9358-R3_LGP_MechanicFalls_2024AnnualReport

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EST. 1893

2026 ANNUAL REPORT

2026 Annual Report 2026 Annual Report

For Calendar Year 2025 For Calendar Year 2025

Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Audit Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Report Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Warrant Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Audit Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Report Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Warrant

Table of Contents Town Report Dedication ............................................................................................................. 5 Spirit of America Award .............................................................................................................. 6 Elected State Officials ................................................................................................................ 7 U.S. Senator Letter ................................................................................................................. 8 U.S. Senator Letter ................................................................................................................. 9 Maine State Governor Letter ................................................................................................. 10 Maine Senator (District 18) Letter .......................................................................................... 11 Town Demographics ................................................................................................................. 12 General Information ................................................................................................................. 13 Town Directory and Hours .................................................................................................... 13 Town Office Holidays ............................................................................................................ 14 Important Dates ................................................................................................................... 14 Appointed Boards and Committees ...................................................................................... 15 General Assistance .............................................................................................................. 17 Town Officials and Administration ............................................................................................. 18 Elected Municipal Officials ................................................................................................... 18 Appointed Officers ............................................................................................................... 19 Town Manager ...................................................................................................................... 20 Town Clerk and Registrar of Voters ........................................................................................ 21 Public Safety ............................................................................................................................ 27 Animal Control Officer ......................................................................................................... 27 Police Chief ......................................................................................................................... 28 Fire and Rescue Chief .......................................................................................................... 30 Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director .................................................................... 31 Code Enforcement Officer .................................................................................................... 32 Public Service .......................................................................................................................... 34 Public Library Manager ......................................................................................................... 34 Public Works Road Commissioner ........................................................................................ 36 Transfer Station Manager ...................................................................................................... 38 Water Department Superintendent ....................................................................................... 40 Education ................................................................................................................................ 42 RSU 16 Superintendent ........................................................................................................ 44 RSU 16 Adult Education Director .......................................................................................... 45 Elm Street School Principal .................................................................................................. 46 Bruce M. Whittier Middle School Principal ............................................................................. 47 Poland Regional High School Principal .................................................................................. 48

Community Outreach ............................................................................................................... 49 Parks and Recreation Department Director ........................................................................... 49 Community Days 2025 ......................................................................................................... 52 Santa Program ..................................................................................................................... 60 Town Financials ....................................................................................................................... 62 Municipal Revenues Received .............................................................................................. 62 FY 25 Financial Audit Report ................................................................................................. 63 FY 26 Tax Information ........................................................................................................... 84 Unpaid Taxes ....................................................................................................................... 85 FY 2027 Budget Information ................................................................................................. 87 FY 27 Budget Letter .......................................................................................................... 87 FY 27 Budget Summary .................................................................................................... 88 Municipal Town Budget Warrant for FY 2027 .......................................................................... 90

Town Report Dedication Written by: Vic Hodgkins, Town Manager (Ret.) Chief Jeff Goss For 38 years, when the Town of Mechanic Falls needed law enforcement, Jeff Goss was there. Over the course of those many years, Jeff became not only a well-respected Police Chief with the citizens of Mechanic Falls, but he also became well-respected throughout the State of Maine, and beyond. Jeff’s long journey in law enforcement began on September 22nd, 1987, serving the town part-time. He became a full-time member of the Mechanic Falls Police Department on June 4th, 1989. Shortly after, Jeff was promoted to Sergeant in January 1990, and just three short years later was officially installed as Chief of Police on January 13th, 1993, where he served until his retirement on June 13th, 2025.

Jeff’s commitment to local policing and his calm steady-hand helped the community through several trying times. His relationship with local school administration, teachers, and students provided a sense of safety in moments of need. Always ready with a smile, and a quick, dry sense of humor, Jeff provided a level of leadership that is rare to find. Mechanic Falls will always owe Chief Goss a deep sense of gratitude, and a hearty thank you. In his spare time, Jeff is an avid golfer and can be found chasing the little white ball around golf courses. Jeff currently resides in Minot with his wife Rosanna. They are the proud parents of two grown children: Madison, who is a senior at UMO, and Garrett, who currently works for RSU #16.

Thank you, Chief Goss, for your service to our community! May you enjoy your retirement.

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Spirit of America Award Written by: Vic Hodgkins, Town Manager The Spirit of America Award was established in Maine in 1990 to honor volunteerism and community service by individuals living in Maine communities. Each year during National Volunteer Month the Town Council recognizes an individual or group who represent excellence in community service and volunteerism. This year the Town Council has chosen to recognize: Laura Vincent

Laura has been a long-time volunteer and vital member of our community since moving to Mechanic Falls in the early 1970’s. Over the years, Laura has served the community in many ways including as the Director of the Backpack Program. This program helps kids in our community who experience food insecurity. Each week the program provides food to over 50 families in our schools. Laura’s leadership and hard work, secures food and funds to make sure that students are able to go home with food for the weekend. In addition, her group also provides snacks to area schools and children in need. Laura has volunteered in many other ways including at Vineyard Church where she is involved in Sunday school, children’s ministry, events, and more. Plus, she serves on the town’s Library and Community Days committees. In addition, she also volunteers every year to judge the National History Day projects at the middle school, and volunteers for lunch duty at the Elm Street School.

