Two of the Maine Municipal Association’s popular courses – Moderating Town Meetings and Social Media Dos and Don’ts – are now available for viewing in the Member Area of our website. If you need help setting up login credentials to access the Member Center, please contact us via email at: resourcecenter@memun.org or call Carol Weigelt at: 1-800-452-8786.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently taken two actions which impact the municipal cable television franchise authority, as well as local planning review for the siting of what are referred to as “small cell” wireless antennae. In an effort to provide you with an update as to the Maine Municipal Association’s approach to these two separate but similarly unwelcome developments, please find below a link to our general summary of what has occurred in Washington, the potential impact on municipalities, and MMA’s response.

A group called Environment America is seeking a show of municipal support for solar power and is gathering signatures. Two Maine mayors – Ethan Strimling of Portland and Linda Cohen of South Portland – have signed up their support.

While it’s never the same as being there, Power Point and written presentations used last week at the Maine Municipal Association 2018 Convention are being entered daily onto our website (see convention graphic and “Presentations,” left). Topics covered range from seniors’ property liens to solar power to dealing with cyber-attacks.

Earlier this week, Governor LePage signed LD 1629 (PL 2017 c. 478), entitled “An Act To Protect Homeowners Affected by Tax Lien Foreclosure.” This legislation will impose additional notice requirements during the real estate tax lien process. The legislation also will establish new requirements for sale of tax acquired property previously owned by elderly taxpayers meeting certain income guidelines.  Please note that this legislation becomes effective on Dec. 13, 2018 – not before.  MMA’s Legal Services staff is currently analyzing the law’s requirements and expects to publish guidance and sample forms prior to the effective date of the legislation. Please stay tuned for updates on our website and via email.

The University of Maine is among the organizers of the annual Maine Mass Timber Event, which will be held on Oct. 11 in Orono. Building codes, the state of the timber industry and timber sustainability are all on the agenda of the one-day event.

Grow Smart Maine will hold its biggest annual event at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on Thursday, Oct. 11. The conference will feature many of the ways that the City of Bangor is rejuvenating itself, including along its waterfront and downtown. A question and answer session with the 2018 Gubernatorial candidates is also planned.

The Maine Office of Tourism is developing a five-year strategic plan to help grow this important industry, and municipal input is sought. The deadline to complete the survey is coming right up: This Friday, Sept. 7.

The state Department of Health & Human Services has released its anticipated “General Assistance Maximums,” which are produced to help municipalities administer general assistance programs. All municipalities must annually adopt the most recent maximum assistance numbers issued by DHHS before Oct. 1. This is accomplished by amending the municipal GA ordinance to replace existing appendices with the updated versions. State law also requires that municipalities notify DHHS once the local ordinances are updated.

A Westbrook-based organization called the Maine Climate Table is inviting municipal officials to attend a meeting on municipal energy efficiency at Coastal Enterprises Inc. in Brunswick, on Sept. 25.