Thu, Mar 11, 2010
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A chronological compilation of local news from all four editions of The Forecaster, covering 14 Maine cities and towns: Portland, Falmouth, Cumberland, Yarmouth, Freeport, North Yarmouth, Chebeague Island, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough, Bath, Brunswick, Harpswell and Topsham.

Have a news tip for us? Call 207-781-3661 or e-mail the editor, Mo Mehlsak, editor@theforecaster.net.

News

  • Cape Elizabeth teachers offer salary cut to help balance budget

    Mar 11, 2010 10:40 am

    CAPE ELIZABETH — The teachers union on March 9 announced its members are willing to work a day without pay as a way to help bridge a budget gap that could otherwise require elimination of more than a dozen jobs.

    Dwight Ely, president of the Cape Elizabeth Education Association, said the union would take the equivalent of one unpaid furlough day to help reduce the impact of a no-tax rate increase budget scenario.

  • Cape Elizabeth council accepts flat municipal budget

    Mar 11, 2010 10:30 am

    CAPE ELIZABETH — Town Manager Michael McGovern presented an $8.5 million proposed budget for fiscal year 2011 to the Town Council Monday night with no tax increases, no spending increases and no reductions in service.

    "We must be the envy of a lot of other communities," he said.

    In addition to holding the line on taxes, McGovern said there are increases in the general assistance fund to help residents, Family Fun Day funds and technical changes that correspond to goals set by the council.

  • Report recommends changes for Mill Creek Park in South Portland

    Mar 11, 2010 9:40 am

    SOUTH PORTLAND — A landscape architect has recommended creating a gateway to Mill Creek Park at the corner of Broadway and Ocean Street – a proposal that would change the proposed spot of a monument honoring military service members.

    Other recommendations for improving the park include removing the rose garden to increase sight lines into the park and building an internal trail network to increase circulation.

  • South Portland business offers free training space to firefighters

    Mar 11, 2010 9:30 am

    SOUTH PORTLAND — On Wednesday afternoon, Platoon 2 of South Portland Fire Department broke into groups in the HSE Gould warehouse on Cash Street.

    While Jason Perry stood atop a steel frame next to a makeshift plywood wall telling fellow firefighters about the ropes, knots and figure-eight carabiners for repelling down a wall, another group of firefighters strapped one of their own into a gurney near an old Mercury turned on its side.

  • South Portland School Board approves $37.8M budget, seeks 1.5% tax increase

    Mar 11, 2010 8:40 am

    SOUTH PORTLAND — The School Board on Monday unanimously approved a $37.9 million budget, which eliminates 25 jobs for the fiscal year starting July 1.

    The budget is projected to increase taxes by 1.5 percent, adding 14 cents to the current tax rate of $14.70 per $1,000 of valuation.

    None of the more controversial aspects of the superintendent's proposed budget were included in the final package.

  • Brunswick School Board strips Watson of leadership over e-mail to Pingree, 'angry' comments

    Mar 11, 2010 8:10 am

    BRUNSWICK — During an emotionally charged meeting that pushed budget deliberations to the periphery, the School Board on Wednesday removed Byron Watson as chairman.

  • Nomination papers available for Yarmouth elections

    Mar 11, 2010 12:00 am

    YARMOUTH — Nomination papers for the June 8 municipal elections will be available at the town clerk's office at Town Hall on Thursday, March 18.

    There are two Town Council seats, two School Committee seats and one seat on the Water District Board of Trustees to fill. All positions are three-year terms.

    Terms are expiring for council Chairman Mark Hough and Councilor Kent Peterson. Hough is not eligible to run again because he has served two consecutive three-year terms; Peterson is eligible for another term.

  • Let the sun shine

    Mar 11, 2010 12:00 am
     Workers from ReVision Energy in Portland install solar energy panels atop Falmouth High School on Monday, March 8. The The project was funded by Maine's Renewable Resource Fund and will have a data monitoring system to enable students to monitor energy production online.

  • Bath celebrates Irish culture with Old Blarney Days

    Mar 10, 2010 2:50 pm

    BATH — The City of Ships becomes the City of the Irish next week during Old Blarney Days.

    A “Banners over Bath” reception with Irish music will be held at City Hall at 5 p.m. Friday, March 12, while a Moonlight Madness sale will take place downtown from 5-8 p.m.

  • Harpswell votes to keep West Harpswell School open

    Mar 10, 2010 2:30 pm

    HARPSWELL — Voters on Tuesday narrowly rejected the school district's proposal to close West Harpswell School.

    The decision means the town will absorb $219,000 to keep the building open next school year.

    The town voted 906-827 against the closure, a 4 percent margin that town officials attributed to a strong turnout in West Harpswell.

    Ballots were cast at three polling places. At Merriconeag Grange Hall in West Harpswell, voters said no to school closure 641-176.

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