UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

Filed by the Registrant þ

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

þ  Preliminary Proxy Statement

o  Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

o  Definitive Proxy Statement

o  Definitive Additional Materials

o  Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

 

BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES
82 Main Street
Bar Harbor, ME

March 23, 2009

Dear Shareholder:

     The 2009 Annual Meeting of the shareholders of Bar Harbor Bankshares will be held at 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at the Bar Harbor Club located at 111 West Street in Bar Harbor, Maine. Our directors and officers join me in inviting you to attend this meeting and the reception following.

     Enclosed are the Clerk’s official Notice of Annual Meeting, a Proxy Statement, and the Form of Proxy. Please sign the Form of Proxy and return it in the envelope provided so that your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting if you are unable to attend. Please also complete the reception postcard and mail it separately from the Form of Proxy if you will be attending the reception.

     We look forward to seeing you on May 19^th. Please join us for the reception even if you are unable to attend the business meeting.

Enclosures

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY

Each Shareholder is urged to fill in, date and sign the enclosed Form of Proxy and mail it in the envelope provided.

A Shareholder who executes this Form of Proxy may, prior to its use, revoke it by written instrument, by a subsequently executed Form of Proxy or, if attending the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, by notifying the Clerk or by giving notice at the Annual Meeting.

BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 19, 2009

     Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Bar Harbor Bankshares will be held at the Bar Harbor Club at 111 West Street in Bar Harbor, Maine, on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. EDT to consider and act upon the following proposals:

	1.		To elect fourteen (14) persons to serve as directors for a term of one year [Proposal I];
	2.		To set the number of directors for the ensuing year at fourteen (14) [Proposal II];
	3.		To approve the Bar Harbor Bankshares and Subsidiaries Equity Incentive Plan of 2009 [Proposal III];
	4.		To approve an advisory (non-binding) proposal on the Company’s executive compensation policies and procedures [Proposal IV]; and
	5.		To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

Shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 23, 2009, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.

     The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” Proposal I to elect each of the fourteen (14) director-nominees as directors on the Company’s Board of Directors and “FOR” Proposal II to set the number of directors for the ensuing year at fourteen (14).

     The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” Proposal III to approve the Bar Harbor Bankshares and Subsidiaries Equity Incentive Plan of 2009.

     The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” Proposal IV to approve the advisory (non-binding) proposal on the Company’s executive compensation policies and procedures.

     The Board of Directors requests that you complete, sign, and date the enclosed Proxy Card and mail it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Any proxy that you deliver may be revoked prior to the Annual Shareholder Meeting, in writing, delivered to the Company, Attention: Marsha C. Sawyer, Clerk, 82 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, stating that your proxy is revoked or by delivering a subsequently dated proxy. Shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock who attend the Annual Shareholder Meeting may vote in person, even if they have previously delivered a signed Proxy Card.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Important Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to Be Held on May 19, 2009: This proxy statement, along with our Annual Report Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and our 2008 Annual Report, are available free of charge on the Investor Relations section of our website(www.BHBT.com)

BAR HARBOR BANKSHARES
82 Main Street
Bar Harbor, ME

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2009

PROXY STATEMENT

     This Proxy Statement is furnished to the Shareholders of Bar Harbor Bankshares (the “Company”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”). The Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. EDT at the Bar Harbor Club located at 111 West Street in Bar Harbor, Maine. The official Notice of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders accompanies this Statement. A Form of Proxy for use at the meeting and a return envelope for the proxy are enclosed. A Shareholder who executes the proxy may, prior to its use, revoke it by written instrument, by a subsequently executed proxy or, if attending the Meeting, by notifying the Clerk or by giving notice at the Meeting. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed Form of Proxy will be mailed to the Shareholders of the Company on or about April 7, 2009.

     Proxies are being solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company, (the “Board”), principally through the mail. The Board of Directors and Management of the Company may also solicit proxies personally, or by telephone, e-mail, or facsimile transmission. The entire expense of solicitation, including costs of preparing, assembling, and mailing the proxy material will be borne by the Company. In addition, the Company has engaged the Laurel Hill Advisory Group to assist in the solicitation of proxies at an approximate cost of $6,000 plus reimbursement of customary expenses.

     Unless contrary instructions are specified, if the enclosed proxy is executed and returned (and not revoked) prior to the Annual Meeting, the shares of common stock of the Company represented thereby will be voted [1] “FOR” the election of the fourteen (14) persons nominated as directors by the Board of Directors for a term of one year, [2] “FOR” setting the number of directors at fourteen (14), [3] “FOR” approving the Bar Harbor Bankshares and Subsidiaries Equity Incentive Plan of 2009, and [4] “FOR” approving the advisory (non-binding) proposal on the Company’s executive compensation policies and procedures.. Except for procedural matters incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors does not know of any matters other than those described in the Notice of Annual Meeting that are to come before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote the shares represented by such proxy on such matters as determined by a majority of the Board of Directors.

     Shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 23, 2009, (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share of Company common stock issued and outstanding is entitled to one vote upon each matter presented at the Meeting. Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote at the Meeting. The presence at the Meeting, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of not less than a majority of the shares entitled to vote at any meeting will constitute a quorum. If a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, action may be taken on any matter considered, excepting only the election of directors, by the holders of a majority of the shares present and voting. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote in the election at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The inspector of election will treat abstentions and broker non-votes as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but not for purposes of voting with respect to determining the approval of any matter submitted to the Shareholders for a vote. Shareholders who are present will have an opportunity to vote on each matter properly brought before the Meeting. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee holder, such as a bank, submits a proxy representing shares that another person actually owns, and that person has not given voting instructions to the broker or other nominee. A broker may only vote those shares if the beneficial owner gives the broker voting instructions.

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

     As of March 16, 2009, the Company had outstanding 2,870,221 shares of its voting common stock (the “Common Stock”), par value $2.00 per share.

     The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s voting Common Stock as of March 16, 2009, by: (i) each person or entity known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each current director-nominee for director on the Company’s Board of Directors, (iii) the Company’s named executive officers (as defined on page 22 of this Proxy under the heading “2008 Summary Compensation Table,” and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group.

						Amount of
		Title of				Beneficial				Percent
Name of Beneficial Owners		Class				Ownership1				of Class
5% or more beneficial owners
Shufro Rose & Co., LLC 745 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10151-2600		Common					210,6503				7.34	%
John Sheldon Clark 1633 Broadway, 30th Floor New York, NY 10019		Common					162,156	2			5.65	%
Directors/Nominees:
Robert C. Carter		Common					2,400	9			*
Thomas A. Colwell		Common					5,633	9			*
Jacquelyn S. Dearborn		Common					2,060	9			*
Peter Dodge		Common					4,760	9			*
Martha T. Dudman		Common					2,518	9			*
Lauri E. Fernald		Common					1,150	9			*
Gregg S. Hannah		Common					1,000	9			*
Clyde H. Lewis		Common					2,853	4,9			*
Joseph M. Murphy (Director and Named Executive Officer)		Common					115,906	9,10			4.04	%
Robert M. Phillips		Common					2,000	5,9			*
Constance C. Shea		Common					1,600	6,9			*
Kenneth E. Smith		Common					1,641	7,9			*
Scott G. Toothaker		Common					1,750	8,9			*
David B. Woodside		Common					1,200	9			*
Named Executive Officers:
Gerald Shencavitz		Common					20,114	10			*
Michael W. Bonsey		Common					12,255	10			*
Gregory W. Dalton		Common					9,349	10			*
Daniel A. Hurley, III		Common					12,039	10			*
Total Ownership of all directors, named executive officers, and specified Trust shares of the Company as a group (eighteen (18) persons)							231,028	11			8.05	%

Name		401(k) Plan				Exercisable Options
Joseph M. Murphy			25,406				90,000
Gerald Shencavitz			2,730				16,884
Michael W. Bonsey			835				10,740
Gregory W. Dalton			2,124				7,225
Daniel A. Hurley, III			1,799				7,340

The Parker Trust was established in 1955 in perpetuity. Bar Harbor Trust Services, the Company’s second tier non-depository trust services company located in Ellsworth, Maine, is the sole Trustee, with full powers, of this trust benefiting the Mt. Heights Cemetery in Southwest Harbor, Maine.

