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Welcome to Monitor Local, an initiative of The Maine Monitor to provide people in Downeast Maine with a new source for local news about their communities.
In Washington County there is no bigger news than the $8 million bond question going before voters on Tuesday. Voters have a tough decision to make because no matter the outcome of the bond question there are costs that will need to be met across the county to maintain the current level of services and hard decisions to be made if cuts are needed.
As municipal leaders told us for this week's look at what the potential impact might be for towns and cities across the county, the options are long-term tax debt for everyone or deep shorter-term commitments by municipal officials, including tapping surplus funds in local communities to help fill the county's budget gap.
County officials have asked cities and towns to consider pre-paying their share of borrowing by the end of this year, which would put an immediate pinch on local budgets, but it could also mean long-term savings for towns and cities by avoiding interest payments over a 10-year term.
Machias isn't waiting for the outcome of the county-wide vote and has already scheduled a public hearing this month and special town meeting in early December to hear from taxpayers about the financial choices the town will be forced to make.
There are plenty of other issues to be decided in towns across Downeast Maine on Tuesday, including proposed charter amendments in Calais and two statewide ballot questions. Find out what the voting hours are in your town and get out and vote. Your voice matters.
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Washington County municipalities weigh whether to pay share of county bond early: Towns and
cities are considering whether to pay their share of the county’s tax anticipation note by the end of the year, but are waiting to see the result of the $8 million bond vote on Nov. 4 before making any final decisions. Read this story by Evan Houk
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Machias considers paying share of county tax anticipation note to avoid proposed $8 million bond: The Washington County Commission has asked all towns to consider paying what could be their share of the bond by the end of the year. Read this story by Evan Houk
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Calais voters to consider city charter amendments Tuesday: The proposals are intended to better define when a former city councilor or school committee member can become a city employee, and when an employee can run for office. 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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As the November 4 vote on Washington County’s proposed bond issue nears, county officials have been explaining the steps being taken to limit any county tax increase and ensure accountability. | Quoddy Tides
Some Mainers face steep premiums as open enrollment for ACA marketplace plans begins. | Maine Public
A new report says America’s lobsters, which have been in decline since 2018, are now being overfished off New England. | Associated Press
A Vietnam veteran from Eastport who courageously risked his own life to save others in a fierce firefight will be honored next year with recognition that he did not receive during his lifetime. | Quoddy Tides
Police search for missing Washington County teen possibly traveling out of state. | WGME
Washington County residents raised more than $40,500 in 21st Annual Turkey-A-Thon to support local food pantries. | Bangor Daily News
Maine's emergency fuel assistance program suspended as government shutdown drags on. | Maine Public
A network of medical clinics that serves low-income residents in Maine said it will shut down its primary care operations on Friday. | Associated Press
The launch of the audiobook for the Sea Run report, which collects and assesses the access of traditional food sources to Indigenous people in Maine, was recently celebrated. | Quoddy Tides
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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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