Chewonki Foundation Gets Squirrel Point Ledge Light
By Sue Clark on Feb 20, 2008 in News 
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Signs 15 Year Lease With Coast Guard
Ending a ten year battle over the property, the Chewonki Foundation of Wiscasset, Maine, has signed the lease for Squirrel Point Lighthouse, on the Kennebec River near Arrowsic, Maine. This is great news for the Citizens For Squirrel Point, who watched this charming lighthouse given to a so-called non-profit group ten years ago, under the Maine Lights program, and then gasped in disgust as Michael Trenholm, Yarmouth, Me, the head of this group calling itself Squirrel Point Associates tried to sell the property to private developers.
Three Strikes and You’re Out
Over the years, Trenholm, who received the property under the guise of his 501c3 registered group, attempted to sell the lighthouse and its almost five acres first for $375,000 and then finally for $500,000, claiming it was his to do with as he pleased. And that he really didn’t have the money to fix it up.
In August 2003, the outraged group filed suit in federal district court requesting the court to return the property to the Coast Guard, claiming it had not been used and maintained in accordance with the deed. An investigation by the Maine State Historic Preservation Commission showed Trenholm’s Squirrel Point Associates out of compliance, and in a ruling in 2005, the judge ordered the property returned.
Back To Square One
Chewonki and the Coast Guard first talked 15 years ago about taking over the property, as they already manage 1200 acres in Maine for conservation and education, including 600 surrounding Squirrel Point. According to a story in the Brunswick Times Record, Lee Johnson, president of the Citizens for Squirrel Point, said her group “was delighted” at the turn of events.
“There are a lot of constituencies who will be pleased at this news,” Johnson said. “Hikers, fishermen, nature lovers, all will be able to enjoy this beautiful spot, surrounded by 600 acres of preserved land all the way to Bald Head.”
Chewonki Foundation President Don Hudson said the next step will be to take an inventory this spring of what needs to be done to the property.
” A license isn’t ownership and we’ll be there at the behest of the Coast Guard. There is some lead contamination where batteries were once stored. We’ll help the Coast Guard figure out remediation.”
The Chewonki Foundation will also use this lease to determine if the group will pursue ultimate ownership in the future. With the educational and conservation programs they already have in place in Maine, I’m sure they will prove to be excellent stewards of this charming lighthouse.
Photo Credit: Squirrel Point Lighthouse by mmwm. Some rights reserved.
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February 22nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Thanks for the article, Sue! One small correction: the 600 acres of preserve land surrounding Squirrel Point is owned by The Nature Conservancy and The Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. Chewonki’s existing 1,200 is elsewhere: nonetheless Squirrel Point’s site is very compatible with Chewonki’s mission, and this effectively conserves the entire area of the peninsula between the Back and Kennebec Rivers. Trails are open to the public. Thanks!
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Thanks for the clarification, Lee. At any rate, the land will be undeveloped, and that’s the important thing.
Chewonki is doing a great job, and I’m excited you got the lease. Thanks again.