The Fred & Hattie Lynam Private Foundation formerly known as the Lynam Trust was established in 1942 in perpetuity to benefit four named non-profit entities and to provide scholarships to graduates of Mount Desert Island High School. Bar Harbor Trust Services is the sole Trustee, with full powers, and administers the trust with the assistance of an established Scholarship Committee made up of members of the Bar Harbor Bankshares Board of Directors and one community representative.

The information provided is based on the records of the Company and on information furnished by the persons listed.

     The Company is not aware of any arrangement that could at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s officers, directors, and persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities (collectively “Section 16 Persons”) to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes of ownership with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and the NYSE Amex. (formerly the American Stock Exchange or “AMEX” and hereinafter “NYSE Amex”). Section 16 Persons are required by the Commission regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

     To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on review of such reports provided to the Company and written representations, all reports were filed timely and as required except for:

     On September 3, 2008, Mr. Clyde Lewis, a director of the Company, purchased 100 shares of Company common stock for which timely reporting did not occur. On January 30, 2009, a Form 4 was filed reflecting his correct ownership.

     On August 21, 2008, Mr. Stephen Leackfeldt, Senior Vice President of Retail Banking at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, purchased and sold 300 shares of Company common stock. On August 26, 2008, a Form 4 was filed reflecting his transactions.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Directors and Nominees:

Proposal I — Election of Directors

     At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, fourteen (14) director-nominees will stand for re-election to serve until the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until each director’s successor is elected and qualified. The Company’s Bylaws were amended in November, 2007 to provide for the annual election of all directors. Each director-nominee has consented to serve and to the use of his or her name in this Proxy. All fourteen (14) of the director-nominees currently serve on the Board of the Company.

     The Board has determined the majority of director-nominees are “independent directors” as required in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and NYSE Amex listing requirements. The exception is director-nominee Murphy, who serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Murphy does not serve as a voting member of the Audit, Compensation and Human Resources, or Governance Committees.

     Proxies will be voted, unless authority to do so is expressly withheld, in favor of the fourteen (14) director-nominees. The Board of Directors recommends voting “FOR” the election of each nominee as a director of the Company.

Proposal II — Setting the Number of Directors to Fourteen (14)

     The Company’s Board of Directors currently consists of fourteen (14) members. The Board of Directors recommends the number of Company directors for the coming year be set at fourteen (14). The Bylaws of the Company provide for no fewer than nine (9) or more than twenty-seven (27) directors, with directors serving annual terms. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” setting the number of directors for the ensuing year at fourteen (14).

     The following table sets forth for each director-nominee for election, their name, age as of March 23, 2009, and positions with the Company or its subsidiaries, Bar Harbor Bank &Trust (“BHBT”) and Bar Harbor Trust Services (“BHTS”) for purposes of the next two tables.

DIRECTOR- NOMINEES
FOR
RE-ELECTION
Terms to Expire
in 2010
				Year
				First		Current
				Elected		Term to		Position with
Name		Age		Director		Expire		the Company		Positions with Subsidiaries
Thomas A. Colwell		64		1991		2009		Chairman and		Director, BHBT since 1991.
								Director
Robert C. Carter		65		20031		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 1996.
										Director, BHTS since 2004.
Jacquelyn S. Dearborn		56		2006		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 2006.
										Director, BHTS since 2006.
Peter Dodge		65		20032		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 1987.
Martha T. Dudman		57		2003		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 2003.
										Director, BHTS since 2003.
Lauri E. Fernald		47		2005		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 2005.
Gregg S. Hannah		66		2006		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 2006.
										Director, BHTS since 2006.
Clyde H. Lewis		64		2005		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 2005.
Joseph M. Murphy		66		2002		2009		Director		Chairperson and Director,
								President and Chief		BHBT since 2002. Chief
								Executive Officer		Executive Officer of BHBT
										since 2003.
										President, BHBT since
										February, 2005.
										Director, BHTS since
										2002.
Robert M. Phillips		67		20033		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 1993.
										Director, BHTS from 2000
										through 2004.
Constance C. Shea		64		2003		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 2001.
Kenneth E. Smith		55		2004		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 2004.
										Director, BHTS since 2004.
Scott G. Toothaker		46		2003		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 2003.
David B. Woodside		57		2003		2009		Director		Director, BHBT since 2003.

Executive Officers:

     Set forth below is a list of the Company’s executive officers, including their ages as of March 23, 2009, and positions with the Company and its subsidiaries, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (“BHBT”) and Bar Harbor Trust Services (“BHTS”) as of the Record Date:

Year

First

Elected

Name

Age

As Officer

Position with the Company

Positions with Subsidiaries

Joseph M. Murphy

66

2002

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Chairperson and Director, BHBT since 2002. Chief Executive Officer, BHBT since 2003. President, BHBT since February 2005. Director, BHTS since 2002.

Gerald Shencavitz

55

1998

Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer since December, 2007 of BHBT Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer from 2001 through December 2007 for BHBT. Treasurer, BHTS since 2001.

Michael W. Bonsey

44

2001

N/A

Senior Vice President of BHBT since 2001.

Gregory W. Dalton

49

2000

N/A

Senior Vice President of BHBT since 2000.

Daniel A. Hurley III

56

2004

N/A

President of BHTS and Senior Vice President of BHBT since 2004.

     The Bylaws of the Company provide that the executive officers be elected annually by the Board of Directors and that the President and Chief Executive Officer, Chairperson of the Board, Treasurer, and Clerk shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and until their successors have been chosen and qualified. All other officers serve at the pleasure of the Chief Executive Officer. There are no arrangements or understanding between any of the directors, executive officers, or any other persons pursuant to which the above directors have been selected as directors or any of the above officers have been selected as officers. There are no “family relationships” as defined by the Commission, between any director, executive officer, or person nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer.

Business Experience

     The principal occupation and business experience for at least the last five (5) years for each director, nominee, and executive officer is set forth below. None of the organizations discussed below, except for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and Bar Harbor Trust Services, are affiliated with the Company.

Directors and Nominees:

Robert C. Carter. Mr. Carter resides in Machias, Maine, is now retired and is the former owner of the Machias Motor Inn, Machias, Maine. He presently operates Carter Enterprises, a rental management business also located in Machias, Maine.

Thomas A. Colwell. Mr. Colwell resides in Deer Isle, Maine. Mr. Colwell is the former President of Colwell Bros. Inc. (lobster pounding) and retired from that position as of December 31, 2006.

Jacquelyn S. Dearborn. Mrs. Dearborn resides in Holden, Maine, and serves as a mediator for the Ellsworth and Bangor court systems. Mrs. Dearborn is also employed as Treasurer of the law office of Joel A. Dearborn Sr. Esq., PA located in Brewer, Maine, and former President of C. K. Foster, Co., Inc. located in Ellsworth, Maine.

Peter Dodge. Mr. Dodge resides in Blue Hill, Maine, and is President, Insurance Agent, and majority owner of Peter Dodge Agency d/b/a Merle B. Grindle Agency, John R. Crooker Agency, and The Endicott Agency, providing insurance services from locations in Blue Hill, Bucksport, and Castine, Maine.

Martha T. Dudman. Ms. Dudman resides in Northeast Harbor, Maine, and is an author and President of Dudman Communications Corporation.

Lauri E. Fernald. Ms. Fernald resides in Mount Desert, Maine, and is a Funeral Director, Assistant Treasurer, and an owner in Jordan-Fernald headquartered in Mount Desert, Maine. She is also Managing Partner of Jordan Family Properties LLC and L. E. Fernald LLC, operating as real estate holding companies.

Gregg S. Hannah. Mr. Hannah resides in Surry, Maine, and formerly served as Secretary and Treasurer of Hannah & Associates Inc., a marketing consulting firm. He is a past Associate Professor of Business Management at Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts.

