FALMOUTH — A proposed fiscal year 2020 budget of nearly $54 million could add 52 cents to the tax rate, representing a nearly 4% increase in spending, according to information provided by the town last week. The Town Council will hold a final vote on the 2020 municipal, school and county spending package at 7 p.m. […]
Forecaster News
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Falmouth council moves proposed zoning fixes to public hearing
FALMOUTH — Acknowledging it made a “fairly significant mistake” in approving the 2016 zoning changes that allowed for greater residential density and the creation of growth areas, the Town Council on Monday indicated it’s serious about rectifying the error. The growth and density debate has simmered for most of the past year, as residents initially pushed […]
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Posted inThe Forecaster
Durham Town Meeting approves $2.1M road bond
DURHAM — Town Meeting approved borrowing $2.1 million for road improvements and made substantial changes to the Comprehensive Plan April 6 at Durham Community School. The 10-year road bond was overwhelmingly supported, despite a projected property tax increase of $70 per $100,000 in real estate valuation during the first year of the bond. The bond will help improve roads […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Democrats, GOP tap contenders for Cumberland-Gray House seat
CUMBERLAND — Party caucuses Sunday chose Democratic and Republican candidates for a special election in state House District 45. The June 11 vote will elect a replacement for former Rep. Dale Denno, D-Cumberland, who resigned from the Cumberland-Gray seat March 27 for health reasons. Republicans on April 7 chose Kevin C. Hughes as their candidate. A Cumberland […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Escalating costs delay Portland stormwater projects
PORTLAND — As the city seeks to meet a 1991 state and federal mandate to reduce the flow of contaminated wastewater in Casco Bay, four sewer separation projects put out for bids this year have all come back with higher costs than estimated. “Our feeling is that there is a lot of work and not […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland budget proposal cuts social services, hikes taxes 2.9%
PORTLAND — City Manager Jon Jennings on Monday said it will be up to city councilors to set priorities as he proposed a $263.3 million budget for fiscal year 2020. “The most difficult budget decisions we are facing this year are in our social services division,” Jennings said at the April 8 meeting. “… We […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland School Board sends $118M budget to council
PORTLAND — The School Board on Monday unanimously approved a spending package of nearly $118 million. The fiscal year 2020 budget, which would add 61 cents per $1,000 of valuation to the property tax rate, or about $144 a year to a home valued at $240,000, now goes to the City Council. The School Board took […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Freeport comic book shop to open on Free Comic Book Day
FREEPORT — Sean Goodrich was collecting comic books in his basement and selling them on eBay when he first dreamed of having his own retail store. That dream is finally becoming a reality. Goodrich and his business partner, Ashley Cotter-Cairns, are set to open Freeport’s first comic book shop, DotCom Comics, on May 4. “We are so excited […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Cumberland council adopts $10.8M municipal budget
CUMBERLAND — The Town Council on April 8 unanimously approved a $10.8 million budget that, along with school and county assessments, could raise taxes about 1%. The town’s tax rate could increase from $19.70 per $1,000 of property valuation to $19.90. The 20-cent increase – down from 50 cents at the beginning of the budget […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Harpswell farmer the right fit for Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport
FREEPORT — Joe Grady’s passion for farming and education led him to open Two Coves Farm with his wife Laura in Harpswell 10 years ago. That passion also helped Grady land a position in January with Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport as the senior director of programs for an organization that shares his passion. “Wolfe’s Neck’s mission […]