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Citizen Portal News Maine
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Maine's MEMA advises Rangeley-area dam committee to focus on essential repairs and emergency plans instead of costly redesigns, emphasizing that safety comes first!

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#RangeleyFranklinCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #InfrastructureRepair #RangeleyDam
MEMA urges Rangeley committee to prioritize EAP tests, basic repairs for Haley Pond dam amid limited funding
Maine Emergency Management Agency staff told a Rangeley-area committee that simple fixes, testing of emergency and operations plans, and modest repairs are the most realistic near-term steps for Haley Pond’s dam because public funding for non–high-hazard dams is limited; MEMA offered engineer contacts and templates and the committee set a Jan. 6 follow-up meeting.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 2:53 PM
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The Maine Human Rights Commission took significant steps in its latest meeting, including ruling on age discrimination and moving cases into conciliation.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #DiscriminationIssues #MaineHumanRights #CivilRights #ConciliationProcess
Maine Human Rights Commission adopts investigator recommendations, opens conciliation in one age case
At its Nov. 24 meeting the commission approved consent-agenda changes, accepted investigators’ findings in several hearings, found reasonable grounds in an age-discrimination claim and approved administrative agreements and an executive-session consultation with counsel.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 12:23 AM
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The Maine Human Rights Commission has found reasonable grounds to believe that age discrimination played a role in the controversial separation of a seasoned employee from Eastern Events.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #AgeEquality #CivicAccountability #WorkplaceDiscrimination
Maine Human Rights Commission finds reasonable grounds in age-discrimination claim
The commission found reasonable grounds to believe Eastern Events discriminated against Eric Leffler on the basis of age after the company’s succession planning and hiring of a younger manager led to his separation; the commission called for conciliation.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 12:09 AM
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The Maine Human Rights Commission has concluded that there was no evidence of discrimination against a former University of Southern Maine dispatcher, leaving many questions unanswered about workplace equity.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability #MaineHumanRights
Maine Human Rights Commission declines to find discrimination in USM dispatcher case
The Maine Human Rights Commission voted to adopt investigators’ recommendations and found no reasonable grounds that the University of Southern Maine unlawfully discriminated against a former dispatcher on age, disability or whistleblower grounds after hearing testimony and reviewing investigators’ reports.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 11:11 PM
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A former police officer claims he was fired for blowing the whistle on misconduct, but a split commission left the door open for further legal battles.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #MaineWhistleblowers #PublicSafety #HumanRights #CivicAccountability
Commission splits on whistleblower-retaliation claim, investigator’s no-grounds finding stands
Former Madawaska officer Dennis Piccard alleged retaliation after reporting a group-home use-of-force incident; after hearing extensive testimony and debate over witness credibility, a motion to find reasonable grounds tied and the commission reverted to the investigator’s no-reasonable-grounds recommendation.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 11:04 PM
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The Saco City Council has taken a significant step toward clarifying the future of contract zones, backed by legal insights that could reshape local governance.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #LegalTransparency #SacoMaine #ZoningReform
Council advances resolution on pre‑2021 contract zones after legal advice
The Saco City Council voted unanimously Nov. 24 to advance an order addressing contract zones established before Jan. 2021 after city legal counsel advised the council that recent court analysis treated contract zones as contracts and therefore likely enforceable.
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November 30, 2025 at 11:37 PM
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A concerned Hammond resident is urging caution for RSU 22's future budget plans after a failed referendum and looming county budget pressures could lead to significant tax hikes.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #MaineEducation #CommunityAccountability #PublicBudget
Resident urges RSU 22 caution after failed referendum, flags county budget pressures
Public commenter Eric Jarvey told the RSU 22 board he supports district projects but said a Nov. 4 referendum lacked clear public communication and that now the district must be cautious in crafting next year’s budget amid Penobscot County’s preliminary 20% budget increase.
citizenportal.ai
November 30, 2025 at 11:20 PM
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The RSU 22 board just revamped key policies, including a significant update to temperature guidelines, ensuring a safer environment for students!

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#ME #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #GovernanceReform #EducationPolicy #MaineSchools
RSU 22 board approves multiple policy updates, clarifies temperature guidelines
The RSU 22 board approved first readings of several finance and governance policies, deleted petty cash policy DJC, and unanimously approved second readings of JKAA (restraint/seclusion) and amended EBBD (temperature guidelines) after a friendly amendment to correct the policy code and language.
citizenportal.ai
November 30, 2025 at 11:14 PM
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Portland teachers and parents are demanding a smarter class-size policy that addresses the unique needs of multilingual learners and students with IEPs, all while revealing the staggering costs of larger classrooms.

