7928-R5_NewGloucester_2020-2021_AnnualReport_Web

226th Annual Report

New Gloucester Maine

July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021

Town Facilities

TOWN HALL HOURS

Monday

10:00 am - 7:00 pm 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Tuesday - Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

closed

Tel. (207) 926-4126

Fax (207) 926-4136

385 Intervale Road Website: www.newgloucester.com LIBRARY HOURS

Tuesday

11:00 am – 4:00 pm 11:00 am – 4:00 pm 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm 11:00 am – 4:00 pm 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Tel. (207) 926-4840 379 Intervale Road Email: librarydirector@newgloucester.com FIRE STATION HOURS

Monday – Friday Saturday/Sunday

8:00 am – 4:00 pm 9:00 am – 11:00 am (if Personnel available) Fax (207) 926-4424

Tel. (207) 926-4142

611 Lewiston Road chief@newgloucester.com PUBLIC WORKS HOURS Tel. (207) 926-4574 611A Lewiston Road tshane@newgloucester.com TRANSFER STATION HOURS

Monday – Thursday

6:30 am – 5:00 pm

Tuesday & Thursday

9:00 am – 7:00 pm 9:00 am – 2:00 pm 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday

Saturday

Tel. (207) 926-3145 264 Bald Hill Road transferstation@newgloucester.com

July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 New Gloucester Grant made in 1736 • Settled in 1740 and 1750 Town Government Established in 1744 Town Manager Form of Government Adopted 1949

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1

Dedication

2-4 5-6 7-9

Honorary Recognition

Town Officers/Departments

State Representatives Boards/Committees Town Clerk Report

10-17 18-23

24 25 26 27

Town Manager – Letter of Transmittal

Report of Assessing

Report of Code Enforcement Office Report of Fire/Rescue Department

28-29 30-32 33-34 35-36

Report of Library

Report of Parks & Recreation

Report of Planning

Report of Public Works Report of Transfer Station

37 38

Report of Maine Waste to Energy Report of Cable TV Committee Report of Cemetery Association Report of Community Fair Committee

39-44

45

46-47

48 49 50 51

Report of Environmental Resources Committee

Report of Royal River Riders Report of NG Water District

Treasurer’s Report

52-55 56-58 59-76

Tax Liens and Unpaid Taxes

2020 Sabbathday Lake Water Quality Report

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Dedication of the Town Report Wallace E. Bragdon Jr.

Many years ago, the New Gloucester Post Office was located in Lower Village just below the Village Store, in a small building that is now a private home. When anyone speaks of the old post office, one name comes to mind immediately and that is Wallace “Wally” Bragdon, a man who went above and beyond serving the town as Postmaster for 21 years. He had a wealth of knowledge about the town and knew everyone and where they lived. Wally always made sure the mail was delivered, even if it meant doing it himself. A phone call to the post office would be a quick and easy way to get the information you needed, in the days before Google. Wally is a lifelong resident of New Gloucester who is now age 93. He has served the town in many ways over his lifetime. In 1971, he was appointed by the select board to oversee New Gloucester’s 1974 Bicentennial celebration. He, Peter Wills and Roy Lowe over saw 12 sub- committees to deliver the large three-day event. He was a driving force through the AMVETS to bring the Veterans Monument to fruition. In 2014 Wally unveiled one of the stones at the Veterans Monument located in Upper Gloucester. Wally was one of 11 Bragdon’s that served this country between WWI and the Vietnam War. A US Army Veteran who served in the Korean War, he was one of the original members of AMVETS Post 6 and is still active to this day, 60 plus years later. Wally even served at the state level of the AMVETS in several different roles, including Commander overseeing the whole state wide organization. He remains active in the AMVETS, helping with the monthly bean suppers, with Bingo, organizing the Memorial Day Parade, and working on the annual Turkey Raffle. Before Covid, he joined fellow AMVETS on a monthly trip to the Veterans Home in Scarborough to help the residents play Bingo. Wally has been chosen as member of the year both at the local and State level of the AMVETS organization. To capture all of what he has done for the community through the AMVETS would be impossible. Wally has been honored for his work as a volunteer for local food banks. He has put in hundreds of hours at the Good Shepard Food Bank and St. Mary’s Food Bank. He and his late wife, Doris, volunteered together nearly weekly. They were admired by their fellow volunteers and the clients at the food banks for their kind and loving spirit.

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Wally is still an active member of 45 years with the Kora Shriners in Lewiston as well as the New Gloucester Masons Cumberland Lodge 12, where he has served almost 70 years. He has spent untold number of hours volunteering at the Shrine Circus, Festival of Trees, numerous fundraising events for the Shriners Hospitals, participating in parades and so much more. He currently serves as treasurer for one of the groups within the Shriners. For many years, Wally was a member of the First Congregational Church of New Gloucester often volunteering for many different projects including the bean suppers held in the vestry. He currently participates in the monthly men’s breakfast. He now attends Pathway Vineyard Church and is active in the Senior Saints Group. Even at the age of 93, Wally still drives himself around. He enjoys the large variety of birds he attracts to his back deck bird feeder. In the spring and summer, you can find him still attending to his flower garden and large rhododendron bush. Most every Sunday afternoon he visits with friends at the local brewery. The New Gloucester Select Board is honored to dedicate the 226 th Annual Town Report to Wallace E. Bragdon, Jr. Thank you for your many years of service to the citizens of New Gloucester. You have certainly touched many people over your life. Well Done!

