Town manager offers Ft. Williams ideas
By David Harry
Staff Writer
Cape Elizabeth Town Manager Mike McGovern has conceded broad-based admission fees may not happen at Fort Williams Park and is circulating ideas how to maintain the park and increase revenues.
McGovern called for a budget increase of $80,000 annually for maintenance and suggested increasing group fees and possibly charging fees for high-capacity vehicles. They were among six ideas he said could add $75,000 annually to park revenues.
McGovern said the revenues could help fund capital improvement projects outlined by the seven-member Fort Williams Advisory Council. More money for maintenance will improve the look of the park in time for the 50th anniversary of its acquisition by the town, he said.
In addition to considering revisions to group fees and rental policies in the park, McGovern suggested “substantial demolition and repurpose of the Goddard Mansion and bleachers.”
McGovern said costs for a park arboretum, restoration of Battery Blair, the mansion, bleachers and construction of a park visitor center are estimated at $6.2 million. His suggestions regarding park maintenance and improvements do not address the arboretum and separate restoration projects.
“The intent is not necessarily feedback,” McGovern said of his report, which was reviewed by the advisory committee at its meeting last Thursday. Maureen McCarthy, chairman of the commission, was unavailable this week for comment on the report.
McGovern said the most important first step is to update the park’s master plan, which was drafted seven years ago.
“I think everyone understands we need more resources for maintenance,” McGovern said. He added he would first look for savings in the town budget to offset an increase in park maintenance funds.
All decisions regarding park funding ultimately will be made by town councilors, he said.
The park currently receives an annual base allocation of about $160,000 from the town general fund. McGovern said park operations and maintenance cost about $236,000, with 81 percent from town taxes.
He declined to elaborate how each of the six suggestions listed in his report would raise $75,000 to be used for capital projects. McGovern’s suggestions also included allowing pushcart food vending.
Some residents using the park this week were uncertain whether new construction or higher taxes were a good idea. A.J. Curran, a Cape Elizabeth resident who was watching his son on the playground, said maintaining the park was a matter of balance.
“It is beautiful, a great piece of property and I don’t see the need for a whole lot of upgrading,” he said. Curran added he thinks the town mil rate of $17.86 already is high enough.
“If they can manage it in the present budget, fine. Otherwise it is death by a thousand cuts,” Curran said.
Annual park revenues are $45,000 and McGovern believes the added $75,000 will help pay for most of $775,000 in capital needs the commission prioritized for the next five years.
Major needs include $75,000 for construction of a wedding area, $100,000 each in site work on the mansion and bleachers and $130,000 for added fencing and gates.
As Cape Elizabeth resident Sean McKenney watched his son play soccer at the park, he said he is wary of major changes for Fort Williams.
“I like it the way it is, I would not change much,” he said.
McKenney said he opposed the broad-based fees because it is important to preserve free open access to the park. He said he could live with a smaller tax increase if it is not too sudden or drastic.
Additional maintenance funds could be used to help pay for repairs to park buildings, constructing stone walls, planting new trees and expanding pedestrian paths, McGovern said.
He said he would like to see an improved perimeter path around the 90-acre park, which the town bought from the federal government in 1964.
Charging admission to the park was most recently rejected by residents during advisory referendum question in June.
“I think there is a consensus, it should be essentially as it is,” McGovern said of the park. “No matter how (the report) is received, it is intended to promote discussion.”
Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219.
Staff Writer
Cape Elizabeth Town Manager Mike McGovern has conceded broad-based admission fees may not happen at Fort Williams Park and is circulating ideas how to maintain the park and increase revenues.
McGovern called for a budget increase of $80,000 annually for maintenance and suggested increasing group fees and possibly charging fees for high-capacity vehicles. They were among six ideas he said could add $75,000 annually to park revenues.
McGovern said the revenues could help fund capital improvement projects outlined by the seven-member Fort Williams Advisory Council. More money for maintenance will improve the look of the park in time for the 50th anniversary of its acquisition by the town, he said.
In addition to considering revisions to group fees and rental policies in the park, McGovern suggested “substantial demolition and repurpose of the Goddard Mansion and bleachers.”
McGovern said costs for a park arboretum, restoration of Battery Blair, the mansion, bleachers and construction of a park visitor center are estimated at $6.2 million. His suggestions regarding park maintenance and improvements do not address the arboretum and separate restoration projects.
“The intent is not necessarily feedback,” McGovern said of his report, which was reviewed by the advisory committee at its meeting last Thursday. Maureen McCarthy, chairman of the commission, was unavailable this week for comment on the report.
McGovern said the most important first step is to update the park’s master plan, which was drafted seven years ago.
“I think everyone understands we need more resources for maintenance,” McGovern said. He added he would first look for savings in the town budget to offset an increase in park maintenance funds.
All decisions regarding park funding ultimately will be made by town councilors, he said.
The park currently receives an annual base allocation of about $160,000 from the town general fund. McGovern said park operations and maintenance cost about $236,000, with 81 percent from town taxes.
He declined to elaborate how each of the six suggestions listed in his report would raise $75,000 to be used for capital projects. McGovern’s suggestions also included allowing pushcart food vending.
Some residents using the park this week were uncertain whether new construction or higher taxes were a good idea. A.J. Curran, a Cape Elizabeth resident who was watching his son on the playground, said maintaining the park was a matter of balance.
“It is beautiful, a great piece of property and I don’t see the need for a whole lot of upgrading,” he said. Curran added he thinks the town mil rate of $17.86 already is high enough.
“If they can manage it in the present budget, fine. Otherwise it is death by a thousand cuts,” Curran said.
Annual park revenues are $45,000 and McGovern believes the added $75,000 will help pay for most of $775,000 in capital needs the commission prioritized for the next five years.
Major needs include $75,000 for construction of a wedding area, $100,000 each in site work on the mansion and bleachers and $130,000 for added fencing and gates.
As Cape Elizabeth resident Sean McKenney watched his son play soccer at the park, he said he is wary of major changes for Fort Williams.
“I like it the way it is, I would not change much,” he said.
McKenney said he opposed the broad-based fees because it is important to preserve free open access to the park. He said he could live with a smaller tax increase if it is not too sudden or drastic.
Additional maintenance funds could be used to help pay for repairs to park buildings, constructing stone walls, planting new trees and expanding pedestrian paths, McGovern said.
He said he would like to see an improved perimeter path around the 90-acre park, which the town bought from the federal government in 1964.
Charging admission to the park was most recently rejected by residents during advisory referendum question in June.
“I think there is a consensus, it should be essentially as it is,” McGovern said of the park. “No matter how (the report) is received, it is intended to promote discussion.”
Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219.
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