TOPSHAM — The Board of Selectmen on April 9 unanimously approved next month’s Town Meeting warrant, which includes the components making up the fiscal 2016 municipal budget. Residents will vote on the proposed $9 million spending plan, up 5.7 percent from this year, at Town Meeting Wednesday, May 20. Topsham’s current tax rate is $17.33 […]
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Posted inNorthern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Falmouth gets Habitat for Humanity proposal for 25 affordable homes
FALMOUTH — Affordable housing in town took another step forward at Monday night’s Town Council meeting, when Habitat for Humanity presented a 25-house proposal. No action was taken by the council, though councilors expressed interest in moving the project forward. Godfrey Wood, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland, originally came before the […]
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Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland minimum wage bill to get public hearing, vote
PORTLAND — A public hearing on a proposed citywide minimum wage will be held Thursday at 5 p.m. in City Hall by the City Council Finance Committee. The committee chairman, Councilor Nick Mavodones Jr., has said he expects the panel to vote on forwarding the ordinance to the full City Council. The new ordinance would […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Falmouth molds game plan for economic growth
FALMOUTH — The town’s first economic development strategy has begun to take shape, with four broad goals identified in a first draft of the plan. Town Manager Nathan Poore said the first goal of plan, which was drafted with the help of Camoin Associates of Saratoga Springs, New York, is to enhance Falmouth’s economic development […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, The Forecaster
North Yarmouth bee farm murder trial goes to jury
PORTLAND — Assistant Attorney General John Alsop told jurors on Tuesday that a 911 call placed by shooting victim Leon Kelley’s wife as her husband was gunned down was the most important evidence they’d heard in the murder trial of Merrill Kimball. “Bam, bam, bam,” Alsop said, describing the shots the jurors heard on an […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland's community development grants reduced, demand remains high
PORTLAND — A plan to help people left most vulnerable by expected changes to city general assistance, homeless and public health programs will rely largely on $4.28 million in city funds and federal Community Development Block Grants. Funding from the Consolidated Housing and Community Development Annual Action Plan will be the subject of an April […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Cumberland council OKs budget, tax hike
CUMBERLAND — The Town Council on Monday unanimously approved a town budget, and heard a report from the Ocean Access Committee on a potential management plan for the town’s portion of the former Payson property. The $10.4 million fiscal 2016 budget contains an $8.8 million operating budget, a $747,000 Cumberland County tax, and shifts the […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Cumberland County to roll out new emergency alert system
WINDHAM — Cumberland County wants to give you a call. On Friday, the county’s Regional Communications Center will conduct a test call on its new CodeRED emergency alert system. The system is used to quickly send the public urgent information – such as warnings of severe weather, natural disasters, gas leaks or even escaped criminals. Information […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
TIP volunteers: Greater Portland's 'first responders in an emotional sense'
PORTLAND — When accidents happen, the first responders are often police officers, paramedics or firefighters there to help the casualties. But a growing number of second responders are volunteers, there to provide a different service to those left standing on the sidelines. The Trauma Intervention Program, a program of Maine Behavioral Health, is an organization […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Tricycles built for 2: Group hopes to open Portland trails to those who can't hike
PORTLAND — A program that provides recreational trail rides to elderly and disabled people is getting set to roll into the city. “It is a simple pleasure, that’s all it is, but it has enormous benefits,” Portland Wheelers Executive Director Doug Malcolm said April 9 about volunteers who will pedal along city trails on battery-powered […]