Leader, volunteer, and dedicated community member are just some of the words that describe Laura Vincent… a true example of what community service is all about.

Laura and her husband Chuck are proud of their 4 grown children, 10 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. They reside at 31 Oak Street in Mechanic Falls.

Congratulations to Laura Vincent, this year's Mechanic Falls Spirit of America award winner!

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Elected State Officials

CONGRESSMAN

U.S. SENATOR

U.S. SENATOR

Susan Collins 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-2523

Angus King 133 Hart Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-5344

Jared Golden 2 nd District 1107 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-6306

MAINE GOVERNOR

REPRESENTATIVE

MAINE SENATOR

Janet T. Mills 1 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 207-287-3531

Richard Bennett District 18 3 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 (207) 287-1540

David Boyer District 87 2 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 (207) 274-4633

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U.S. Senator Letter

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U.S. Senator Letter

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Maine State Governor Letter

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Maine Senator (District 18) Letter

Senator Richard A. Bennett 3 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0003 Office (207) 287-1540 Cell (207) 592-3200 Richard.Bennett@legislature.maine.gov Senator Richard A. Bennett 3 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0003 Office (207) 287-1540 Cell (207) 592-3200 Richard.Bennett@legislature.maine.gov

132 nd Legislature State of Maine Senate District 18 132 nd Legislature State of Maine Senate District 18

Dear Friends and Neighbors: I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you in the Maine Senate. It has been an honor to work on your behalf to make our state an even better place to live, work and conduct business. I am grateful you have put your trust in me, and I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the people of western Maine. The First Regular Session of the 132 nd Maine State Legislature began on December 4, 2024 and ended in March; the First Special Session of the 132nd Maine Legislature adjourned in July. With 415 bills carried over to the next session — including more than 200 still pending in committees — lawmakers have a significant workload ahead when we return for the Second Regular Session, which begins January 7, 2026. I'm pleased to report the Legislature passed several critical bills aimed at expanding access to medical care, includ ing measures to improve prescription access in Maine’s most rural communities. We also secured key wins to protect our vital forest and logging industries, strengthen Maine’s hospitality sector, and create new economic opportunities in agriculture by supporting food processing and manufacturing incentives. As I return for the final year of my third consecutive term in the Senate, I intend to continue focusing on advancing commonsense policies aimed at protecting Maine’s natural resources, lowering the costs of goods and services, increasing our housing stock and access to mental health and substance use treatment, and assisting our small businesses. I am eager to discuss the issues important to all of you. Many of you have reached out about the biggest concerns you face every day. I promise to do all I can to advocate for your priorities in Augusta. Again, thank you for electing me to serve you in the State Senate. The 132 nd Maine Legislature has a great deal of work to do. However, I believe that if we wor k collaboratively, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. Please feel free to contact me by calling (207) 287-1505 or emailing me at Richard.Bennett@legislature.maine.gov if you have comments, questions or if you would like assistance in navigating our state’s bureaucracy. Sincerely, Dear Friends and Neighbors: I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you in the Maine Senate. It has been an honor to work on your behalf to make our state an even better place to live, work and conduct business. I am grateful you have put your trust in me, and I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the people of western Maine. The First Regular Session of the 132 nd Maine State Legislature began on December 4, 2024 and ended in March; the First Special Session of the 132nd Maine Legislature adjourned in July. With 415 bills carried over to the next session — including more than 200 still pending in committees — lawmakers have a significant workload ahead when we return for the Second Regular Session, which begins January 7, 2026. I'm pleased to report the Legislature passed several critical bills aimed at expanding access to medical care, includ ing measures to improve prescription access in Maine’s most rural communities. We also secured key wins to protect our vital forest and logging industries, strengthen Maine’s hospitality sector, and create new economic opportunities in agriculture by supporting food processing and manufacturing incentives. As I return for the final year of my third consecutive term in the Senate, I intend to continue focusing on advancing commonsense policies aimed at protecting Maine’s natural resources, lowering the costs of goods and services, increasing our housing stock and access to mental health and substance use treatment, and assisting our small businesses. I am eager to discuss the issues important to all of you. Many of you have reached out about the biggest concerns you face every day. I promise to do all I can to advocate for your priorities in Augusta. Again, thank you for electing me to serve you in the State Senate. The 132 nd Maine Legislature has a great deal of work to do. However, I believe that if we wor k collaboratively, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. Please feel free to contact me by calling (207) 287-1505 or emailing me at Richard.Bennett@legislature.maine.gov if you have comments, questions or if you would like assistance in navigating our state’s bureaucracy. Sincerely,

Richard A. Bennett Senator Richard A. Bennett Senator

Fax: (207) 287-1527 * TTY (207) 287-1583 * Message Service 1-800-423-6900 * Web Site: legislature.maine.gov/senate

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Fax: (207) 287-1527 * TTY (207) 287-1583 * Message Service 1-800-423-6900 * Web Site: legislature.maine.gov/senate

Town Demographics

MECHANIC FALLS ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY STATE OF MAINE

FORM OF GOVERNMENT Charter / Council / Town Manager

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Regional School Unit (RSU) 16 PreK-Grade 6 Elm Street School

Grade 7-8 Bruce M. Whittier Middle School Grade 9-12 Poland Regional High School

FISCAL YEAR July 1st through June 30th

ALTITUDE* (Downtown area) 300 feet above sea level (Pigeon Hill area) 600 feet above sea level AREA* 11.6 square miles 21.77 miles of publicly maintained roads *These figures are approximates.

