FREEPORT — The town is considering a municipal shellfish aquaculture permitting program, but the proposal is opposed by clam harvesters. The pilot program would require an amendment to the town’s shellfish ordinance if enacted. The amendment was recommended by the Shellfish Conservation Commission. The town’s ordinance committee, consisting of Councilors Sarah Tracy, Melanie Sachs and Bill […]
Forecaster News
Portland Jetport plan outlines projects worth $312M
PORTLAND — A $312 million Portland International Jetport Sustainability Master Plan is getting final revisions before heading to city councilors in early April for a workshop. “I think this one codifies what had naturally started to build in the community, the administration and stakeholders,” Jetport Director Paul Bradbury said Feb. 25 of the plan that would guide airport […]
Freeport capital improvement budget declines
FREEPORT — Town Manager Peter Joseph is proposing a five-year capital plan with a revised fiscal year 2017 budget of $1.85 million. The total proposed 2017 budget decreased more than $697,000 from this year. The biggest driver of the 2017 capital budget is comprehensive town improvements, with tax increment financing of village improvements, municipal facilities, and the Public […]
Freeport capital improvement budget declines
FREEPORT — Town Manager Peter Joseph is proposing a five-year capital plan with a revised fiscal year 2017 budget of $1.85 million. The total proposed 2017 budget decreased more than $697,000 from this year. The biggest driver of the 2017 capital budget is comprehensive town improvements, with tax increment financing of village improvements, municipal facilities, and the Public […]
Cumberland eyes potential 1.4% municipal tax hike
CUMBERLAND — A preliminary municipal budget projects a 1.4 percent tax increase next year. The town’s $10.35 million budget could increase 3.6 percent in fiscal year 2017, to $10.73 million. That includes a 3.7 percent Cumberland County tax increase – from about $747,000 to $775,000. It does not include a to-be-determined School Administrative District 51 […]
Yarmouth-to-Guatemala trip raises $425K for Safe Passage
YARMOUTH — Dr. Deb Walters has completed her fundraising journey to Guatemala. The Maine grandmother, who lives in Troy, raised more than $425,000 for Safe Passage, the Yarmouth-based organization that helps children and families living in the Guatemala City Garbage Dump. She departed Yarmouth by kayak in July 2014, and the 2,500-mile trip wasn’t a straight shot […]
Partnership boosts effort to restore Fort Gorges in Portland harbor
PORTLAND — The future of Fort Gorges will get renewed focus when the Historic Preservation Board on Wednesday reviews plans by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair hazards at the Civil War-era structure. The plans are the beginning of public and private efforts to restore the fort on Hog Island in Casco Bay, city spokeswoman […]
Portland School Board panel wants input from people without kids in schools
PORTLAND — The School Board’s newest committee will hold its first quarterly public forum on March 12 in an effort to increase dialogue between the public and the board. Board member Jon Eder, chairman of the public affairs committee, said the goal of the panel is to engage segments of the population the board doesn’t […]
No injuries, no spill when truck carrying diesel crashes in Freeport
FREEPORT — A Downeast Energy tank truck carrier diesel fuel went off Hunter Road on Monday morning. There was no spill, but it took two tow trucks to pull the truck back up an embankment. According to Deputy Fire Chief Eric Sylvain, the truck went off the road at 8:30 a.m.; the truck was pulled back […]
Evicted Portland tenants get more time to find housing
PORTLAND — Remaining residents of a Parkside apartment house no longer face eviction March 1, Mayor Ethan Strimling announced at a City Hall news conference Wednesday. “No one wants people put out on the street in the middle of winter. This will prevent that from happening,” Strimling said of a commitment from Advanced Energy Group to […]