AUGUSTA — Legislative Democrats were hesitant Thursday to embrace a proposal to eliminate Maine’s income tax, which could be a key pillar in the next budget proposal from Republican Gov. Paul LePage. LePage’s next two-year budget is due to lawmakers Friday. On Wednesday, the governor was clear that the state’s income tax was in his […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Selectmen approve abatement for New Gloucester resident
NEW GLOUCESTER — Selectmen on Monday voted 4-1 to approve a tax abatement for Richard Hodgkin of Intervale Road, who petitioned the board for relief of the value assigned to a swimming pool that was filled in a few years ago. The abatement will only be in effect for fiscal year 2014-2015. In October, Hodgkin […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Consistent revenue, programs top Lewiston’s wish list for state legislators
LEWISTON — City officials may not be expecting anything special under the tree on Christmas, but they did unleash a big list of wishes for state legislators for the coming year. City Administrator Ed Barrett, city councilors and Lewiston school officials asked for everything from more municipal revenue to more authority to deal with truant […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn committee weighing recycling, pay-per-bag options
AUBURN — Expanding the city’s recycling program could save up to $7 million over 10 years — if residents are willing to purchase special trash bags. Members of the city’s Solid Waste and Recycling Committee outlined three basic options for Auburn’s trash and recycling program going forward. The city could continue the twice-monthly collections, switch […]
Posted inFranklin
More money sought for winter roads in Strong
STRONG — Selectmen have scheduled a special town meeting this month to ask for $25,000 more for winter road maintenance. At its Tuesday night meeting, the board voted to have a 6 p.m. meeting Monday, Dec. 29, to approve funds to pay for unexpected costs related to bad weather, including overtime for employees. The early […]
Posted inMaine
Court says Maine Municipal Association can spend on campaigns
PORTLAND — The Maine Municipal Association claimed legal victory Tuesday after a Superior Court justice ruled in the association’s favor in a lawsuit filed by the conservative Maine Heritage Policy Center in 2010. An 18-page ruling issued in Kennebec County Superior Court seems to have closed the door on the case that accused the MMA […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills, River Valley
Oxford County officials approve $6.58 million budget
PARIS — Oxford County commissioners voted unanimously to enact a $6.58 million budget for 2015. The spending plan was endorsed by Budget Committee members last month. Though total expenditures are $410,940 more than last year — a 6.7 percent increase — revenues have increased by $161,126, offsetting the pinch on property owners who are asked to raise $146,403 […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn has no interest in expanding Hartt tax incentive
AUBURN — Councilors had no interest Monday in expanding a tax incentive program for a southern Auburn industrial park. Councilors will vote Dec. 15 on plans to create a Tax Increment Finance District for Hartt Transportation System’s $5.3 million facility with office space, a maintenance facility and an automated commercial truck wash and the surrounding […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston to receive funds for CA$H Coalition
LEWISTON — The John T. Gorman Foundation has awarded $750,000 over three years to the Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community to help more than 1,000 low-income residents and families across Maine build savings, develop assets and attain financial stability. The award was announced Wednesday morning at a news conference at the University of […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Mexico residents vote to reduce tax commitment using surplus funds
MEXICO — Residents voted 10-1 during a special town meeting Tuesday evening to allow the town to allocate $150,000 from the undesignated fund balance to reduce the 2014-15 tax commitment. The residents also voted to allow the town to use an additional $150,000 from the same balance to reduce the town’s debt service budget. Prior […]