Secession

Eight are Independent

Today, of Maine’s 15 year-round island communities, eight are independent municipalities, two are part of one town, three are part of a mainland municipality and two are plantations.  Some island communities have decided that they would prefer to secede from their mainland municipality and establish self-governance.

Secession is a long, difficult process, but it does happen.   In 1992, Long Island in Casco Bay successfully seceded from the City of Portland to become an independent town.  In 2007, the Town of Chebeague Island was established after the island seceded from the Town of Cumberland. 

Secession can, however, be an extremely controversial topic, dividing families and pitting neighbor against neighbor.  The Island Institute believes that all island communities have the right, if not the duty, to make the best decisions for their future sustainability.  We carefully and thoughtfully consider each discussion of secession based on an island’s needs and circumstances.