality, which along with dug wells, served the purchased the public building adjacent to. the now island's water needs prior to installation of a State owned ferry landing on Shell Island. This system by the Portland Water District. A recent building, long known as the Casino, serves as vegetation analysis of the eatern end of the. island the focal point for the social activities of the reveals a stand of maple, oak, beech, birch and summer residents. A community supper - The hickory which is unique in this part of Maine. Saturday Night Supp~r - has been held there Some oaks are estimated to be in excess of 500 years every summer Saturday since the turn of the cen­ old. The island shoreline is predominantly rocky tury. Other summer activities housed there in- with several fine sand beaches interspersed. The clude food sales, movies, receptions and meetings sand bar connecting Little and Great Diamond is of the Island Association. The Island is gov~rned pass ab le by vehicle and foot about 6 hours on- each by four officers and board of seven di rectors. tide. The current summer population is about 110. Only Most of the eastern end of the island is now owned rarely are there more than 70 in residence .at any by St. Joseph's C~nvent and Hospital . The property one time. The shallow depth of water and sewer lines has been used for more than 50 years by the Sisters prohibit their year round use, thus restricting the of Mercy for the recreation and education of under­ western end to summer residents. privileged city children. A continuation of this use is anticipated for the foreseeable future. A The island is entirely privately owned . Roads, walks retreat house serves as the summer residence for and buildings are owned by the Association. The City ·the Sisters and a second larger building houses a of Portland provides only garbage and rubbish pickup 'recreation hall, chapel and children's dormitory . during the summer season . Utilities serving the is­ land are the Portland Water District, Central Maine Approximatley 10 acres of the western end of the Power Co., Telephone and the Casco Bay island served for many years as a U. S. Coast Lines. The U.S. Mail carrier serves the island for Guprd Buoy Tending Station. The Rands, the island's the period from 4th of July to Labor Day. only year round family, purchased the property about 20 years ago . They operate a marine service facility Little Diamond Island is a tranquil retreat far re­ providing gasoline, lobsters and groceries for the moved from the mainland in spirit, yet only twenty island boat traffic. minutes boat ride from the largest city in the State. The unique character of the 19th Century summer colony The western end of the island was developed as a sum­ has been well preserved for today's residents. mer colony by· the Maine Coast Realty Company from about 1900 to 1920. Most of the 39 cottages were built during this period. Only three have been con­ Paul S. Stevens, President tructed in the last 40 years. Little Diamond Island Association A PROFILE OF LONG ISLAND By Charlotte Gibbens In World War I observation towers and a search­ light station were built to watch for enemy Hussey Sound which separates Peaks Island submarines. Remains are still /visible. from Long Island is renowned for the presence of the now faroous Soldiers Ledge The U. S. Navy in World War II took -almost 200 which brought disaster in World War II to acres and established a fuel base to service the battle ship Missouri and ripped a huge the North Atlantic Fleet. Underground oil hole in the tanker Tamano on July 22, 1972, storage tanks with a 600,000 barrel capacity releasing a tremendous oil spill in Casco Bay. were put in, 30 major buildings, personnel dwellings and fueling piers were built. The The name Long well describes this 912 acre, installation was ·a complete city in itself three mile long island which is no roore than and thousands of G. I.'s came to the island. one mile wide at best. It was first settled To make way for this project many homes, the in 1640 by John Sears of Massachusetts who Dirigo House Hotel and the grammar school sold it to the famous Captain John Smith. were destroyed. The whole character of the Hostile Indians occupied it and pennanent island was changed. In 1968 the facility settlement did not take place until Col. was sold to King Resources Company which Ezekiel Cushing captured the island and later went into bankruptcy before plans established a successful fann in the 18th for a huge tank fann were implemented. At century. Descendents of Col. Cushing still present the underground tanks are used for live here. storing heating oil. The future of the fa­ cility is at present uncertain. During the 19th and early 20th century Long Island was a thriving vacation spot. There were three hotels and facilities for thousands of people to come for clam bakes and outings . (Continp.e