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Early this month, Fairfield voters rejected $1.2 million in spending for general government salaries and operations and $260,000 for capital improvements, forcing the Town Council to consider a second vote.
We have a story this week detailing how councilors talked about the possibility of holding a special in-person town meeting rather than sending voters to the polls for a second referendum vote, and what they eventually opted to do.
We also have a delightful story about improvements coming to Farmington’s skateboard park which, when it opened in 1991, was Maine’s first skateboarding park. Now, after years of fundraising and strong community support for small improvements, Dragon’s Nest Skateboard Park is being expanded and rebuilt with updated features. Have a read.
We are now officially in the pick-your-own strawberry season, and Maine’s blueberry season is just around the corner. In Wilton, town officials have approved plans for downtown street closures to make the most of the annual Blueberry Festival coming up in August, so please read our story explaining what streets will be closed and why, so you can plan ahead.
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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Fairfield Town Council plans next steps after budget articles fail: In the June 9 referendum, voters rejected $1.2 million for general government operations and $260,000 for capital improvements, prompting councilors to begin planning another vote. Read this story by Makayla Morello |
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Madison Select Board welcomes new members, sets leadership for fiscal year: Town manager’s duties expand as officials review finances and year‑end operations. Read this story by Makayla Morello |
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Skowhegan Select Board elects new leaders, expands ATV access: The board discussed the search for a new town manager, a process now entering its next phase. Read this story by Makayla Morello |
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Fairfield Town Council approves fiscal 2027 budgets, building repairs and fire engine pump fix: Councilors accept donations, authorize contingency funds and outline local plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Read this story by Makayla Morello |
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Wilton Board of Selectpersons restores broader Main Street closure for Blueberry Festival: A June revision was dropped after business owners and safety officials pushed to keep the street fully closed during the event. Read this story by Bob Neal |
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Farmington approves renovation of Maine’s oldest public skateboard park: Built in 1991, the Dragon’s Nest Skateboard Park is to be expanded slightly and rebuilt with updated features. Read this story by Ben Hanstein |
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Wilton voters approve 64 of 65 warrant articles with little debate at town meeting: Residents rejected a proposal to add $89,504 for Fire Department staffing, opting to revisit the per diem plan next year. Read this story by Bob Neal |
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RSU 9 launches pilot program to keep struggling students in school: New Digital Learning Program offers an alternative path to graduation for students at risk of dropping out. Read this story by Ben Hanstein |
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RSU 73 board hears gender lawsuit update, learns about possible delay in ruling: Justice Michaela Murphy said she may delay ruling on a dismissal request until the Maine Supreme Judicial Court decides whether signatures for a related referendum are valid. Read this story by Bob Neal |
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MSAD 58 sets July 20 meeting on new budget plan: Voters districtwide to consider a larger spending proposal than the one rejected in the June 9 referendum. Read this story by Ben Hanstein |
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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 $18 per month, citing a need for greater grid reliability in the face of more extreme weather. Read this story by Delger Erdenesanaa |
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Progressive faith leaders push for transgender rights: Many of the faith leaders who participated in Portland’s recent Pride parade have been working collectively to support immigrants and advocate for transgender rights since the start of the second Trump administration. Read this story by Sean Scott |
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Panelists examine Maine’s use of ranked-choice voting: The discussion looked at the ranked-choice voting strategies used by Democrats and Republicans as well as potential ways to expedite the timeline for tabulating results. Read this story and watch the recording |
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The following stories are from other newsrooms. While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind a paywall, some newsrooms we link to below may. Paywalled stories are followed by a ($). 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
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
RSU 10 schools will not be delivering meals this summer, due to staffing issues | Rumford Falls Times ($)
While state regulators consider Central Maine Power’s proposed rate hike, customers were disconnected more than 38,000 last year | WMTW
Border crossings into the state from Canada were up slightly this spring as compared to last year | Maine Public
Three projects in Franklin County will receive $2.37 million in federal grant funding | Franklin Journal ($)
The University of Maine System has seen record-setting summer enrollment this year | WMTW
The New Balance Foundation has committed $1 million for Skowhegan’s boardwalk project | WABI
Skowhegan is still fundraising for a whitewater park after losing federal funding | Morning Sentinel ($)
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
Phillips voters approved a $1.68 million budget and new regulations for commercial solar power at their annual town meeting | Rangeley Highlander ($)
Code enforcement officers are a ‘dying breed’ in Maine. That’s a problem | 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 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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