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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 Margaret Chase Smith Library in Skowhegan on Sept. 25 and 26, at the University of Maine at Farmington on Oct. 2 and 3, and at the Norway Memorial Library on Oct. 9 and 10. 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.

Norway fires auditor over stalled 2024 audit: Town officials voted early this month to switch auditors to be “more fiscally responsible and have timelier results.” Read this story by Jon Bolduc

Bowdoin College application for Kingfield campsite set for public hearing: Local residents raise concerns about noise from large groups of students and wear on the narrow access road and small bridge. Read this story by Ashton F. LeCraw

Mt. Blue Regional School Board backs proposed $46.2M budget: The district’s budget meeting, where voters weigh in on spending, is set for May 26, and a final vote is expected June 9. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Waterville City Council to consider ordinance on cooperation with federal immigration authorities: Police Chief William Bonney opposes the proposal, saying it is an unnecessary step that would add confusion and make the city less safe. Read this story by Charley DiAdamo

Farmington Select Board recommends $16.6 million budget: Voters to consider the budget, which reflects a 1.7 percent increase in municipal spending, at the annual town meeting May 11. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Skowhegan Select Board rejects TIF application from local law firm: With two members absent, the board voted 2-1 to deny funding for repairs to a storm‑damaged downtown building. Read this story by Evan W. Houk

Rangeley to add historic‑themed signs as part of downtown revitalization: Board of Selectmen approved a project this week to seal the municipal parking lot and sections of 11 local roads. Read this story by Ashton F. LeCraw

Spruce Mountain School District voters to decide budget April 28: The proposed budget totals $26.8 million, an increase of 2.89 percent over the current spending plan. Read this story by Bob Neal

Franklin County municipal elections and annual town meetings, April 27-28: Carthage, Jay 

Somerset County municipal elections and annual town meetings, May 1-2: Hartland

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

Uptake of Maine’s new red flag law has been slow. But advocates aren’t worried: Just four red flag orders have been filed since the law went into effect on Feb. 21, while law enforcement has completed 86 yellow flag orders. Read this story by Emily Bader

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

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.

Municipal leaders say that $4 million isn’t enough to address rising costs at county jails | Maine Public

Somerset County commissioners are proposing a 3.5 percent tax increase to fund their budget | Morning Sentinel ($)

Gov. Mills vetoes bills to establish data center moratorium, seal criminal history records | WGME

The spring thaw has swelled western Maine rivers and streams | Livermore Falls Advertiser ($)

The drought outlook has improved somewhat over the winter, but there is still a moisture deficit in the ground | News Center Maine

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

The federal reclassification of medical marijuana could provide Maine businesses with tax breaks | Maine Public

Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill that provides free school meals for Maine kids, including pre-K students | WABI

A proposed rate decrease from Central Maine Power doesn’t go far enough, according to the state’s public advocate | Maine Public

Maine’s unemployment rate has held steady over the past year, running slightly behind national averages | Spectrum News Maine

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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