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Wally Bradgon, New Gloucester’s Former Postmaster (Here is an article that was published several years ago by New Gloucester Resident and Sun Journal Writer Ellie Fellers) For 21 years Wally Bradgon, of the Bald Hill Road served as New Gloucester’s postmaster during a period when the town was facing rapid changes. He reminisced recently about those years from 1969 to 1991 when the post office during his tenure operated in the Lower Gloucester Village in a little white building on a sloping hillside. Those days brought change that Wally measured in many ways. First, the post office was moved from Emma Tuft’s house at the Bell Tavern to the sparkling new little white building across the street where it served the town’s growing needs until the late 1990s when it was relocated to Gilmore Road in Upper Gloucester. In 1970, says Wally, the post office contained 39 post offices boxes and one rural carrier route. “I was allowed one clerk who worked two hours in the morning and that was Alma Berry. I had to keep a complete record of everything that came in and out of the post office and weekly reports to the Section Center in Auburn. We were busy in the morning, slow at midday and busy at closing time. The hours of operation were from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They made me eventually close for lunch. I wasn’t allowed to have an air conditioner even if I bought it myself. I cleaned the post office myself for long time. Finally they let me have one to two hours of cleaning help.” The post office was a meeting place for local folks who held chats with one another while waiting for their mail to be sorted for distribution. “I had a few chairs there for the elderly customers, but was told that was not permitted. Finally they allowed me to leave a chair in the lobby,” says Wally. “I had a dog who came to work with me. I was told by a Postal Inspector the animals were not allowed in the post office. My dog was lonesome when at home. A second postal inspector came and thought the dog was nice to have at the post office. Local kids came in and got a stamp on the back of their hand. I always had a candy bowl in the lobby.” “Only once I remember calling a carrier back because of a severe snowstorm, that’s the only time the mail couldn’t get through. During an ice storm, the mail was delivered late because the mail was delayed in arriving.” The population of New Gloucester changed in the 1980s to 1990s. “I ran out of post office boxes. When I left there were 300 boxes rented and 2 ½ postal routes. There was one clerk and extra help two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon to help. All mail was canceled in New Gloucester until it was stopped then all mail was sent raw to Auburn initially where it was distributed. Now the mail is distributed through Portland.” “I was only once reported to the Postmaster General in Washington, D.C. A gentleman was asked to move his mailbox because it wasn’t in a good location. There was a big pile of horse manure in front of the mailbox and I told him we would have to stop delivery of mail unless the box was moved. I was told I should have sent him a certified letter to record the stop delivery. So I sent him a certified letter and he moved his box.” The personal part of the post office is gone now. When Wally Bragdon was in charge of New Gloucester’s Post Office, the town was small and everyone knew everyone. People would pick up mail for their neighbors and at time the postmaster would personally deliver packages to folks at Christmas time to assure they would receive their gifts in time. “It broke my heart to leave working, it bothered me for quite a while.” But, after a while Wally has found his place in the community. As active member of AMVET Post 6, his quiet leadership is extremely visible and vital to the fabric of the community.

4

In honor of the New Gloucester Food Pantry Located in a two-bay garage behind the First Congregational Church is the New Gloucester Food Pantry. This is New Gloucester’s sole food pantry serving the citizens of New Gloucester. The Select Board is proud to honor the New Gloucester Food Pantry and its volunteers in the 226 th annual report for their outstanding work and dedication to feeding those in need. The Food Pantry is open twice a month on the 2 nd and 4 th Saturdays and is also available to respond to food emergencies. In 2021, the pantry served an average of 67 people each time they opened. Those served are from infant (9% served were under 5) to the elderly (13% served were over 65) . The Pantry is run by volunteers with the help of Congregational Church staff. The First Congregational Church also provides the space, utilities and church staff as volunteers that make the Pantry possible. The Pantry receives the food it distributes from two primary sources, The Good Shepard Food Bank and Gray Hannaford. In 2021, between donations and Pantry purchases, the Good Shepard Food Bank provided 6,427 pounds of food. Gray Hannaford, the other main resource, provided well over three tons of surplus bread, pastries, meats and more in the same year being the main donor. Supplementing the large food providers are several locals that share their extra vegetables, fresh bread, eggs and goodies. Fresh fruit and vegetables are donated in season from the Somali Bantu Farms. The last several years the local 4-H Club has raised money to purchase lamb and swine at the Cumberland Fair. Once processed the meat is vacuum sealed and divided between Gray and New Gloucester pantries. Milk is ordered in conjunction with the Village Store to receive a savings. Pastor Linda Gard notes that the community members of New Gloucester are amazing in meeting the needs of the pantry, many locals often call before going grocery shopping to see what special needs the Pantry has at that time. The original Food Pantry was started in 1983, after a study on hunger by the church’s mission’s board. For the first several years the pantry was a closet at the town office. Later the town continued to run the food closet at the town office and the church expanded their pantry to a bedroom in the parsonage. In 1996, the church moved the pantry to the 2 bay garage located on the Lowe property next to the church. The town and church worked together providing food until 2001. At that point the town the stopped the service and the church fully took over as the sole food pantry.

