SOUTH PORTLAND — The School Board on Monday signaled that it would not support a budget that does not increase taxes – a move that could set the stage for a contentious budget hearing with the City Council. Board Chairman Richard Carter said a zero percent school budget would adversely affect South Portland students, while […]

FREEPORT — The Regional School Unit 5 board of directors voted Feb. 24 to retain bus transportation services for one more year. The decision means the district will not replace the district-owned buses and drivers with a privatized transportation company, despite facing a projected $900,000 reduction in state aid in next year’s budget. The RSU 5 […]

SOUTH PORTLAND — It’s been years in the making, but the Redbank Village will finally get a new playground for neighborhood children. The City Council on Monday approved $55,000 in federal grant funding for the new playground, which will be located next to the Redbank Community Center. The project will be funded through the city’s […]

BRUNSWICK — The Town Council on Monday unanimously adopted an ordinance to create guidelines for taking over private roads. The council also voted to permanently require shellfish harvesters to fence off ice holes on the Brunswick side of the New Meadows lakes. The new road policy provides guidelines for road construction that might one day […]

BRUNSWICK — Critics of Maine’s public school funding often say it puts an unfair burden on local property taxpayers, many of whom don’t have school-age children. Brunswick schools Superintendent Paul Perzanoski couldn’t agree more. Which is why Perzanoski is drafting a plan to add voluntary, local contributions to future district school budgets. Perzanoski said this […]

BRUNSWICK — Weighing the unpopularity of another financial concession to the developer of Maine Street Station against the prospect of losing its entire investment in the project, the Town Council on Monday approved a controversial tax rebate program for a 54-room inn. The council voted 7-2 in favor of a measure that will rebate JHR […]

BRUNSWICK — About 400 workers affected by the 2011 closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station will receive re-employment services, thanks to a $2.5 million grant awarded by the federal Department of Labor. The funds, awarded through the National Emergency Grant program, was touted by U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine, […]

CUMBERLAND — Superintendent Robert Hasson plans to meet his mandate for a no-growth 2011 operating budget when he presents the spending plan to the School Administrative 51 Board of Directors on March 15. The Cumberland-North Yarmouth schools superintendent has been directed by the board to hold the line on the current $28 million budget. However, the […]

SOUTH PORTLAND — For nearly three years, officials at the Community Counseling Center in Portland struggled to find a way to keep its doors open while continuing to provide quality care to patients. Last year, the nonprofit group finalized an agreement with Maine Mental Health Partners to consolidate administrative costs like human resources, information technology, […]

PORTLAND — As Goodwill Industries of Northern New England prepares to open its new flagship store in South Portland later this month, the nonprofit is also preparing to shutter its store on St. John Street in Portland. The news has some shoppers, who either cannot afford a car or cannot drive due to medical conditions, […]