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Tuesday was tough in Washington County, both for voters asked to support a proposal to borrow up to $11 million to fill the county’s gaping budget
hole, and for public officials who suspected residents were ready to draw the line on taking on more debt tied to years of poor financial management.
Voters did just that, soundly rejecting the borrowing plan and sending the county’s Budget Advisory Committee scrambling for a solution this week.
The hard reality is there are few options to repay the existing $8 million in debt without raising taxes or cutting services. And no matter what path is chosen, the debt is so substantial that Eastport City Manager Brian Schuth, who also serves on the Budget Advisory Committee, likened any effort to address it to “rearranging chairs on the Titanic.”
Several municipalities, including Machias and Columbia Falls, have scheduled special town meetings in early December to seek direction from voters. We will continue reporting on those difficult conversations as they unfold.
In newsroom news: We are now in the second week of our Monitor Local launch and the first week of our year-end fundraising drive. We need to raise $200,000 to power our nonprofit, in-depth reporting. The feedback so far has been incredibly encouraging, and your support is what makes this newsletter — and all of our free-to-read journalism — possible.
If you are able, please consider making a donation at whatever level makes sense for you. And if you are already a supporter, thank you. We truly could not do this without you.
If you are enjoying this newsletter, please share with your friends and family. They can sign up on our website.
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Washington County municipalities brace for ‘brand new game’ after bond vote fails:
Tuesday’s vote is seen as voters’ strong expression of displeasure with the county’s poor financial management, even though towns now face tax increases and potential cuts. Read this story by Evan Houk
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Machias looks at loans to pay off county TAN, approves personnel policy amendment: If the town takes out a 5-year loan to pay its portion of Washington County’s shortfall, it could save taxpayers over $40,000 in interest, but would face $70,964 in annual payments. Read this story by Evan Houk
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As winter approaches and the ground freezes, dry wells could stay dry through spring: Tempting as it might be for homeowners to pour river water directly into a dry well, it is not recommended by Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and, in some cases, is illegal. Read this story by Jon Bolduc
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Calais voters pass charter amendments by ‘overwhelming’ margin: The amendments are intended to prevent conflicts if a former employee wants to run for office or if a former elected official applies for a city job. Read this story by Judith Meyer
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While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind paywalls, some newsrooms we link to in this newsletter may.
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Woodland Pulp announced this week that it will pause manufacturing at its Baileyville pulp mill and wood chip plant from late November to mid-December. | The Maine Monitor
State Rep. Will Tuell, R-East Machias, proposed a bill that would require voters to approve their county’s budget in a yearly referendum. | Bangor Daily News
Washington County is scrambling to save itself from financial ruin after voters reject bond. | The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News
Northern Light Health and Anthem reach agreement on contract. | Maine Public
Extreme weather made for a hard year for Maine’s wild blueberry industry, and the season’s losses have leaders looking for emergency funds to help keep growers in business. | Bangor Daily News
Hancock County towns approve initial step toward taking ownership of dams. | Bangor Daily News
After more than two centuries of offering readers weather forecasts, planting tips, and homespun wisdom, the Farmers’ Almanac announced that its 2026 edition will be its last. | News Center Maine
Maine lawmakers are restarting an effort to ban the creation and distribution of AI-generated child sexual abuse material ahead of the next legislative session in January. | Bangor Daily News
At least eight school districts, including several districts in Washington and Hancock counties, have embraced the Trump administration’s take on Title IX this year. | The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News
Moderate Democrat Jared Golden’s decision to remove himself from the race likely puts the seat in jeopardy for Democrats. | NOTUS and The Maine Monitor
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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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