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Selectboard News

The Budget The Selectboard is preparing the budget review process for the next fiscal year. We are very fortunate to have, for the second year in a row, the skills of the newly formed Finance Committee. It is made up of community members with expertise in business, accounting, budgets, and finance. They are Jay Corson, Chip Emory, Herb Maine and John Rent. In previous years, town departments submitted their budgets directly to the Selectboard for review. They now submit their budgets to the Finance Committee, who help guide their requests to stay within the constraints of a prudent budget. Once their work is complete, the Selectboard will review these budgets and determine their recommendations to be presented at the Town Meeting in June. Broadband Update It’s been about a year since Axiom finished the complicated task of installing the Town’s fiber network and flipped the switch that brought broadband internet service to Chebeague. After some years of volunteer committee work, grant writing, legal expertise, and a Town vote, we now have reliable internet service, at a fixed price guaranteed for five years. After five years, the Town can renegotiate its contract with Axiom, and if not to our liking, we are free to seek a different vendor. As the Town owns the fiber network, our agreement with Axiom requires Axiom to pay the bond payments on the debt. They’re also obligated to maintain the fiber wires around the island and provide good service at the pre-agreed upon costs. While everyone is free to chose from whom they purchase their broadband service, it is important to note that the Town invested in this network as a way to provide reliable and cost-effective service to Chebeague. Being an island, we are more prone to having fewer options available and thus more prone to higher prices from limited vendors.

tempting services. But it is important to note that our rates are guaranteed and the Town is committed to offering affordable service to the island. If some people go with another vendor, then it weakens our ability to provide the most cost effective service. This is one of those times when we need to row our own boat together! Sign Vandalism The Town is having to repeatedly replace stop signs and beach access signs due to the actions of probably a few individuals on the island. This is a great expense to the Town and also requires repeated use of scarce human resources on the island to replace them. Notably this is occurring at the Bennetts Cove and Chandlers Beach access areas. The Town asks for your help in helping to discourage this kind of expensive activity. The Town is trying to address issues of increased barging activity at Bennetts with parking and idling limits, and these signs are integral to that effort. Unpermitted fires are dangerous to the entire Island, yet there continues to be evidence of bonfires at Chandlers, including smoldering fires found in the morning following such alleged activity. Special Town Meeting On January 24, there will be a special Town Meeting to address a proposal for improvements to our bookkeeping methods that will help with budgeting of Town expenses. Budget Calendar for January January 14: Finance Committee Presentation, 6:00PM, Island Hall

January 21: First Draft of budget presented to Selectboard, Island Hall

January 24: Special Town Meeting, 0:00PM? Island Hall

As expected, some vendors are now offering

JANUARY 2026 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR

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