Local Politics

Fire Chief Resigns 

(Millinocket)  Millinocket’s Fire Chief has resigned, although both he and the town are mum about why.  Documents obtained by WABI show Jonathan Cote resigned on May 19th.  He was placed on administrative leave on May 1st, reportedly while the town investigated a personnel matter.  In a resignation agreement , Cote agreed to not seek employment by the town in the future.  The town will reportedly provide a month of severance pay and pay out any unused time off.

Bar Harbor Town Council Considers Next Step in Cruise Ship Limitations

(Bar Harbor)  The Bar Harbor Town Council is considering its next steps, following a ruling last month that its passenger disembarkation limits of 1,000 persons per day is excessive in all but the peak tourist months of July and August. The Maritime Executive reports Council has assured residents it would not allow a return to the unsustainable levels of cruise ship visitations of the past.  At the same time, the town is exploring broader issues related to tourism with the establishment of a Sustainable Tourism Task Force.  The task force capped short-term vacation rentals and is exploring a moratorium to focus on visitors staying a few days.  Proponents of the restrictions argue shore-side visitors spend more and their spending increases when they spend a few days versus the one-day short stopovers from a cruise.

Economy

Hancock Lumber Expands with Panel Factory

(Oxford)  Hancock Lumber is building a new 44,000 square foot prefab component manufacturing facility in Oxford.  The plant will produce wall panels up to 20 feet long, pre-cut framing packages, and complete stair systems.  Production is designed to increase efficiency on residential and commercial jobsites.  The company says they afford year-round building, as panels are made indoors in a climate-controlled environment in order to avoid weather delays.  They say the panels also minimize on-site framing time and reduce lumber waste.  The new plant is scheduled to open in early 2027.

Relocation a Part of Life for Many

(Undated)  Whether as a member of the Coast Guard, a career change, or life changes such as marriage, relocating is a common part of life for many.  According to WalletHub, last year nearly 15M people – about 4.5% of the U.S. population – moved to a new home.  WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 45 metrics, including housing affordability, school quality, healthcare, and recreation.  Portland – the only Maine city ranked – came in at No. 30 overall, 162nd for family fun, 23rd for education and childcare, and 47th for affordability.  The top five places to retire, according to the survey, are Wyoming, Florida, South Dakota, Colorado, and Minnesota.

Thomaston Celebrates Opening of Starbucks

(Thomaston)  While Thomaston is quite a bit smaller, it now boasts something Ellsworth still cannot claim  – a brand new Starbucks.  True, Ellsworth has three Dunkins, an Aroma Joe’s, and Precipice Coffee; but Starbucks fans tend to be hardcore.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports the store’s Thomaston ribbon-cutting included the Starbucks Manager and staff helping local volunteer Mimi Moore loading a truck full of donations for AIO Food & Energy Assistance, a nonprofit that serves Knox County residents.  Select Board members said the spirit of community involvement is something the town greatly values, and they look forward to that partnership for years to come.

Mainers Struggle with Basics

(Maine)  A new report from the Brookings Institution, a public policy nonprofit, finds nearly half of all Mainers can’t afford basic needs.  While the findings are largely in line with national averages, the Portland Press Herald writes research revealed the affordability crisis is now moving into the Middle Class.  The “States of Affordability” report released last week estimates the cost of living in every U.S. county by bundling housing, food, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and other necessities by household type.  The analysis found nearly half of Maine households are unable to cover costs, with single adults with children and people of color facing the deepest struggles.  They say the creep of the affordability crisis into the middle class is an indicator that our systems are making it impossible to get by.

Education

HCTC Team in Atlanta for Skills USA

(Ellsworth)  The team from Ellsworth’s Hancock County Technical Center is in Atlanta for this year’s Skills USA competition.  The team historically scores well in every area, with competition spanning skilled trades, human services, and technical leadership.  HCTC students in years past have earned regional and state medals in multiple fields, including Leadership Events, Information Technology, Healthcare, Law & Public Safety, Culinary Arts, and Automotive & Construction. 

Environment

Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins

(Augusta)  This week marks the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which Maine Emergency Management says runs through November 30th.  The National Hurricane Center and NOAA outlook for this year’s season predicts a below-normal season; but as MEMA reminds us, it only takes one storm making landfall to have significant impact.  While hurricanes are often viewed as a threat only to coastal communities, they say effects can be felt throughout Maine.  MEMA advises taking these steps – build an emergency kit and make a family communication plan, know your surroundings and the elevation of your property, and be familiar with evacuation routes, make plans to secure your property, including where to secure your boat if you have one.  For more advice, visit maine.gov.

