MAINE PUBLIC • November 9, 2022
Bar Harbor voters have approved a citizens petition that will limit the number of cruise ship passengers who can disembark to 1,000 a day — despite attempts by town officials to convince residents of smaller reductions that they had recently enacted. The referendum received 58% of the vote in Bar Harbor. Portland voters soundly rejected a similar initiative Tuesday. Town officials have said they believe the referendum will bring lawsuits against Bar Harbor. The town enacted its own ship management plan over the summer. It would have imposed daily passenger limits of 3,800 people, with the exception of July and August, when daily caps of 3,500 people would be in effect.