Food, but no financial relief

Fort Williams vendor fees won’t offset maintenance costs

  published in the Current   

CAPE ELIZABETH – There may be no more perfect place on the planet to eat a fresh Maine lobster roll than in the shadow of historic Portland Head Light.  Beginning this summer, visitors to Fort Williams Park will have the opportunity to do just that.

However, Cape Elizabeth Town Manager Michael McGovern cautions that revenue from fees paid by five vendors will do nothing to offset routine maintenance costs, which are slated to spike $80,000 this year, to $244,015.

“We weren’t keeping up on maintenance. It’s like everything else, things were let go for a little bit because revenues were declining,” said McGovern, referring to the 51.7 percent price hike, which will pay for fencing repairs at tennis and basketball courts within the park, as well as for “a lot” of stone wall work.

“The vendor program doesn’t offset any of that $80,000,” said McGovern.  “That’ll come out of taxes.” 

Instead, the $11,000 raised by the new vendor program – which was unanimously approved by the Town Council at its March 21 meeting – will be funneled into capital works.

“All of the revenue generated in the park goes to bigger items,” explained McGovern, “such as, right now, we’re fixing one of the old military batteries, where the concrete had fallen off.  It [vendor fees] goes to big projects like that.”

Given the need to fund these capital projects, along with the cost to run Portland Head Light ($506,480 in FY ‘11), it’s perhaps unsurprising that the town has been on the hunt for any extra dollar it can find. Park maintenance has averaged $144,925 through the last five years, and with this year’s $80,000 catch-up, will approach $250,000 for the first time.

In February 2010, the Town Council voted to impose a $5 parking fee at the park, it’s second run down that revenue stream since 2006. However, following public outcry, it allowed a citizen vote on the matter, which rejected the fees by a better than 2-1margin.

“So, then, because people don’t want their taxed raised either, the council said, let’s look at some other ways to raise money,” said McGovern.

One way was to charge a $25,000 fee to organizers of the annual Beach-to-Beacon road race.  Another was allowing food vendors on site for the first time.

“We need the [vendor] fees because we need to be doing these [capital improvement] things,” said McGovern. “When the potential for [parking] fees went away, the needs didn’t go away.”

It’s an idea that’s reared up repeatedly in the 47 years since Cape Elizabeth assumed ownership of 90-acre park. However, until now, the concept has met general resistance.

“Everything’s been thought of,” said McGovern. “The thing about Fort Williams is that everybody feels like they own it, it doesn’t matter if they live in town, or they don’t. Everyone just loves it so much they feel as if they own it.”

Of course, things do change, said McGovern, noting that several buildings on site were torn down when he first arrived in town more than 30 years ago, creating open space viewed today as one of the park’s primary attractions.

“What people forget is that the park is constantly changing,” said McGovern. “Nothing stays the same at the park, although everybody wants it to stay exactly the same way as it is today.”

Allowing the vendors no longer seems crass to most, said McGovern. It’s simply an idea whose time has come.  In fact, the town manager cites studies showing that bus tours are less impressed by the park’s trail system, preferring amenities closer to the lighthouse.

“This is something that adds to the memory,” he said.  “I don’t see it as that big of a deal.  It’s like a lot of things that we do – there’s resistance at first, but then, once people get used to it, it’s like, ‘How could you even think of taking this away?’”

With the council vote in place, McGovern, in his role as purchasing agent, picked five vendors from a pool of 14 applicants.  Also involved in the selection process were Bill Brownell and Erin Grady, from the Fort Williams Advisory Commission, and Public Works Director Robert Malley.

”We looked at food experience more than anything,” said McGovern, explaining the selection criteria. “Another thing that was big, was just balancing off who said they’d be willing to do a half-season.”

Vendors will take up spots on either side of the circular drive in front of Portland Head Light – although not so near that they will interfere with photographs.  Another will offer up wares from a spot “nearer the flagpole.”

Four vendors have paid $2,000 each for half-season permits.

From May 1 to Aug. 31, Frank’s Franks of South Portland will sell hot dogs, kielbasa and “smart dogs,” along with other sandwiches and snacks.  Meanwhile, a second-year startup, Gordo’s Lobster Cakes of Cape Elizabeth will offer its fresh-baked cakes, finished on the grill. 

“We’re excited to be a part of the program,” said Gordo’s owner, Carolyn Smith. “We’re really happy to have a chance just to work at Fort Williams.”

During the second half of the season, from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, Fort Williams will host the Atlantic Cookie Co. of Cape Elizabeth and Kennebunk-based Dory Dogs, which serves hot dogs, crepes and fresh fruit from a refurbished dory.

Karl and Sarah Sutton of South Portland are the only full-season vendor, paying $3,000 for the privilege. They plan to offer “Mainecentric” foods, including lobster rolls and, as beverage of choice, Moxie.