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Voters in Machias have been busy the past two weeks, attending a special town meeting to cover cost overruns in the police and fire departments last week and approving a $3.9 million operating budget during this week’s annual town meeting.
The $34,000 shortfall in the Fire Department’s current operating budget and $35,000 in the Police Department budget were due to a new payment system for volunteer firefighters and a police cruiser purchase that wasn’t accounted for, both of which had to be addressed before a new fiscal year budget was approved Tuesday. We have all the details, including how few voters turned out at each meeting to approve spending.
We also have a story about a citizen petition in Eastport for voters to consider a permanent ban on artificial intelligence data facilities, specifically targeting the proposed DeepGreen Western Passage offshore project, and a story about a proposal in Jonesport to amend the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, which would give the Kingfish Company more time to start construction on a $110 million aquaculture facility on Chandler Bay.
The stories are each worth a read.
Have a great weekend, and please 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.
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Machias voters unanimously approve $69,000 to cover police and fire overruns: The shortfalls were caused by an unaccounted police cruiser purchase and a new payment system for volunteer firefighters. Read this story by Evan W. Houk |
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Coalition of Eastport residents submits petition to prohibit large data center project: Move targets DeepGreen’s proposed offshore AI facility, now in early federal permitting. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih |
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Jonesport weighs 30‑month extension for Kingfish aquaculture project: Town schedules July 8 hearing on zoning changes that would give the company more time to begin work on its Chandler Bay facility. Read this story by Jessica Brockington |
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Machias approves $3.9 million budget amid questions on airport, school resource officer: Much of the 6.73 percent budget increase reflects investments in roads, public safety grant matches and infrastructure projects, according to the town manager. Read this story by Evan W. Houk |
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MaineCare changes aim to provide more support for high-needs children: The changes include a new standardized assessment process and a more behavioral support for children with higher needs. Read this story by Lana Cohen |
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Inside the 17-hour final day of Maine’s ranked-choice voting count: Just as secretary of state officials seemed confident that the end was near, a host of unexpected delays kept pushing back the process. Read this story by Matt Junker |
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Electricity customers voice concerns over CMP’s latest rate proposal: Central Maine Power is looking to raise rates by an average of $18 per month, citing a need for greater grid reliability in the face of more extreme weather. Read this story by Delger Erdenesanaa |
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Progressive faith leaders push for transgender rights: Many of the faith leaders who participated in Portland’s recent Pride parade have been working collectively to support immigrants and advocate for transgender rights since the start of the second Trump administration. Read this story by Sean Scott |
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Panelists examine Maine’s use of ranked-choice voting: The discussion looked at the ranked-choice voting strategies used by Democrats and Republicans as well as potential ways to expedite the timeline for tabulating results. Read this story and watch the recording |
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Washington County municipal elections and annual town meetings, June 27-29: Cooper, Machiasport |
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The following stories are from other newsrooms. While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind a paywall, some newsrooms we link to below may. Paywalled stories are followed by a ($). We encourage you to consider supporting local Maine newsrooms. |
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Only 437 votes swung Maine’s biggest Democratic primaries | Bangor Daily News
The director of MaineHousing on what the federal housing bill could mean for Maine | Maine Public
Four insurers that offer plans in Maine are proposing additional increases in the cost of health insurance | Spectrum News Maine
Lubec to pioneer response plan for commercial fishing emergencies | Quoddy Tides
A federal judge has ordered signage about climate change and Wabanaki history restored at Acadia National Park by July 4, as part of a wider national order | Public News Service
Border crossings into the state from Canada were up slightly this spring as compared to last year | Maine Public
Calais council struggling to reduce budget shortfall | Quoddy Tides
The University of Maine System has seen record-setting summer enrollment this year | WMTW
Specialty crop relief fund could help Maine's wild blueberry farmers | Maine Public
Select board acts to clean up debris from Lubec house fire | Quoddy Tides
Thousands of state employees have been working without a new contract since June, as their union and the Mills administration continue to negotiate over wages | Maine Public
UMaine Blueberry Farm Field Day draws producers after $28M shortfall | WABI
Caesars, 3 Wabanaki Nations extend partnership to iGaming | Portland Press Herald ($) |
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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 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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