Clyde H. Lewis. Mr. Lewis resides in Sullivan, Maine, and is Vice President, General Manager, and an owner of Morrison Chevrolet Inc., of Ellsworth, Maine.

Joseph M. Murphy. Mr. Murphy resides in Mount Desert, Maine, and is President and Chief Executive Officer of Bar Harbor Bankshares and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.

Robert M. Phillips. Mr. Phillips resides in Sullivan, Maine, and is a former consultant for Cherryfield Foods, Maine Wild Blueberry, and Oxford Foods, food processors with locations in Washington County, Maine. Mr. Phillips serves as a consultant for the Wild Blueberry Association of North America and the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission.

Constance C. Shea. Mrs. Shea resides in Mount Desert, Maine, and is a Real Estate Broker and a former owner in Sylvia Shea Inc. d/b/a Lynam Real Estate Agency, Bar Harbor, Maine. Mrs. Shea is also the owner of a commercial real estate property located in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Kenneth E. Smith. Mr. Smith resides in Bar Harbor, Maine, and has been owner and Innkeeper of Manor House Inn since 2003 and former owner of Wonder View Inn, both lodging facilities located in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Scott G. Toothaker. Mr. Toothaker resides in Ellsworth, Maine, and is Principal and Vice President of Melanson Heath & Co., PC, a CPA firm with an office located in Ellsworth, Maine.

David B. Woodside. Mr. Woodside resides in Bar Harbor, Maine, and is President and General Manager of Acadia Corporation, a corporation operating restaurants and retail shops located in Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine.

Executive Officers:

Joseph M. Murphy. For a summary of Mr. Murphy’s business experience, refer to the Directors Nominee section immediately above.

Gerald Shencavitz. Mr. Shencavitz resides in Mount Desert, Maine, and has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of the Company since December, 2007. Prior to his promotion in December 2007 to Executive Vice President, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since June 2001. Mr. Shencavitz has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust since his promotion in December, 2007. He was Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust between 2001 and December, 2007. Mr. Shencavitz also serves as Treasurer of Bar Harbor Trust Services, an office he has held since 2001.

Michael W. Bonsey. Mr. Bonsey resides in Bar Harbor, Maine, and has served as Senior Vice President of Credit Administration of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust since December, 2001. Mr. Bonsey served as Vice President of Credit Administration from 2000 through December, 2001.

Gregory W. Dalton. Mr. Dalton resides in Mount Desert, Maine, and has served as Senior Vice President of Business Banking of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust since 2000. He is also an owner in both the Bar Harbor Jam Co. and its real estate holding company, Blueberry Partners LLC, located in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Daniel A. Hurley III. Mr. Hurley resides in Ellsworth, Maine, and has served as President of Bar Harbor Trust Services and Senior Vice President of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust since August of 2004. He was formerly Vice President and Senior Trust Officer at Essex Savings Bank.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board of Directors:

     A Board of Directors comprised of fourteen (14) members managed the Company during 2008. A majority of the Board of Directors meets the independence standards established by NYSE Amex. The Board has determined that all the named director-nominees listed in this Proxy, with the exception of Mr. Murphy, meet applicable independence standards established by NYSE Amex. The Board of Directors of the Company held a total of twelve (12) regular meetings, one (1) special meeting, and one (1) annual meeting during 2008. The Bylaws of the Company provide for a minimum of quarterly meetings. Each director attended at least 75% of the total number of board and committee meetings that he or she was eligible to attend.

     The Board encourages, but does not require, each director to attend its Annual Meeting. All of the Board’s members attended the 2008 Annual Meeting.

Committees:

     The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee, Executive Committee, Governance Committee, and Compensation and Human Resources Committee.

     Executive Committee

     The Bylaws of the Company provide that after each Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Board shall designate from among its members an Executive Committee with the authority to exercise all the powers of the Board of Directors in regard to ordinary operations of the business of the Company when the Board is not in session, subject to any specific vote of the Board. The Executive Committee for 2008 included directors Colwell, Dodge, Dudman, Murphy, Phillips, Shea, and Toothaker. Mr. Colwell serves as Chairperson. The Executive Committee held one (1) meeting in 2008.

     Audit Committee

     The members of the Audit Committee included directors Toothaker, Dudman, Fernald, Hannah, Smith, and Woodside. Mr. Toothaker serves as Chairperson of the Committee. The Audit Committee met five (5) times during 2008. See Appendix A for a Report of Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has a written charter which was recently amended to comply with Item 407(d)(3) of Regulation S-K and PCAOB Rule 3526 regarding independent accountant communications with audit committees concerning auditor independence. A copy of the updated charter is attached to this Proxy Statement and labeled “Appendix B.” It also may be viewed on the Company’s general website under the Investor Relations section at www.BHBT.com.

     The Company’s Board has determined that the Audit Committee is composed of independent directors, in accordance with applicable NYSE Amex listing requirements and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which has been adopted by the Audit Committee and the Company Board. Audit Committee members do not accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fees (except directors fees) and are not affiliated with the Company (except as a director) or any of its subsidiaries. The Board of Directors has determined that the Company has at least one “audit committee financial expert” serving on its Audit Committee. Mr. Scott G. Toothaker, CPA, meets the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” and is “independent” within the meaning of the rules adopted by the NYSE Amex pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

     The Audit Committee has the sole authority to appoint and replace the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit Committee is responsible for the compensation and oversight of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and this firm reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to (i) the financial information to be provided to shareholders and the Commission; (ii) the review of quarterly financial statements; (iii) the system of financial controls management has established; and (iv) the internal audit, external audit, and loan review processes.

     Governance Committee

     The Governance Committee for 2008 was comprised of directors Shea, Colwell, Dodge, Fernald, and Phillips. The Governance Committee met three (3) times during 2008. Directors Dodge and Phillips were replaced by directors Carter and Dearborn during the latter part of 2008. Mrs. Shea served as Chairperson of the Committee. The Company Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Governance Committee is independent for purposes of NYSE Amex listing standards.

     The Governance Committee’s responsibilities include screening director candidates, recommending nominees to the full Board of Directors (including the slate of returning directors) to be elected each year, making recommendations concerning the size and composition of the Board of Directors, recommending Committee structure and membership, and sponsoring new director orientation and education. The Governance Committee has a written charter, which may be viewed on the Company’s general website under the Investor Relations section at www.BHBT.com.

     The Governance Committee expects to identify nominees to serve as directors of the Company primarily by accepting and considering the suggestions and nominee recommendations made by directors, management, and shareholders. To date the Governance Committee has not engaged any third parties to assist it in identifying candidates for the Board of Directors. The Governance Committee considers among other things the background, business and professional experience (including any requisite financial expertise or other special qualifications), current employment, community service, and other board service of its director-nominees, as well as racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the Board as a whole. The Governance Committee generally considers a candidate’s

qualifications in light of these broad criteria as well as an assessment as to whether the candidate can make decisions on behalf of or while representing the Company in a manner consistent with its stated business goals and objectives. The Governance Committee will also consider the candidate’s “independent” status in accordance with applicable regulations and listing standards. The Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Any shareholder wishing to nominate a candidate for director must follow the procedures for submission of proposals set forth in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled “Nominations by Shareholders.”

     Compensation and Human Resources Committee

     The Compensation and Human Resources Committee reviews and considers recommendations from management, consultants, and directors concerning executive compensation policies, employee benefit plans, and salary administration programs, including reviewing annually the performance, total compensation, and recommended adjustments for all executive officers and the executive officers of the Company’s subsidiaries. The deliberations of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee are reported to the Board of Directors for review and approval. The Compensation and Human Resources Committee has a written charter, which may be viewed on the Company’s general website under the Investor Relations section at www.BHBT.com.