Human Interest

Purchase of Friendship Cottage Secured

(Blue Hill)  A generous anonymous gift of $135,000 will this week secure closing on the purchase of Friendship Cottage in Blue Hill.  The gift provides the final funding needed to complete the $600K acquisition of the building which houses the area’s only adult daycare facility for those with physical, cognitive, or memory challenges, offering critical support to the region’s caregivers.  To celebrate, Community Action in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties invites the public to celebrate with an Open House and Barbecue this Saturday, June 6th, from 1 to 3 p.m.  Friendship Cottage is located at 118  Ellsworth Road in Blue Hill.  

Axe Women of Maine

(Fort Kent)  Axe Women of Maine recently wrapped up Logger Fest in Fort Kent, and they RACKED up some impressive attendance numbers at the event.  Sources say their second biennial Logger Fest this year doubled in size – bringing thrills and tourism dollars to the area. Competitors ranked in everything from Cable Throwing, to Arm Wrestling, to a Women’s Open.  Members of the all-women small business include gals from all walks of life – doctors, farmers, news anchors, first responders – even U.S. Olympic athletes, who come together throughout New England to demonstrate and compete in games representative of Maine’s heritage industry.  Owners Alissa Wetherbee and partner Mike have been competing together in logging sports for years, with Alissa achieving IronJill status – which means she chops, saws, and logrolls.  If you missed them in Fort Kent, they’ll be at the Waterford World’s Fair in North Waterford July 17-19 and the Maine Forestry Museum Logging Festival on July 18th.

Art of Ellsworth Returns

(Ellsworth)  Art of Ellsworth will be back this October, featuring a dynamic lineup of hands-on craft workshops, interactive artist demonstrations, open studios, live music and theater, and more.  Now in its ninth year, the Heart of Ellsworth-sponsored event is held in conjunction with Maine Craft Weekend and celebrates the art, culture, and creative energy of historic downtown Ellsworth.  A full schedule of events will be released closer to the festival date.

Infrastructure

Surry Road Dip Update

(Ellsworth)  Today is the day!  Sergeant Corporation is scheduled to begin work on the culvert repair project near the Black House Museum at Woodlawn.  The City of Ellsworth says the work is expected to take a couple of days, but should mean the end of that Surry Road dip that led to spilled coffee and airborne travel mugs.  Motorists are, of course, asked to please slow down and exercise caution around road crews.  

Street Feedback Meeting

(Ellsworth)  Speaking of road repairs, earlier this year, Ellsworth community members shared ideas about how the city’s streets could better serve residents, businesses, and visitors.  Based on that feedback, design concepts have been developed that officials would like to share with residents and receive feedback on, as well.  The meeting is set for next Wednesday, June 10th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.  If you can’t make it, there’s a link to a survey you can take online.  The City says your feedback helped shape the concepts, now they invite you to help refine them.

Causeway Rebuild

(Deer Isle/Stonington)  The final design and schedule is ready for the rebuild of the Deer Isle/Stonington causeway.  Citizens are invited to attend an in-person public informational session on Wednesday, June 10th, at the Deer Isle Town Hall.  The Ellsworth American reports the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency has had the causeway listed as a top public safety priority and has been working with the towns for years in order to mitigate the impact of coastal flooding.  The project includes the main causeway, as well as the smaller one on the southern edge of the bridge.  In addition to the June 10th meeting, an online virtual public meeting will be available during the public comment period and can be viewed anytime between June 8th and 24th on the Maine DOT Public Meetings page.

bit.ly/mainedot-meetings

National News

Trump’s Financial Dealings Under Scrutiny

(AP)  A plan by President Donald Trump to stick taxpayers with a $1.8B bill in order to reward his supporters has drawn outcry in Congress, and has been ruled illegal in the courts.  The Associated Press reports after first backing away from the fund, the possibility the President could still cash in might be back on the table.  Trump has been anything but shy about turning the presidency into a major source of income – from gold phones to crypto ventures to high-dollar political and official events at his properties.  Questions have arisen about his family’s profits from deals overseas and at home as well.  The White House calls such questioning “the same tired narrative Democrats have pushed against the President and his family for decades.”

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