LINCOLNVILLE — A heavy voter turnout in Lincolnville May 25 resulted in a split vote, 70 to 78, that defeated a citizen initiative for a moratorium on the construction of piers, wharfs and docks on the ocean shoreline. On May 27, Maine Department of Environmental Protection spokesman David Madore said the DEP is working on its final review of the pier application.

“The Department delayed making a decision on the application until the Town decided on a proposed ordinance that would limit the length of a pier, which would have an impact on this project,” he said. “It is our understanding that the proposed ordinance was rejected by the Town, so we're moving on with our final review in order to make a decision on the application.”

In April, the Select Board agreed to put the question before voters on the May 25 warrant, which also included the Lincolnville Central School 2022-2023 budget. On the latter, all the warrant articles passed.

The moratorium ordinance request asked that the town approve a new ordinance that would retroactively prohibit, “the construction of any new or currently proposed piers, docks, floats, ramps, and other permanent structures along the coast in Lincolnville, for which construction has not yet commenced as of March 31, 2022.”

The group that collected 191 signatures that endorsed a moratorium warrant article have been opposing a proposed pier that would, if approved, extend into Penobscot Bay 300 feet from the Lincolnville shoreline.

In January, Lincolnville property owners had requested that the BEP assume jurisdiction over the application of Randall Ward and Kristyn Morrisey-Ward for a Natural Resources Protection Act permit to construct a pier system for residential use in Lincolnville. (Read Plans for private Lincolnville ocean pier draws opposition from citizens)