     The Compensation and Human Resources Committee is comprised of Company directors Phillips, Dearborn, Dodge, Fernald, and Shea. Mr. Phillips serves as Chairperson of the Committee. The Company’s and Bank’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Murphy, serves on the Committee in a non-voting, ex-officio capacity, as does the Bank’s Human Resources Officer, Mrs. Marsha C. Sawyer. All voting members of the Compensation Committee are independent for purposes of NYSE Amex listing standards. The Compensation and Human Resources Committee met eight (8) times during 2008.

     Further information regarding the Compensation and Human Resources Committee can be found below in this Proxy Statement beginning under the caption “Role of the Compensation Committee.” The Compensation Committee report appears at page 20 of this Proxy Statement.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

     In the paragraphs that follow, we will provide an overview and analysis of our compensation program and policies, the material compensation decisions we have made under those programs and policies with respect to our named executive officers, and the material factors that we considered in making those decisions. Later in this Proxy Statement under the heading, “Executive Compensation” is a series of tables containing specific information about the compensation earned or paid in 2008 to the named executive officers, whom we refer to as our “NEOs”.

     The discussion below is intended to help you understand the detailed information provided in those tables and put that information into context within our overall compensation program.

Named Executive Officers

     As used in this proxy statement, the term “named executive officers” or “NEOs” includes: (i) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Joseph M. Murphy and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Gerald Shencavitz, and (ii) the Company’s three other most highly compensated policy making, executive officers who earned more than $100,000 in total compensation during the Company’s last fiscal year. In 2008, the other three NEOs were Senior Vice Presidents: Michael W. Bonsey, Gregory W. Dalton and Daniel A. Hurley III.

Objectives of the Company’s Compensation Program

     The objective of the Company’s compensation program is to attract, retain, motivate, and reward NEOs and other executives who contribute to our financial and operational success, which ultimately builds value for our shareholders. We believe that, in order to do this effectively, our program must:

	•		provide our NEOs with total compensation opportunities at levels that are competitive for comparable positions at companies and banks with whom we compete for talent;
	•		directly link a significant portion of total compensation to the Company’s achievement of performance goals in a way that proportionally rewards higher performance levels;
	•		provide significant upside opportunities for exceptional individual performance, which can result in differentiated compensation among NEOs based on performance; and
	•		closely align our NEOs’ interest with those of our shareholders by making stock-based incentives a core element of our executive’s compensation.

Role of the Compensation Committee

     The Compensation and Human Resources Committee (the “Committee”) oversees regulatory compliance for all Company compensation and benefit plans and administers the Company’s executive compensation programs. The Committee recommends these programs to the Company’s Board of Directors for approval at least annually and more frequently, if circumstances warrant. These executive programs are intended to provide a variety of competitive compensation components including base salaries, traditional benefits, annual cash performance incentives, and retirement programs. In addition, the Company has sought to align the long-term interests of its executives, including the NEOs, with those of the shareholders by providing share-based incentives in the form of stock option grants. The composition of the components may vary from year to year based on individual performance, the Company’s business plan, market conditions, or other factors.

Market and Comparative Data

     The Committee approves and recommends to the Board compensation programs it believes meets the Company’s ongoing need to attract, motivate, and retain talented and qualified executives who have the capacity to make a major contribution to the leadership and success of the Company. In fulfilling this requirement, the Committee has used a variety of consultants, employment attorneys, and third party providers of service as sources to assist in the establishment and implementation of its executive compensation programs. The Committee regularly reviews industry-standard compensation surveys provided by objective sources for state and regional perspectives. These resources primarily include the Financial Institutions Compensation and Benefit Survey for Northern New England and survey information provided by the Company’s compensation consulting firm, Pearl Meyer & Partners. Pearl Meyer & Partners draws salary information from its own proprietary data base along with the survey information from Clark Consulting and Watson Wyatt compensation survey firms. In addition, the Committee reviews comparative salary and benefit information gleaned from public filings of a peer group the Company established for compensation comparison (the “Company Peer Group”). The Committee felt it was important to expand its Compensation Peer Group to financial institutions outside of Maine to incorporate a larger selection of publicly-traded financial institutions and provide a representation of the geographical area that may be considered for recruitment purposes. With the assistance of Pearl Meyer & Partners, the Company redefined its Compensation Peer Group to the companies listed below. The Committee believes these Company Peer Group filings disclose compensation programs of similarly situated executives in comparable institutions throughout Maine and the Northeast region and they are a useful comparative tool for the Committee in establishing executive compensation programs and individual criteria for its executives including the NEOs. The Peer Group information is used as a guide in establishing reasonableness in the Company’s compensation program.

     In 2008, the Company Compensation Peer Group was comprised of the following:

																		2007
										2007				2007				RETURN ON
										AVERAGE				TOTAL				AVERAGE
						TICKER				ASSETS				REVENUE				EQUITY
PEER BANK		STATE				SYMBOL				($)				($)				(%)
Alliance Financial Corp		NY				ALNC					1,307,281				53,774				8.48
Arrow Financial Corp		NY				AROW					1,584,846				62,586				14.68
Bancorp Rhode Island, Inc.		RI				BARI					1,477,119				52,029				7.87
Benjamin Franklin Bancorp, Inc.		MA				BFBC					903,278				31,495				3.36
Bridge Bancorp, Inc.		NY				BDGE					607,424				31,105				17.47
Camden National Corp		ME				CAC					1,716,788				62,522				18.34
Canandaigua National Corp		NY				CNND.OB					1,256,349				56,571				14.49
Chemung Financial Corp.		NY				CHMG.OB					788,874				42,565				8.58
Community BanCorp		VT				CMTV.OB					502,032				16,650				10.69
Enterprise Bancorp Inc.		MA				EBTC					1,057,666				50,787				12.11
Financial Institutions Inc.		NY				FISI					1,857,876				78,753				8.84
First National Lincoln Corp		ME				FNLC					1,223,250				41,981				11.89
Hampden Bancorp Inc.		MA				HBNK					524,070				14,016				(3.04	)
Hingham Institution for Savings		MA				HIFS					744,602				17,736				8.40
LSB Corp		MA				LSBX					621,651				18,011				6.35
Legacy Bancorp Inc.		MA				LEGC					924,541				29,732				.88
Merchants Bankshares Inc.		VT				MBVT					1,170,743				47,557				15.37
NH Thrift Bancshares, Inc.		NH				NHTB					834,230				27,177				7.98
Northeast Bancorp		ME				NBN					556,801				23,232				4.59
Westfield Financial Inc.		MA				WFD					1,039,784				34,737				3.00
The Wilbur Corp		NY				GIW					793,680				31,592				11.84
50th Percentile											924,541				34,737				8.58
Bar Harbor Bankshares		ME				BHB					889,472				28,832				11.40

     The Committee did not target the elements of its compensation program at any specific level or percentiles within the Peer Group, but used the data to determine the competitiveness of the Company’s pay practices. Rather than rely on a formula based model, the Committee believes that retaining discretion to also assess the overall performance of NEOs gives the Committee the ability to more accurately reflect individual contributions that cannot be absolutely quantified. The Committee also considered their decision to implement a senior incentive program in 2008 tailored to provide more emphasis on incentive compensation for the NEO group for 2008.

     The Committee used detailed compensation information disclosed in 2008 proxy filings available for competitive reference along with market salary survey information provided by Pearl Meyer & Partners. Limited peer group proxy information is available for the remaining three NEOs. The Committee further referenced salary survey information and guidance provided by Pearl Meyer & Partners in its process to establish compensation levels for this group.

