#2020-PBP-town-meetings

Appleton holding town meeting Nov. 9
Fri, 10/30/2020 - 9:15am
APPLETON — The Town of Appleton will be holding a town meeting at the town’s fire station Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. The first order of business, after electing a moderator to preside at the meeting, will be to see what sum the town will appropriate from the capital reserve account for a new boiler for the town office building. The select board recommends $13,500 for the boiler. The other piece of business will be to see what sum the town will appropriate from surplus to fund the municipal...
Solar array, comprehensive plan approved
Thomaston voters approve leasing town land for crematory venture; oppose selling parcels for housing projects
Tue, 09/15/2020 - 9:00pm

THOMASTON — While Thomaston’s town meeting was pushed this year from June to September, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, voters nonetheless tended to town business, narrowly approving a lease for a privately built crematorium, and denying the sale of Thomaston Green land to Avesta Housing and Coastal Opportunities, for two separate housing projects. Instead of gathering for an in-person town meeting, 597 Thomaston citizens made their preferences known on the 31-article town warrant at the polls...
Letter to the editor: Michael Hall
Asking Thomaston citizens to vote yes on on Town Meeting Article 3
Sat, 09/05/2020 - 5:15pm
Over the last four years we have been transparent as we have worked with the Citizens of Thomaston, Village Cemetery Trustees, Select Board, and Planning Board to lease land in the Village Cemetery to build and operate Midcoast Crematory, Inc. In June 2017 the town citizens voted in favor to change the zoning in the Village Cemetery to allow a crematory as a conditional use in the cemetery. In March 2019 the Select Board and Village Cemetery Trustees chose 32 Anna Belle Lane in the Village...
Select board, school committee seats highlight Islesboro Aug. 25 town meeting ballot
Mon, 08/24/2020 - 3:15pm

ISLESBORO — The Town of Islesboro will be holding its annual town meeting Tuesday, Aug. 25. Voting will take place at the town office meeting room from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are available by calling the town office or visiting the town office window on the porch. No electronic absentee ballot requests are being accepted. Below is what residents will be voting on. Select Board (Vote for Two) Shey V. Conover Archibald L. Gillies School Committee (Vote for Two...
Special town meeting Aug. 26
Vinalhaven to vote on law enforcement pay, harbor ordinance amendments
Mon, 08/24/2020 - 12:45pm

VINALHAVEN — The Town of Vinalhaven will hold a special town meeting in accordance with COVID-19 safety protocols Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. at Vinalhaven School. The Registrar of Voters will hold office hours at the Vinalhaven School from 6 p.m., Aug. 26, until adjournment of the special town meeting for the purpose of correcting the list of voters. There are three articles on the s pecial town meeting warrant: Article 1. To elect a moderator to preside at said meeting and...
St. George fills select board, school committee seats; passes town meeting articles
Wed, 08/19/2020 - 10:00am
ST. GEORGE — The Town of St. George held municipal elections August 17 and annual town meeting August 18. Below are the results from both days. August 17 Results: ARTICLE 2. To elect by secret ballot TWO (2) Select Board members, each for a three year term. Position #1 Richard Bates 136 votes Position #2 Wayne Sawyer 139 votes ARTICLE 3. To elect by secret ballot TWO (2) School Committee members, each for a three year term. Position #1...
Rockport elects Hannan, Kelley to the Select Board, approves citizen petitions
Tue, 08/18/2020 - 9:00pm

ROCKPORT — Annual Town Meeting 2020 in Rockport took an historic deviation from tradition Aug. 18 when all municipal business was conducted in the voting booth at the town office, instead of voting from the floor at the Opera House. Despite the disruption of normal convention — voting at the polls and from the floor in June — approximately 550 voters went to the polls to cast their ballots, and ended up voting for two board members — Michelle Hannan and incumbent Mark Kelley — and approving two...
On the issues
Rockport Select Board Candidate Delores ‘Michelle’ Hannan
Sun, 08/16/2020 - 6:30pm

On August 18, voters in Rockport will choose two of three candidates to serve a three-year term on the Rockport Select Board. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region. Here, Candidate Delores “Michelle” Hannan discusses her position on various topics. Please provide a biography of yourself I am a lifelong resident of...
On the issues
Rockport Select Board Candidate Mark Kelley
Sun, 08/16/2020 - 6:30pm

