CHESTERVILLE — The Select Board decided not to adopt the updated general assistance ordinance and its appendices, due to concerns that a new state initiative to support asylum seekers and immigrants could impose additional financial burdens on the town.
Select Board Chairman Eric Hilton explained the significance of the ordinance. “Historically, we always agreed to this general assistance here, and this is meant to take care of the people that are struggling in ways here in our local community,” he said. “It’s helping the elderly person, maybe taking care of an electric bill if they are struggling or helping someone with gas. Historically, I think we put $2,000 in the budget.”
When Hilton asked Treasurer Erin Norton how much had been used last year, she said she couldn’t remember the exact amount, but noted that it was not fully utilized. Norton reminded the board that the state reimburses 70% of the funds spent.
“Exactly,” said Hilton. “We put up 30%.”
Norton, who is also the general assistance administrator, said that in 2022, Chesterville spent $891 on general assistance, of which $267 was the town’s responsibility after receiving a 70% reimbursement from the state. In 2023, the town spent $506, with its share reduced to $151 following state reimbursement. So far in 2024, $543 has been spent, with $162 as the town’s portion after reimbursements.
Hilton’s concerns stemmed from a recent amendment to the general assistance program, which he explained involves the state’s new Office of New Americans (ONA). He described it as an initiative from Gov. Janet Mills’ administration, aimed at bringing 75,000 asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants into Maine by 2030 to “enhance our workforce” and “improve our diversity and culture.”
Hilton said this amendment raised numerous questions. “Who pays for them to come in here?” he asked. “It’s the general assistance. They can receive lodging, help with heat, personal hygiene products, mileage, and even trauma support because they come from troubled countries.”
He highlighted the strain this would place on Chesterville’s resources. “We are getting compensated 70% from the state, but we still have to come up with 30%,” he said. “And also, we don’t have a place to house them. If we can’t facilitate them, we would have to put them in a motel in Farmington.”
Hilton referred to a Maine Municipal Association (MMA) guide that explained how even rural towns like Chesterville must prepare for new residents. “If you believe your municipality is too isolated to receive clients from other national, cultural or racial backgrounds, think again,” he read from the document. “MMA is telling us we have to prepare for this.”
Hilton expressed frustration with the state’s role in mandating these changes without considering the town’s capacity. He emphasized that the issue was not about discrimination, but about what the town could realistically handle.
Mike Wells, a property owner in Chesterville and a Wilton selectman, spoke against adopting the ordinance without modifications. “With the proposed general assistance ordinance, which is the cookie-cutter approach, we’re becoming nothing more than a satellite office of the state,” Wells said. “Policies, even at the local level, must be thought through before just rubber-stamping it.”
The board remained divided on how to proceed. Hilton proposed exploring the option of drafting a town-specific general assistance ordinance. “I personally think the best thing for our town is to have our own general assistance where we have $2,000 in the budget and we take care of our local people as we see fit,” he said.
However, Hilton acknowledged that the state would likely resist this approach. “For them to make this Office of New Americans thing work, they need everybody to sign up. We’re kind of getting forced into it. MMA said we can’t say no to this; it’s illegal.”
Hilton concluded, “I’m going to wait to hear back from MMA. This is about taking care of our people.”
A resident asked if the town would still be reimbursed 70% if they don’t adopt the general assistance ordinance. The answer was no.
Norton said even if the board doesn’t accept the ordinance, she is still expected to follow it. “Before I award anything, I would ask MMA what to do if the board didn’t vote to adopt the general assistance ordinance,” she said. She also said she would take it up with the board before moving forward with awarding general assistance.