     The Clark Consulting and the Watson Wyatt surveys provided salary information for institutions within the $500M to $2B range. The Financial Institutions Survey of Northern New England provided information on institutions in the $700M to $999M range. After deliberations and considering all factors, 2008 compensation and comparative market salary information is detailed below:

										25th,								Aged Peer				25th,								Aged Peer
						Aged Peer				50th								Total Cash				50th&								Group Total
						Group Base at				& 75th								Compensation				75th								Compensation
		BHB				25th,				Market								at 25th,				Market								at 25th,
		2008				50th				Composite				BHB				50th, &				Composite Cash				BHB				50th &
		Base				& 75th				Base				2008 Total Cash				75th				Compen-				2008 Total				75th
		Salary				Percentile1				Data2				Compensation				Percentile1				sation Data2				Compensation				Percentile1
		($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)
Joseph M. Murphy			273,946				271,900				275,400				331,914				271,900				299,400				583,847				381,950
							335,000				318,400								372,260				363,200								507,170
							375,580				377,600								475,150				462,300								882,700
Gerald Shencavitz			174,000				172,813				163,700				213,907				185,275				177,100				297,626				236,561
							192,600				179,100								219,100				199,000								277,462
							243,325				223,800								264,882				256,600								353,325
Michael W. Bonsey			116,000				N/A				90,700				131,533				N/A				104,200.				143,109				N/A
											114,000												121,600
											126,200												129,600
Gregory W. Dalton			132,000				N/A				128,300				161,693				N/A				135,400				173,232				N/A
											135,000												145,700
											147,000												167,100
Daniel A. Hurley III			126,500				N/A				113,700				148,028				N/A				115,900				167,298				N/A
											132,400												138,300
											142,300												156,200

     The Committee also considers the relative scarcity of senior banking executive candidates in its immediate market area and the difficulties of recruiting out-of-market candidates to work in rural Maine. The Committee does not use any formal, fixed, or indexed criteria for establishing compensation levels for any of its NEOs within market identified ranges. The Committee believes over time, the growth in total compensation provided to its executive officers should be more heavily weighted towards incentive compensation opportunities directly tied to corporate performance with less emphasis upon growth in base salaries.

Role of Management in Establishing Compensation

     On an annual basis Mrs. Marsha C. Sawyer, the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, with the oversight of the Chief Executive Officer, provides the Committee with general information on executive officer compensation, including the NEOs. The Committee then reviews, discusses, and considers this information and any recommendations. The Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources generally attend Committee meetings but were not present for the executive sessions or for any discussion of their own compensation. Mrs. Sawyer assists in the administration of all executive compensation programs, prepares Committee and Board meeting materials and performs work as requested by the Committee, including working directly with the Company’s Compensation Consultant in preparation of peer analyses for the Committee’s consideration. Mr. Murphy, the Company’s President & Chief Executive Officer, attends portions of the Committee’s meetings and makes recommendations on base salary, annual incentives, and equity compensation for executive officers who report to him. The Committee has the discretion to accept, reject, or modify the CEO’s recommendations. No changes occurred in 2008 with respect to this participation by management in the compensation process.

Compensation Consultants

     The Committee has occasionally utilized, and expects to utilize in the future, various outside consultants, actuaries, and employment attorneys to assist it in developing and implementing certain of the Company’s compensation program components, including its stock option program, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), and incentive compensation arrangements.

     During 2008, Committee Chair, Robert Phillips attended a multi-day conference sponsored by Bank Director Magazine, NASDAQ, and Institutional Shareholder Services specifically targeted at Bank Executive &

Board Compensation best practices. In January, 2008, the Committee, under authority granted by its Charter, engaged Pearl Meyer & Partners to assist in a total review of the Company’s executive officer and director compensation packages. During 2008, Pearl Meyer’s engagement included:

	•		A comprehensive and competitive review of the Company’s total compensation arrangements including base salaries, equity and retirement programs for the Company’s CEO and its senior executives including the NEOs;
	•		A comprehensive review of the Company’s compensation program for its directors;
	•		Recommendations for an expanded, appropriate Peer Company comparison group for compensation purposes;
	•		Assisting in the establishment of an appropriate compensation mix and pay for performance plan based on the Company’s size, geographic location, and unique characteristics;
	•		Developing a short term, annual cash incentive plan for its executives, including NEOs with thresholds, targets, and stretch goals tied to the Company’s strategic and long-term financial plans; and
	•		Assist with the development of an equity incentive plan to encourage decision-making with the long-term interests of the Company in mind by executives including the NEOs.

Compensation Plan Components

     The Company’s executive compensation program applicable to the NEOs is comprised of the following primary components: (a) base salaries and benefits, (b) annual incentive cash compensation programs, (c) long-term incentives in the form of stock option grants, and (d) retirement benefits:

	(a)		Base Salary and Benefits. The executive compensation program provides base salaries and benefits, which include health and life insurance programs, a 401(k) retirement program, and vacation awards to compensate executive officers for capable performance of core duties and responsibilities associated with their positions. The Committee reviews base salaries annually in the context of the comparative industry information, as described above. The Committee also considers the specific contributions of the individual executive officer and the officer’s opportunity for professional growth, as well as market factors, when it sets and adjusts base salaries. In addition, the Committee considers the prevailing economic climate, the overall performance of the Company, and its most current business plan.
			Upon performance evaluations and the advice and market salary data supplied by Pearl Meyer & Partners, the Committee made performance and market adjustments to the 2008 base salaries for NEOs as follows:

		2007 Base				2008 Base				2008
Named Executive		Salary				Salary				Increase				Percentage
Joseph M. Murphy President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bankshares and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust		$	258,440			$	273,946			$	15,506				6.00	%
Gerald Shencavitz EVP, CFO and Treasurer of Bar Harbor Bankshares and EVP, CFO, and COO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust		$	174,000			$	174,000	1			N/A				N/A
Michael W. Bonsey SVP, Credit Administration of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust		$	104,000			$	116,000			$	12,000				11.54	%
Gregory W. Dalton SVP, Business Banking of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust		$	117,106			$	132,000			$	14,894				12.72	%
Daniel A. Hurley III President of Bar Harbor Trust Services and SVP of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust		$	126,500			$	126,500	2			N/A				N/A

	(b)		Short-term, Annual Incentive Cash Compensation Program. During 2008, nine senior managers including NEOs, Messrs. Murphy, Shencavitz, Bonsey, Dalton, and Hurley participated in an annual cash incentive compensation plan developed under the guidance of Pearl Meyer & Partners. The philosophy of the Compensation Committee was to set reasonable base salaries and allow for the potential of meaningful incentives tied to the Company’s short-term initiatives to optimize profitability, growth, excellence in individual performance, and to promote teamwork among its participants. This plan was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors for 2008 and is detailed below:
			Incentive Payout Opportunity
			Each participant had a target incentive opportunity based on their role. The target incentive reflected a percentage of base salary determined to be consistent with competitive market practices. Actual awards varied based on achievement of specific goals. The opportunity reflects a range of potential awards. Actual awards ranged from 0% (for not achieving minimal performance) to 150% of target (for exceptional performance). The table below summarizes the incentive ranges for the 2008 plan year.

2008 Short-Term Incentive Targets

						Threshold				Target				Stretch
Role		Below Threshold				(50% of Target)				(100%)				(150% of Target)
CEO/President			0	%			12.50	%			25.00	%			37.50	%
EVP			0	%			10.00	%			20.00	%			30.00	%
SVP			0	%			7.50	%			15.00	%			22.50	%

Incentive Plan Measures

			Each participant had predefined performance goals used to determine their short-term incentive award. There were two performance categories: BHB Team and Individual. BHB Team performance was reflected by common goals for all participants. Individual goals reflected each participant’s individual contributions based on their role. The specific allocations of goals were weighted to reflect the focus and contribution for each role/level in the Company.
			The table below provided the guidelines for the allocation of participant’s incentives for each performance component

Position		BHB/Team Performance				Individual Performance
CEO/President			75	%			25	%
EVP			65	%			35	%
SVP — Line			30	%			70	%
SVP — Staff			50	%			50	%

			BHB Performance
			BHB Team performance goals for 2008 were increased Net Income and a decreased Efficiency Ratio. The table below shows the specific performance goal at Threshold, Target (budget) and Stretch for 2008.

