A quiet town that is ‘buttoned up by 7 pm’ is not prepared to address on-site liquor sales—and the effects of development in the 21st century
Nov. 9, 2026
By Bailey Bowden
I write today to comment on the proposal to allow on-site alcohol sales within the town of Penobscot.
I am a ninth-generation direct descendant of the original English settlers of this town and was the Chair of the Penobscot Comprehensive Plan Committee until that document was adopted by the town and the committee disbanded.
This proposal has the potential to change the character of Penobscot for years to come. Penobscot has remained a treasure on the peninsula due to the foresight of past multigenerational descendants of our early settlers and has become a bedroom community where most residents work out of town and return here to enjoy the peace and quiet of a small town. Penobscot is buttoned up and shut down by 7 pm every night. Introducing businesses that may serve alcohol until 1 am will result in more noise, lighting, and traffic which would be a drastic change to any neighborhood in Penobscot.
The foresight of our past residents led to the adoption and enactment of a few key documents including the Land Use Regulations and Subdivision Ordinance. However, these documents are well over 50 years old and while they may have been updated, Penobscot is not prepared to address the effects of development in the 21st century.
The comprehensive plan was adopted two years ago on June 1, 2024 and the need for a commercial site plan review was mentioned no less than 13 times. Neither the select board nor the planning board has taken any tangible steps toward drafting a commercial site plan review ordinance to date.
I firmly believe that a property owner has the right to develop their land as allowed by federal, state, and local regulations. But problems arise when the consequences of development migrate across property lines. At this point, one person’s right to develop their property may interfere with an abutter’s right to develop and enjoy their property as they wish.
The problem facing Penobscot today is the lack of local rules that would protect the town, residents, and property owners from the negative impacts of unrestricted development. This issue goes deeper than allowing on-site consumption of alcohol. Outside of the shoreland zone, any landowner can place a hog farm, slaughterhouse, compost facility, water extraction facility, campground, RV park, dollar store, asphalt/concrete plant, or topless bar without taking into consideration the parking needs, increased traffic, lighting issues, signage, or noise which can impact an abutter’s property value and enjoyment of their property, require more town services, and possibly increase law enforcement needs.
I urge Penobscot residents to vote not to allow on-site alcohol sales and enact a six-month moratorium on commercial development until the town has prepared a commercial site plan review ordinance for the town residents to consider.
—Bowden lives in Penobscot.
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