Maine News Saturday August 15

A global fluoride shortage is affecting Maine’s water system

Press Herald -   The taxable value of Harpswell’s residential and commercial properties rose 49% in the first townwide reappraisal in two decades, but town leaders say that doesn’t automatically mean higher tax bills.

After receiving the new valuation figures, the Harpswell Select Board set a new, lower tax rate of $4.84 per $1,000 of taxable value on Wednesday. That’s down from the previous $6.66 rate and should, they said, leave the average tax bill largely unchanged — with the exception of mobile homes and seasonal cottages, which may see steeper hikes.

“I’m expecting that everybody’s taxes will be pretty much the same,” Select Board member David Chipman said. For property owners whose bills go up because of a larger-than-average increase in taxable value, he said, “my message is fairness. We have to treat everyone the same or the state will step in and do it for us and send us the bill.”

The new tax rate is 27% lower than the previous one. The impact on individual tax bills will vary according to the property and any exemptions for which owners qualify.

 Jane Hagness, First Parish Church, Brunswick - Do you love to sing, but haven't found the right outlet for sharing your passion? The Adult Choir at First Parish Church, UCC in Brunswick has a long history of singing both diverse and quality music with excellence. Perhaps you don't want to only sing classical music. We sing not only classical music, but also jazz, spirituals, gospel pieces, newly composed pieces, and pieces from the justice movement. We warmly welcome persons of any race, gender, ethnic origin, mental or physical ability, religious tradition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and economic circumstance.

Here are some details about our ensemble: We rehearse Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:45 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. depending upon seasonal needs. Our first rehearsal is Wednesday, September 2nd. We sing most Sundays from September through May during the 10:00 a.m. worship service with a warm-up at 9:00. … If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please reach out to Minister of Music, Jane Hagness at jhagness@firstparish.net. We would love to prepare a folder for you.

UPCOMING


Freeport Farmers Market - Saturdays now through October: Through October 8:30am – 12:30pm at the BTLT Saturday Farmers Market at Crystal Spring Farm. 277 Pleasant Hill Road, Brunswick. The Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. Farmers Market was established in 1999 to advance the Land Trust’s mission of supporting local agriculture. With over forty vendors, many of whom have been with the Market since its inception, the Saturday morning market offers a variety of local, fresh produce 

AUG 15
Cook’s Lobster & Ale House, 68 Garrison Cove Rd., Bailey Island: Travis James Humprey, 5-8
Outdoor Painting with Eric Jacobsen – One or Two Day Workshop ? Artascope, 138 Bayview St, Yarmouth 9:00 am

AUG 16
Music in the Parks (Freeport)  Memorial Park, 19 Bow St, Freeport  2:00 pm

AUG 18
Town Council Meeting  30 Main Street, 6:00 pm

AUG 19
Cook’s Lobster & Ale House, 68 Garrison Cove Rd., Bailey Island: Travis James Humprey, 5-8

AUG 20
Aaron David Miller, Ret. Ambassador Jon Allen and very recently retired NPR International Affairs Correspondent Jackie Northam discuss "Promise and Peril: The US and the Middle East." Panelists have focused on Middle East conflicts for decades and remain at the forefront of understanding of regional events.  Thursday, August 20  •  7 PM - 8:30 PM Freeport Performing Arts Center  
Bandstand By The Sea, 1410 Harpswell Neck Rd., Harpswell: Jimmy Jo & the Jumbol’ayuhs, 6-7:30

AUG 23
Cook’s Lobster & Ale House, 68 Garrison Cove Rd., Bailey Island: Pat Colwell & the Soul Sensations, 1-4

SEP 7 
Join Freeport Speech for a special evening featuring Emmy-winning comedy writer Lew Schneider (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Goldbergs) in conversation with local educator and producer Brett Pierce as they discuss how Lew learned to make people laugh and evolved to keep people laughing over a 40-year career. Where: Kresge Auditorium, Bowdoin College, 239 Maine St, Brunswick, ME Cost: $20 general, $10 students (proceeds benefit Meetinghouse Arts) Get your Tickets now. For more information, visit FreeportSpeech.org

NOV 7
Twin Keys: A Love Story: Thomas Wolf with Jessica Chow Shinn and Michael Shinn, duo-pianists  2 PM  Crewe Center for the Arts.