Downeast: Washington County hires national firm for audits

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An original copy of the Declaration of Independence will be on tour in the Pine Tree State this year, one of the many ways Mainers can celebrate this country’s 250th birthday.

The Maine Historical Society is partnering with libraries, museums, schools and other community organizations to bring the document to all 16 counties, starting in July.

The declaration – one of only 26 original copies known to still exist – will be on display at the Tides Institute & Museum of Art in Eastpost on Aug. 28 and 29.

When not on tour the declaration is at the Maine Historical Society in Portland.

This elegantly written document established our foundational desire that “governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Speaking of governance, I hope you’ll join me for the next Monitor Talks event on Wednesday, April 29, live at Greene Block+Studios in Waterville. I’ll be joined by Kennebunkport Town Manager Laurie Smith, Franklin County Commissioner and frequent town meeting moderator Tom Saviello, and Nicholas Jacobs, Goldfarb Family Distinguished Chair in American Government at Colby College. We’ll talk about Maine’s quirky home rule governance structure and all it entails.

You can register here. I hope you’ll join us in person, but the event will be livestreamed for those who can’t make it.

I also hope that you are enjoying this newsletter – and our reporting on government at work – and encourage you to share it with family members and friends. They can sign up on our website to have it delivered to their own inbox each Saturday.

April 29: Monitor Local editor Judy Meyer will lead a
panel discussion during a Monitor Talks event at Greene Blocks+Studio in Waterville about Maine’s quirky local home rule governance structure. The event is in cooperation with Colby College and will begin at 5:30 p.m. Register to attend in-person or virtually.

Washington County hires national firm Wipfli for audit work: Commissioners hired a new full‑time finance director, a position required under the county’s agreement with Machias Savings Bank to complete the 2023 and 2024 audits. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Lubec explores town management of Lost Fishermen’s Memorial: Board of Selectmen signs letters asking nonprofits to make a payment in lieu of taxes. Read this story by Ethan Bien

Machias annual town meeting moved to June 23: The change gives municipal staff members time to finalize the town report. Read this story by Evan W. Houk

Maine tried zoning reform to fix its housing crisis. It’s unclear if it’s working: In 2022, the state began an effort to spur housing production by removing regulatory barriers and encouraging communities to build accessory dwelling units. It was met with fierce debate. A law passed last week aims to work out the kinks. Read this story by Caitlin Andrews

A remote Maine town is ready to close its 5-student school: An aging, shrinking population and rising property taxes are forcing towns to make difficult choices about their community institutions. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm named finalist for INN leadership award: The executive director of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting was nominated for her work transforming the organization that publishes The Maine Monitor. Read this story

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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.

Maine tribal ID holders to get free state park admission | WABI

UMaine to research new lobster egg predator | Maine Public

Fishermen have recycled thousands of old lobster traps on Vinalhaven this winter | Maine Public

Wabanaki nations achieve some progress in legislative session | Quoddy Tides

Gov. Mills signs law giving local jails more flexibility in accepting immigration detainees | Maine Public

Mi’kmaq Nation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sign co-stewardship agreement | WABI

Costs and benefits of conserved land debated | Quoddy Tides

Drought conditions improve in Maine, but moisture deficits remain a concern | News Center Maine

International gathering to raise awareness about region’s watershed | Quoddy Tides

New mobile Maine BMV unit hits the road | Spectrum News Maine

Wabanaki youth initiative nets $348K federal grant for food program | Bangor Daily News ($)

April 25: Maine Monitor editor Kate Cough will lead a conversation following the screening of “The Librarians” at the Ellsworth Public Library at 2 p.m. Learn more and register to attend.

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can reach Monitor Local editor Judith 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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