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#ME #EquityInEducation #CitizenPortal #ClassSizePolicy
Teachers and parents press Portland Public Schools for a data-driven class-size policy; superintendent outlines costs and tools
Teachers from Reiki urged smaller, more nuanced class-size limits that account for multilingual learners and IEPs. Superintendent Dr. Ryan Scallon presented three data tools and modeled scenarios showing sizable staffing and budget impacts; the committee will gather school-leader input before voting on a draft IIB policy.
citizenportal.ai
November 30, 2025 at 7:13 PM
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Skowhegan's Select Board just approved $100,000 in grants to revitalize community spaces with exciting new projects from the Masonic Lodge and a local bookstore!

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#SkowheganSomersetCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #SkowheganCommunity #CommunitySupport
Select Board approves $100,000 in downtown TIF grants for Masonic Hall and CSN Press/Bookish
The Skowhegan Select Board approved up to $50,000 each for the Masonic Lodge’s first-floor code-compliance project and for CSN Press/Bookish renovations at 14 Madison Ave, after extended presentations and debate about TIF policy and conditions.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 11:33 PM
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Big changes are coming to the Lewiston Mall as the Planning Board approves a new retail tenant for the old Sears space, paving the way for improved pedestrian safety and infrastructure!

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#LewistonAndroscogginCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunityInfrastructure
Planning board approves change of use for former Sears at Lewiston Mall; TMP requires off‑site signal and pedestrian work
The board approved an application to repurpose the former Sears space at 20 East Avenue as a new retail use, imposing Traffic Movement Permit conditions requiring off‑site signal timing adjustments, new crosswalks and ADA improvements, and verifying stormwater/pipe repairs before occupancy.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 8:50 AM
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RSU 14 is gearing up to take on a pivotal role in early childhood special education, planning to provide services for 125 four-year-olds by 2028!

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#ME #CitizenPortal #SpecialEducation #EarlyChildhood #CivicAccountability #MaineSchools
RSU 14 prepares to assume special‑education responsibility for 4‑year‑olds under state law; district outlines staffing and billing approach
District leaders in RSU 14 told the board they plan to join cohort 3 of Maine’s CDS→district transition, taking responsibility for 4‑year‑olds by the target start, and described expected state quarterly reimbursements, a proposed staffing model, and operational questions about transportation and child‑find processes.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 8:29 AM
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Portland Public Schools faces a staggering $84 million backlog in facility needs, prompting a call for a new strategic master plan to prioritize improvements.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #LongTermEfficiency #CapitalPlanning #MaineSchools
Facilities director outlines $84 million-plus backlog from 2016 assessment, proposes new assessment and master plan
Facilities staff told the committee the district is still relying on a 2016 facilities assessment and has consolidated outstanding items into a spreadsheet that totals roughly $84,000,000; staff propose issuing an RFP for a new assessment and developing a district facilities master plan to guide prioritization.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 7:21 PM
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Portland Public Schools is crafting a bold transportation plan aimed at reducing walking distances and improving student access, but will it be enough to address equity concerns?

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#ME #CitizenPortal #EquityInEducation #PortlandSchools #TransportationReform #EducationAccess
Portland schools weigh multiyear transportation plan, Metro partnership aftercapacity concerns
District staff presented a high-level plan to reduce walking distances, re-examine bell times and explore limited Metro partnerships; Metro told staff it currently lacks capacity to take over all middle-school routes, so staff will await further modeling and prioritize crossing-guard and hazard-zone changes in the near term.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 7:17 PM
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Portland Public Schools reports a smooth rollout of technology use in elementary and middle schools, but high schools are facing a surge of over 115 tech-related infractions—what's the plan to tackle this?

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#ME #CitizenPortal #DataDrivenDecisions #EducationTechnology
District reports early results from device‑free classrooms; high schools show more infractions
Portland Public Schools told the board its device‑free rollout has been largely smooth at the elementary and middle levels but that high schools recorded about 115 technology‑related infractions since Sept. 2; officials plan a February update after deeper SWISS data analysis and to refine interventions.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:47 PM
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In a bold move to safeguard against cybersecurity threats, the Portland Board of Public Education has unanimously voted to shut down TV-3 after revealing critical vulnerabilities in its software.

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#ME #CyberSecurity #CitizenPortal #PublicTrust #DigitalTransparency
Board votes to shut TV‑3 after IT report finds critical vulnerabilities
Following an IT vulnerability scan that identified critical security flaws in the Tightrope software that runs TV‑3, the board voted unanimously to decommission the channel and cease TV‑3 operations, citing imminent cybersecurity risk and available live‑streaming alternatives.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:37 PM
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Portland Public Schools is making strides in diversity and retention with 254 new hires, including a notable 18% BIPOC representation, as they launch innovative programs to strengthen their workforce.

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#ME #MainePublicSchools #CitizenPortal #DiversityInitiatives #StaffRetention
HR lays out hires, diversity metrics and new equity pipelines as community pressure mounts
Human resources presented staffing data showing 254 new hires in 2025–26, a recent hires cohort that is 18% BIPOC, a 14% missingness in demographic reporting, and multiple retention and pipeline programs including an apprenticeship grant to expand ESOL certification and a teacher‑to‑assistant‑principal leadership pathway.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM
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Parents and teachers are demanding accountability from the Portland school board, claiming that recent staffing changes jeopardize equity and support for multilingual families and educators of color.

