Working Waterfront

COA is putting energy ideas under one roof

In 2014, students in College of the Atlantic’s Math and Physics of Sustainable Energy class traveled to the Southwest Harbor Public Library to perform an energy assessment. Led by their instructor, Anna Demeo, COA’s director of Energy Education and Management, the group measured energy consumption, analyzed placement for a potential… SEE MORE

In front of the Libby building on Congress Square in the 1970s.

Working Waterfront

Portland in the ’80s: ‘Yuppie go home’

Early in 1977, another new restaurant opened in the Old Port. This one on Middle Street had a tongue-in-cheek sign: “Carbur’s: Since 1977.” A tradition going all the way back to this year! Hilarious! The Cumberland County Civic Center opened then, too, a shrewd public-finance deal. In 1979, the Portland… SEE MORE

Tourists enjoy a stroll on Rockland's breakwater in late July.

Working Waterfront

Linda Bean goes coop, St. Croix Island erodes

It's close to 90 degrees in the Midcoast as this is being written, tourists are strolling the streets of Rockland and for most of them, it’s cooler than the air they left at home. Last week, the Maine Lobster Festival returned to town for its 59th year, and the U.S.… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A dozen years of work on ocean acidification paid off

There’s something about the timeframe of 10 to 12 years. I’ve read that you can master something new in this amount of time—and ultimately, if you are brave enough, have four different careers in a lifetime. The field of sustainability studies has shown that system-level changes take an average of 10 to 12 years. At… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

New England climate could become predictably problematic

You won’t hear too many Mainers complain about this summer’s weather. It’s been hot, sunny and dry. Gardeners have had to work to keep their flowers and vegetables watered, but for those not in the agricultural business, it’s been ideal—a time to be outside to savor what we love about… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

What happens after the centennial?

By Aimee Beal Church With some relatives in town this summer, my family and I swam at Echo Lake in Acadia National Park almost every day for a week. On a typical afternoon we’d stake out a little spot with our towels on the granite ledges at the bluffs, sharing… SEE MORE

Stonington's water tower is visible above rooflines.

Working Waterfront

Saltwater towns worry about freshwater supplies

With Maine in the middle of a drought by early August, municipalities vulnerable to water shortages were keeping an eye on their water supplies. For coastal and island towns, concerns were two-fold. Lagging supply could mean trucking in water from elsewhere, an expensive proposition. And pumping groundwater that is too… SEE MORE

The sewer treatment plant in Portland's East End.

Working Waterfront

Rising seas, bigger storms threaten sewer plants

Over the course of three days in April 2007, a storm dumped 8.5 inches of rain over Southern Maine, causing massive flooding, especially where the floodwaters met the sea. The Ogunquit sewer treatment plant, and the access road to the plant, were flooded. Five years later, an engineering report concluded… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Vinalhaven hires part-time town planner

Town Manager Andrew Dorr said John Bubier, a retired municipal manager who lives in Yarmouth, will work for the town for 20 to 25 hours per week. He is expected to be on-island one day a week, more often when the work requires. The town is budgeting about $25,000 annually… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Surprising facts about the ocean

By Heather Deese, Ph. D. Looking for that fascinating tidbit to liven up the VHF radio chatter or cocktail party conversation this summer? Here are four facts about the ocean—on scales from global to local—that might surprise you and will definitely wow most of your friends and neighbors. #1: Ice sheets exert… SEE MORE