TOPSHAM — The Planning Board is scheduled on Tuesday, March 16, to again consider a site plan review application for a cellular communications tower in the Heights neighborhood. Mariner Tower approached the board last June about building the 103-foot monopole for use by T-Mobile. The application produced a packed meeting room, with many residents speaking in […]

BATH — Four former officers of Bath Iron Works’ largest union filed a lawsuit against the parent of Local S6 on Monday in Maine Superior Court. Michael Keenan, Troy Osgood, Michael Cyr and Cathy London claim they were slandered and defamed by International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers President R. Thomas Buffenbarger and Lynn Tucker […]

FREEPORT — The Town Council Tuesday night authorized Town Manager Dale Olmstead to negotiate terms for consolidation of dispatch services with both Cumberland County and the Brunswick Police Department. The council voted 6-1, with Councilor Eric Pandora opposed. Council Chairman Bill Muldoon said Olmstead will go to both agencies and determine which services are available […]

FREEPORT — The first budget presentation in Regional School Unit 5 was rolled out Tuesday night with a 2.7 percent reduction from last year. Superintendent Shannon Welsh said the $597,000 reduction projected in the fiscal 2011 budget was achieved without eliminating educational programs or personnel. The biggest change, she said, is the recommendation to reduce three […]

PORTLAND — A plan for a mixed-use development at the former Jordan’s Meats property on India Street was fast-tracked Tuesday, when the Planning Board decided only minor changes are needed before the proposal goes to a public hearing in April.  Developers said they want to begin construction this spring with the goal of finishing in […]

FALMOUTH — The Community Development Committee has amended the work completed by the Long Range Planning Advisory Committee in its Natural Resources report. The panel introduced the document, described as an attempt to balance natural resource protections and property owners’ rights, at Monday night’s Town Council meeting. Councilor Bonny Rodden, chairwoman of the CDC, said […]

School systems in Portland’s northern suburbs would lose less school funding in fiscal 2011 after Gov. John Baldacci last week proposed adding $20 million to general purpose aid for education. School Administrative District 51 had expected to receive $10.88 million in funding, a loss of more than $1 million from the current fiscal year. But […]

Liz and Joe DeCourcey of Portland take in the fourth annual exhibit of artwork by city employees and their families at Portland City Hall on March 5. The exhibit, sponsored by the National Arts Program, includes works by nearly 100 employees and family members. The display is open weekdays through March 19 from 8 a.m. […]

Editor’s note: This examination of gubernatorial candidate Leslie B. Otten’s role in American Skiing Co. by the non-profit Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting is the first in a series examining the claims and records of some of the leading candidates for governor. If you Google “American Skiing Co.” and “Otten,” you get 4,700 “hits.” […]

GRAY — Chris Miller, a Maine Green Independent, announced his candidacy in state Senate District 11. Miller’s candidacy creates a four-way contest in the district, which includes Cumberland, Chebeague Island, Long Island, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Falmouth and Gray. The Gray resident is an organic gardener, writer and activist focused on energy issues. He ran for governor […]