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The Pantry runs year in and year out on the compassion of many people. From ordering and record-keeping, picking up and transporting food, to sorting and packaging the food, and then setting up and assisting on pick up day volunteers make the Pantry happen. It should also be noted that many individuals, civic groups, and fraternal organizations make monetary donations to support the pantry. The monetary donations are used to assist in the operations of the pantry and allows for certain food needs to be met. The Select Board commends the First Congregational Church of New Gloucester along with all individuals and organizations that give in one way or another to support the Food Pantry that greatly serves the citizens of New Gloucester.

A Huge “Thank You and Job Well Done” to Recent Volunteers:

Andrea Brown Richard and Beverly Cadigan Noreen Williams Peter and Jennifer Chase Clara Neal Anna McCabe Rocky Thurlow Erin Pendexter Stone Bonnie Jefferson Erin Stone Congregational Church Staff

Bruce Macomber Cindy Brakey Noah Legere Joanne McKee Phoebe Hardesty Steve and Gwen Palmer Sarah Deluca E. Phillip Blake Jim Mckay

And to anybody that was missed!

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ANNUAL REPORT

TOWN OFFICERS – JULY 2020 to JUNE 2021

****************************************************************************

SELECTMEN, ASSESSORS, OVERSEERS OF THE POOR

Linda D. Chase Peter Bragdon George W. Colby Karen Gilles Tammy Donovan

Term Expires June 2021 Term Expires June 2023 Resigned February 2021 Term Expires June 2021 Term Expires June 2022

TOWN MANAGER, ROAD COMMISSIONER, TAX COLLECTOR, TOWN CLERK, DEPUTY TREASURER, WELFARE ADMINISTRATOR

Brenda Fox-Howard (resigned May 2021) Christine M. Landes (commenced May 2021)

TREASURER

Lori Anne Wilson

DEPUTY TOWN CLERK, ASSISTANT TREASURER DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, DEPUTY TAX COLLECTOR ACTING TOWN MANAGER Sharlene F. Myers

DEPUTY TOWN CLERK, REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, DEPUTY TAX COLLECTOR Kimberly A. Getchell

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ANNUAL REPORT

ASSESSORS’ AGENT

Michael O’Donnell (John O’Donnell and Associates)

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, HEALTH OFFICER, PLUMBING INSPECTOR Debra Parks Larrivee (resigned April 2021)

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Toby Martin (resigned December 2020) Craig Bouchard, Interim (commenced December 2020) Jon Kiernan (commenced February 2021)

FENCE VIEWER

Douglas P. Bowie

FIRE/RESCUE CHIEF, FOREST FIRE WARDEN

Toby Martin (resigned December 2020) Craig Bouchard, Interim (commenced December 2020) Jon Kiernan (commenced February 2021)

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF

Craig Bouchard

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ANNUAL REPORT

DEPUTY RESCUE CHIEF

Mary Rich

LIBRARIAN

Suzan R. Hawkins (resigned September 2020) Lee Shaw (commenced February 2021)

ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN

Carla M. McAllister (resigned September 2020) Emily Martin (commenced February 2021)

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Theodore Shane

TOWN PLANNER

Scott Hastings (resigned April 2021) Paul First, Interim (commenced April 2021)

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ANNUAL REPORT

STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 20 Ned Claxton

State Address: Senate Chamber

Home Address: 72 Danbury Drive Auburn, ME 04210 Tel. (207) 576-8082

3 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0003

Tel. (207) 287-1515 Fax (207) 287-1900 TTY (207) 287-1583 Toll Free (800) 423-6900 Email: Ned.Claxton@legislature.maine.com Website: www.mainesenate.org

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 65 Amy Bradstreet Arata

State Address:

Home Address:

House of Representatives Room 332, State House 2 State House Station

PO Box 2

New Gloucester, ME 04260

Tel. (207) 333-1817

Augusta, ME 04333-0002 Tel. (207) 287-1440 State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900 TTY (207) 287-4469 Toll Free (800) 423-2900 E-Mail: Amy.Arata@legislature.maine.gov House Website: www.legislature.maine.gov/house

10

Senator Ned Claxton 3 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0003 (207)287-1515

130th Legislature Senate of Maine Senate District 20

Dear Neighbor, It is a true honor to represent you in the Maine Senate, and I hope this message finds you and your family healthy and doing well. Though we had hoped to move beyond the pandemic, COVID-19 continues to play a large role in each of our lives. Despite the continued disruptions, our work in the Maine Legislature has continued in a productive, bipartisan fashion. In 2021, we made significant progress on the issues most important to folks in our community. To address high property taxes, we voted to restore revenue sharing to municipalities to five percent by 2023 and bolstered the Homestead Exemption Program by refunding municipalities for 100 percent of the cost. After 17 long years, we fully funded K-12 public education at 55 percent, as it was mandated by voters in 2004. We also continued efforts to bring down the high cost of prescription medication and health care in our state. We created the new Office of Affordable Health Care to ensure we’re taking the best steps possible to lower costs, improved transparency in drug pricing, and passed a new insulin safety-net program that will help us prevent someone dying because they couldn’t afford their insulin that month. That new program will be funded by the drug makers themselves. In the Health and Human Services Committee, which I chair, one of our proudest achievements was the work we did to raise the pay for our dedicated direct care workers. These folks care for our most vulnerable residents, and they have gone underpaid and underappreciated for too long. In the two-year budget, we raised their pay to 125 percent of the minimum wage, which will help us retain and attract more people in this field. On January 5, 2022, the Legislature began the second regular session, which is scheduled to continue until mid-April. As I have done since I was first elected, I plan to continue working in a collaborative, bipartisan manner to address the most pressing issues facing our state. At the start of the legislative session, our committee meetings will be held remotely over Zoom, but we will be meeting in person at the State House to vote on legislation as it is brought up. Every committee meeting is streamed live and archived at www.legislature.maine.gov, and you can also testify during public hearings from the comfort of your own home. If you ever need assistance, have a question or would just like to share your thoughts with me, you can send me an email at Ned.Claxton@legislature.maine.gov or call my office at 287-1515. Sincerely,