Company Performance

2008 Performance Goals

Measures

Threshold

Target

Stretch

Net Income (to be adjusted for Visa IPO gain)

7,496

7,577 (budget)

8,407

Efficiency Ratio

63.7 (budget)

62.6 (2007)

61.6

			Individual Performance
			In addition to the BHB’s Team performance goals, participants had 2 — 3 individual goals that focused on either department/team performance (e.g. lending growth, deposit growth, budget constraint) and/or individual performance on assigned strategic projects. The mix of these goals varied by role. A minimum achievement of threshold level performance was required for the plan to pay for each component.
			Plan Trigger
			In order for the Annual Incentive Plan to ‘activate’ or turn on, the Company needed to achieve at least $7,496 in Net Income representing an increase of 4.77% over 2007 Net Income. If BHB did not meet this level, the plan would not pay out any awards for the year, regardless of performance on other goals.
			The Company achieved Net Income of $7,731 or an 8.07% increase over 2007.

2008 Incentive Payment Summary

																		Credit				Loan and
		Percentage				Total				Net				Efficiency				Asset				Deposit				Individual
Named		Of Base				Payout				Income				Ratio				Quality				Growth				Goals
Executive		(%)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)
Joseph M. Murphy			21				57,968				26,937				20,546				10,485				0				0
Gerald Shencavitz			23				39,907				11,197				10,440				0				0				18,270	1
Michael W. Bonsey			13				15,533				3,734				5,220				2,664				3,915				0
Gregory W. Dalton			17				22,157				2,834				2,970				2,424				13,929				0
Daniel A. Hurley III			11				13,509				2,714				2,846				0				0				7,949	2
Totals							149,074				47,416				42,022				15,573				17,844				26,219

			Details of the above payments disclosed into Threshold, Target, and Stretch categories can be found on page 27.
	(c)		Stock Option Plan. Since adopting its Stock Option Plan in 2000, the Company has provided its officers and managers, including its NEOs, with a share-based compensation component in the form of stock options. This compensation component is used to align the interest of the Company’s participating officers and managers, particularly its executive officers, with those of its Shareholders over a long-term horizon and to serve as a retention tool. The Company grants options upon date of hire or promotion for qualified individuals, and from time to time for special recognition. The Company awards all grants at the closing market price of the business day of the enabling vote by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors also sets the vesting schedule, which is typically over a period of three to seven years. The Company did not grant any stock options to its NEOs in 2008.

	(d)		Benefits, Retirement and Post Termination Compensation Elements. The Company provides for all employees meeting minimum age and service requirements a 401(k) benefit retirement plan. In addition, the Company provides a nonqualified, noncontributory, defined-benefit plan, (“SERP”) for certain highly compensated officers. Currently, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer are the only two NEOs that participate in the SERP. The Company’s 401(k) plan has imbedded regulatory ceilings that limit the two most senior executives from deferring amounts sufficient to provide for a reasonable, final average salary retirement benefit. The Company utilizes its SERP plan as a vehicle to assist in funding the Chief Executive Officer’s and Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer’s total retirement program.
			The Company also maintains change in control agreements for NEOs Murphy, Shencavitz, Bonsey, Dalton and Hurley. No golden parachute payments will be made under these agreements to the extent that such payments are prohibited by applicable law due to the Company’s participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program.
			The agreements were in effect for the 2008 reporting year and provided for the payment of their salary and other specified benefits for a period of twelve to twenty-four months in the event of both a change of control of the Company and subsequent termination (or constructive termination) within set timeframes after a change of control, unless such termination was for cause. These specific payments and timeframes were established under the advice of a compensation consultant and employment attorney as representative of similar type agreements in the industry.
			The Committee believes that the Company’s SERP plan and change in control agreements are advisable to provide a competitive total compensation plan to attract and retain the employment of NEOs that are a party to the agreements.

Other Compensation and Benefits

     In addition to the foregoing, all executive officers of the company are entitled to participate in certain group health, dental, and term life insurance benefits. In accordance with Company policy, all such benefits are generally available to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

     While many of the Company’s executive officers have significant Company stock holdings, the Company does not have specific guidelines regarding stock ownership for its NEOs.

Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A

     Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code was enacted in 2005 and provides that if a service provider is entitled to nonqualified deferred compensation benefits that are subject to Section 409A, and such benefits do not comply with Section 409A, the service provider would be subject to adverse tax treatment, including accelerated income recognition and a potential 20% tax penalty. The Company has modified its affected compensation plans to comply with the Section 409A tax provisions because the Company’s NEOs meet the definition of a service provider under Section 409A.

Participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program

     Capital Purchase Program Participation

     In January 2009, the Company issued and sold preferred stock and a warrant to purchase common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $18,751,000 to the U.S. Treasury under the Capital Purchase Program. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, for as long as the U.S. Treasury holds any Company securities acquired under the purchase agreement or the warrant, the Company must ensure that its compensation, bonus, incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements and agreements, including golden parachute and severance and employment agreements, with respect to its senior executive officers, as such term is defined in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”), comply with Section 111(b) of the EESA and applicable guidance and regulations under EESA

promulgated by the U.S. Treasury. Each such officer consented to and waived any claims against both the U.S. Treasury and the Company with respect to any amendments or modifications to their compensation or benefits required for the company to so comply.

     As a result of the Company’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program and in accordance with the EESA as originally enacted, the company amended, the benefits plans and agreements in which any of the senior executive officers (who are also the named executive officers) could receive payments upon termination or change in control. The amendments cover the period required by Section 111(b) of the EESA and applicable guidelines and regulations that prohibit any “golden parachute payment” as defined under Section 280G of the Code. Under Section 280G as modified by the EESA, “golden parachute payment” is defined generally to mean any payment made on account of any severance from employment by reason of involuntary termination or in connection with any bankruptcy filing, insolvency or receivership, to the extent that the aggregate present value of such payments equals or exceeds three times the named executive officer’s average annual compensation for the five years prior to the severance from employment. However, see “2009 EESA Amendments” below for additional information on changes to the definition of the term “golden parachute payment.”

     Policy on Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).

     The Company intends for all incentive compensation paid to the named executive officers to be fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. Section 162(m) of the Code disallows publicly-traded companies from receiving a tax deduction on compensation paid to executive officers in excess of $1 million unless, among other things, the compensation meets the requirements for performance-based compensation. In structuring the compensation programs and in determining executive compensation, the Committee takes into consideration the deductibility limit for compensation and the performance-based requirements of Section 162(m). To date, none of the compensation paid to any executive offers have exceeded this limit on deductibility.

     As a result of the Company’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program, for as long as the U.S. Treasury holds any Company securities acquired under the purchase agreement or the warrant, the deduction limit for remuneration paid to the senior executive officers during any taxable year will be $500,000 instead of $1 million, and must be computed without regard to “performance-based” compensation and certain deferrals of income.

     Clawback Provision.

     As a result of the Company’s participation in the Capital Purchase Program, the Company is required to provide for the recovery of any incentive or bonus payments paid to senior executive officers during the period that the U.S. Treasury holds any Company securities acquired under the purchase agreement or the warrant which are based on financial criteria later proven to be materially inaccurate. Accordingly, the Company has amended or modified each applicable incentive or other benefit plan to so provide. Each of the senior executive officers consented to and waived any claims against the U.S. Treasury and the Company with respect to such amendments and modifications.

     2009 EESA Amendments

     The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”), enacted on February 17, 2009, has materially amended Section 111 of EESA. In addition to making other changes, the ARRA restricts the amount of bonuses that can be paid to our NEOs, requires the Compensation Committee to conduct a risk assessment of all employee benefit programs twice a year, and our CEO and CFO to certify compliance with Section 111 of EESA as amended by the ARRA. Furthermore, the ARRA has amended the definition of a “golden parachute payment” generally to include any payment on account of an NEO’s departure from the employer. U.S. Treasury guidance will be needed to clarify whether this completely prohibits the payment of severance, whether or not in a change of control situation. The Company may be required to make changes to its compensation and benefit programs applicable to our NEOs based on the determination it makes in the coming weeks and months regarding the scope of actions required to comply with amended Section 111 of EESA.

Compensation Committee Report

     The Compensation Committee has reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement and has discussed it with members of management. Based on such review and discussion, the

Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Director members that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K and this Proxy Statement.

