The state Department Health & Human Services is offering personal protective equipment such as N 95 masks, Latex gloves and disinfectant wipes back to municipalities, at no cost. The state needs to clear space in its warehouse, and it recognizes that early on during the pandemic municipalities supplied items to the state while there were short-term shortages. The equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each year, member municipalities have an opportunity to vote on the election of the proposed Maine Municipal Association Vice President and municipal officials to serve on the MMA Executive Committee. A five-member Nominating Committee was appointed to review nominations submitted by municipal officials and conduct interviews with those municipal officials interested in serving as the MMA Vice President and Executive Committee. The MMA Nominating Committee completed its task in May and put forth a Proposed Slate of Nominees to member municipalities. It is now time for each member municipality to cast its official vote.

MMA’s Legal Services Department has issued guidance, and a sample policy, for municipal board meetings that can now be held via remote means in extenuating circumstances. The legal guidance explains how a new state law makes remote board meetings permissible on a permanent basis, under limited circumstances. Guidance is also given on providing public access both to in-person and remote meetings.

The State of Maine is in the process of requesting a 30-day extension for processing the payment of the Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to so-called “non-entitlement” municipalities. The state expects to engage a national company to assist with the web portal to help with this process.  The 30-day extension would give the state until Aug. 3 to distribute the funds.

The National League of Cities, as part of its educational series on the American Rescue Plan Act, will offer an online training event this Friday, June 25, to discuss ARPA updates, focusing on reporting requirements and compliance. The session, to be led by Irma Esparza Diggs and Mike Wallace of the NLC staff, will run from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The U.S. Treasury Department has issued new guidelines for municipalities and other entities in order to assure compliance in seeking federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act, known as ARPA. MMA recommends that members take the time to look at this 33-page guide book – released on Thursday – before proceeding with ARPA funding requests.

The Maine Broadband Coalition is producing and delivering workshops to foster informed, coordinated regional broadband investments, in order to make the most out of federal funds available through the American Rescue Plan Act. A special kickoff to this effort will be held on Friday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Maine Municipal Association is among the co-sponsors of this effort.

Gov. Janet Mills today said Maine’s State of Civil Emergency, in place since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic 15 months ago, will end on June 30. The primary remaining recommendation will be that unvaccinated Mainers continue to wear face coverings indoors. From nearly the beginning, Maine has been among the top states in the U.S. in responding to the pandemic. As of today, more than 73% of Mainers have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly 65% have received final doses, which ranks Maine fourth in the U.S. Maine also recorded the fourth-lowest per capita death rate due to COVID-19.

Our Legal Services Department at the Maine Municipal Association today released a nine-page guide for towns and cities regarding the background, details and how to comply with the American Rescue Plan Act. The document is called, “American Rescue Plan: Considerations for Municipalities.” The document explores issues such as local approvals, eligible uses and timing regarding fund availability, among many others.