Friday, August 25, 2023
The Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy is seeking feedback regarding the fiscal impacts of a Department of Justice (DOJ) rule establishing technical standards to ensure public websites and mobile applications are accessible for people with disabilities. The Office of Advocacy is interested in learning how this change would impact municipalities, with specific interest in the process municipalities are currently using to ensure accessibility and the estimated cost...
Thursday, August 24, 2023
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity Act Programs will provide Maine with an estimated $290 million grant to fund broadband infrastructure and digital equity for the entire state. The Maine Connectivity Authority will recap the BEAD and Digital Equity process to date and begin the discussion of what's to come at an interactive virtual event at 12pm on Tuesday, September 19. Click here to register for the event.
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
The Urban Institute is kicking off a new technical assistance program called the Mobility Action Learning Network to provide pro bono technical assistance to teams of local leaders interested in advancing locally driven programs, policies, and actions that boost upward mobility from poverty and racial equity. This opportunity will be made available for up to 30 teams, which must include members representing government agencies and non-government organizations capable of creating system...
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Volunteer Maine is accepting Letters of Intent from new communities in Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis, Aroostook, Washington, Hancock, Waldo, Knox, and certain parts of Penobscot counties interested in engaging in this program. Maine Service Fellows are recent college graduates (within last 5 years) who commit a year to living and serving in a community as the additional human resource needed to address a community issue. The project they undertake may impact a single...
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
The Maine Municipal Association is pleased to formally announce the results of the annual election for the MMA Executive Committee for 2024. A total of 163 Voting Ballots were received. Leslie Giroux, Municipal Clerk for the Town of Solon, inspected each ballot and provided the official counts as follows: Vice President: Melissa Doane, Town Manager, Town of Bradley (160 votes received) EC Members: Shiloh LaFreniere, Town Manager, Town of Jay (160 votes received); Nathaniel Rudy, Town...
Monday, August 21, 2023
MMA and the U.S. Census Bureau jointly administer an annual fiscal survey, which is one of the only statewide data sources of municipal revenues and expenses. The results of this survey provide vital information which helps to guide the work of MMA member services for training and advocacy. Memos were emailed to officials in every municipality this week. Please consider devoting time to this important survey. Participation in MMA’s survey also satisfies your municipality’s...
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
MEMA is offering a free two-hour virtual Sheltering Identification and Surveying course to ensure local emergency management agencies have the information necessary to properly evaluate and identify potential sheltering facilities, necessary resources, and limitations. For details, please review the informational brochure linked here, or contact Bill Guindon, MEMA Mass Care Coordinator at 207-458-2867 or william.guindon@maine.gov.
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Updated guidance is available on the new sales procedure for tax-acquired property in Maine. These changes to state statute were prompted by the recent Supreme Court ruling in Tyler v. Hennepin County, Minnesota, 43 S.Ct. 1369, decided May 25, 2023.
Click here for details
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is holding a briefing on currently available Inflation Reduction Act funding opportunities on August 1, 2023, 4:00-5:00pm. The briefing will highlight three major initiatives: Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, Ocean-Based Climate Resilience Accelerators, and Climate Ready Workforce. Interested municipal officials are invited to register here.
Friday, July 14, 2023
The Solid Waste Management and Recycling Plan for Maine (the "Waste Plan") will be revised and made available by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in January 2024.
In compliance with state law, this plan is reviewed and revised every five years. The most recent Waste Plan was released in 2019, and it is available here. The Department is seeking public input for updating the Waste Plan and will be hosting a series of five regional stakeholder meetings as...