On August 18, voters in Rockport will choose two of three candidates to serve a three-year term on the Rockport Select Board. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region. Here, Candidate Mark Kelley discusses his position on various topics. Please provide a biography of yourself Maine born, raised and schooled in Lubec, which I...
On the issues
Rockport Select Board Candidate Douglas Cole
Sun, 08/16/2020 - 6:15pm

On August 18, voters in Rockport will choose two of three candidates to serve a three-year term on the Rockport Select Board. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region. Here, Candidate Douglas Cole discusses his position on various topics. Please provide a biography of yourself I have served on the Rockport Select Board for...
Ballot box only: Cast your votes, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the town office or by absentee ballot
Rockport’s Aug. 18 Town Meeting presents significant warrant: Select Board race, petitions, zoning changes
Thu, 08/13/2020 - 6:00pm

ROCKPORT — Town meeting in Rockport on Aug. 18 will not only be historic, but significant, as citizens are being asked several weighty questions that will influence development and parking regulations in town, and especially in the Village. One land use ordinance amendment also calls for striking language that outlines criteria used for upgrading public ways, such as waiving portions of the design guidelines to preserve neighborhood character and holding neighborhood workshops to explain...
St. George to host municipal elections, annual town meeting Aug. 17-18
Tue, 08/11/2020 - 6:00pm

ST. GEORGE — The Town of St. George will hold a municipal election Monday, Aug. 17 and its annual town meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18. Below is a rundown of what will be appearing on Monday’s ballots and what articles will be put forth Tuesday at the annual town meeting. Municipal Election Articles Article 1: To elect a moderator to preside. Article 2: To elect two select board members each for a three year term. Select Board Position #1: Richard...
Letter to the editor: Kathie Grealish
Rockport Select Board letter is misleading, inaccurate, disheartening
Wed, 08/05/2020 - 12:30pm
The Rockport Select Board’s letter is what is misleading, inaccurate and very disheartening to see. Why does the Select Board care if the hotel is responsibly sized and maintains a view? It was originally proposed as 20 – 22 rooms, the same number of rooms as 16 Bayview, which is profitable but will fit better in Rockport. That is all the petitioners want. Why don’t they want a third party traffic study done to make sure the downtown can handle the added traffic with valet...
opinion
Douglas Cole: Why I am running for reelection to the Rockport Select Board
Tue, 07/28/2020 - 12:30am
In case you hadn’t noticed, there is a lot going on in Rockport these days. While the coronavirus has certainly made operations difficult for all of us, the town continues to move forward with many projects that I fully support and have been active in developing. The Town is in excellent financial shape. By working as a unified select board, we have done our best to limit the municipal budget growth for the last three years. At the same time we have kept the town’s allowable debt service very...
Hope Town Meeting: Animal control ordinance amendment lone item to fail
Wed, 07/15/2020 - 9:00pm
Hope voters tended to annual town meeting business, school budget proposals, and state primaries, all in one fell swoop at the July 14 polls. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all municipal town meeting warrant articles were relegated to the polling booth. The results follow: ARTICLE 1. Hope Elementary School Budget. Shall the Town appropriate the sum of $3,056,714 and raise the sum of $1,896,401 for the 2020-2021 school budget? Yes, 342 No, 137 VOTER INFORMATION: The Hope Elementary school...
Town meeting 2020
Lincolnville approves real estate swap with land trust: Ducktrap River land for oceanfront park
Wed, 07/15/2020 - 1:30am

LINCOLNVILLE —Citizens in Lincolnville voted overwhelmingly in favor of swapping ownership of 68 acres along the Ducktrap River for 4.34 acres of prime waterfront land along Penobscot Bay that belongs to Coastal Mountains Land Trust. The land, former farm meadows that stretch from Route 1 down to 426 feet of shoreline, is a former outdoor park for the former MBNA employees, with covered picnic areas, restrooms, fire pits and a few walking trails scattered across it. Read Lincolnville...
Knox County towns, plus Waldoboro, preparing for upcoming annual town meetings
Mon, 07/13/2020 - 4:15pm