Ned Claxton

Fax: (207) 287-1585 * TTY (207) 287-1583 * Message Service 1-800-423-6900 * Website: legislature.maine.gov/senate

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H OUSE OF R EPRESENTATIVES 2 S TATE H OUSE S TATION A UGUSTA , M AINE 04333-0002 (207) 287-1440 TTY: (207) 287-4469 H OUSE OF R EPRESENTATIVES 2 S TATE H OUSE S TATION A UGUSTA , M AINE 04333-0002 (207) 287-1440 TTY: (207) 287-4469

Amy B. Arata P.O. Box 2 Amy B. Arata P.O. Box 2 New Gloucester, ME 04260 Cell Phone: (207) 333-1817 Amy.Arata@legislature.maine.gov New Gloucester, ME 04260 Cell Phone: (207) 333-1817 Amy.Arata@legislature.maine.gov

Feb. 24, 2022 January 2021

Dear Friends & Neighbors, Dear Friends & Neighbors,

I want to once again thank the good people of New Gloucester for allowing me the opportunity to serve them at the State House. Challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic still make daily headlines, while many policymakers at all levels of government work to restore some sense of normalcy. Maine’s economy appears to be weathering the pandemic well, as State revenue forecasters project Maine will collect $822 million more than initially expected during the current two-year budget cycle ending in mid-2023 - an increase of nearly 10 percent! However, this is not necessarily a windfall, as we consider the effect of record-high inflation. The Second Regular Session of the 130 th Maine Legislature began January 5, 2022, and statutory adjournment is set for April 20, 2022. The work we must do is substantial. Legislators must finalize the various bills carried over from the First Regular and First Special Sessions. We are also considering new legislation, budgetary matters, proposals from the Governor, initiatives submitted pursuant to statute, legislation submitted pursuant to authorized studies, and more. As I negotiate and vote on various bills, I consider their Constitutionality and if they are in the best interest of you and the State of Maine, rather than what is politically expedient. I appreciate your input as I make difficult decisions. All levels of government are busy right now. The New Gloucester Charter Commission is partway through the laborious process of drafting a charter that will benefit our town for years to come. I applaud their willingness to reach consensus and appreciate their hard work. Whether you decide to vote for or against their proposal in November, you should be very proud of them. They have set a good example that we in Augusta should follow! I publish a regular e-newsletter to keep people up to date on government programs and actions. I try to keep this factual and non- partisan, so it doesn’t contain the drama that you may see in other news sources. If you want to be on my distribution list, please email me. These are truly unprecedented times for our state and nation. Our patience and character are continually being tested during this period of social unrest. Accordingly, I am honored by the opportunity to serve as your representative in the Maine Legislature, and I welcome your thoughts as we continue to weather this pandemic together. The coming months of State governance will unfold unlike any other period in our 200-year history. Now, more than ever before, is the moment for leaders to pull together in the best interests of those we serve. For the 130 th Legislature, I have again been assigned to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA), along with the bipartisan Government Oversight Committee (GOC). The AFA panel oversees General Fund appropriations and general fiscal policy; federal funds allocations, special revenue and block grant allocations when part of a biennial or supplemental budget; the Budget Stabilization Fund; general obligation bond issues; collective bargaining funding; review of financial orders; and financial evaluation of State agencies. The GOC seeks to ensure that public funds are expended for intended purposes, and that programs and activities are effectively, efficiently, and economically managed. As much of our work will likely be done virtually, I encourage you to monitor proceedings via the new YouTube channel, which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/c/MaineStateLegislature/channels. Undoubtedly, the biggest agenda item for lawmakers during the First Regular Session is the biennial budget. The $8.394 billion two-year financial plan will be heavily scrutinized over the weeks and months ahead. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to make certain every dollar sent to Augusta by you, the taxpayer, is used as efficiently as possible. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the good people of District 65. If you have an interest in receiving my regular e-newsletter, please send along your email address so that it can be added to my distribution list.

Best wishes,

Again, thank you for the privilege of being your voice at the Maine capitol. It is a responsibility I am honored to have and do not take lightly.

