FREEPORT

The Freeport Project Review Board unanimously approved a plan penned by both L.L. Bean and the Mann Cemetery Association regarding access to the cemetery on Bean’s property.

The amendment to the site plan permit will allow the association a corridor along the south side of the property at the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery School off of Lower Flying Point Road upon which to build a road to the cemetery and allow space for parking.

The amendment also conveys land the cemetery rests on to the association. In conjunction with these changes, the traditional cemetery road, which has since been loamed and grassed over, will be removed from the site plans.

The problems originated when L.L. Bean purchased the land for its school without knowledge there were historic cemeteries on the site, the larger of which belonging to the Mann family.

The family suddenly found themselves losing access to their cemetery. L.L. Bean tried to remedy the situation by securing deeded access to the family across an abutting property. That deed, however, only pertained to members of the Mann family.

In what had once been a contentious issue between the association and L.L. Bean, the meeting occurred with no opposition from either side or from the chamber room.

James Katsiaficas, the association’s attorney, said afterward, “It’s been a collaborative process.”

“We’re pleased that L.L. Bean and the Mann Cemetery Association have reached this agreeable resolution and that the Freeport Project Review Board has unanimously approved the jointly approved site plan amendment — this is a joint application,” Katsiaficas said.

L.L. Bean attorney Mike Mahoney said he hopes the plan resolves “any remaining differences L.L. Bean has with our neighbors.”

One of the speakers from the public was Linda Bean. Although a member of the L.L. Bean organization, Bean said she was there to speak of her own accord.

“I just want to say that I’m very happy to see this appearing to come to a happy conclusion — a mutual agreement,” Bean said. “I have worked behind the scenes with my family members, but also that includes the Manns due to the fact that my grandmother, who married L.L. Bean, was a descendant of Gideon Mann.”

It was a relationship Bean said she believes many members of her family had forgotten about.

Now 75, Bean said she had written down the genealogical ties between the Bean and Mann families half a century ago and she was compelled to pull them out for family members while debate over access to the cemetery became heated.

“We’re all descendants of Gideon Mann,” Bean said, clearly relieved the process was now behind the two entities.

“I just wanted to express my thanks for everybody and the patience that everybody’s had in this whole matter. I know it was stressful, but I think it sounds like it’s coming to a good conclusion,” Bean told the board.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com