KNOX COUNTY — Several Knox County towns have scheduled upcoming annual town meetings, and in one case announced there will be no annual town meeting this year. Below is the complete rundown of upcoming annual town meetings that have been provided to Penobscot Bay Pilot. To submit information on an upcoming annual town meeting not listed, please email news@penbaypilot.com . Links to view the meeting’s warrant are provided when available. Appleton: July 14, voting on town meeting...
Camden Select Board Candidate Robert Falciani
Sun, 07/12/2020 - 8:00pm

On July 14, voters in Camden will choose two of three candidates to serve a three-year term on the Camden Select Board. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region. Please provide a biography of yourself. I was born and raised in the Boston area. All of my education was in Massachusetts. My university education includes receipt of...
Camden Select Board Candidate Peter Lindquist
Sun, 07/12/2020 - 8:00pm

On July 14, voters in Camden will choose two of three candidates to serve a three-year term on the Camden Select Board. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region. Please provide a concise biography of yourself. I was born and raised in Southern Maine, but was fortunate to move Down East with Sarah, my wife, in 2002. We’ve renovated...
Camden Select Board candidate Alison McKellar
Sun, 07/12/2020 - 8:00pm

On July 14, voters in Camden will choose two of three candidates to serve a three-year term on the Camden Select Board. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region. Please provide a concise biography of yourself. I grew up here in Camden, splitting my time with my dad, who still lives on Spruce Street, and my mom in North Union, just on...
Waldo County towns prepare for upcoming annual town meetings
Fri, 07/10/2020 - 9:45pm

WALDO COUNTY — Several Waldo County towns have scheduled upcoming annual town meetings, and in one case announced there will be no annual town meeting this year. Below is the complete rundown of upcoming annual town meetings that have been provided to Penobscot Bay Pilot. To submit information on an upcoming annual town meeting not listed, please email news@penbaypilot.com . Links to view the meeting’s warrant are provided when available. Belmont: July 13 at 6 p.m. at the fire station...
Town meeting warrant, local elections, state primary all on July 14 ballot
‘Everything is going to be different’: Camden closes in on setting record for absentee ballots
Wed, 07/08/2020 - 12:45pm

CAMDEN — It’s a strange year, all municipal clerks agree, as they cope with a surge of citizens voting via absentee ballot instead of traveling to the polls July 14. Even the date for the 2020 primary election and municipal and school budget business, normally held in June, is unsettling; Mid-summer in Maine is for boating, swimming and picnics, not for weighty issues, such as voting on zoning changes, public expenditures, select board members and political party nominees. But in droves, Camden...
on the warrant. Public invited to walk the park July 9 and 11
Lincolnville voters to consider swapping Ducktrap River land for Penobscot Bay shoreline at July 14 polls
Mon, 07/06/2020 - 6:15pm

LINCOLNVILLE — Approximately 4.34 acres of prime waterfront land along the west side of Penobscot Bay could fall under public ownership, if voters in Lincolnville agree to a real estate exchange without monetary attachments. Selectmen in Lincolnville unanimously endorsed the idea in April, hoping the townspeople would as well, at the July 14 annual town meeting polls. The land, former farm meadows that stretch from Route 1 down to 426 feet of shoreline, became an outdoor park...
On the warrant
Appleton holds July 7 public hearing in advance of July 14 town meeting
Wed, 07/01/2020 - 11:00am

APPLETON — Given the current pandemic, Appleton will forego its traditional open floor town meeting, and relegate all municipal warrant articles and budget, as well as school budget business, to the ballot box on July 14. Preceding that, the town will host a July 7 public hearing on the proposed warrant articles via Zoom. Appleton has chosen this approach, like many other municipalities around the state in 2020, to accommodate to social distancing requirements and safety precautions for...
Burnham sets date for municipal election, annual town meeting
Wed, 06/24/2020 - 6:00pm
BURNHAM — After twice postponing its municipal elections and annual town meeting, the Town of Burnham has settled on a new date for both events according to a notice Wednesday from the town office. The municipal election will be held Friday, June 26 at the town hall from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. while the annual town meeting will be held Saturday, June 27 at the fire station on Troy Road at 1 p.m. Absentee ballots are still available for those who prefer to vote early. Highlighting the June 26 ballot...
Meeting this evening
Lincolnville readies for July 14 ballot town meeting, holds public hearing on warrant
Mon, 06/22/2020 - 10:30am
LINCOLNVILLE — Meeting remotely, the Lincolnville Select Board will hold a public hearing this evening, June 22, on a town meeting warrant that will be presented to voters via referendum ballot on July 14 at the polls. Lincolnville will not be holding an open floor town meeting, which is the norm for all Maine municipalities, due to COVID-19. Additionally, this evening, the selectmen will consider other agenda items that include hearing a report from the Broadband Committee. The town meeting...
This is how elections and town meetings will look amid COVID-19
Mon, 06/15/2020 - 6:45pm