Sincerely, Amy B. Arata State Representative

Amy B. Arata State Representative

District 65 District 65

New Gloucester and Poland (part) New Gloucester and Poland (part)

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STATE OF MAINE O FFICE OF THE G OVERNOR 1 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0001 STATE OF MAINE O FFICE OF THE G OVERNOR 1 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0001

PHONE: (207) 287-3531 (Voice) e will also develop a world-class workforce starting with Pre-K for every 4-year-old in Maine d more post-high school options that result in a valued credential. Attracting talented young ople to move here and make Maine their home will be top priorities of my Administration. aine communities, especially rural communities, are confronting a severe workforce shortage d an aging and declining population. It is time for bold, dynamic ideas that will change Maine the better. That is why I, along with people ranging from small business owners, innovators d entrepreneurs, to economists and every day, hard-working Mainers, developed an economic n designed to make it easier for small businesses to grow, for people to come and stay, and for aine to thrive. welcome your ideas. We are all in this together. We all want Maine to have a beautiful vironment, happy people, and prosperous communities ank you, Phone: (207) 287-3531 (Voice) FAX: (207) 287-1034 Maine can be proud of our nation-leading progress, but our work is far from done. Through the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, we will continue to address our longstanding workforce shortage, the expansion of broadband, education and job training opportunities, housing, child care, and transportation. Drawing on the hard work and resilience of Maine people, together we will rebuild our economy and rise from this unprecedented challenge a state that is stronger than ever. In 2022, I will be focused on our economy, on our climate, on our kids, on keeping people safe and on the health and welfare of all Maine people. We have persevered, and, while challenges remain, we will get through them together. I am proud of the people of Maine, and I am proud to be your Governor. Thank you, Janet T. Mills Governor Following the recommendations of the Economic Recovery Committee, our economy has not only fully recovered, but has surpassed pre-pandemic projections and unemployment claims have dropped to pre-pandemic levels. And, last year, I was pleased to sign a balanced, bipartisan budget that finally achieves the State’s commitment to 55 percent education funding, fully restores revenue sharing, and expands property tax relief for Maine residents. Maine can be proud of our nation-leading progress, but our work is far from done. Through the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, we will continue to address our longstanding workforce shortage, the expansion of broadband, education and job training opportunities, housing, child care, and transportation. Drawing on the hard work and resilience of Maine people, together we will rebuild our economy and rise from this unprecedented challenge a state that is stronger than ever. In 2022, I will be focused on our economy, on our climate, on our kids, on keeping people safe and on the health and welfare of all Maine people. We have persevered, and, while challenges remain, we will get through them together. I am proud of the people of Maine, and I am proud to be your Governor. Thank you, Janet T. Mills Governor 888-577-6690 (TTY) FAX: (207) 287-1034 www.maine.gov Dear Friends: It was the highest honor of my life to take the oath of office to become Maine’s 75th governor. Over the next four years, I will do everything in my power to make Maine the safe, beautiful, prosperous state we all want for our children and grandchildren. That is why on my first day in office I directed the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to implement Medicaid expansion as quickly and efficiently as possible. My Administration will ensure that it is paid for sustainably; that the cost of health insurance is controlled; and that the cost of prescription drugs is reined in. In addition to creating a Director of Opiate Response to marshal the collective power and resources of state government to stem the tide of the opioid epidemic, we will make Narcan widely available, increase access to medication assisted treatment and recovery coaches, and expand drug courts. We also need a healthy environment. My Administration will embrace clean energy; change our modes of transportation; weatherize homes and businesses; and reach a goal of 50 percent of our energy coming from Maine renewable resources. By reducing the impacts of climate change, we will create good- paying jobs, preserve our environment, and protect our state’s farming, fishing, and forestry industries. We will also develop a world-class workforce starting with Pre-K for every 4-year-old in Maine and more post-high school options that result in a valued credential. Attracting talented young people to move here and make Maine their home will be top priorities of my Administration. Maine communities, especially rural communities, are confronting a severe workforce shortage and an aging and declining population. It is time for bold, dynamic ideas that will change Maine for the better. That is why I, along with people ranging from small business owners, innovators and entrepreneurs, to economists and every day, hard-working Mainers, developed an economic plan designed to make it easier for small businesses to grow, for people to come and stay, and for Maine to thrive. I welcome your ideas. We are all in this together. We all want Maine to have a beautiful environment, happy people, and prosperous communities Thank you, ar Friends: was the highest honor of my life to take the oath of office to become Maine’s 75th governor. er the next four years, I will do everything in my power to make Maine the safe, beautiful, osperous state we all want for our children and grandchildren. at is why on my first day in office I directed the Maine Department of Health and Human rvices to implement Medicaid expansion as quickly and efficiently as possible. My ministration will ensure that it is paid for sustainably; that the cost of health insurance is ntrolled; and that the cost of prescription drugs is reined in. In addition to creating a Director Opiate Response to marshal the collective power and resources of state government to stem tide of the opioid epidemic, we will make Narcan widely available, increase access to dication assisted treatment and recovery coaches, and expand drug courts. e also need a healthy environment. My Administration will embrace clean energy; change our des of transportation; weatherize homes and businesses; and reach a goal of 50 percent of our ergy coming from Maine renewable resources. By reducing the impacts of climate change, we l create good- paying jobs, preserve our environment, and protect our state’s farming, fishing, d forestry industries. Dear Friends: For three years it has been my privilege to guide our great state, working with the Legislature to keep Maine people safe and put our economy on a path to recovery. Since the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines in December 2020, we have worked hard to get as many shots into the arms of Maine people as quickly as possible. In the last year, more than a million Maine people have gotten fully vaccinated from COVID-19. It is thanks to them that our state has one of highest vaccination rates and one of the lowest death rates from COVID-19, despite having a much older population than other states. People are coming to Maine because we are one of the safest states in the nation. Following the recommendations of the Economic Recovery Committee, our economy has not only fully recovered, but has surpassed pre-pandemic projections and unemployment claims have dropped to pre-pandemic levels. And, last year, I was pleased to sign a balanced, bipartisan budget that finally achieves the State’s commitment to 55 percent education funding, fully restores revenue sharing, and expands property tax relief for Maine residents. Dear Friends: For three years it has been my privilege to guide our great state, working with the Legislature to keep Maine people safe and put our economy on a path to recovery. Since the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines in December 2020, we have worked hard to get as many shots into the arms of Maine people as quickly as possible. In the last year, more than a million Maine people have gotten fully vaccinated from COVID-19. It is thanks to them that our state has one of highest vaccination rates and one of the lowest death rates from COVID-19, despite having a much older population than other states. People are coming to Maine because we are one of the safest states in the nation. Janet T. Mills Governor