POPULATION BY CENSUS 1980 2,589 1990 2,919 2000 3,138 2010 3,023 2020 3,017

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General Information

Town Directory and Hours TOWN OFFICE

TRANSFER STATION Manager: Norm Lowe

Town Clerk: Rebecca Charest

Monday-Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

8a-5p 8a-4p

Wednesday Thursday (5/1-9/30) Saturday Sunday

12p-4p 12p-6p 8a-4p 8a-1p

8:30a-5:30p 7:30a-11:30a

207-345-3556 41 Austin Road

207-345-2871 (Phone) 207-345-9201 (Fax) 108 Lewiston Street, 2nd Floor

WATER DEPARTMENT Superintendent: Jake Verrill

LIBRARY Manager: Michelle Paladino

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

9a-5:30p 3p-7p 9a-5:30p

Monday-Friday

7:30a-3:30p

Thursday Saturday

3p-7p 9a-2p

207-345-5351 62 Highland Avenue

207-345-9450 108 Lewiston Street, 3rd Floor

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Please refer to the back cover for additional contact information.

Town Office Holidays Please Note: When the holiday falls on a Friday, the Town Office will close early the day before as well as the holiday (Marked with an asterisk * below) 2026 2027 Fri, Jun 19th Fri, Jul 3rd

Juneteenth * Independence Day * Labor Day Indigenous Peoples’ Day Thanksgiving * and the Day after Thanksgiving Christmas Day *

New Year’s Day * Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Presidents’ Day Patriot’s Day Memorial Day

Fri, Jan 1st Mon, Jan 18th Mon, Feb 15th Mon, Apr 19th Mon, May 31st

Mon, Sep 7th Mon, Oct 12th Thurs, Nov 26th

Fri, Nov 27th Fri, Dec 25th

Important Dates

2026

June

(June 9th) Election (June 19th and 20th) Community Days New Transfer Station stickers become available (valid July 1st) (June 30th) ATV and snowmobile registrations expire (June 30th) End of Fiscal Year (July 1st) Start of the New Fiscal Year (Mid-Late August) Real Estate Property tax bills are mailed to residents Requests for Absentee Ballots begin for November’s Election (October 1st) Dog Registrations begin for following year (October 15th) The first half of property taxes are due (November 1st) Santa Program begins (November 3rd) Election (December 5th) Tree Lighting (December 31st) Dog registrations, boat registrations, and hunting and fishing licenses expire

July August September October

November

December

2027

January February April May

Dog registrations grace period Late fees begin for dog registrations

Requests for Absentee Ballots begin for June’s Election (May 15th) The second half of property taxes are due

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Appointed Boards and Committees

Planning Board

Board of Appeals

Walter Goss, Chair Shannon Snowman, Vice Chair David Griffiths Rebecca Boynton Shannon Sturgis Aaron Ouellette (Alternate) John Skelley (Alternate)

Christopher Strout Eriks Petersons Martha Wiseman Paula Stotts Vacant

Meets as Needed Council Chambers at the Town Office

Meets monthly on the First Wednesday at 6:00 pm Council Chambers at the Town Office

Library Trustees

Historical Society

Janice Ferri, President Ann Hobart Jenn Durant, Secretary Laura Vincent

Eriks Petersons, President Anthony Emery Dorothy Bouchles James Craig, Secretary Lindsey Anderson Michael Baird Nancy Petersons, Treasurer Patricia Dyer Rena Berry

Martha Wiseman Nancy Petersons Patricia Dyer Vacant

Meets monthly (Sep-Jun) on the First Thursday at 7:00 pm Public Library at the Town Office

Rose Aikman Steve Turner Walter Berry

Meets monthly on the Third Wednesday at 6:30 pm Council Chambers at the Town Office

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Appointed Boards and Committees (Continued) Budget Committee Recreation Committee

Andrea Winn Collin Dudley Connor Sheehy Thomas Walton

Justin Starbird, Chair Jessica Cummings, Vice Chair Robyn Coleman, Secretary Carrie Paradis Craig Smith Jay Brant

Vacant Vacant Vacant

Matt Mocciola Shannon Briner Wayne Usher

Meets as Needed (Feb-Apr) Council Chambers at the Town Office

Meets monthly on the Second Thursday at 6:00 pm Council Chambers at the Town Office

Development Commission

Fire and Rescue

Michael Baird, President Brenda Coleman Paul Weller Stuart Davis, Treasurer Tim Dean

Meets monthly on the Second Monday at 7:00 pm Fire Station

Meets quarterly on the Second Monday at 5:30 pm Council Chambers at the Town Office

Chief Sturtevant presenting Firefighters, Uriah Merrick and Paul Harvey, for “Outstanding Emergency Response” during the July 23rd emergency response event.

