PARIS — The town has swapped electricity providers in a bid to save money when rates are expected to increase early next year. Paris has locked into a 24-month deal with Electricity Maine at $0.095 per kilowatt hour for its small and medium commercial accounts, which covers electricity consumption from the fire station to its streetlights. The new […]
budget
Posted inMaine
Truck-safety advocate criticizes Collins on budget fix additions
LEWISTON — The founder of Parents Against Tired Truckers said provisions that Sen. Susan Collins wants to add to a federal budget bill would “jeopardize the safety of everyone.” Daphne Izer of Lisbon, whose teenage son was killed by a trucker who fell asleep at the wheel in October 1993, said relaxing rest standards for […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Congress considers $1.1 trillion spending bill
WASHINGTON — A huge, $1.1 trillion spending bill funding every corner of government faces its first test in the House, where conservatives are unhappy because it fails to challenge President Barack Obama’s immigration policy and many Democrats are displeased because it weakens the 2010 Dodd-Frank regulation of risky financial instruments. Another provision drawing fire would […]
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
SAD 58 moving forward with pre-kindergarten program
PHILLIPS — A Regional School Unit 58 pre-kindergarten program could start as early as September 2015, adding to the the expanding number of Maine school districts investing in early childhood education, officials said. In April, the RSU 58 school board prepared its 2014-15 budget, committing $30,000 to start preparations for pre-kindergarten classes in Phillips, Kingfield and Strong. […]
Posted inOxford Hills
Hartford selectmen hear about building issues
HARTFORD — Town maintenance worker Richard Dyer told selectmen Thursday night that he’s concerned about snow and ice falling from the Town Hall roof onto the handicap ramp. He said he has been cleaning the ramp as many as four times a day and is concerned about people’s safety, including his own. The board took […]
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
Franklin County commissioners move money into reserve accounts
FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners held a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed $1.18 million budget for the unorganized territory for 2015-16. No one from the territory attended. Some changes were made to the original draft that was introduced Nov. 4. The new proposal is expected to be voted on Dec. 16. It is $55,689 […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Forecasting committee predicts revenues $45 million over budget
AUGUSTA — Maine officials say the state will collect $67.5 million more in revenues over the next two fiscal years than was expected. The report from the Revenue Forecasting Committee comes as Republican Gov. Paul LePage and lawmakers gear up to craft a budget for the next two fiscal years, which begin July 1. The […]
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
Franklin County to hold hearing on unorganized territory budget
FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Dec. 2, on a proposed $1.2 million unorganized territory budget for 2015-16. Commissioners have to submit the budget to the state by Dec. 31. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m at the Franklin County Courthouse on Main Street. The budget figure may […]
Posted inFranklin, The Franklin Journal
Jay board to consider a Dec. 8 special town meeting
JAY — Selectpersons will be updated Monday on a proposed special town meeting and warrant article to transfer $6,000 from the undesignated fund to pay additional costs for street lights. Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere will also review a proposed timeline for the annual town meeting referendum to occur at the same time as the RSU […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Maine’s lack of population growth source of economic concern
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers heard again Monday that Maine’s dwindling and aging population will continue to be one of the biggest factors in the state’s long-struggling economy. Key policymakers, including Gov. Paul LePage, are focused on a series of issues they believe would make the state a more welcoming place for job creators, including reducing […]