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We have an interesting story today about the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine at Orono’s Maine Education Policy Research Institute teaming up on a grassroots project to get citizen feedback from across the state on what residents think should be our highest priorities for public education.

The two groups have called for an assembly of volunteers – four from each county – to wrestle with issues burdening Maine’s educational system and to come up with the highest priorities for action. 

The goal of the project is to determine a set of education policy recommendations in time to deliver to state and local-level decision makers in the context of the November elections. It’s an interesting people-first approach to public policy, and one that gives participants a direct say in public education. If you’re interested, the deadline for volunteers to sign up is May 7.  

We held the second Monitor Talks of the year in Waterville on Wednesday, talking about local rule, and we managed to cover rural self-governance from the signing of the Declaration of Independence right up to modern times.

Our guests — Kennebunkport Town Manager Laurie Smith, Franklin County Commissioner Tom Saviello, and Nicholas Jacobs, Goldfarb Family Distinguished Chair in American Government at Colby College — brought decades of experience and moments of hilarity to our conversation, making it informative and fun.

If you weren’t able to make it to the event, which was presented in cooperation with Colby College, it’s worth a watch: Monitor Talks: Exploring Maine’s Rural Governance 

If you have suggestions for other topics we should explore with Monitor Talks, email us at editors@themainemonitor.org. Thank you!

And thank you for reading this newsletter, and supporting our reporting on local government. I encourage you to share this newsletter with family members and friends. They can sign up on our website to have it delivered to their own inbox each Saturday.

Jay data center can proceed after clearing legislative hurdle: House and Senate votes fell short Wednesday of the two‑thirds needed to override Gov. Janet Mills’ veto. Read this story by Bob Neal

Farmington voters to decide on $500,000 for long‑planned Sandy River bridge project: The river’s status as habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon limits construction to July 15 to Sept. 30, a window that could force work to stretch over two years. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Jay voters pass all articles at town meeting, reelect two selectmen: Residents adopt an ordinance freezing lot rental fees for mobile home parks, retroactive to Dec. 8. Read this story by Bob Neal

RSU 9 expecting one-time state funding boost in July: The funding is part of an $8 million “bridge payment” included in the state’s supplemental budget. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Statewide assembly to discuss Maine education priorities, inform future policymakers: USM and the Maine Education Policy Research Institute are seeking four volunteers from each county for the June event. The deadline to sign up is May 7. Read this story by Charley DiAdamo

Higher county assessment, reduced state revenue creating ‘unusually difficult budget year’ for Waterville: City officials are working to trim $1 million from the budget proposal to ease the city’s tax burden. Read this story by Charley DiAdamo

Panelists discuss town meeting, home rule at Monitor Talks: “Town meetings are the last real piece of democracy in this country.” Read this story and watch the discussion

RSU 73 budget passes; three incumbent directors lose board seats: The $26.76 million plan is a 2.89 percent increase over current spending. Read this story by Bob Neal

Norway’s new town manager brings public works, parks experience: During her interview visit, Jill Lathan said she saw “something special here” and wanted to be part of it. Read this story by Jon Bolduc

Jay officials set May 11 for nonbinding public hearing on police collaboration: Voters at a special town meeting are expected to decide on funding for trash disposal, and the Select Board will take up new sewer rates the same day. Read this story by Bob Neal

Tariffs, price-fixing allegations drive fire truck costs out of reach for Maine towns: Fire engine prices have skyrocketed since the pandemic, rising much faster than inflation. New ones run more than $1 million. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

New poll shows how faith drives rural voters in battleground states: The poll surveyed rural voters in 13 states, including Maine, finding a quarter are driven by faith, not finances. Read this story by Sean Scott

A provocateur named ‘Corn Pop’ could change Maine’s free-speech rules forever: A U.S. District Court ruling only directly addresses Augusta, but it may reverberate across the state. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Monitor and BDN

The following stories are from other newsrooms. While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind a paywall, some newsrooms we link to below may. Paywalled stories are followed by a ($). We encourage you to consider supporting local Maine newsrooms.

Lawmakers failed to override vetoes by Gov. Mills on bills that would have banned data centers and sealed misdemeanor criminal records | Maine Public

Paris has formed a committee to study whether the town should remain part of the Oxford Hills school district | Advertiser Democrat ($)

State lawmakers approve increase in the minimum teacher salary over next 3 years | Maine Public

The Ticonic Bridge in Waterville will close for the evening of May 7 as part of a $52.8 million project | Morning Sentinel ($)

A tax credit designed to boost the construction of affordable housing has been extended for the next decade | Maine Public

State and federal officials are investigating an oil spill in the Kennebec River | Bangor Daily News

Are small-town rural airports worth the investment? | Rangeley Highlander ($)

Woodlands Senior Living pen pal program connects Waterville students with residents | WABI

Maine lawmakers to continue push for access to child protective records | Spectrum News Maine

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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