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General Assistance The municipality of Mechanic Falls administers General Assistance for the immediate aid of eligible persons who are unable to provide the basic necessities essential to maintain themselves or their families. Pursuant to Title 22 MRSA § 4304, the Municipal Officers have adopted an ordinance establishing a General Assistance program. A copy of this ordinance is available for inspection at the Mechanic Falls Town Office. Also available for inspection is a copy of the State’s General Assistance Statutes, as copies of the State law are made available to the municipality by the Maine Department of Human Services.

PERSONS WISHING TO APPLY FOR GENERAL ASSISTANCE MAY DO SO AT THE MECHANIC FALLS TOWN OFFICE (Second Floor)

Applications are accepted in-person: Mondays -Thursdays: 8 am – 4 pm Fridays: 8 am – 11 am

(EMERGENCY cases considered by application.)

Questions? Call the General Assistance Administrator at: 207-345-2871. For Emergency After Hours Situations Only, Call Dispatch at 207-753-2599 – Ask for Mechanic Falls General Assistance

The municipality’s General Assistance Administrator must issue a written decision regarding eligibility to all applicants within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving application.

The toll-free number to call the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with questions regarding the General Assistance Program is: 1-800-442-6003

ALL GENERAL ASSISTANCE APPLICANTS MUST BRING ALL PAY STUBS, RECEIPTS SHOWING USE OF INCOME, ANY UTILITY BILLS AND LANDLORD INFORMATION IF GENERAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUESTED FOR SUCH.

This notice is posted pursuant to Title 22 MRSA § 4303-4305.

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Town Officials and Administration

Elected Municipal Officials

Town Council

RSU #16 School Board

(3-year term)

Term Expires

(3-year term)

Term Expires

Darrell Young, Chair Walter Berry, Vice Chair Derek Thebarge (Interim)

2027 2027

Jessica Smith, Chair Patrick Irish, Vice Chair

2028 2027 2028 2028 2026*

2026*

Andrea Winn Gavin Boenig

Mary Martin Ray Lavoie

2028

2026*

Natalie Brooks (Interim)

Meets monthly on the First Monday at 6:00 pm Council Chambers at the Town Office

Meets monthly on the Second Monday at 6:30 pm Poland Regional High School

Sanitary District Trustees

*2026 vacancies will be voted on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026.

(3-year term)

Term Expires

Michael Baird, Chair

2028

Scott Penney, Vice Chair

2026*

Anthony Emery

2027 2028 2027

Gary Purington, Treasurer

Mark Gary, Clerk

Meets monthly on the Third Monday at 6:00 pm Sanitary District Building

Rep. David Boyer and Senator Rick Bennett presenting Mary Martin the Spirit of American Foundation award and recognizing her for serving more than 40 years of service to Elm Street School and RSU 16, having served as a Teacher, Principal, and School Board member.

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Appointed Officers

Librarian Police Chief Public Works Director

Michelle Paladino Paul Schroeder

Animal Control Officer Assessor

Robert Larrabee O’Donnell & Associates RHR Smith & Company Thomas Moore Chris Bilodeau Fred Sturtevant Thomas Moore Fred Sturtevant

Chris Arsenault Rebecca Charest

Registrar of Voters Deputy Registrar of Voters Road Commissioner Tax Collector Deputy Tax Collector Town Clerk Deputy Clerk Transfer Station Manager

Auditor

Barbara Morton

Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Alternate CEO/LPI EMA Director Health Officer Fire Inspector Fire Chief/ Fire Warden General Assistance Manager General Assistance Hearing Board

Chris Arsenault Vic Hodgkins

Barbara Morton Rebecca Charest Barbara Morton

Fred Sturtevant

Norm Lowe Vic Hodgkins Lisa Prevost

Vic Hodgkins

Town Manager Town Treasurer

Danielle Loring

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Town Manager February 12th, 2026 To The Citizens of Mechanic Falls:

Again, it is my pleasure to update you on the continued forward progress of our town. I am proud to say that the state of the town continues to be strong. The past year has seen many positive events including much needed exterior renovations to many of the town complex buildings, including the wonderful exterior renovation of the town office building. We also added LED lighting to the Depot Square parking lot. In addition, we completed road work on North Street, Highland Avenue, and Riverside Drive… Mechanic Falls continues to be on the move. I am also proud to report to you that the financial state of the Town of Mechanic Falls continues to be stronger than ever. I would encourage you all to take a moment and celebrate the fact that the Town is now debt free. FY ’27 will have zero dollars dedicated to debt service. This milestone would not have been possible without everyone pulling in the same direction. With that said, in the years to come, the town must continue to plan for and set aside monies for future needed and necessary asset purchases. This no debt philosophy is a major win for the town that saves monies on unnecessary interest payments, while also gaining interest in monies set aside for upcoming needs. Looking forward… for FY ‘27 we intend to work on repairing several roads in and around the Spring Street area. In addition, we are told by MDOT that the Bill Dunlop Memorial Bridge deck replacement and bridge painting will begin in May this year. In addition, we will see continued renovation work to the town office complex. I do want to take a moment and thank our staff for all that they do for the town… they are the soul of our operation. Every day they work hard in their respective roles to serve you. Please be sure to thank these folks when you see them. Positive words are always welcome and appreciated. In addition, I also want to thank the Council for their dedication and hard work for the town. They, too, deserve your thanks. As always, know that I have an open-door policy. I will meet with anyone, anytime, to discuss any topic concerning the town. I look forward to another exciting year of challenges and opportunities.