AUGUSTA — The Mills Administration released detailed guidance Monday for Maine local governing bodies to hold gatherings, such as annual town meetings, school budget meetings, and elections, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance , which takes the form of a COVID-19 Prevention Checklist, was developed in close collaboration with public health officials, the Department of the Secretary of State, the Maine Municipal Association and other relevant associations and individuals. “Maine people...
Gov. Mills amends election regulations amid pandemic
Fri, 06/05/2020 - 12:00pm

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills issued Thursday an Executive Order regarding the facilitation of Maine’s primary and municipal elections slated for July 14. As the statewide election (both primary and referendum elections) will be held on July 14, 2020 instead of in June 2020 in accordance with Executive Order 39 FY 20/21, the language in PL 2019, c. 673, sections A-9 and B-10 that provides, "This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at a statewide election held in June 2020...
june 5-6 election and annual town meeting postponed
POSTPONED: Selectman race, MSAD 53 withdrawal petition highlight Burnham municipal ballot
Thu, 06/04/2020 - 3:30pm
UPDATE (6/4/20): The Town of Burnham announced Thursday afternoon that both the municipal election slated for June 5 and the annual town meeting scheduled for June 6 have been postponed. New dates have not been decided. BURNHAM — Residents in Burnham will be casting their ballots Friday, June 5 more than two months later than anticipated. The Town of Burnham was slated to hold its municipal election March 20, the night before its annual town meeting, but had to postpone both...
Northport reschedules municipal elections, annual town meeting
Sun, 05/17/2020 - 11:00am
NORTHPORT — The Town of Northport has announced a new date for its annual town meeting and municipal elections. The annual town meeting, scheduled for June 1, has been rescheduled for Thursday, July 16. The municipal elections, scheduled for May 20, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 14. Times and locations will be announced at a later date. “We will update this when a definite time and place has been set,” a notice on the town website stated. “Please note that we do not move these...
Burnham reopens town office; schedules town vote, annual town meeting
Fri, 05/15/2020 - 9:30am
BURNHAM — The Town of Burnham announced Friday morning the town office has reopened, and asks visitors to observe posted guidelines when arriving at the facility. Additionally, the town has scheduled the municipal secret ballot vote for June 5 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the annual town meeting for June 6, time to be determined. “We will notify residents as the June 6 meeting time is determined and/or if there are any changes to these dates,” the town said in a notice. Those with questions about...
‘April distance brings May existence’
Lincolnville to consider delaying annual town meeting
Sun, 04/26/2020 - 6:45pm

LINCOLNVILLE — The Lincolnville Selectmen will take up the matter of postponing annual town meeting, currently scheduled for June, when they convene via Zoom April 27. The meeting will take begin at 6 p.m., via Zoom, and will be available to watch on local access channel 22 and on the town’s YouTube channel. The public can participate via email (please note “Public Comment” in the subject field) to info@town.lincolnville.me.us provided it is received by no later than 5 p.m. on April 27,. The...
Town of Camden Select Board Meeting April 25, 2020 – 10 a.m.
Camden Select Board to vote Saturday on proposed budget, and how and when to hold town meeting
Fri, 04/24/2020 - 2:45pm

CAMDEN – The process of deciding when to hold annual town meeting in Camden on June 9 has been under heavy conversation, and on Saturday, April 25, the Select Board will convene via Zoom. The board will vote on whether to move the entire town meeting warrant to a secret ballot vote, and do away this year with annual open town meeting. The board will vote whether to approve the proposed 2020-2021 budget, and then put it before the voters for a June, or later, vote. Town of Camden Select...
Funds approved for initial 2020-2021 fiscal budget
Rockport’s June ballot, Town Meeting postponed by Select Board
Tue, 03/24/2020 - 7:15pm