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net T. Mills

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Dear Friends, I hope this letter finds you well. It is an honor to represent you and your family during these challenging times, and I am thankful for the opportunity to update you on my work in Washington and Maine. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause challenges for people in Maine and across the country. Please know that the health and safety of you and your loved ones, as well as the economic recovery of our communities, remains the driving force behind legislation I have pushed for in Congress. In early 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan, historic legislation that makes investments to crush the virus, create millions of jobs, provide direct relief to working families, and help schools remain safely open. Not only did this legislation give 90 percent of American households a stimulus check, but it also helped local and state governments better respond to the pandemic, put food on families’ tables, got more vaccine shots into arms, cut child poverty in half through the expanded Child Tax Credit, and so much more. The American Rescue Plan is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress will ever pass, and I’m so proud to have supported it from the beginning. You can read more about this piece of legislation here: https://pingree.house.gov/covid. Our economic recovery from the pandemic will be accelerated even more thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Congress passed in November. This legislation marks the most expansive infrastructure investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. From funding to repair our aging roads, bridges, and ports to high-speed broadband expansion and legacy pollution clean-up, this law is a once-in-a-generation investment in our future. In addition to working on COVID-19 relief legislation, my Congressional colleagues and I are also collaborating on legislation that addresses the climate crisis, supports voting rights, and—through my role on the House Appropriations Committee—supports programs important to Maine. After seven years on the House Appropriations Committee, I took the gavel and lead the subcommittee that oversees discretionary spending for the Department of the Interior, the

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Environmental Protection Agency, US Forest Service, and several agencies related to the arts and humanities. In my new role as Chair, I have fought to secure significant funding for Maine’s tribes, environmental preservation programs, our cultural economy, and our forests. I will keep pushing legislation to support America’s long-term care needs, lower prescription drug costs, expand Medicare benefits, cut taxes for working people, make our workforce competitive with the world, and fight climate change. So, as we reflect on 2021, let us welcome 2022 with a renewed sense of optimism. There is a lot to fight for, and I assure you I will continue to fight for Maine in Congress. I want you to know that my staff and I are doing all we can to support Mainers through this public health crisis and all the challenges that come with it. If you are unsure of the resources available to you, are having difficulty accessing resources, or if you’d just like to share a thought or opinion, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Chellie Pingree Member of Congress

