AUGUSTA — The co-chairmen of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee say they are committed to a civil and friendly process but the “devil will be in the details” when it comes to key issues such as welfare reform and changes to the state’s support for General Assistance, a local welfare program administered by […]
budget
Posted inRiver Valley
Mexico, Rumford boards to discuss police budgets, cost-sharing formula at Jan. 7 meeting
MEXICO — The Mexico and Rumford boards of selectmen will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, in the Calvin P. Lyons room of the Mexico Town Office to continue their discussion on consolidating police departments and a potential cost-sharing formula for a shared police budget. Since September 2013, Mexico and Rumford have been looking […]
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Posted inFranklin
Public Works budget overdraft rises
FARMINGTON — If the weather stays calm and sunny as predicted for the next couple days, the Public Works Department will not go any farther over budget. At this point, the department has gone $129,000 over budget for 2014, Town Manager Richard Davis recently told the Board of Selectmen. This leaves the department at 13 […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Oxford County continuing jail payments
PARIS — Oxford County has continued payments to fund the state’s jail system, even as questions loom on its long-term durability. County commissioners unanimously agreed to send $93,537 to the Maine Board of Corrections’ investment fund Thursday afternoon. The county paid the same amount earlier this year. “The general feeling is we should play the game … […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn council disappointed by rink finances, continue support
AUBURN — Mayor Jonathan LaBonte reiterated his support for the city’s dual-rink ice arena Monday night, despite some disappointing financial forecasts. “I’m still supportive of this facility, but I think we have some digging to do to grow out of that first year,” LaBonte said during Monday night’s City Council workshop meeting. “Perhaps we were […]
Posted inSpecials
Save up all year to enjoy a debt-free holiday season
The holiday season is synonymous with many things, including spending. Opening a Christmas Club account is one way shoppers exercise some financial savvy during the holiday season. According to a survey from the American Research Group, the average family spends between $700 and $900 on Christmas gifts in a given year. Roughly 1.5 percent of […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. Senate to take up $1.1 trillion spending bill Friday
WASHINGTON — It’s now up to the Senate to pass a huge $1.1 trillion spending bill to keep the government running, but not before a battle between old school veterans and new breed freshmen such as tea partier Ted Cruz and Elizabeth Warren, a liberal with a national following. The smart money’s on old school […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Rumford, Mexico selectmen discuss cost-sharing formula for shared police budget
MEXICO — The Mexico and Rumford boards of selectmen continued discussing the possibility of merging police services Thursday, with much of their focus on how to create a cost-sharing formula that is fair to both towns. Since September 2013, Mexico and Rumford have been looking at ways to consolidate services and save money. They hired […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Group addresses runaway federal government
LEWISTON — Michael Farris doesn’t mince words on the matter: The United States is on the road to tyranny and there are few options left to rein it in. The federal government is out of control, Farris said, spending with abandon, regulating us into oblivion and generally trampling the U.S. Constitution by knowingly misinterpreting the […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills, River Valley
Oxford County officials approve $6.58 million budget
PARIS — Oxford County commissioners voted unanimously to enact a $6.58 million budget for 2015. The spending plan was endorsed by Budget Committee members last month. Though total expenditures are $410,940 more than last year — a 6.7 percent increase — revenues have increased by $161,126, offsetting the pinch on property owners who are asked to raise $146,403 […]