Sincerely, Vic Hodgkins

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Town Clerk and Registrar of Voters

Dear Residents of Mechanic Falls, I am truly honored to serve as your Town Clerk and Registrar of Voters since March 12th, 2025. Stepping into this role has been both humbling and rewarding, and I sincerely appreciate the kindness, patience, and support shown to me during this transition.

Over the past year, several new laws have been enacted and changes to services have been implemented. For Motor Vehicle Registrations , these updates include the introduction of the new Pine Tree plates and new regulations for Disabled Veterans. Beginning in May 2025, the State

started phasing out the Chickadee plates and replacing them with the Pine Tree design. This change was driven primarily by safety and readability concerns, as many Chickadee plates— originally issued in 1999—had become faded, peeling, or no longer reflective, making them difficult for law enforcement and cameras to read. (Please note that vehicles classified as passenger cars may choose between the Pine Tree plate and the “No Tree” option.) Effective May 30, 2025, Disabled Veterans may be exempt from excise tax on up to three (3) vehicles (previously unlimited) and free registrations on up to three (3) vehicles (previously one). To qualify, the disabled veteran must be the titled owner of the vehicle and show current VA benefits letter. Eligible vehicles include passenger cars (including antiques), commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and motorhomes. Please note that specialty or vanity plate fees, camper trailers, and leased vehicles are not included in these exemptions. Inland Fishery and Wildlife (IF&W) has discontinued printing the law and rule books for activities such as boating, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling. To improve accessibility, they have launched a mobile app called ME Outdoors , which provides access to these materials both online and offline. The app also features water access sites, trail information, detailed maps, and more. Users can conveniently purchase and store licenses, permits, and recreational vehicle registrations within the app.

Vital Records has also seen an important update regarding marriage laws. As of May 6, 2025, the legal age for marriage has been raised to 18. Couples wishing to be married must appear together in person to file their marriage intentions, and at least one party must reside in Mechanic Falls. There is no waiting period in the State of Maine, and the marriage

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license may be used immediately upon issuance. Following the ceremony, the completed license must be returned within 15 working days for recording. Couples may also request to be married at the Town Office. I am available to perform a simple, quaint marriage ceremony. Please contact me in advance to ensure your needs can be accommodated and to schedule a date.

Regarding Dog Licenses , a new system was implemented in 2025 that allows residents to register their dog online. For more information, please refer to the Animal Control Officer page under the Public Safety section of this Town Report.

There have also been three updates related to Elections and Voting . First, as of September 24, 2025, the No Labels Party was disqualified at the party’s request. Second, the option to select “Other” on the Voter Registration Application has been eliminated; voters must choose from officially qualified parties or register as Unenrolled (no party affiliation). Third, changes to the Ongoing Absentee Voter Status took effect on December 31, 2025. Any qualified Maine voter may apply for ongoing absentee voter status, allowing them to automatically receive an absentee ballot for each election without submitting a request each time. Applications must be completed through the Town Office. On the following pages, you will find key statistics highlighting the work accomplished throughout the year in the Clerk’s Office. Thank you for placing your trust in me. I look forward to continuing to serve you in the year ahead. Warm Regards, Rebecca Charest ********************* If you should have any questions, please contact us at (207) 345-2871 or email… The Town Clerk, Rebecca Charest, at RCharest@MechanicFalls.org The Deputy Clerk, Barbara Morton at BMorton@MechanicFalls.org

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Rebecca with her dog, Penny.

Motor Vehicle Statistics 3,064 Registrations were processed *Figures for the 2025 Calendar Year

IF&W Statistics

110 102 103

Hunting/Fishing Licenses

Boat Registrations ATV Registrations

86

Snowmobile Registrations

*Figures for the 2025 Calendar Year

Voter Registration Statistics

1,888

Active Voters

448 106

Democrats

Green Independents

23

Libertarians Republicans Unenrolled

689 622

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*Figures as of April 24, 2026

Vital Statistics The following vital statistics are for the 2025 Calendar Year

21 couples got married! Congratulations to all the newlyweds! Special shout-out to the one special couple who got married at the Town Office!

