The old port is a great place especially in the summer, Been to Sebago Brewing, Bissell Bros, Maine Beer Co, Flight Deck, Allagash, Bear Bones and i could go on and on, It doesn't end.
Sodium Chloride (salt) is more environmentally unfriendly then sand, Calcium is next as it will eat your car frame as well as fuel and brake lines, Besides the fact that from about 5°F or below, Salt is useless on roadways hence the mix with sand.
One thing you can say, Its been very consistent even though it was in a bad way this winter, It would probably have been an all timer if it went totally the other way all season.