Does this exist? (Washington: oceanfront, home, employment)

[wanashunkaha]

Hi folks,
We're still pursuing our dream of living in Maine and it has raised yet more questions for us. The most current ones are...

Washington County coastal area. How populated is the area? I see lots ranging in size from 5-40 acres that might be within our price range. We are seeking a bit of privacy and seclusion however.

The reason we're looking at this area is it's proximity to the ocean. I recently purchased a charity auction boat (translation-needs a lot of work). It's not huge, 22+/- ft., but I hope to use it to supplement food supply by fishing and maybe a few lobster pots.


Anyway, this post is already too long so I'll close with one last question. If this area is not for us, can someone recommend an area where there are lakes big enough that will allow a boat of that size? Freshwater fish aren't as big as saltwater, but I definitely need my time in the sun "Sure hope the fish don't bother me" relaxation time!

I should add that we'll be depending on a consistent, albeit somewhat meager income and may try to supplement a little with part time jobs, or maybe a work from home thing. I understand finding employment can be rough.

Ideally, we'd like to have as much acreage as possible, with a minimum of 5 acres. Short distance to a plowed road (1/2 mile or less) would (I assume) be best in regards to getting more acreage for less money. Land budget, $25,000 +/-

Thanks for any and all input.
joe

[dmyankee]

Mus season is an excellent time to look at acreage.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Washington County is very rural. Actual oceanfront property is expensive, but many coastal towns have inexpensive property away from the water. We also have big lakes. My boat is an 18 footer, not a lot smaller than a 22 footer. Just watch the weather and tides and you'll be fine. For all intents and purposes, Washington County is above the Volvo line. Most towns are low hassle towns. Go on line and see if a town of interest has a comprehensive plan. If it does, the people in that town have decided that government officials are better qualified to decide what should be done on your property than you are. I recommend avoiding such towns.

[forest beekeeper]

wanashunkaha -

"We're still pursuing our dream of living in Maine and it has raised yet more questions for us. The most current ones are..."

Questions are best answered by boots on the ground.

Go to the area, walk around, eat in a diner, talk to locals, see for yourself,....

[mommax3plus2]

another issue you might consider- washington county is not a 'rec boat' place. for one thing the water is too cold to spend a day on the boat, just enjoying the sun and surf. you will be wearing winter gear year round on the ocean here- our water temps dont go above 58 where i am. supplementing your income with fishing and a few lobster pots may not be a plan- most all the fisheries are limited entry or closed. you could still have a few pots for your own personal use, but you could not sell the lobsters legally from them, and the limit is 5 pots for a rec license.
also- not trying to scare you away from the water, but it is an area with a sharp learning curve. 20'+ tides, fog so thick you cant see one end of the boat from the other and unpredictable weather. you may want to consider a bay with a boat that size.

[wanashunkaha]

I can't thank you all enough for your input. NMLM, your advice is on the mark as always. dmyankee and forest beekeeper, your advice is also practical and worthy of serious consideration and we plan to do exactly as you've both suggested a.s.a.p. Momax3plus2, thank you for a wake up call. I thought that summertime anywhere meant, "fun in the sun". I never considered the scenario you described. Although I never considered the boat an ocean going vessel, I never thought of having to wear winter garb all year round. I don't plan to make, or supplement an income from fishing/lobstering, just hope to throw a few fish in the freezer and a few lobsters in the pot on occasion as a form of recreation and adding a bit to the menu while having some time on the water. Thank you one and all for your input.

[wanashunkaha]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

Most towns are low hassle towns. Go on line and see if a town of interest has a comprehensive plan. If it does, the people in that town have decided that government officials are better qualified to decide what should be done on your property than you are. I recommend avoiding such towns.

NMLM,
At the risk of showing my complete ignorance.....
Do all towns have a website?
What exactly do you mean by "a comprehensive plan" and how would I recognize that one exists?
Thanks for you time.
joe

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by wanashunkaha

NMLM,
At the risk of showing my complete ignorance.....
Do all towns have a website?
What exactly do you mean by "a comprehensive plan" and how would I recognize that one exists?
Thanks for you time.
joe

Not all townships have a web presence.

Try to find my township's website, LOL

It has very little presence on the WWW. A website would imply that someone on salary was maintaining that website. People on salary, need offices. Office buildings need maintenance, and a secretary to answer the phone. And phone lines, and electric bills.

A building, salaried staff, utility bills, people to do work, more people as supervisors, my head is spinning with all that money being spent.

Where does all this money come from? For a town to maintain all of these folks on salary? and their health plan? and their pension funds?

Oh my goodness, spinning out of control yet again listing all the money that can be wasted on this junk.

And it comes from property taxes.

And you want a 'plan'? That means a certified X on salary to sign off that the plan is up to EPA code, and a certified Y on salary to sign that the plan meets all state requirements, and a trained Z on salary to ensure that the plan complies with all HSA, and nobody has hired a specialist from FEMA to ensure the plan is up to their regs yet.

Can you envision a bottomless pit? Raise property taxes, to pay for an endless series of requirements, to provide an ever growing plan which will require even more, .....

And then you want a school district? Also paid from property taxes?

[mommax3plus2]

about 20 years or so ago, the state required all towns that were required to have a shoreland zoning ordinance (all but about 2) to have a comprehensive plan. this plan was supposed to lay out the groundwork for zoning and land use ordinances. i think the state backed off on a lot of the mandates, except in the case of the shoreland zoning, but a lot of towns were already along in the process. usually the comprehensive plan is how you find out how regulated a town is. such as, in every town in maine you are required to have a plumbing permit for plumbing, a subsurface wastewater disposal permit for a septic system, and permits if you want to do something within the shoreland zone (within 200' of water, wetland, stream, river, etc..) not all towns require actual building permits (most towns think they do, but in actuality its a land use permit), and only most of the larger ones, or ones below that 'volvo line' require electrical permits. the reason being is, if you issue a permit, usually someone is expected to inspect it and that gets back to forests post. any town that is required to have a shoreland zoning ordinance is also required to have a code enforcement officer, most towns use that same person to issue and inspect for any and all permits issued in their town. this comprehensive plan would be available at the town office. however, if in a very small town, i wouldnt ask for it (yet)- right away pegs you as someone up to no good (developer). instead i would just ask a few questions about what you may need, most towns have very helpful staff.
now- if you are in an unorganized township, you would fall under the jurisdiction of LURC (land use regulation commission) my understanding is then you have to see them about any permits you need.
its been a while since i have had involvement in this part of town business, so i may not be up to date, if not- someone please correct me (as i am sure they will

[Northern Maine Land Man]

"about 20 years or so ago, the state required all towns that were required to have a shoreland zoning ordinance (all but about 2) to have a comprehensive plan."

Not true. Many towns choose not to have comprehensive plans. Others tried it, didn't like it and eliminated their comprehensive plans.

"if you want to do something within the shoreland zone (within 200' of water, wetland, stream, river, etc..)"

Not true. The shoreland zone goes back 250 feet from a grteat p[ond and 75 feet from a stream or significant wetland.

"i may not be up to date, if not- someone please correct me (as i am sure they will"

You're welcome.