08/01/2025 Adam Durant and Erin Holden 11/25/2025 Alexis Lessard and Connor Russell-Mason 10/18/2025 Briana Obshatkin and John McDonald 05/24/2025 Brooke Place and Brandon Guerrette 10/11/2025 Curtis Rivard and Emily LaBreck 03/06/2025 Daniel Smith and Holli Pullen 05/23/2025 David Rodrigues and Lan Tran 10/11/2025 Dillon Perkins and Megan Main 08/30/2025 Evelyn Rios and Andrew Craig 08/02/2025 Julia Bernard and Quinn Ferguson 10/03/2025 Justin Perkins and Larissa Johnston

09/27/2025 Keith Mitchell and Kaylee Marston 09/05/2025 Mackenzie Denbow and Walker Plummer 07/05/2025 Michelle Pepin and Richard O’Donnell 07/16/2025 Nicole Kerr and Noah Breton 11/26/2025 Philip True and Wanda Spurling 09/13/2025 Randi-Jo Wells and Kevin Atkins 09/06/2025 Richard Wilcox and Debra Larrabee 09/13/2025 Robert Doster and Asma Alale 09/20/2025 Sarah Boynton and Tyson Caron 05/25/2025 Wyatt Eads and Elizabeth Young

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We lost 31 residents. Our heartfelt condolences go to the families and friends of those who lost loved ones.

Belanger,William Henry Jr. 79 03/24/2025 McCormick,Frances Joan 89 02/15/2025 Brinnick,Kenneth Arthur 79 11/30/2025 Parker,Daniel Alden 75 02/09/2025 Colbert,Lillian C. 82 08/18/2025 Pate,Albert Currie 71 01/24/2025 Crowley,Michael M. 75 09/17/2025 Potvin,Paul Rene 72 07/29/2025 Daddona,George Raymond 83 01/13/2025 Raven,Chelsea S. 35 04/11/2025 Dwelley,Joanne L 72 09/30/2025 Ray,Donald Philip Sr 78 02/23/2025 Ford,Francoise A. 94 10/18/2025 Roberts,Michael Allen 68 01/25/2025 Foster,Katherine A. 70 12/19/2025 Rowe,Timothy Stanley 72 07/04/2025 Hanscome,Esther A. 99 04/17/2025 Seamon,David A. 72 03/11/2025 Harrison,Thomas Burton Sr. 81 09/06/2025 Smith,Stuart E. 81 02/20/2025 Harwood,George B 78 12/04/2025 Switser,Robert Harry 94 12/30/2025 Jalbert,Maryann Kus 82 12/30/2025 Wiles,Douglas O. 69 04/09/2025 Jones,Frederick Moxham 82 07/18/2025 Williams,Jean P. 94 08/02/2025 Kirk,Roger M. Jr. 78 05/11/2025 Williams,Marie C. 79 01/11/2025 Lakin,Patrick Joseph Sr. 56 09/23/2025 Yates,Martha L. 75 04/22/2025 Larrabee,Douglas M. 81 12/19/2025

We welcomed 24 babies! Congratulations, parents!

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Public Safety

Animal Control Officer

Dog Registrations By law, a dog must be licensed with the town where it resides upon reaching six (6) months of age or within 10 days of adoption. Licenses must be renewed by December 31st of every year. Late fees of $25.00 per dog incur as of February 1st. What’s new? You may now license your dog(s) online by visiting the Maine Dog Licensing website.

1. Current rabies certificate 2. Proof of spay/neuter (if new)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Rebecca Charest's dog, Penny

Barbara Morton's dog, Phoebe

Dog Registrations

2025 Animal Control Statistics 266 Complaints 4 Animal Trespass 10 Animal Bites 48 Cat Complaints 28 Dogs picked up/returned to Owner *Figures provided by Robert Larrabee, A.C.O.

103

Registered Dogs Spayed/Neutered

76 27

Unaltered

0

Service Dogs *Figures for the 2025 Calendar Year

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Police Chief The Mechanic Falls Police Department has had an outstanding year rebuilding and with the support of the citizens of this great town, we are back to full force! We celebrated the graduation of Officer Devin Dumont after completing the Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy. We sent Chief Goss off to a well-earned retirement after serving this community for 38 years with pride, professionalism, and a devotion to this community which is second to none. We welcomed Officer Michael St. Laurent who has joined our ranks and is currently off at the academy completing his training. We are extremely proud to welcome back Lt. Terrence McCormick to the community where he began his law enforcement career serving as a Reserve Officer. With this dedicated group of professionals, we have increased our investigation and arrests nearly 66%. This year, we responded to a tragic arson which occurred on Pleasant Street in March. Alongside the Fire Marshall service, we assisted with the investigation and made the required arrest of the suspect. Our calls for service have increased almost by 1,000 (4,728-2023 / 5,549-2024 / 6,945- 2025). One of the most calls of service from our community is traffic complaints, especially speed. We try to respond in one way or another by making our presence known on all streets. In 2025, we made 2,165 traffic stops, with a majority at 423 occurring on Lewiston Street and 385 occurring on Pigeon Hill Road. We recognize that traffic fines are expensive, which is why we often issue warnings in hope that motorists are educated after the stop. We issued warnings at well over a 6 to 1 ratio. I am honored on being selected as the next Chief of Police. I must admit, Chief Goss left a legacy of community policing here in this town and those are some big shoes to fill, but with the support of the community, Town Council, and Town Manager, there is nothing that we can’t overcome.