Risk Assessment

     In accordance with the EESA, the Compensation Committee certifies that it will, prior to April 16, 2009, review with its designated senior risk officer the incentive compensation arrangements applicable to the Company’s “senior executive officers” (as defined pursuant to the Section 111 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008), which includes each of the NEOs. The Compensation Committee will make reasonable efforts prior to April 16, 2009 to ensure that such arrangements do not encourage senior executive officers to take unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the Company and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. April 16, 2009 is ninety (90) days from the date of the Company’s initial receipt of Capital Purchase Program funds.

Robert M. Phillips, Chair
Jacquelyn S. Dearborn
Peter Dodge
Lauri E. Fernald
Constance C. Shea

(This space intentionally left blank)

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2008 Summary Compensation Table

     The following table discloses compensation for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, received by the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and three other most highly compensated executive officers (the “NEOs”). The Company, or the subsidiary by which he was employed, paid compensation for each named executive officer.

																										Change in Pension
																										Value and
																										Nonqualified
																						Non-Equity				Deferred
														Stock				Option				Incentive Plan				Compensation				All Other
Name and Principal						Salary1				Bonus				Awards				Awards2				Compensation				Earnings3				Compensation4				Total
Position		Year				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)
(a)		(b)				(c)				(d)				(e)				(f)				(g)				(h)				(i)				(j)
Joseph M. Murphy			2008				273,946												7,664				57,968				222,690				21,579				583,847
President and CEO			2007				258,440				0				0				49,956				32,305				201,145				20,999				562,845
of Bar Harbor			2006				258,440				0				0				49,956				0				175,028				22,391				505,815
Bankshares and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
Gerald Shencavitz			2008				174,000												17,029				39,907				56,966				9,724				297,626
EVP, CFO and			2007				153,351				0				0				18,466				19,169				51,518				7,807				250,311
Treasurer of Bar			2006				149,347				0				0				15,547				0				43,555				11,560				220,009
Harbor Bankshares and EVP, CFO, and COO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
Michael W. Bonsey			2008				116,000												6,559				15,533								5,017				143,109
SVP, Credit			2007				104,000				0				0				10,191				13,004				0				4,563				131,758
Administration of			2006				102,003				0				0				6,969				0				0				7,568				116,540
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
Gregory W. Dalton			2008				132,000				7,536	5							6,559				22,157								4,980				173,232
SVP, Business			2007				111,343				0				0				8,841				13,918				0				5,092				139,194
Banking of Bar			2006				105,007				0				0				4,847				0				0				7,925				117,779
Harbor Bank & Trust
Daniel A. Hurley III			2008				126,500				8,019	6							12,818				13,509								6,452				167,298
President, Bar			2007				126,500				0				0				12,514				15,813				0				6,308				161,135
Harbor Trust			2006				124,497				0				0				8,519				0				0				8,336				141,352
Services and SVP of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust

The NEOs also participate in certain group life, health, disability insurance, and medical reimbursement plans, not disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table, that are generally available to all employees and do not discriminate in scope, terms, and operation.

						All Other Compensation Detail
						Employer 401(k)
						Contribution Match				Club				Spousal				Imputed Life
						and Contribution				Dues				Travel				Insurance				Other1				TOTAL
Name		Year				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)				($)
Joseph M. Murphy			2008				9,000				960				695				7,647				3,277				21,579
			2007				9,145				925				1,111				6,858				2,960				20,999
			2006				16,176				895				1,116				1,629				2,575				22,391
Gerald Shencavitz			2008				7,536				0				685				665				838				9,724
			2007				6,143				0				622				284				758				7,807
			2006				9,555				0				395				969				641				11,560
Michael W. Bonsey			2008				4,529				0				0				488				0				5,017
			2007				4,047				0				77				439				0				4,563
			2006				7,139				0				0				429				0				7,568
Gregory W. Dalton			2008				4,836				0				0				144				0				4,980
			2007				4,632				350				0				110				0				5,092
			2006				7,442				0				385				98				0				7,925
Daniel A. Hurley III			2008				6,009				0				0				443				0				6,452
			2007				5,262				0				0				1,046				0				6,308
			2006				7,788				0				0				548				0				8,336

     The Company provides non-cash perquisites that do not exceed $10,000 in the aggregate for any individual and are not included in the reported figures. Benefits not disclosed in the table above are of de minimus value such as incidental service fee waivers on deposit accounts, the purchase of traveler’s checks, or safe deposit rental fees.

NARRATIVE DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

     The Committee believes the following information and discussion is useful to the reader in understanding the information set forth in the above Summary Compensation Table.

     The following sections contain a discussion of executive compensation terms and payment of which may be superseded under the EESA as modified by the ARRA. For a detailed description of the restrictions, please see discussion on page 20.

Chief Executive Officer Employment Agreement

     The Company previously entered into a written employment agreement originally dated January 3, 2003, with Mr. Joseph M. Murphy, its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). On November 7, 2003, the Company amended its original written employment agreement with Mr. Murphy in connection with adoption of the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Program and Change in Control Agreement. On November 19, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors amended and restated Mr. Murphy’s original employment Agreement (the “CEO Employment Agreement”) primarily for the purpose of complying with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A by: making clear that reimbursement of expenses and timing thereof is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; references to the CEO’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan were updated; provided for a six (6) month delay for payment of benefit payments after a separation from service as required by Section 409A; amending the definition of “Good Reason” to include separation from service as required by Section 409A; amending the definition of a disability to conform to Section 409A; and removing the change in control provisions applicable to the CEO. The amended and restated CEO Employment Agreement supersedes and replaces the original CEO Employment Agreement.

     The CEO Employment Agreement provides for the payment of an annual base salary to the CEO of not less than $273,946.00 to be paid in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s compensation

policies and procedures on the pay dates established by the Company for its senior executive officers. The base salary shall be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors and shall be adjusted at the Company’s sole discretion. The CEO shall also participate in any performance compensation plan agreed upon by the parties during the term of the CEO Employment Agreement in concert with the Company’s evolving goals and objectives. The restated CEO Employment Agreement is for an initial term of two (2) years with provisions for automatic extensions of one (1) year each in the absence of notice from the Company of its intention not to extend the term of the Employment Agreement. The initial term of the CEO Employment Agreement commenced on January 3, 2007, and continued through January 3, 2009, unless sooner terminated. Neither the Company nor the CEO has given notice of termination, and, therefore, the Employment Agreement has been extended by its terms through January 3, 2010.

     Mr. Murphy’s original Employment Agreement also provided, with limited exceptions, for a severance payment to the CEO in the event his employment is terminated within one (1) year prior to or following certain events defined to constitute a change in control of the Company. On November 19, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amended Change in Control, Confidentiality Agreement and Noncompetition Agreement with Mr. Murphy which amended and replaced the prior change in control and noncompete provisions contained in Mr. Murphy’s original CEO Employment Agreement. The changes were adopted primarily to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A by clarifying that the date of termination is the date of separation from service; providing for a six month delay in payments, and amending the definition of good reason for termination of employment and amending the definition of disability. The agreement also provides, with limited exceptions, for a severance payment to the CEO in the event his employment is terminated within one (1)year prior to or following certain events defined to constitute a change in control of the Company. This severance payment resulting from a termination of employment (constructive termination) following a change in control is equal to two (2) times the CEO’s base annual salary, incentive compensation payments earned and any accrued but unused vacation time. In addition, Mr. Murphy’s stock options and supplemental executive retirement benefits will vest in accordance with the terms of the plans under which they were granted and vest fully upon a change in control. As in his prior arrangement, in the event that Mr. Murphy becomes subject to an excise tax on payments made under his agreements and various benefit plans in connection with a change in control, he will be reimbursed for payment of such amounts upon such time as the assumptions and calculations have been prepared, reviewed, and confirmed by a nationally recognized accounting firm.

     Mr. Murphy’s Change in Control Agreement also contains restrictions on competition by the CEO with the Company during the term beginning on December 16, 2008 and for a period of one (1) year following the cessation of the CEO’s employment with the Company regardless of reason.

