Starting in September, the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles will offer municipalities on-site visits and webinar training. Classes are limited to 25 attendees and include a toll-free phone line that will enable participants to view the materials being presented, in addition to having the ability to chat with a training specialist. The workshops provide an opportunity to learn about the laws, registration and title updates, and changes that may affect daily processing at the municipal level.

The Maine Development Foundation, Maine Philanthropy Center and Maine Workforce & Education Coalition will host a one-day conference on employee recruitment and retention on Sept. 28 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The event also recognizes Maine-based efforts along these lines.

Maine Municipal Association’s Legal Services Department last week filed a “friend of the court” brief with Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court in Town of Eddington, et al. v. Emera Maine, a property tax abatement case that should be of interest to all municipalities. The appeal involves high voltage transmission lines in the Towns of Bradley and Eddington that were assessed to Emera Maine as a result of a reporting error by Emera staff. The State Board of Property Tax Review granted Emera an abatement on the theory that the error created an “illegality” appealable within three years of the date the tax was committed. On appeal, the towns and MMA argue that under established law the error was instead an “overvaluation” issue, for which an abatement may only be sought within 185 days of tax commitment. MMA argued, on behalf of municipalities, that the state board’s interpretation of the law was incorrect and Emera is not entitled to an abatement. MMA also discussed the administrative burdens and fiscal impact on municipal budgets if the state board’s decision is upheld. A decision is not expected for several months.

As the opioid crisis continues in Maine, first responders are increasingly exposed to Fentanyl and Fentanyl-related substances. As these substances can be ingested orally, by inhalation or absorbed through skin and eyes, first responders are at risk of serious, even life-threatening, consequences when encountering these compounds. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) and federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have posted online resources regarding preventative measures and personal protective equipment to use when risk of Fentanyl exposure exists.

The Brewer Police Department, Penobscot Emergency Management Agency and Maine Emergency Management Agency will host a two-day school entitled “School and Workplace Violence: Planning and Response” on August 28-29.  This course is intended for: business managers and owners; school administrators; police agencies; fire agencies; dispatch services; and, management of all other organizations such as government entities, churches, and medical centers.

The state Department of Education just released district-by-district figures that reflect the recently passed increase, from the state, for K-12 public education funding. The numbers are important for municipalities as they set property tax rates for the coming year.

Knowing that many communities are eager to know their increases in state K-12 education aid, the Maine Department of Education today issued an advisory explaining that the increases are coming, but the funding formula details still must be worked out. The state expects to provide details by July 21.

The Nature Conservancy is seeking initial proposals for a new round of competitive grants from the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program, which the organization administers on behalf of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. More than $3 million will be available in 2017 for those seeking to protect wetland and significant wildlife habitat in Maine. Restoration and enhancement projects are strongly encouraged in this round.

Maine Municipal Association today launched an online resource area to help municipal officials make decisions about legal use of recreational marijuana. The area includes sample ordinances, legal documents and more. We intend to grow this section of our website over time, and ask members to send us local ordinances and documents that may be useful.

The 2017 Maine Municipal Association Photo Contest is under way, and the new deadline is Wednesday, July 19. The contest has several categories and is a great opportunity to make your community shine.