The Rockport Select Board met March 23 and recommended expenses totaling approximately $6.5 million for the town’s 2020-2021 fiscal year budget. A finalized budget will be presented for voter approval at the Town Meeting; the meeting was set to be held June 10, but the board voted unanimously to postpone the meeting and the June secret ballot to a later date, as yet unscheduled. Taking precautions in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Select Board members Debra Hall, Doug Cole, Denise...
South Thomaston postpones Town Meeting, adds online services
Sat, 03/21/2020 - 6:30pm
SOUTH THOMASTON — The South Thomaston Annual Town Meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 31 has been postponed along with the Public Hearing on 2020 Town Meeting Ordinances and the Public Information Session on the Island Road Project. The rescheduled dates of these events will be posted and made known to the public as soon as determined. The Town Office continues to be closed to the public but will remain staffed during regular business hours to assist residents through the phone,...
Thorndike, Burnham postpone annual town meetings
Tue, 03/17/2020 - 11:30am
The annual town meetings for Thorndike and Burnham set for Saturday, March 21 have been postponed amid COVID-19 concerns. “The Selectmen have reviewed and have decided [for] the best of the Town of Thorndike, and for the health of the residents, to postpone the Annual Town Meeting that was initially scheduled for 3/21/2020,” read a statement on the Town of Thorndike website . “The date to have the Annual Town Meeting will be decided at a later date and please monitor the...
friday, march 20 and saturday, March 21
57 articles appearing on Burnham town meeting warrant
Mon, 03/16/2020 - 10:45am
BURNHAM — The Town of Burnham will hold its annual town meeting Saturday, March 21 at 1 p.m. at the Reynolds Corner Municipal Building. Voting for articles one and two will take place Friday, March 20 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fifty-seven articles are listed on the town meeting warrant. Art. 1. To elect a Moderator to preside at said meeting. Art. 2. To elect by secret ballot the following officers: one Selectmen, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor for a three year term; one Selectman, Assessor and...
saturday, march 21
38 articles to appear on Jackson town meeting warrant
Sun, 03/15/2020 - 3:30pm
JACKSON — The Town of Jackson will hold its annual town meeting Saturday, March 21 at 9:30 a.m. at the Jackson Community Center. Thirty-eight articles are listed on the town meeting warrant. Article 1. To nominate and elect, by ballot, a Moderator to preside over said meeting. Article 2. To nominate and elect, by ballot, a Selectperson for a three-year term. Article 3. To set selectmen’s compensation. Selectmen recommend: $2,000 (first year), $3,000 (second year) and $4,000 (third...
friday, march 13 and saturday, march 14
On the warrant: 35 articles to be voted upon during Freedom town meeting
Tue, 03/10/2020 - 6:30pm
FREEDOM — The Town of Freedom will enact upon 35 articles at over a two day period for its annual town meeting this weekend, Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14. There are 35 articles appearing on the town meeting warrant, with the first two articles being voted upon on Friday. Voting for Article 1 and Article 2 will take place Friday at the Town Office from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To see those running for municipal positions, click here . The annual town meeting will take place...
monday, march 16 and tuesday, march 17
On the warrant: 55 articles to be voted on at Cushing town meeting
Mon, 03/09/2020 - 10:45am
CUSHING — The Town of Cushing will hold its annual town meeting Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. at the Cushing Community Center. Fifty-five articles are listed on the town meeting warrant, with two being voted on by secret ballot Monday, March 16. Members of the select board and budget committee recommend the approval of Articles 3 through 43. Annual Town Meeting Articles Art. 1. To elect a Moderator to preside at said meeting. Art. 2. To elect by secret ballot Selectmen Seat #1,...
town meeting saturday, march 7
Comprehensive plan, four ordinances highlight Searsport town meeting agenda
Fri, 03/06/2020 - 8:15pm
SEARSPORT — The 175th annual town meeting for the Town of Searsport being held this weekend will be highlighted by a comprehensive plan and four proposed ordinances. The town meeting will be held Saturday, March 7 at 9 a.m. with proposed items including a comprehensive plan, a land use ordinance, a solar energy system ordinance, a mobile home park ordinance and a marijuana ordinance. To view the documents in full, click here to access and download the PDF from the town’s...