     Both the Committee and the Board of Directors have reviewed and approved the amended and restated CEO Employment Agreement and the Change in Control provisions applicable to the CEO. Both of these Agreements have been timely amended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Both Agreements have also been amended to prohibit the making of any golden parachute payments while participating in the U. S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program.

Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer

     On an annual basis, the Committee reviews the existing compensation plan for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Joseph M. Murphy (the “CEO”). The Committee reviews this compensation plan in the context of the Company’s overall performance, the achievement of certain financial and non-financial goals and the judgment of the entire Board of Directors as to the quality of the CEO’s leadership. In addition, the Committee compares the CEO’s compensation to CEOs of the Company’s Peer Group and salary survey information for comparable positions. In making these comparisons, the Committee takes into account appropriate differences in the size, business model, and financial performance of the other banking institutions.

     In accordance with the CEO’s Employment Agreement with the Company, the Committee reviews the CEO’s base salary no less often than annually and may recommend an increase in his base salary to the Board of Directors at the Committee’s sole discretion. During 2008, CEO Murphy’s base salary was adjusted 6% based on preliminary competitive data provided by the Company’s Compensation Consultant, Pearl Meyer & Partners.

     As further discussed below, the CEO participated in the structured annual incentive cash compensation plan provided to all executive officers. During 2008, Mr. Murphy received a payment of $57,968 under the Company’s short term, annual incentive compensation program.

     The Committee did not grant the CEO any additional stock options in 2008.

     The CEO is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. He does not receive any director fees for participating in the activities of these Boards.

Other Change in Control, Confidentiality, and Non-competition Agreements

     The Company entered into a Change in Control, Confidentiality, and Non-competition Agreement with the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Gerald Shencavitz. This agreement provides Mr. Shencavitz with severance of both salary and benefits for a period of eighteen (18) months in the event of both a change of control of the Company and subsequent termination (or constructive termination) within twelve (12) months after a change of control, unless such termination was for cause. In addition, Mr. Shencavitz’s stock options and supplemental executive retirement benefits will vest in accordance with the terms of the plans under which they were granted and vest fully upon a change in control. In the event that Mr. Shencavitz becomes subject to an excise tax on payments made under his agreements and various benefit plans in connection with a change in control, he will be reimbursed for payment of such amounts upon such time as the assumptions and calculations have been prepared, reviewed, and confirmed by a nationally recognized accounting firm. The Agreement has been timely amended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Agreement has also been amended to prohibit the making of any golden parachute payments while participating under the U. S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program.

     The Company has also entered into Change in Control, Confidentiality, and Non-Competition Agreements with Bar Harbor Trust Services President, Daniel A. Hurley III, and the Bank’s Senior Vice Presidents, Michael W. Bonsey and Gregory W. Dalton along with five other senior managers. Their agreements provide for severance of both salary and benefits for a period of twelve (12) months in the event of both a change of control of the Company and subsequent termination (or constructive termination) within twelve (12) months of a change of control, unless such termination was for cause. The Agreements have been timely amended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Agreements of NEOs Mssrs. Bonsey, Dalton, and Hurley have been further amended to prohibit the making of any golden parachute payments while participating under the U. S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program.

     All of these agreements were entered into as part of a total compensation program to attract and/or retain qualified executives and not entered into in response to any effort known to the Board of Directors by any party or entity to acquire control of the Company.

Incentive Cash Compensation

     During 2008, NEOs, Messrs. Murphy, Shencavitz, Bonsey, Dalton, and Hurley participated in an annual cash incentive compensation program with two tiers representing opportunities for incentive payments. This plan was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in 2008. The voted plan document allows for tiered payments based on Threshold, Target, and Stretch measures with a plan trigger of requiring the Company to achieve at least a Net Income figure of $7,496 before any payments would be approved or paid. The $7,496 figures represented a 4.77% increase over the Company’s 2007 Net Income. The Company paid out a total of $149,074 to its NEOs.

     The altering, inflating, and/or inappropriate manipulation of performance/financial results or any other infraction of recognized ethical business standards, will subject any participant to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. In addition, any incentive compensation as provided by the plan to which the participant would otherwise be entitled will be revoked or subject to “clawback”.

     The plan is based on a balance of multiple measures and reasonable ceilings for exceptional performance. These two basic plan features structure the plan to discourage excessive risk and rewards. The Compensation Committee will further review the plan design in 2009 to insure it is in compliance with the further provisions placed on incentive compensation plans by the Company’s participation under the Capital Purchase Program.

Other Compensation and Benefits

     In addition to the foregoing, all executive officers of the Company are entitled to participate in certain group health, dental, and term life insurance benefits. In accordance with Company policy, all such benefits are generally available to employees of the Company and its subsidiaries.

2008 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

     The following table outlines the outstanding equity and non-equity awards at fiscal year-end held by NEOs

																														All other				All other
						Estimated Future Payouts																								Stock Awards;				Option Awards;								Grant Date
						Under Non-Equity Incentive												Estimated Future Payouts Under												Number of				Number of				Exercise or Base				Fair Value
						Plan Awards												Equity Incentive Plan Awards												shares of Stock or				Securities				Price of Option				of Stock
						ThreshOld1				Target2				MaxiMum3				Threshold				Target				Maximum				units				Underlying				Awards				and Option
Name		Grant Date				($)				($)				($)				(#)				(#)				(#)				($)				Options (#)				($/Sh)				Awards ($)
(a)		(b)				(c)				(d)				(e)				(f)				(g)				(h)				(i)				(j)				(k)				(l)
Joseph M. Murphy			2008				31,072				6,350				20,546				0				0				0				0				0				0				0
		Plan
Gerald Shencavitz			2008				11,197				0				28,710				0				0				0				0				0				0				0
		Plan
Michael W. Bonsey			2008				4,785				1,613				9,135				0				0				0				0				0				0				0
		Plan
Gregory W. Dalton			2008				3,790				5,002				13,365				0				0				0				0				0				0				0
		Plan
Daniel A. Hurley III			2008				2,714				7,949				2,846				0				0				0				0				0				0				0
		Plan

2008 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

		Option Awards																				Stock Awards
										Equity																				Equity
										Incentive Plan												Number				Market				Incentive				Equity Incentive
		Number of				Number of				Awards; Number of												of Shares				Value of				Plan Awards;				Plan Awards;
		Securities				Securities				Securities												or Units				Shares or				Number				Market or Payout
		Underlying				Underlying				Underlying												of				Units of				of Unearned Shares,				Value of Unearned
		Unexercised				Unexercised				Unexercised				Option				Option				Stock That				Stock That				Units or Other				Shares, Units or
		Options				Options				Unearned				Exercise				Expiration				Have Not				Have Not				Rights That Have				Other Rights That
		Exercisable				Unexercisable				Options				Price				Date				Vested				Vested				Not Vested				Have Not Vested
Name		($)				($)				(#)				($)								(#)				($)				(#)				($)
(a)		(b)				(c)				(d)				(e)				(f)				(g)				(h)				(i)				(j)
Joseph M. Murphy			90,000	1			0				0				16.05				2/25/2012				0				0				0				0
Gerald			5,426				0				0				15.40				6/20/2011				0				0				0				0
Shencavitz			5,000				0				0				18.50				8/20/2012
			5,000				0				0				22.70				9/16/2013
			800				1,600	2			0				33.00				1/23/2017
			1,000				4,000				0				31.50				12/18/2017
Michael W.			6,140				0				0				15.40				6/20/2011				0				0				0				0
Bonsey			3,000				0				0				18.50				8/20/2012
			800				1,600	3			0				33.00				1/23/2017
Gregory W. Dalton			5,625				0				0				15.40				6/20/2011				0				0				0				0
			800				1,600	4			0				33.00				1/23/2017
Daniel A.			5,740				4,260	5			0				27.00				9/21/2014				0				0				0				0
Hurley III			800				1,600				0				33.00				1/23/2017