Paul Schroeder

Pictured left to right: Michelle Emery, Chief Schroeder, (Ret.) Chief Goss, Officer Cushman, Officer Streeter, and Officer Dumont

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Officer Cushman making an arrest on Pleasant Street.

Group A Crimes

Group B Crimes

Murder

0 4 3

Disorderly Conduct

6

Rape

Driving Under the Influence

14

Aggravated Assault Simple Assault

Trespass Liquor Law Traffic Law

6 2

18 17

Intimidation

79 44

Arson Incest

1 1 4 0 3

All Other Offenses

Drug Violations Pornography

Burglary

Larceny/Theft

36 11 25

Fraud

Vandalism Weapon Law

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Lt. McCormick

Officer St. Laurent

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Officers Cushman, Streeter, and Dumont

Chief Schroeder

Fire and Rescue Chief I hope the winter treated you all well - it was a cold one, for sure, but the warm weather is here and we’ll take it! The nicer weather brings us right into budget season and I hope you’ll come out to vote in June to show your support. This year’s budget reflects the needs of the department without major increases. However, one of the increases included a new software program for creating local and state fire reports needed for accountability needs and they do not come cheap, especially since there were not a lot of vendors willing to work with a small department. The one we chose has had quite a learning curve, but we’re making do. The other items in the budget are for normal maintenance of equipment and payroll. The department has been busy with calls this year. We are still averaging about 350 calls, mostly rescue calls with the rest of the calls involving grass fires, odor investigations, unattended fires, big one structure fires, car crashes or miscellaneous help. We finally have the new Engine 2 fire truck in service, and we are all very appreciative of you all getting it for us so that we can protect you. Department membership has had some young blood and future juniors joining, all who are ready and willing to learn, with the graying of the fire service many departments in the state are now facing. I just want to say that I am proud to serve alongside these individuals for the protection of Mechanic Falls, and I appreciate all the citizens for their support. We also would not be able to do this without the help of our surrounding Mutual Aid departments as well as the other Mechanic Falls departments. Thank you to Public Works, the Police Department, Water Department, Sanitary District, Transfer Station, and the Town Office.

Please be careful out there and take care. If you need us – we’re only a call away!

Fred C. Sturtevant III

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Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director As you are aware, the time to vote on town budgets is near. EMA’s budget has pretty much stayed the same, and we try to get as much help from the federal government as we can for disasters and preparedness. Things have changed with the new administration with different priorities, training requirements, and guidelines, but we have been keeping up the best we can. This past winter was cold, and at times, we have kept the fire station open as a warming shelter for those in need. Besides that, we luckily didn’t have any major storm emergencies declared, like in other states. Please remember that it’s important to prepare yourselves and your families for an emergency by having a plan and an evacuation kit. Visit the Home Preparedness page of the EMA agency website at https://www.maine.gov/mema/maine-prepares homepreparedness to learn more about a Grab-N-Go bag, how to stay informed, and other safety precautions.

I hope you have a safe, fun, and warm spring, summer and fall.

Stay safe,

Fred C. Sturtevant III

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Code Enforcement Officer Hello all!

Another rotation around the sun, another year of big things happening here in the Falls! Thomas Moore here, your Town CEO in the know! Let’s begin with some great stuff (depending on how you define that term) coming down from Augusta! The hot topic of the year is going to be LD 1829 which is sighted as “An act to build housing for Maine families and attract workers to Maine businesses by amending the laws governing housing density.” Essentially, what this LD is going to do is allow smaller lots to have homes on them. Some of the key points to this are that the allowances are within the “Designated Growth Area” outlined in our Town’s Comprehensive Plan, or any area that is serviced by both Town water and sewer. If you have questions about this, feel free to give me a call or you can go to the Town website and look up the first few minutes of the Council Meeting on 2/2/2026 where I go over what this LD is and the steps the Planning Board will be suggesting to the Council to make us compliant with the State.

Now for some fun facts from the ordinances. 1) 100 Square feet is the magic number. If you are doing something on your property that is 100 square feet or more, you need a permit. 2) If you are hiring a plumber or even doing some plumbing work yourself on a property you still need to get a permit from the Town (me) to make sure that all things are done by the code. To go a step further, you as the homeowner can work on your own plumbing SO LONG AS this is your primary residence AND it is a single-family home. Otherwise, you need a licensed plumber. 3) More than two unregistered and/or uninspected vehicles on your property constitute an automobile junkyard/graveyard by both Town and State definitions and these are prohibited EVERYWHERE in Town. Please take note of this so I don’t have to send you warnings and violation notices because no one wants that in their mailbox.

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On to last year’s stats! Our 2025 numbers are as follows:

- 47 building permits with total estimated costs of $4.06 Million. Of which included: ° 11 Solar arrays ° 16 Sheds, decks, or garages ° 12 New homes or ADUs ° 8 Misc/other uses - 21 Plumbing Permits - 13 Septic Systems

I do still have a bunch of older permits open that may or may not need to be finished out so if you have gotten a permit and completed your project, be it a shed, deck, or an ADU and you haven’t gotten a sign off from myself or one of the previous CEOs please reach out! Lastly, the Council, Planning Board, Town Manager, and I have been discussing the update to our Comprehensive Plan. For those of you unfamiliar, the Comp Plan is the 10ish year guidance for what the Town wants to see happen within the community. From businesses to infrastructure to zoning and land use, this is the foundational document from you, the Town’s people, to the future administrators of the Town. When public hearings get under way for this, hopefully later in the year, I encourage you all to attend and voice your thoughts, feelings, and ideas for the future of Mechanic Falls.

