100 years ago, 1913
HEADLINE – THREE MORE POLITICAL PLUMS GIVEN OUT MONDAY. No more burglaries will be pulled off in Lewiston for some time to come. You may leave diamonds in the front window at night and locksmiths will have to go out of business, for three additional officers have been appointed to the Lewiston police force by Mayor Hines at a meeting of the mayor and board of aldermen Monday morning. Prior to the voting, Alderman Skelton of Ward One protested against the addition of officers because of the expense involved, stating that he believed the force large enough with efficient organization. Three members added bring the number of regular police up to 30s.

50 years ago, 1963
Donald Dyer, chairman of the Auburn Board of Assessors, feels that Auburn’s basis for assessment, which is “twenty-three years behind the times,” is confusing to the average taxpayer. Dyer points out, in an article on property re-valuation in the Maine Townsman, that Auburn’s basis for property valuation is 10 percent of 1940 building costs and he notes that using such a yardstick is a “pitfall” to any revaluation program.

25 years ago, 1988
New Gloucester – The Planning Board on Wednesday night approved a conditional use permit that will allow McCann Fabrication, a custom metal fabricator, to expand its operation to keep up with the firm’s growth. The permit allows McCann to erect a metal frame building nest to one it currently leases off Route 100 in Upper Gloucester.