Town Meetings 2023: Warrants, Candidates, School & Town Budgets, plus a political race in House District 45
June is when many Maine citizens weigh how much to spend on school budgets, and polls are open on Election Day for voters to cast ballots on other business, including municipal and county budgets.
The longtime tradition of a March Town Meeting was changed dramatically decades ago when education and municipal budgets adopted a July-June budget cycle. Some town meetings then went to a June schedule. Now, the scenario has changed once again, with some towns doing away with in-person town meeting altogether, or scheduling them in May, or July or even August. Every municipality has its own schedule.
The one constant remains that voters ultimately decide whether to approve the budgets, which directly affect their property taxes. And many towns are busy with a variety of ordinance amendments, policy changes and developments (should Camden approve pot shops downtown? Will Thomaston craft a future for its Town Green? Will Rockport approve a new community park and build a new West Rockport fire station?)
Appleton, Camden, Rockport and Union have done away with the in-person town meeting, which traditionally was soon after the Tuesday June elections. This means that all municipal business, from budgets to policy initiatives and changes in those towns will now be addressed at the polls on Voting Day, Tuesday, June 13. If voters ever decide to bring back their in-person town meetings, they can organize to change the policy.
This is not a year for political primaries, although voters in Waldoboro will be considering at the polls a race for the state Legislature. Republican Abden Simmons and Democrat Wendy Pieh are running for the House District 45 (Friendship/ Washington/ Bremen/ Louds Island Township/ Waldoboro ) seat, which was vacated by Clinton Collamore, D-Waldoboro.
And Waldoboro has even created a resourceful Voter Guide to help voters get informed.
Yes on Article 3 on Rockport Warrant a true no-brainer
For several years I have been involved in the town’s conversation over the RES site, first and last as we tried to find a good use for the site, and in between as a possible site for a new library. Requests for proposals were published, committees formed, ideas and data gathered, surveys were taken, letter to the editors were written and read, conversations went on all over town (some reasonable and civil, others not so much).
The debates go back and forth: green space or raise tax… Read more
Vote YES on Article 3 brings an outstanding vision for Rockport’s future
For years I’ve watched a variety of ideas and visions for the RES site along Route 1. This property has drawn many diverse concepts but I have never seen a community vision as wonderful as the proposal for voting YES on Article 3 on June 13.
Over the years, the Town of Rockport has… Read more
A vision for community healthcare in Thomaston
The Knox Clinic is excited to propose the creation of a Community Health Center on a portion of the Thomaston Green adjacent to Route 1. We value the downtown connection, the high visibility and accessibility, including for the peninsula communities we serve, and the ability to further our mission of wellness.
Our belief in wellness consists of more than prescribing a blood pressure medication or filling a cavity, though, in a new community health center, patients would be able to do… Read more
In support of both women for the Camden Select Board
I have met all five Select Board candidates and encourage Camden residents to vote for the two women who are running for this office, Alison McKellar and Marybeth Leone Thomas.
I believe these two women will work hard, bring thoughtfulness, sound judgement and open minds as well as unique perspectives to the Board’s deliberations on the myriad of topics that come before it as they work on our behalf to keep Camden the special place it is for us all to live in and love and that… Read more
‘Hub of Wellness?’ We already have it
This letter responds to Chris Rector’s, “Knox Clinic by the Green” in the June 6 issue of the Free Press. I take issue with town officials who highlight the ancillary benefits the clinic says it will provide if it is located on Thomaston Green.
Recreational space, walking paths, and community gardens… Read more
Lincolnville Town Meeting: Select Board election, affordable housing zoning, town budget
LINCOLNVILLE – Voters will elect two Select Board members and weigh in on affordable housing amendments at the polls June 13. They will decide on the 2024 town budget June 15 at the in-person Town Meeting.
Select Board election
Three candidates, Jean Botley, … Read more
Abden Simmons is the right person for Augusta
Abden is one of us.
I have known Abden Simmons pretty much my entire life. He is a hard worker, honest, loyal and dedicated to his family. He has been on the Waldoboro Select Board, Planning Board, Shellfish Advisory Board and Shellfish Committee. When a District such as our, relies so heavily on the… Read more
In support of incumbent Morgan Hynd for RSU 40 School Board
I am writing in support of incumbent Morgan Hynd for the RSU 40 School Board, Warren. Morgan was elected to the board in 2018 and I have served with her for the last four years.
