The Municipal Building Project
UPDATES 9/25/25:
The Municipal Building Project
In 2021, Islesboro’s Select Board initiated the Municipal Building Project to provide additional space for the Health Center and the Department of Public Safety, which comprises Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Fire Department. The project includes a new Health Center building, re-configuring the space vacated by the Health Center in the Municipal Building for use by Public Safety, and constructing a Public Safety Garage north of the Narrows. Except for additional storage space, no changes have been made to the Town offices.
The Municipal Building's History
Until 1991, Islesboro had no Municipal Building. The Town Office was located in the basement of the school, the deputy or constable ran law enforcement and fire safety from home, and the ambulance and three fire trucks were parked up-island at Durkee’s Store. Medical services were provided to the community by physicians who practiced in their own homes or in a house at 199 Derby Road bought by the Town in 1930 to serve as the doctor’s residence and office. The physicians were supported by a Doctor’s Fund to which community members contributed.
Recognizing the need to consolidate and improve Town services, in 1988 the Town acquired a building at 150 Main Road that had been built in 1979 as a market. The structure was renovated to serve as the Municipal Building, housing the Town Office, the Islesboro Health Center, and Public Safety. The renovation was completed in 1991.
Space Needs at the Municipal Building
Over the past 30 years changes in program practices and growth in the island’s population led to growth in health and safety services, and the space requirements in the Municipal Building grew as well. In recent years, staff at the Health Center and Public Safety have found their facilities to be too small and/or inappropriately designed for the services they are expected to provide.
Addressing the Space Needs
Responding to staff concerns about the space needs at the Municipal Building, in March of 2021 Select Board members began to assess the present health and safety facilities and to investigate how more space could be provided in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Board members interviewed staff and Town employees, evaluated prior proposals, and obtained the advice of 2A Architects in Rockport. In November, the Board appointed a seven-member Municipal Building Project Committee. Members were: Lauren Bruce (chair), Pete Anderson (vice chair), William Boardman, Linda Gillies, Derreth Roberts, David Sessions (retired 2023), and Jay Zlotkowski (retired 2025). Stephen Pendleton joined the committee in 2025. Pete Anderson was made Owner Representative for the Municipal Building Project in November 2022.
The preliminary work revealed that the existing footprint of the Municipal Building could not accommodate the needs of the departments responsible for health and safety. There was not enough square footage, and the Health Center would require extensive, costly ventilation and sound proofing in order to meet present codes. The consensus was that the most workable, cost effective solution would be to build a separate building for the Health Center and to renovate the vacated Health Center space to suit the needs of Public Safety. The Town Office would remain essentially the same. The overall plan would also include an up-island Public Safety Garage to house a fire truck and an ambulance.
Design and Construction
In February 2022, the Select Board approved a contract with Stephen Blatt Architects of Portland to prepare a schematic design and cost estimates for the new IHC building as well as for the Municipal Building renovation and the up-island Public Safety Garage. Steve Blatt knows Islesboro well, for he was the architect for the extensive renovation of Islesboro Central School (2008-2010) and the the design of the new Preschool in 2017. During the winter and spring of 2022, Blatt Architects prepared concept designs for the three buildings based on extensive interviews with Health Center and Public Safety staff. After a series of modifications, on August 3, 2022 the Select Board approved the schematic designs and cost estimates.
- Health Center - Located at the west end of the Municipal Building. Four exam rooms, a critical care room, three offices (two to be shared with medical personnel coming from the mainland), a laboratory, a pharmacy, rooms for counselling and dental care, a reception area, and a meeting room. The building also includes a small apartment for staff members from the mainland who stay overnight.
- Public Safety - The department will expand into the space vacated by the Health Center. Reception area, three offices, radio room, emergency operations center, training room, evidence room, interview room, storage room.
- Up-Island Public Safety Garage - Located on Meadow Pond Road. Spaces for a fire truck and an ambulance, mechanical room, and bathroom with emergency shower.
In December 2023, Blatt Architects chose Ledgewood Construction of South Portland to be the MBP’s construction manager.
Construction Cost
In August 2022, the cost estimate for the three-part project was $3,500,000 - $2,488,320 for the Health Center building, $100,000 to renovate the Public Safety space in the Municipal Building, and $432,000 for the up-island Public Safety Garage. In March 2024, once construction had begun, the Health Center budget was increased by $866,332 to $3,378,990, for a total MBP cost of $4,493,990. The final costs of the MBP will be known once the up-island garage has been built and the space for Public Safety in the Municipal Building has been renovated.
Click on image to enlarge table.
Funding
Meeting the construction costs is being divided equally between Islesboro’s public and private sectors. The public funds have been obtained through the acquisition of two 25-year bonds. The first, for $1,750,500, was approved by the voters and acquired in September 2022, the second, for $866,332, was approved and acquired in April 2024. The Municipal Building Project Campaign committee began fundraising in mid-2022 and by March 2023 had secured $1,758,036 in gifts and pledges. The committee members were Bruce Claflin, Linda Gillies (chair), Marny Heinen, John Kauer, Pam Larson, Maxine Nelson, Mark Umbach, Virginia Valentine, and Bill Warren. Additional gifts since then bring total private donations to $1,912,658. Total funding available for construction and furnishings is $4,538,990.
In addition, through the offices of Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, in 2023 the Town applied for a Congressionally Directed Spending Request and received a grant of $845,000. These funds have been used to equip the new Health Center building.
Timing
- Health Center - The new building was completed in May 2025, and staff moved in during June. On Saturday, June 19th the MBP celebrated the opening with a gala ribbon cutting followed by tours. The event was attended by about 100 people. A second day of tours was held on Saturday, July 12th.
- Public Safety, Municipal Building - Accent Painting and Ron Gallant have begun work on adapting the vacated Health Center space for Public Safety.
- Up-Island Public Safety Garage - The contract with Northport Builders has been signed. The elements of the pre-fab structure are on the site, and site preparation began in mid-September, 2025. Northport Builders will construct the building during the fall and complete the interior over the winter. The building will have a diesel back-up generator and a well/septic system. The garage is expected to open in the spring of 2026.
Support from the Community
Since Islesboro’s early days, the Town administration and all island residents, both year-round and seasonal, have been supportive of the departments that provide health and safety services, for they safeguard residents and in so doing, make our island safe, strong, and self-reliant. The Town is very grateful for the broad, generous support of the Municipal Building Project.
How Can We Keep Tabs on This Project?
Please look for updates as we move forward via meetings, mailings, Zoom presentations, and this website.
And thank you for your interest in and support for this vital work.
Islesboro Island News Articles
Municipal Building Project Committee
Member | Lauren Bruce |
Member | William Boardman |
Member | Derreth Roberts |
Member | Andrew Anderson |
Member | Linda Gillies |
Member | |
Member | |
Secretaries | Jennifer West, Carrie Reed |
Ex Officios: | Janet Anderson, Town Manager |
Steve Pendleton, Select Board | |
Fred Porter | |
Murton Durkee | |
David Dyer | |
Dorie Henning, FNP |