But officials say the city doesn’t have the staff to enforce the new 10% annual rent cap in a similar way to Portland’s stronger rent control measure.
Kelley Bouchard
Staff Writer
Kelley writes about some of the most critical aspects of Maine’s economy and future growth, including transportation, immigration, retail and small business, commercial development and tourism, with emphasis on consumer issues, sustainability and minority ownership. Her wider experience includes municipal and state government, education, history, human rights, health and elder care, the environment and the housing crisis. A Maine native and University of Maine graduate, she was a college intern for two summers at the former Lewiston Evening Journal. She previously worked at the Ipswich Chronicle, Beverly Times and Salem Evening News in Massachusetts. Favorite pastimes include gardening, cooking for family and friends, streaming foreign TV series and kayaking at camp.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Nation & World, News
Ukrainians find home in Maine despite war’s uncertainty
Escaping the Russian invasion, nine families from Ukraine have settled in Auburn, creating a community in a city built by immigrants even as their own future in Maine remains an unknown.
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Posted inCops & Courts, Local & State, News
Berwick woman must pay $60,000 in Social Security fraud case
Andreanna Politano pleaded guilty to Social Security fraud and theft of public money in September, after concealing her husband’s income and presence in their home for more than a decade.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Seals that wandered into Cape Elizabeth are returned to ocean
Dexxy, found wandering town streets in January, and another seal were released at a beach in Phippsburg after weeks of rehabilitation.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Prospect of ban on gas-powered lawn equipment draws pushback in South Portland
While some residents and lawn care companies support the move to electric mowers and leaf blowers, others worry that it would hurt some businesses and lower-income homeowners.
Posted inLocal & State, News
South Portland council to hear progress report on climate plan
Proposals up for consideration include a ban on gasoline-powered lawn equipment and a pay-as-you-throw trash collection program.
Posted inLocal & State
South Portland panel issues last call for improved air quality monitoring
The Clean Air Advisory Committee delivered its final report with a renewed recommendation to monitor emissions in neighborhoods near petroleum tanks.
Posted inLocal & State
Ukrainians in Maine worry about their homeland a year after Russian invasion
Nearly 100 Ukrainians have arrived in Maine over the last year, joining others who have been here for decades.
Posted inLocal & State, News
South Portland council advances rent control and shelter ordinances
As proposed, the rent control measure would cap annual increases at 10% for landlords or companies that own more than 15 rental units in the city.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Scarborough struggles to plan costly school consolidation project
Delayed by the pandemic, the $135 million proposal still has no site and is fast approaching a November referendum.