View in browser   |   Forward

Greetings from Downeast where Halloween isn’t the only event on the calendar. In two weeks, Washington County voters will decide whether to approve a bond of up to $11 million or send county officials away empty handed. 

Washington County officials took to the streets ahead of the November 4 referendum, holding a press conference Thursday in Machias to make their case for the bond. It would fill in a gap left by the county miscalculating its finances and spending money it didn’t have.

But many residents posting on social media continue to throw shade on the plan, with the chorus of “no” growing louder. Efforts by lawmakers to have the state bail out the county didn’t gain any sympathy either. That bill failed to move forward.  

There’s good news though, according to Sen. Marianne Moore, R-Calais. Another bill she’s introduced is moving forward. If eventually approved by the Maine Legislature, counties and municipalities in Maine would be allowed to declare bankruptcy. But that wouldn’t come in time to help Washington County now.

In a letter posted on the county’s website, the commissioners said that, without $8 million from the bond, the county would default on its Tax Anticipation Note, or TAN, loan from Machias Savings Bank and be in the unprecedented position of running out of money to provide county services. Exactly what would happen then is still uncertain.

More good news though? The county found out the deadline to retire the TAN isn’t December 31. They have until late February or March. 

If all of this isn’t scary enough for you, head to Eastport today for the Witches of Eastport Festival. The parade starts at 1 p.m., with the pumpkin derby, the witches dance and tarot readings also in the line-up.

Maine hired contractor to organize timely visits for families in child welfare cases. It delivered 10% of the time.

Last December, the state renewed the organization’s contract even though it fell far short of its performance requirements, according to an examination by The Maine Monitor.

Read this story by Josh Keefe of The Maine Monitor

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

As the vote deadline looms, Washington County commissioners held a press conference urging residents to pass the $11 million bond, saying that if it fails, the county would run out of funds by late February or March. | News Center Maine

A bill was introduced to the state legislature this week that in the future could allow counties and municipalities to reorganize under bankruptcy. | WABI

Waldo County’s community service agency will offer rural public transportation to Hancock and Washington counties. | Bangor Daily News

Those who rely on food benefits are worried following the announcement that SNAP benefits will not be issued next month. | WABI

Eastport weighs pros and cons of cruise ship visits | Quoddy Tides

UMaine System switching to Anthem health insurance despite lingering contract dispute with Northern Light. | The Maine Monitor

The Coast Guard decided to hold off on removing any buoys, including dozens off the coast of Maine, until it can do further analysis. | News Center Maine

Insurgent U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner has a commanding lead over Gov. Janet Mills in the Democratic primary, according to a new poll by the University of New Hampshire. | Bangor Daily News

Following public pressure, the Ellsworth City Council voted unanimously to return excess money made from a 2023 foreclosure sale to the property’s prior owners. | Ellsworth American

A rabid raccoon has been found in Deer Isle, according to Hancock County town officials. | Bangor Daily News

The Winter Harbor town wharf is closed after the aged southern accessway wall crumbled last week. | Ellsworth American

The Ellsworth City Council tabled a decision at its meeting earlier this week over whether to dissolve the city’s Assessing Department after multiple residents expressed concern. | Ellsworth American

The Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association says the long-awaited Glen Mary Pool redevelopment project is financially unattainable. | Mount Desert Islander

Contractors file $14M in liens against the owner of the renovated MDI Asticou Hotel. | Bangor Daily News

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. If you have feedback or a tip that you want to send to Joyce Kryszak directly, email her at: joyce@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.

Manage preferences | Update email address