CMP Group, Inc.
                                 83 Edison Drive
                                Augusta, ME 04336




                                                        August 24, 1998

CMP Group, Inc.
83 Edison Drive
Augusta, ME  04336

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am Treasurer,  Corporate  Counsel and  Secretary of CMP Group,  Inc. (the
"Company").   I  have  examined  the  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  1  to  the
Registration   Statement  on  Form  S-3  (No.  33-39826)  (the   "Post-Effective
Amendment"),  in form as proposed to be filed by the Company with the Securities
and Exchange  Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended,  in  connection  with the  assumption  by the  Company of the  Dividend
Reinvestment  and Common Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan") of Central Maine Power
Company and, pursuant  thereto,  the issuance and sale of shares of Common Stock
of the Company, par value $5.00 per share (the "Common Stock").

     In my opinion, the Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan will be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable when: (a) the Post-Effective  Amendment is
filed with the Commission and declared  effective,  (b) the issuance and sale of
the Common Stock pursuant to the Plan is duly  authorized by the Company's Board
of Directors,  and (c) the Common Stock is appropriately issued and delivered to
the purchaser or purchasers  thereof in accordance with the Plan and the Company
receives payment therefor.

     I hereby  consent  to the  filing  of this  opinion  as an  Exhibit  to the
Post-Effective Amendment.

                                                       Very truly yours,

                                                       /s/ Anne M. Pare

                                                       Anne M. Pare