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.
No one better prepared to serve Camden than Mary Beth Leone Thomas
Solid land use ordinances are not result of citizen referendums
In discussions surrounding the recent mining issue in Warren and Union, a common theme is what a beautiful place we live in, and we must preserve the clean air and water and out way of life. I couldn’t agree more. The reason this place is how it is, is because of code enforcement officers and planning boards. Planning boards are made up of dedicated, conscientious citizens who meet on a regular basis with a serious commitment to their town. Those are the folks that are responsible for… Read more
Vote no on cannabis shops in Camden
Vote to regulate and control metallic mining in Union
On Tuesday, June 13, Union voters will have the opportunity to show their support for regulating and controlling industrial metallic mining in our residential town. Ballots will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the William L. Pullen Municipal Building at 567 Common Road in Union.
Two items on the Town Warrant are crucially important – Articles 4 and 5 – which… Read more
The Future of the Thomaston Green is Green (or should be)
Jon Eaton’s recent letter notes “the town has followed the old maxim of ‘first, do no harm.’” Were that only so. For the past 18 years, the advocates for building on the Thomaston Green (i.e. commercial and private development) have failed to find takers.
One major developer who looked closely at private development on the Green walked away telling us what many already knew — that the Green really should become a park. It has… Read more
Civility is necessary
As we approach the June 13 election in Camden I’d like to offer a few opinions about this election season and the election itself.
First I’d like to say that there are some wonderful choices available in two local offices we’ll be voting on.
This year we have five candidates running for the two Select Board seats available and three candidates running for the two School Board seats.
That’s wonderful.
Even though I’m one of the candidates for Select Board I’m… Read more
The future of Thomaston Green
Eighteen years have passed since Thomaston acquired the 15.5-acre site of the former Maine State Prison, and the only thing built there is a gazebo for public enjoyment. I hope we all consider this a testament to the town’s careful stewardship of a property that is a rare jewel. The town has followed the old maxim of “first, do no harm.”
The voter-adopted Thomaston Green Master Plan of 2008 envisioned a public footpath along the river overlook and a centrally located green space,… Read more
Support proposal allowing Knox County Health Clinic to be on Thomaston Green
I am writing to voice my strong support for the Knox County Health Clinic (KCHC) and their proposed re-location to a site on the Thomaston Green.
With over 20 years of providing health care services to a small population, the KCHC is seeking to expand their coverage as a community health center serving everyone in the Midcoast regardless of their ability to pay. More than simply medical, dental, behavioral health, and prescription assistance, the clinic will be a hub of wellness… Read more
Vote for Rick Thackeray to serve another term on School Board
June 13 Camden Town Meeting: Pot shops, new street/sidewalk rules and candidates
CAMDEN – Voters will decide June 13 on whether to allow or prohibit cannabis retail stores in downtown Camden, the most talked about issue on the ballot as evidenced by signs around town, attendance at public meetings and debates on social media.
Voters will elect two Select Board members, from a field of five candidates, for three-year terms, and two School Board members, from a field of three, for three-year terms.
Among the important issues voters will decide are the 2023… Read more
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.