Until next time! Thomas Moore

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Public Service

Public Library Manager

Our Mission is to Provide Lifelong Enjoyment of Learning, Exploring, and Reading!

The Mechanic Falls Public Library is located in the Mechanic Falls Town Osice Building, on the third floor. The Mechanic Falls Public Library has been in this location for 14 years, and there has been a Public Library in the town of Mechanic Falls since 1899! Free library cards are available to all Mechanic Falls residents. Proof of address is all that is required to sign up! We continue to participate in the Maine State Library’s reciprocal borrowing system. This program allows any current library cardholder to request items from any participating library within the state of Maine, and they are delivered directly to our library weekly for pickup. Many patrons are taking advantage of the Cloud Library, which is another free service that your library card will give you access to. The Cloud Library gives access to thousands of free E-Book and Audiobook titles! This year, with the help of a grant from the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the library added a new Library of Things program. We now have many items available to our patrons for checkout including: canning equipment, a food dehydrator, outdoor party games, puzzles, tools, sports equipment, board games, children’s learning games and many more items along with our expanded Little Free Seed Library!

Janice Ferri

Patti Dyer

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Nancy Petersons

The library continues to oser our weekly Monday morning Story and Craft time for preschool age children during the school year. As well as the Tuesday evening Fiber group, and our monthly meeting of our Bog Hoot Bookies adult book discussion group. Contact the library for more information on any of our programs. This summer we plan to once again oser our Annual Summer Reading Program during the month of July. There will be a weekly craft/activity available, and prizes at the end of the month for all children who complete their reading goal. This year we have also been able to provide free family passes to the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum located in Bethel, as well as discount passes to the Maine Wildlife Park located in Gray. Both are available at no cost to our library cardholders. 3,559 Adult books, 401 Young Adult Books, and 2,166 Children’s Books were lent from the library in 2025. We also provided access to 615 Audiobooks and E-Books through the Cloud Library. Using the Library Use Calculator provided by the Maine State Library, the value for the Mechanic Falls Library for the year of 2025 was $178,411.00!

I would like to say thank you to all the townspeople and patrons of Mechanic Falls Public Library for your continued support! Sincerely, Michelle Paladino

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Public Works Road Commissioner The 2025 year was another active and demanding year for the Mechanic Falls Public Works Department. Numerous critical projects were undertaken concurrently, requiring careful planning, coordination, and sustained effort by the department’s staff. Street sweeping operations were significantly impacted this spring due to mechanical failure of the department’s sweeper. Multiple repair attempts were made both internally and by the company that services Elgin sweepers; however, due to the age of the equipment, the issue could not be diagnosed or resolved. Compounding this challenge, rental sweepers were unavailable until June. The department is actively evaluating replacement options to ensure street sweeping can be completed in a timely manner in future seasons.

Several roadway improvement projects were successfully completed during the year. On North Street, the section that was not reclaimed during the previous year was shimmed and overlaid, and a topcoat of pavement was applied to the newly reclaimed section to protect the prior investment. On Riverside Drive, two severely deteriorated sections were box-cut, and a new subbase and base coat of asphalt were installed. The department also took advantage of an opportunity to pave a particularly distressed section of Brown Road. While it is acknowledged that the entire roadway requires improvement, completing the full project was not financially feasible during this fiscal year. Additional improvements were made on Highland Avenue through close coordination with the Water

Department’s water main replacement project. Public Works removed existing asphalt and installed paved swales, allowing the excavation contractor to complete the water main installation. Once complete, the roadway was paved, and both departments collaborated to finish the new swales. The paving strategy currently being utilized has proven to be more effective than the previous five-year plan. This approach allows the department to focus on rebuilding roadways while protecting and extending the lifespan of the town’s infrastructure investments.

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In addition to these capital projects, the department continued to perform essential daily operations, including mowing ball fields and parks, street sweeping, pavement striping, and routine maintenance of equipment and facilities. The department extends special recognition to Scott Penney for returning from retirement to assist with roadside mowing, sweeping, equipment and building maintenance, support at the transfer station, and the many unanticipated tasks that arise throughout the year. Mechanic Falls is a small community served by a small but dedicated Public Works crew. Despite limited staffing, the department consistently reports to work in all conditions to meet the needs of the town. The full-time and part-time staff take great pride in maintaining town assets and in the care of the equipment entrusted to them. In an industry where dependable personnel are increasingly difficult to retain, the department is fortunate to have a committed and reliable team, and the town benefits greatly from their efforts. While the department cannot address every issue immediately, residents are encouraged to report concerns as they arise. The Public Works Department will make every reasonable effort to respond promptly and effectively. Respectfully, Chris Arsenault

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