BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 23, 2025
A group of Blue Hill residents opposed to a plan to subdivide and develop 38 acres of local blueberry barrens overlooking Salt Pond have come up with a plan to purchase the property. But it is not clear the developer is on board with the idea. Geoff Bowley, who owns the property and wants to convert it into nine house lots, submitted a proposal to the town last year, but Blue Hill’s Planning Board rejected his plan in April. A group of area residents called Save the Salt Pond Blueberry Barrens has opposed Bowley’s plans, citing the property’s scenic value and history of public access. A nonprofit development group said it has “reached an agreement” with Bowley to purchase the parcel for $1.8 million, which is roughly twice the amount that Bowley paid for it in 2023. The plan is to donate the land to Blue Hill Heritage Trust. The group’s goal is to raise $1.8 million over the next 18 months to repay the interest-free loan.