[Handout distributed to Maine Legislators on 5/19/97 under the direction and approval of Senator James Libby and Representative Adam Mack as a part of the Frye Island movement to secede from the Town of Standish.]

Over 90% of all Frye Island Residents and
the Standish Town Council ask the Legislature...

Please support LD1216

AN ACT to Allow the Separation of Frye Island from the Town of Standish

Map of Sebago Lake area Where is Frye Island?

Frye Island is an Island of approximately 1000 acres located in Sebago Lake. It is part of the Town of Standish, Cumberland County, and is located about one quarter of a mile Southwest of Raymond Neck, and is accessible only by water. There is a ferry service operated by the Frye Island Municipal Services Corporation which connects the Island to the mainland at Raymond Neck. There are now about 35 voters who claim residence there, but the Summer population can reach 3000.

Why Separate from Standish?

Frye Island is completely isolated from the Town of Standish; there are no ferry services or public landings in Standish to serve the Island. The Standish Municipal Offices are located some 20 miles away in the center of town, a trip that can take as much as an hour by car. Even a telephone call to the Standish town office from Frye Island is a long-distance call; fire and emergency medical services are provided through the Town of Raymond; Island residents do their shopping and banking in Raymond and North Windham; in fact, there are few if any meaningful ties that logically bind Frye Island to the Town of Standish.

Due to recent growth, there is now a substantial need for a variety of municipal services on the Island to be provided and managed by a responsive local government. It is intended as no unfair criticism of Standish to observe that it is difficult, expensive and inefficient for Standish, located 25 miles away, to provide these services.

Standish and Frye Island BOTH Support Secession.

A secret ballot of Frye Island MSC members, as well as straw votes and petitions circulated among Frye Island residents and property owners have consistently shown wide support for secession on the Island; more than 90%.

On May 13, The Standish Town Council voted to support LD1216, as amended by the OTP report, by a vote of 5-2. Their support was the result of good-faith negotiation with the Island under M.R.S.A. 30-A, Sec. 2171-2172, as well as to a careful analysis of financial and tax data.

If Both Sides Can Agree, Why Not the Committee?

Standish and Frye Island were dismayed that the State and Local Government Committee did not issue a Majority OTP Report on this matter, given the fact that both sides were able to work out their differences under the Secession and Annexation law passed in 1995. The Frye Island secession is very different from Biddeford Pool or Peak's Island, in that all issues were dealt with and agreed upon by the parties! How can it be fair or reasonable for the Legislature to ignore this accomplishment? If such agreements can be so easily ignored, what standards will govern future secessions?

Some Frye Island issues:

The Three Exempted Property Owners

The Municipal Services Corporation [MSC] was created by the 107th Legislature to provide management and services that Standish was not providing. At the time, three property owners asked the Legislature for an exemption from MSC membership, which was granted; at least one of them has complained that MSC services are, consequently, not available to him. With Frye Island independence, the MSC will be repealed, which will mean that all Frye Island taxpayers will, for the first time, pay the same tax rate and receive the same services, which is only fair and reasonable.

The Winter Population

Frye Island is unique in that it is the only fresh-water island in the State of Maine with significant development. Presently, no one occupies the island during the winter months because the ferry cannot run due to ice. The Frye Island MSC office, however, is open year round and currently provides many town government services all year. The (approximately) 35 Island residents that claim Frye Island voting addresses remain on the mainland during those "ice" months. Maine law currently provides for municipal governments to legally meet anywhere within 25 miles of the town boundary; there will be a Frye Island Winter Town Office located in Raymond or Windham after secession.

Critical Mass

A question was raised regarding the ability of Frye Island to function as a town, given the relatively small voting population. This should be of no concern, given the fact that Frye Island has, essentially, been running its own government (the MSC) since it was created in 1976, and has used its taxing authority for the past 15 years. Clearly, Frye Island has had much more experience in management than any other entity seeking secession in many years.

Public Access to the Island

With independence, Frye Island will have the authority to establish a network of public roads linking public facilities such as the golf course, ferry landing, store, fire house, community building, and the boat slips. The Island will then also have the power to resolve property access issues. It is anticipated that the Town of Frye Island will take over and operate the Ferry Service, which will continue to be available to the public for a fee, like every other such service in Maine.

Key Points IN FAVOR of the OTP Report:

Standish and Frye Island have little in common;
Standish cannot efficiently provide support and services to the Island;
There is at least 90% support for secession among Frye Islanders;
Standish Town Council has voted to support the OTP report, 5-2;
There will be no negative tax impact on other MSAD #6 member towns;
Standish tax rate would remain constant, or drop slightly;
Frye Island has had more than 15 years experience managing its affairs;
Repeal of the Municipal Services Corporation will promote tax equity and equal access to services for all Frye Island property owners; and,
Legislature should ratify an agreement reached between the parties under The 1995 Secession and Annexation Law.

Please Support the
LD1216 'OTP' Report!

Prepared by the Frye Island Municipal Services Corporation, 115 Cape Road Ext., Raymond, ME 04071 - TEL: 655-4551