"Monthly news and updates from the Maine Municipal Association."

Contents:
* 2008 Technology Conference
* New Feature on MMA's Homepage
* Celebrating 25 Years of Trust!
* Complimentary Internet Seminar for State & Local Government
* News from MMA's Affiliate Groups:
*** Health and Livability Summit
*** Project To Bolster Municipal Role In Land Conservation
* Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
* Upcoming Workshops and Training (MMA Training Schedule)
* Pre-Emergency Energy Task Force
* FYI: Workshops & Conferences

2008 Technology Conference is nearly here, but you still
have time to register!

We have some very interesting programs this year including:

*Technology & Public Records - Somewhat under the
radar screen in technology advancement is its affect on
public records. Requests are being made under Maine’s
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Are you prepared to
respond?
*Do’s and Don’ts of Technology Buying - There are so
many new computer gadgets, new versions of software,
and other products/services being touted as “cutting edge,
” what’s a government purchasing official to do?
*Broadband Access for All Mainers? Broadband access is
a critical part of Maine’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Grants are available to help communities.
           for Conference Information & more Programs . . .

Also offered is a day long series of GIS training provided by
the Maine GIS Users' Group. Assessors may attend the whole
day to earn a total of 5 recertification credits.

Come join us at the Augusta Civic Center on March 18th!!

New Feature on MMA's Homepage

MMA's web site is now offering a weekly round up of
Municipal News and People, a very popular monthly feature
in the Maine Townsman.

Look for the "News & People" links (highlighted in yellow)
at the top of the center section of the homepage or go
directly to them near the bottom of the page.

Celebrating 25 Years of Trust!

The Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust is celebrating
its Silver Anniversary this year! The Health Trust has been in
existence as a self-insured health insurance trust since 1983,
and we are looking forward to serving our participants and
over 450 employer groups for many more years to come!

During the course of this year, we will be bringing you stories
and news of the past 25 years ….. including a look back at
some of the Trust’s milestones and achievements. We are
proud to serve our members – the municipalities, counties,
quasi-municipal entities, and non-profit members of the
Maine Municipal Association – and to bring you the high
quality benefits and customer service that you have come
to expect from us. All in all, the Health Trust provides benefits
to over 20,000 municipal, county government, special
district employees and retirees and their family members.

From health insurance to disability plans, from health
education programs at the worksite to information on quality
physician and hospital care, the Health Trust is here to
serve you – and to keep you healthy! Check out all that
the Health Trust has to offer by visiting our Website, at
www.mmeht.org.

We welcome your input as well – let us know what you
like most about the Health Trust, and how we have served
you over the years! Send an e-mail to wellness@memun.org,
or drop us a line, at MMEHT, 60 Community Drive,
Augusta, ME 04330.

And remember – the Difference Is Trust!!

Maine Recreation and Park Association's 2008 Health
and Livability Summit: The Prescription For A Healthier
Nation
            for more Information . . .

Project To Bolster Municipal Role In Land Conservation

Maine towns are seeking ways to balance economic growth
with land conserved for public access and wildlife habitat.
To bridge the gap between good intentions and real action,
the Maine Association of Conservation Commissions (MEACC)
has launched an 18-month pilot project that will assist
municipal leaders, conservation commissions and citizens
in conserving wildlife habitat and other lands important to
local citizens. MEACC is a statewide network whose mission
is to build the capacity of local communities to protect
and preserve their defining natural and built resources.
            for more Information . . .

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

The FY2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program opened
for applications at 8 a.m. ET, Mon., Mar. 3, 2008. Eligible
departments have until 5 p.m. ET, Apr. 4, 2008 to submit
their applications. FY2008 applicants must meet NFPA 1001
or an equivalent State standard, or include a training
component request.
             for more Information . . .

Upcoming Workshops

2008 Workshop Schedule of current workshops is online.
Brochures and program details will be added when available,
so check back often if you are interested in a certain program.
If a listing below doesn't have a link, the brochure has not
yet been posted on the web site.

The 2008 Workshop & Training Calendar is also now online.

March 2008

Planning Boards/Boards of Appeal, Saco, 3/13/08
2008 Blaine House Conference for First Responders,Portland, 3/13/08 - 3/14/08
Tax Lien Procedures, Portland, 3/19/08 OR Bangor, 3/27/08
New Clerks Workshop, Bangor, 3/25/08 OR 3/26/08, Waterville
Writing an Effective Grant, Augusta, Maine, 3/26/08
MBOIA March Meeting, Gray, 3/27/08
Cash Management, Waterville, 3/31/08

April 2008

Maine Chapter of APWA Annual Spring Meeting, Waterville, 4/3/08
MWWCA Spring Conference, Bangor, 4/4/08
Planning Boards/Boards of Appeal, Bangor, 4/8/08
Notary Public Workshop for Municipal Clerks, Waterville, 4/9/08
Governmental Accounting I, Bangor, 4/17/08 & 4/18/08

Pre-Emergency Energy Task Force

The Governor, through the Office of Energy Independence
and Security recently formed a task force to address the
issues and impact of escalating energy costs on Maine people
and industry. The Task Force's housing subcommittee crafted
an action plan based on a decentralized and local response
to the energy emergencies currently faced by fellow Mainers
across the state. 
              for more Information . . .

FYI: Workshops & Conferences (not sponsored by MMA)

Shared Services: Making the Best Available to Everyone is a complimentary internet seminar for state & local government sponsored by Government Technology. It is being offered on March 20th.

       for more Information & to Register . . .

---

GMIS (Government Management Information Sciences) 2008 International Educational conference will be held June 22 - June 25 in
Atlantic City, NJ.
                     for more Information . . . .

Vernal Pool Workshop, identification, ecology,
and conservation, at Bowdoin College on April
24, 2008.
                    for more Information . . .

Building Operator Certification Level I in
Brewer, ME starts 4/10/08.
                     for more Information . . . .

---

Saving Energy and $$$ in Maine Schools

An Intensive Workshop for School and Municipal Administrators, Facility and Business Managers
will be held April 18, 2008 at Lewiston High
School.
           for more Information . . .

Forgotten Your Password? E-mail the
ResourceCenter@memun.org. Don't forget to tell us who you are!

Need to Register for a Password to the Members Area?

Municipal Yard Sale & Classifieds Please check the Job Bank/Classifieds for new listings.
Remember that posting is free for municipalities! Use the correct
"Post a ___" link to the right of the screen to add your items, RFPs or jobs to the listings.

Posting is a "Do It Yourself" project. If you encounter problems,
contact the ResourceCenter@memun.org.

This and That (Housekeeping Items)
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and don't like.
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