Morgan is a fair-minded person with a passion for quality education. She has helped raise 3 children who have or are still attending RSU 40 schools. Currently serving as Vice Chair of the RSU 40 Board, she is a member of the facilities committee and also serves as the chair of the curriculum committee.… Read more
Abden Simmons on why he is running for state office
My name is Abden Simmons, and I’m a lifelong fisherman. In just a few short days, there will be an election on June 13, and I need something important from you — your vote. Many individuals from Friendship, Washington, Bremen, Louds Island Township, and Waldoboro are telling me they need a hard-working voice in the Maine House of Representatives, but before… Read more
Wholehearted support for park in Rockport at former RES site
Town Meetings, Municipal and School Budgets, Warrants and Candidates
Below are area municipalities holding elections and town meetings in June
APPLETON
appleton.maine.gov
Annual Town Meeting, June 13, by Secret Ballot, Appleton Fire Station, 2899 Sennebec Road, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On May 30, Appleton will hold a public hearing at 7:15 p.m. at the Appleton Town Office to present the warrant. Read the 2022-2023 Appleton Town Report here. There will be three ballots: The municipal warrant, the $3.6 million Appleton Village School ballot, and the $13 million Five Town CSD ballot. Absentee ballots are currently available.
If you are a resident and would like to vote but are unsure if you are registered, call the Town Office. You can also register on the day of the election.
From the 2022-2023 Appleton Town Report, Select Board Report: “Proposed municipal expenditures are up 8.7% in 2024, which you will read in this report. Appleton Village School, when offset by its fund balance, proposes a 17.7% increase. Knox County Commissioners approved a 9.9% increase in the countywide budget, and the Five-Town Consolidated School District proposes a 7.7% increase for Appleton’s high school students. All in, the four combine for a proposed 12.9% increase in budgeted spending over 2022-2023. The Select Board endorses using $300,000 from Town of Appleton undesignated funds to reduce the impact on taxpayers. The result of all is an anticipated $21.70 mil rate, up $0.20 from the current assessment.”
camdenmaine.gov
Annual Town Meeting, June 13, Camden Public Safety Building, by secret ballot, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On the Camden Town Meeting Warrant: land use ordinances, marijuana retail proposal, municipal budget
• Camden to place two marijuana shop warrant articles before voters
• Camden to hold public hearing on whether to allow marijuana retail shops
On June 13, voters in Camden will elect two to serve on the School Administrative District 28 (Camden-Rockport K-8) and the Five Town CSD (Camden Hills Regional High School) boards of directors. There are two open seats this June, both three-year terms.
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Camden Select Board Candidates
The 2023 annual-person town meeting is Monday, June 19, at the Edna Drinkwater School (56 Bayside Road), at 6:30 p.m.
ROCKLAND
rocklandmaine.gov
On the Tuesday, June 13, City ballot, Rockland residents will find a request to dip into unspent bond money and then to contribute additional funds for the sake of a critical vehicle that can’t be substituted by any other in the Rockland fleet, nor borrowed from mutual aid.
Rockland voters asked to replace aging fire truck before prices, manufacturing times leap again
Thomaston has assembled budgets, warrants, ballots and information concerning the ordinance amendments, plus information about the Town Green, on one municipal website page.
VINALHAVEN
townofvinalhaven.org
Vinalhaven will hold Election Day June 13 at the town office. Absentee Ballots now available. All absentee ballot requests must be received by the clerk by the close of business on Thursday, June 8. All absentee ballots must be received by the clerk by the close of the polls, 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 13.
At the polls, voters will decide if they are electing Thomas Anthony as Selectman for a 3-year term. He is running unopposed, and another seat remains empty, with no candidate. They will also decide upon electing Susan Dempster to a 3-year term on the SAD 8 School Board. She is also running unopposed. And, Pamela Conway Allen is running unopposed for a 3-year term on the Water District board.
“A write-in vote MUST be counted if voter intent is clear, even if the name is misspelled or a nickname is used, the box or square to the left of the name MUST also be marked,” notes the Vinalhaven Town Office. “No exceptions.”
Voters will also consider approving the SAD 8 (Vinalhaven School) $4.6 million 2024 budget.
On June 21, at 5:30 p.m., citizens will reconvene to continue their annual town meeting. The warrant and municipal have yet to be posted at the Vinalhaven municipal website.
Candidates for RSU 40 are Steven Karp, Emily Trask-Eaton and Melvin Williams.
Voters will also consider approving a $34 million budget for RSU 40. See RSU 40 budget information here. RSU 40 comprises Waldoboro, Warren, Friendship, Washington and Union K-12 public schools.
Waldoboro voters also have a state Legislative race to consider for House District 45, with Republican Abden Simmons and Democrat Wendy Pieh squaring off. HD 45 includes Friendship/ Washington/ Bremen/ Louds Island Township/ Waldoboro and the seat was vacated by Clinton Collamore, D-Waldoboro, in February following his indictment on charges of campaign financing irregularities.