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Dear Friends: I am deeply honored to serve the people of Maine in the U.S. Senate, and I welcome this opportunity to share some of the areas I have been working on over the past year. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose enormous challenges for our state and our country. When the pandemic began, I co-authored the Paycheck Protection Program that helped small businesses remain afloat and keep their employees paid. In Maine, our small businesses received more than 47,000 forgivable loans totaling $3.2 billion. I also led efforts to provide relief for loggers, lobstermen, and bus companies. In addition, I helped secure $700 million to assist Maine’s overwhelmed hospitals and nursing homes, and a new law I led prevented Medicare payment cuts to help further ease the financial strain on our hospitals. I also urged the CDC to update its recommendations so that our students and teachers could safely return to their classrooms, and I pressed the Administration to end the closure of the U.S.-Canada border. While addressing the pandemic has been a major focus, I’ve also worked hard to ensure Maine’s other needs are met. A group of 10 Senators, of which I was a part, negotiated the landmark bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed into law in November. I co-authored the section of the bill that will provide Maine with as much as $300 million to expand high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas. Soaring inflation is another crisis, particularly when it comes to the cost of heating oil. I have strongly supported federal programs that help Maine families stay warm. In November, Maine was awarded $35 million to help low-income Mainers pay their energy bills. And the bipartisan infrastructure bill included $3.5 billion to help families make energy efficiency improvements that would permanently lower their heating costs. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I have supported investments in Maine’s communities. This year’s funding bills include $265 million I championed for 106 projects across Maine. These projects would help create jobs, improve workforce training, address the opioid crisis, and increase access to childcare and health care services. In addition, I worked to reverse proposed cuts to our Navy in order to help protect America and keep the skilled workers at Bath Iron Works on the job. The bills also include $475 million for the construction of a new dry dock at Maine’s Portsmouth Naval Shipyard that will allow the Navy to continue to carry out its submarine missions. I will keep working to get these important bills enacted. No one works harder than the people of Maine, and this year I honored that work ethic when I cast my 8,000 th consecutive vote, becoming the only Senator in history to do so without ever having missed a roll call vote. The Lugar Center at Georgetown University once again ranked me as the most bipartisan Senator for the eighth year in a row. In the New Year, I will keep working to solve problems and make life better for the people of Maine and America. May 2022 be a happy, healthy, and successful one for you, your family, and our state. Sincerely, Dear Friends: I am deeply honored to serve the people of Maine in the U.S. Senate, and I welcome this opportunity to share some of the areas I have been working on over the past year. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose enormous challenges for our state and our country. When the pandemic began, I co-authored the Paycheck Protection Program that helped small businesses remain afloat and keep their employees paid. In Maine, our small businesses received more than 47,000 forgivable loans totaling $3.2 billion. I also led efforts to provide relief for loggers, lobstermen, and bus companies. In addition, I helped secure $700 million to assist Maine’s overwhelmed hospitals and nursing homes, and a new law I led prevented Medicare payment cuts to help further ease the financial strain on our hospitals. I also urged the CDC to update its recommendations so that our students and teachers could safely return to their classrooms, and I pressed the Administration to end the closure of the U.S.-Canada border. While addressing the pandemic has been a major focus, I’ve also worked hard to ensure Maine’s other needs are met. A group of 10 Senators, of which I was a part, negotiated the landmark bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed into law in November. I co-authored the section of the bill that will provide Maine with as much as $300 million to expand high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas. Soaring inflation is another crisis, particularly when it comes to the cost of heating oil. I have strongly supported federal programs that help Maine families stay warm. In November, Maine was awarded $35 million to help low-income Mainers pay their energy bills. And the bipartisan infrastructure bill included $3.5 billion to help families make energy efficiency improvements that would permanently lower their heating costs. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I have supported investments in Maine’s communities. This year’s funding bills include $265 million I championed for 106 projects across Maine. These projects would help create jobs, improve workforce training, address the opioid crisis, and increase access to childcare and health care services. In addition, I worked to reverse proposed cuts to our Navy in order to help protect America and keep the skilled workers at Bath Iron Works on the job. The bills also include $475 million for the construction of a new dry dock at Maine’s Portsmouth Naval Shipyard that will allow the Navy to continue to carry out its submarine missions. I will keep working to get these important bills enacted. No one works harder than the people of Maine, and this year I honored that work ethic when I cast my 8,000 th consecutive vote, becoming the only Senator in history to do so without ever having missed a roll call vote. The Lugar Center at Georgetown University once again ranked me as the most bipartisan Senator for the eighth year in a row. In the New Year, I will keep working to solve problems and make life better for the people of Maine and America. May 2022 be a happy, healthy, and successful one for you, your family, and our state. Sincerely, Dear Friends: I am deeply honored to serve the people of Maine in the U.S. Senate, and I welcome this opportunity to share some of the areas I have been working on over the past year. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose enormous challenges for our state and our country. When the pandemic began, I co-authored the Paycheck Protection Program that helped small businesses remain afloat and keep their employees paid. In Maine, our small businesses received more than 47,000 forgivable loans totaling $3.2 billion. I also led efforts to provide relief for loggers, lobstermen, and bus companies. In addition, I helped secure $700 million to assist Maine’s overwhelmed hospitals and nursing homes, and a new law I led prevented Medicare payment cuts to help further ease the financial strain on our hospitals. I also urged the CDC to update its recommendations so that our students and teachers could safely return to their classrooms, and I pressed the Administration to end the closure of the U.S.-Canada border. While addressing the pandemic has been a major focus, I’ve also worked hard to ensure Maine’s other needs are met. A group of 10 Senators, of which I was a part, negotiated the landmark bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed into law in November. I co-authored the section of the bill that will provide Maine with as much as $300 million to expand high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas. Soaring inflation is another crisis, particularly when it comes to the cost of heating oil. I have strongly supported federal programs that help Maine families stay warm. In November, Maine was awarded $35 million to help low-income Mainers pay their energy bills. And the bipartisan infrastructure bill included $3.5 billion to help families make energy efficiency improvements that would permanently lower their heating costs. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I have supported investments in Maine’s communities. This year’s funding bills include $265 million I championed for 106 projects across Maine. These projects would help create jobs, improve workforce training, address the opioid crisis, and increase access to childcare and health care services. In addition, I worked to reverse proposed cuts to our Navy in order to help protect America and keep the skilled workers at Bath Iron Works on the job. The bills also include $475 million for the construction of a new dry dock at Maine’s Portsmouth Naval Shipyard that will allow the Navy to continue to carry out its submarine missions. I will keep working to get these important bills enacted. No one works harder than the people of Maine, and this year I honored that work ethic when I cast my 8,000 th consecutive vote, becoming the only Senator in history to do so without ever having missed a roll call vote. The Lugar Center at Georgetown University once again ranked me as the most bipartisan Senator for the eighth year in a row. In the New Year, I will keep working to solve problems and make life better for the people of Maine and America. May 2022 be a happy, healthy, and successful one for you, your family, and our state. Sincerely,