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#ME #EquityInEducation #CitizenPortal #StaffSupport #LanguageAccess
Portland parents, teachers and alumni press school board for independent probe of recent staffing changes
Dozens of parents, teachers and former staff told the Portland Public Schools board they fear recent central‑office reorganizations have undermined equity work, cut language‑access and left some programs leaderless — calling on the board to open an independent investigation and provide clearer protections for staff and immigrant families.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
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The town-hall renovation project is facing a $382,000 budget shortfall, prompting a special town meeting to discuss a crucial $750,000 contingency fund to keep it on track.

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#SouthBerwickYorkCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #PublicParticipation #CivicTransparency #CommunityFunding
Council schedules special town meeting to consider $750,000 contingency for town-hall renovation
Facing a guaranteed maximum price that exceeds the original budget by roughly $382,000, the council scheduled a Dec. 9 public hearing and a Dec. 16 special town meeting to consider up to $750,000 in owner-controlled contingency funds to complete the town-hall renovation.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 4:52 PM
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Cumberland's Town Council just approved groundbreaking zoning changes aimed at revitalizing the Office Commercial South district, igniting a debate on the future of mixed-use development and affordable housing.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #CommunityPlanning #ZoningReform
Council adopts pilot zoning changes for Office Commercial South amid debate over timing and housing mix
Cumberland’s council approved amendments to the Office Commercial South zoning to pilot LD 18-29 compliance in the southern portion of the district. Planning staff and the Planning Board argued the changes will enable higher-density and mixed-use development; some councilors urged caution and discussion pending state rulemaking and comprehensive-plan decisions.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 3:50 AM
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Cumberland Town Council has approved a groundbreaking 20-year credit enhancement agreement to attract Lucas Tree, promising a future boost to local revenues and corporate growth.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #BusinessRelocation #TaxIncentives #CumberlandMaine
Cumberland approves 20-year credit deal to secure Lucas Tree relocation
The Cumberland Town Council unanimously approved a 20-year credit enhancement agreement to attract Lucas Tree (Addison Capital) to 275 U.S. Route 1. The agreement ties annual reimbursements—capped at $50,000—to the company’s excise-tax contributions and takes effect with the town’s TIF extension beginning 07/01/2027.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 3:47 AM
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The RSU 40 board is gearing up for a transformative Phase 3 upgrade, tackling crucial water-quality improvements and ADA compliance while eyeing funding options that could reshape school facilities in Maine.

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#ME #CitizenPortal #WaterQuality #ADACompliance #MaineSchools
RSU 40 board reviews EEI Phase 3 upgrades, revolving loan application and ADA/asbestos priorities for a smaller bond
Board members reviewed EEI Phase 3 plans including a biomass boiler, arsenic water-treatment upgrades and a larger storage tank, discussed a purchased 40 kW generator and switching costs, and reported applying for the state revolving renovation loan for five projects while prioritizing ADA compliance and asbestos removal for a possible bond.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 2:08 AM
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Rangeley is on the brink of a $1,000,000 park makeover, but will they get the funding to transform their playground and beach?

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#RangeleyFranklinCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #RangeleyParks
Rangeley explores LWCF grant for park upgrades including ice rink and dredging options
Committee discussed LWCF pre-assessment indicating up to $1,000,000 project scope with LWCF covering up to 50% of eligible costs; members discussed dredging permitting, sand-screening requirements, moving the playground and adding lighting and pavilions as part of a phased grant plan.
citizenportal.ai
November 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
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Communities could unlock up to $175,000 in no-match grants for resilience projects—find out how Rangeley is gearing up for this opportunity!

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#RangeleyFranklinCounty #ME #CitizenPortal #RangeleyCommunity #GrantFunding #CommunityResilience #EnergyEfficiency
State Community Resilience Partnership explained; Rangeley re-enrolls and flags heat-pumps and debris plan as grant candidates
A CRP service provider described no-match grants and eligible actions; Tamara Benson said past CRP awards were about $75,000 and collaborative grants reached $175,000. Rangeley noted projects for appliance upgrades and a FEMA storm-debris-management plan could be CRP-funded.
citizenportal.ai
November 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
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Rangeley’s fire department is responding to an alarming 70% of calls this year, sparking discussions on crucial upgrades and community training to enhance safety and service.

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#RangeleyFranklinCounty #ME #CommunityRiskReduction #RangeleyFire #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety
Rangeley fire presentation flags heavy call concentration in town, pushes dry-hydrant and regional coordination options
Rangeley fire reports show most responses are within town limits (about 65–70%); presenters discussed ISO/ICS scores, community-risk points, dry-hydrant siting, mutual aid, and options for hydrant/communication upgrades to improve coverage and insurance ratings.
citizenportal.ai
November 26, 2025 at 10:51 AM