BELFAST — The Belfast City Council will meet for its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday this week, after inclement weather led Tuesday’s meeting to be postponed. Among the agenda items on City Manager Erin Herbig’s pre-meeting report include the appointment of a new deputy police chief, rezoning of Front Street, and possible urban compact area amendments.

The first agenda item is a request from Belfast Police Chief Robert Cormier for the Council to confirm Jennifer Hatch as the new deputy police chief. The position was advertised Sept. 9, with any applications due by Sept. 30. According to the pre-meeting report, nine applications were received, and of those nine, seven well-qualified candidates were interviewed Oct. 8. Three candidates were selected for secondary interviews before Hatch was ultimately unanimously selected by the hiring committee. 

Hatch is currently a patrol sergeant with BPD, and was previously employed by the Waterville Police Department for 17 years, 10 of which were spent in supervisory roles. 

“[Hatch] brings with her to this new role operational experience, ethical leadership, and a deep commitment to collaborative, community-oriented policing,” the request reads in part. 

If the request is confirmed, Hatch will be sworn in during Thursday’s meeting. 

There will be a presentation on Contract Rezoning Agreement Amendment #9 at properties located at 101, 65, and 45 Front Street, (Map 11 lots 136, 136-A, 136-B, and 132). 

A sales agreement between DUBBA LLC, doing business as Front Street Shipyard, and its intended new owners, Safe Harbor Marinas was entered into in April, though the sale is not expected to close until year's end. 

According to Herbig’s report, SHM has requested “a change of ownership of the Front Street Shipyard properties,” which a City assessor valued at $11.5 million in 2025.

SHM was acquired by Blackstone Infrastructure April 30.

SHM is the largest marina and superyacht servicing business in the United States, according to Blackstone news. 

The property is approximately six acres, and currently subject to a contract rezoning agreement between the current owners and the City of Belfast. 

Contract rezoning agreements are legally binding agreements where municipalities can impose certain conditions or restrictions that are not imposed on similarly zoned properties. This can either allow or inhibit potential devlopments where it otherwise would or would not be allowed. 

This amendment would be the ninth for this property, and reportedly consists of a proposed ownership transfer, with “no substantive changes in approved uses and/or operations of the Shipyard at this time."

“This review addresses only the financial and technical capacity of the SHM Front Street LLC,” the pre-meeting report reads in part. 

The Belfast Planning Board reportedly reviewed the proposed amendment at their Nov. 19 meeting, ultimately issuing a recommendation for adoption. It is noted only the City Council can adopt amendments to a contract rezoning agreement. 

Planning and Codes Director Bub Fournier will attend the meeting to provide additional details. 

Following the presentation, a first reading of the proposed amendment, during which the Council may discuss, amend, table or approve the first reading. 

A request from the Maine Department of Transportation to enter into a memorandum of agreement to amend the urban compact area will also be discussed at the meeting.

Urban compact areas are designated regions where state and state-aid highways must be maintained in good repair by the local municipality, according to Herbig’s pre-meeting report. It is noted that the designation is important for determining maintenance responsibilities, with Maine State Law requiring that these areas be maintained by the respective City, at their expense. 

Belfast’s urban contract area was last reviewed in 1986, after which there has been substantial growth along several state roads. An amendment would also allow for additional clarity with regard to what areas fall to the State to maintain, and which are the responsibility of the City.

Representatives for the MDOT met with Public Works Director Kip Faulkner, and Codes Director Bub Fournier Sept. 22, and Nov. 6, to discuss possible adjustments to the urban compact area to better reflect the current density and activity in the area. 

It was ultimately agreed upon that Route 52 from current CUL south to Edgecomb Road (.8 miles) will become part of the urban compact area. MDOT also agreed to replace failing driveway culverts, fix humped driveway culverts, and ditch from the school to Edgecomb Road along Route 52 prior to the change, according to the pre-meeting report. 

Additional details, supporting materials, and a complete agenda are available to view on the City’s website.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com