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.
On the issues: Camden Select Board Candidate Marc Ratner
On June 13, voters in Camden will elect two citizens from a slate of five candidates to serve on the Camden Select Board. There are two open seats this June, both three-year terms. Current board chair Robert Falciani is not running again, but incumbent Alison McKellar is seeking a third term on the board. She is joined by former Camden Select Board member Marc Ratner, who is hoping to return to the board. They are joined by… Read more
South Thomaston to consider land purchases, plans May 30 informational meeting
Voters at South Thomaston’s upcoming June 20 Annual Town Meeting will be asked if they wish to authorize the Select Board to purchase approximately 129 acres of undeveloped land. The land consists of a total of five parcels that abut the nearly 100 acres the Town currently owns on Route 73 where the Town Office and Fire Station are located.
Three parcels, totaling 118 acres, are currently owned by Jeffrey T. Smith of Owls Head. The other two parcels, totaling 11 acres, are owned by… Read more
On the issues: Camden School Board Candidate Richard Thackeray
On June 13, voters in Camden will elect two citizens from a slate of three 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… Read more
On the issues: Camden School Board Candidate Marcus Mrowka
On June 13, voters in Camden will elect two citizens from a slate of three 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… Read more
Taxpayer Alert: Questions for Ray Andresen that he wouldn’t let us ask
Restore Megunticook is a group of Camden residents concerned about flood control, climate change and conservation in the Megunticook watershed. We’re also taxpayers who want our money to be spent wisely and effectively.
Recently, we invited Camden Select Board candidates to meet with us. Only Ray Andresen refused.
Ray is a leader of Save the Dam Falls (STD), which wants to preserve the Montgomery Dam as it is today. Ray is also a… Read more
On the issues: Camden Select Board Candidate Raymond Andresen
On June 13, voters in Camden will elect two citizens from a slate of five candidates to serve on the Camden Select Board. There are two open seats this June, both three-year terms. Current board chair Robert Falciani is not running again, but incumbent Alison McKellar is seeking a third term on the board. She is joined by former Camden Select Board member Marc Ratner, who is hoping to return to the board. They are joined by… Read more
How our 2022 Select Board subverted Camden's democratic governance
You may not remember, but back in December The Camden Herald offered readers "A look back at 2022" summarizing significant events that occurred in Camden during the year. Odd as it may seem, apart from noting that voters last June "approved changes to town meeting process", the article made no reference to what has to be the most profound change to occur in our town's governance in over 200 years. But, now, with 2023's… Read more
Vote for Abden Simmons in June
Abden brings experience to the table. I was extremely pleased that Abden Simmons received the Republican nod to be our candidate in the special election in June.
While both candidates trying for the chance to represent us were great, Abden has the experience in Augusta to hit the ground running. Serving six years on the Waldoboro Board of Selectmen has given Abden an in depth look at how small towns like the ones in our district function and how the decisions in Augusta affect us… Read more
All-in for Abden Simmons for state representative
Just when you thought we were safe for a few months, Gov. Janet Mills has called a special election for June. As you likely noticed, Clint Collamore has resigned his seat in the Maine House due to allegations that he failed to comply with state law in qualifying for public funds to run his campaign last year.
Whenever we have a public official that has tested the public trust, I think we all tend to take a closer look at the candidates up to fill that seat. In this case, I’m all-in… Read more
Camden Select Board Candidate Mary Beth Leone Thomas on, ‘why I am running’
Who am I and why I am running. I am currently on the Budget Committee for the town of Camden. I have witnessed the pattern of accepting every proposed increase by the town office representing an over 8% increase in overall operating expenses.
I believe we must stop this pattern.
Many towns across the state have decided to keep their town budget the same as the previous year.
I am weary of the perception that Camden is a town of wealthy citizens in which ongoing… 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.