Susan M. Collins United States Senator Susan M. Collins United States Senator Susan M. Collins United States Senator

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ANNUAL REPORT ADHOC RETAIL MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENT AND RETAIL MARIJUANA SOCIAL CLUB ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Terry Crider No Term Length Dakota Dahms No Term Length Jacob Eslinger No Term Length Richard Maguire No Term Length Peter Bragdon, Selectmen Liaison Brenda Fox-Howard, Town Manager/Staff Advisor Resigned May 2021 Christine M. Landes, Town Manager/Staff Advisor Commenced May 2021 BOARD OF APPEALS Norman Chamberlain Term Expires June 2021 Jeff Hamilton, Sr. Term Expires June 2022 Ray Hamilton Term Expires June 2021 Donald Libby Term Expires June 2022 Kathleen Potter Term Expires June 2021 Debra Parks Larrivee, Code Enforcement Officer/Staff Advisor Resigned April 2021 BUDGET COMMITTEE Joe Bean Term Expires June 2022 Jennifer Bragdon (Vice-Chair) Term Expires June 2021 Jean Couturier Term Expires June 2022 Jeff Hamilton, Sr. Term Expires June 2022 Penny Hilton Term Expires June 2021 Paul Larrivee, Jr. Term Expires June 2023 Jean Libby (Chair) Term Expires June 2021 Steven Libby Term Expires June 2023 Brian Shedlarski Term Expires June 2023

Linda Chase, Selectman Liaison Peter Bragdon, Selectman Liaison Brenda Fox-Howard, Town Manager/Staff Adviso r

Resigned May 2021

Christine M. Landes,

Town Manager/Staff Advisor

Commenced May 2021

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ANNUAL REPORT CIP COMMITTEE

Steven Libby Jean Couturier Donald Libby

Budget Committee Rep Term Expires June 2021 Planning Board Rep Term Expires June 2023 Term Expires June 2021

Jean Libby (Chair)

Kathleen Potter (Vice-Chair) Karen Gilles, Selectman Liaison Brenda Fox-Howard, Town Manager/Staff Advisor

Resigned May 2021

Christine M. Landes,

Town Manager/Staff Advisor

Commenced May 2021

CABLE TV COMMITTEE

Cliff Andrews (Chair)

Term Expires June 2022 Term Expires June 2022 Term Expires June 2023 Term Expires June 2021 Resigned February 2021 Commenced February 2021 Term Expires June 2022 Term Expires June 2023 Term Expires June 2021 Term Expires June 2023 Term Expires June 2023

Richard Erwin

Sarah Gusky Kemer

Patti Mikkelsen (Vice-Chair) George Colby, Selectman Liaison Peter Bragdon, Selectmen Liaison

CANDIDATE / REFERENDUM ISSUES COMMITTEE

Lucinda Brakey Joanne Cole

Anne Gauthier-Maurice

Penny Hilton Debra Smith

Linda Chase, Selectmen Liaison Brenda Fox-Howard, Town Manager/Staff Advisor

Resigned May 2021

Christine M. Landes,

Town Manager/Staff Advisor

Commenced May 2021

COMMUNITY FAIR COMMITTEE

Peter Bragdon (Chair) Jennifer Bragdon

Term Expires June 2022 Term Expires June 2021 Term Expires June 2023 Term Expires June 2023 Term Expires June 2023 Term Expires June 2023 Resigned November 2020 Commenced October 2020

Terry Crider Hannah Deem Jessica Farwell Holly Robinson

Tammy Donovan, Selectman Liaison Morgan Rocheleau, Staff Advisor Sarah Rodriguez, Staff Advisor

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ANNUAL REPORT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE COMMITTEE

Stephen Chandler Linda Chase Sam Coggeshall Caitlyn Davison

No Term Length No Term Length No Term Length No Term Length No Term Length No Term Length No Term Length No Term Length No Term Length No Term Length No Term Length

Terry DeWan (Vice-Chair)

Julie Fralich

Rebecca Klotzle Donald Libby (Chair)

Resigned February 2021

Jean Libby

Barbara Seaver Debra Smith Ben Tettlebaum

Peter Bragdon, Selectman Liaison Scott Hastings, Town Planner/Staff Advisor

Resigned April 2021 Commenced April 2021

Paul First, Interim

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Julie Fralich (Chair) Sarah Pierce (Vice-Chair)

Term Expires June 2022 Term Expires June 2023 Term Expires June 2023

Gina Sawin

Peter Bragdon, Selectman Liaison Scott Hastings, Town Planner/Staff Advisor

Resigned April 2021 Commenced April 2021

Paul First, Interim

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Diane Aromando Anthony Hodgdon Trudy Hodgdon Alicia Howes Lauren Jordan Joanne McKee Doug Smith (Chair)

Term Expires June 2022 Term Expires June 2022 Resigned February 2021 Term Expires June 2023 Term Expires June 2022 Term Expires June 2022 Term Expires June 2023 Resigned November 2020 Commenced October 2020

Linda Chase, Selectman Liaison Morgan Rocheleau, Staff Advisor Sarah Rodriguez, Staff Advisor

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