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As we've published advances for town meetings over the past few weeks, I've been struck by how much communities spend on cemetery repair and maintenance.

Voters in Canaan, for instance, will consider spending $52,660 on cemeteries in the coming year, money that will go to general care of all municipal cemeteries, including soldier lots, restoring headstones, utilities and upkeep of cemetery buildings.

That’s nearly 60 percent more than this town of some 2,220 people will consider spending on social services, which includes the Family Violence Project, Canaan Food Cupboard and Kennebec Behavioral Health Center. It’s also a testament to how well cared for the cemeteries here are.

If you're interested in what cemeteries are in your town and who is buried there, check out findagrave.com. It's a searchable database of cemeteries around the world where people can add names and photos of their loved ones — a treasure trove for genealogists.

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We also hope you enjoy this final weekend of winter!

Oxford County Regional Airport hires firm to explore longer runway for larger aircraft: The facility’s terminal has already been renovated, and officials say extending the current 2,997‑foot runway could help attract larger private and commercial aircraft to the region. Read this story by Jon Bolduc

Maine Library Commission unveils draft rule that could restrict libraries’ access to state support: Proposed rule requires libraries to have strategic plans, mandates trustee training and bars trustees from serving as library directors. Read this story by Judith Meyer

RSU 73 board signs warrants, sends budget to voters: The proposed budget increases spending by 3.18 percent over the 2025-2026 budget. Read this story by Bob Neal

Temple residents elect Select Board members, set town budget: Voters approved moving the annual town meeting to the last Monday in March, beginning in 2027. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Weld residents vote to take next steps toward new firehouse: Voters at annual town meeting rejected two articles that would have let the Select Board accept large gifts and make major expenditures without voter approval. Read this story by Bob Neal

West Paris voters approve funding for ‘mini’ fire truck at annual town meeting: The future use of the former Agnes Gray Elementary School is set to be discussed once the town receives the deed from MSAD 17. Read this story by Bob Neal

Franklin County municipal elections and annual town meetings, March 18-23: Farmington and Strong

Oxford County municipal elections and annual town meetings, March 17-21: Byron, Stow and Sweden

Somerset County municipal elections and annual town meetings, March 16-23: Canaan, Detroit, Harmony, Jackman and Moscow

While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind paywalls, some newsrooms we link to in this newsletter may. 

A Carrabassett Valley man has been accused of murdering his girlfriend, in what he claimed was an accidental shooting. Both individuals were Sugarloaf employees | WMTW

Sap houses will open their doors to the public for Maine Maple Sunday next weekend | Franklin Journal

Maine’s outgoing hospital lobbyist says it is impossible to solve problem of rising health care costs | The Maine Monitor 

Fiber internet is now available at 96 percent of Franklin County addresses, according to the Greater Franklin Development Council | Livermore Falls Advertiser

Maine’s housing inventory has been cut nearly in half since 2019 | Maine Public

Divers have spent the past two weeks training under the ice on Rangeley Lake as part of a program hosted by the Maine State Police | Rangeley Highlander

Maine heating oil prices are surging as the war in Iran continues, but assistance is available | Spectrum News Maine

The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services is short $13 million to finish this fiscal year. A funding bill just passed the Maine House | Maine Public

Community fundraising efforts are underway to support a 12-year-old Turner boy who was injured while skiing at Black Mountain in Rumford | Sun Journal

Backyard Farms in Madison has increasingly relied upon migrant labor over the past few years. Dozens of contracted workers were detained in two immigration enforcement operations last month | Morning Sentinel

The Maine Legislative committee has received changes proposed by Gov. Janet Mills to the state’s supplemental budget, lowering it by $8 million | WMTW

UMaine to lay off staff as it slashes $5.6M from budget | Bangor Daily News  (Maine Monitor context: UMaine is re-envisioning its future. Faculty concerns are 'palpable')

Maine lawmakers hear plan for new agency to tackle school construction crisis | WGME   (Maine Monitor context: Only 2 Maine districts make the cut for school construction funds)

Maine’s shift toward Republicans runs from Portland to rural places | The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

Advocates say proposed changes to MaineCare would take services away from kids with disabilities | Maine Public

What’s happening to Maine’s deer wintering areas — and why it matters | Bangor Daily News

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can reach Monitor Local editor Judy Meyer directly via email: judy@themainemonitor.org.

The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.

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