Maine town renews tenancy at historic Dyce Head Lighthouse amid housing debate

A historic Maine lighthouse keeper’s house in Castine will remain occupied after the town’s Select Board unanimously renewed the tenancy for another two years, ending a months-long dispute over who should live in the Dyce Head Lighthouse.

Dyce Head Lighthouse, built in 1828, sits on a scenic point along Castine’s coast and is part of one of North America’s oldest communities. The three-bedroom keeper’s house has been occupied by local elementary school teacher Tracy Lameyer since around 2022, with her husband Mark Hurvitt. The lease was for three years at $1,200 a month and expired in June this year, after which it reverted to month-to-month.

Locals had floated turning the lighthouse into a short-term rental to generate revenue, and at least one developer offered $100,000 for a long-term lease to support such a model. Castine residents and some council members argued that the lighthouse is a historic site, not merely a property to monetize. "Take the emotions out of it and make this a business," Pat Bishop told a board meeting in June 2022. Board member Scott Vogell echoed the sentiment, saying, "The lighthouse is not just a place to rent, it’s a historic site." Vogell also noted that the lighthouse has been rented by the current trusted tenant for years, and that their patience with daily tourists ogling the property has proved sturdy.

During the renewal process, questions about Hurvitt’s other property in Blue Hill raised concerns whether the lighthouse tenancy counted as a primary residence and whether he was improperly claiming a homestead tax exemption there. Hurvitt said at a meeting that he hadn't given the tax exemption much thought until this year, after he claimed it once in 2010, and did not intend to appear deceptive. Castine Select Board member Amy Gutow called the situation manipulative, explaining that the lease requires tenants have no other primary residence and that removing Hurvitt from the lease as a potential remedy would be an unfair loophole.

After Hurvitt agreed to waive his right to a tax exemption on his second property, the couple were signed on for another two-year lease after a unanimous vote by the Select Board. The new agreement also requires the tenants to provide documents proving permanent residence in the lighthouse, such as local voter registration, a locally registered vehicle, or the address listed on their driver's license. Dan Leader, another board member, said it appeared the couple wanted the arrangement to work “both ways,” highlighting the unique and affordable housing the historic property offered in a town with limited options. Hurvitt expressed regret that there had not been full disclosure regarding the homestead exception.

Locals who supported residency in the lighthouse shared positive comments online. One resident wrote, "As it should be!! Shame on those who thought otherwise," while another said, "Good cause most town owned buildings remain empty until they become a problem then we have to pay for demolition which is about 500,000 dollars. Let her rent it for 20 more years if she’s been there already for 13." The renewal was welcomed by others who called it great news for Castine, a seaside town that draws visitors but has limited housing stock.

Castine, with roughly 1,000 residents, is one of North America’s oldest continuously inhabited communities. The latest decision preserves the lighthouse keeper’s house as a residence while maintaining safeguards that the town says are necessary to protect a piece of maritime history.