Halloween Fire Safety Tips from the US Fire Administration!! Learn not to Burn!!

It's time for all those awesome Halloween Costumes, Parades and Parties.

But along with Halloween also comes candles, bonfires and barbecues.

Some tips from the United States Fire Administration on how to keep yourself, your guests and your children SAFE this Halloween!!!

Our latest data shows that there are 10,300 fires during the there-day period around Halloween. These fires cause about 25 deaths, 125 injuries and $83 million in property loss.

• Choose a costume without long trailing fabric. This can cause a child to trip or may touch flames in jack-o’-lanterns or other decorations.

• If you make your own costume, use materials that won’t catch on fire easily if they come in contact with heat or flame.

• Give your children flashlights or glow sticks so they can see where they are walking.

• Keep decorations away from candles, light bulbs or heaters.

• Consider using flameless candles or glow sticks in your jack-o’-lantern.

• Keep exits clear of decorations.

York County Sherriff King Alerts Residents to "IRS SCAM"

Please see the message below from York County Sheriff William L. King:

Kittery Detective Ray Hazen received a report of an "IRS" scam call from 202-864-1377. The strange thing about this scam call is that the intended target's caller ID showed the call came from the “York County Sheriffs”.
The accented caller told the resident that he owed a significant amount of money to the IRS that need to be paid today or a York County Deputy would be sent to arrest him within an hour.
The scammer told the intended target to call the number and ask for Officer Shawn Woods of the IRS. The target was a bit thrown off by the caller ID.  
Detective Hazen called the number and they answered on the first ring, "IRS."  
Please spread the word about this latest scam, using the sheriff's office as a ruse.  

No power Line is Safe to touch - EVER.

 

Stay away from downed power lines. Even lines that appear “dead” can be deadly. Also, stay out of flooded basements because energized wiring or outlets may pose a hazard.
For information regarding power outages and recovery, please visit Central Maine Power website at:
http://www.cmpco.com/outages/outageinformation.html

You are subscribed to Daily Preparedness Tips from the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

Maine Department of Labor Announces that the Employer 2016 Unemployment Contribution Schedule To Drop to Lowest Rate Since 2009

 

 

 

10/29/2015 02:06 PM EDT

 *Businesses will save $30 million in unemployment taxes next year*

AUGUSTA-The Maine Department of Labor has released the 2016 Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate Schedule. Rates will drop to the Schedule B level, the lowest rate since 2009. This drop represents an approximate 21 percent decrease in unemployment taxes paid per employee.

"Maine's unemployment tax rates are back to pre-recessionary levels," announced Governor Paul R. LePage. "As a result of job growth and significant reductions in the number of people receiving unemployment benefits, the tax rate for employers will drop two schedules. Maine's employers will save approximately $30 million in 2016 while keeping the unemployment trust fund stable and solvent."

"The new rates represent a return to pre-recessionary contribution schedules," noted Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette. For the seven years prior to the recession, unemployment tax rates fluctuated between Schedules A and B, jumping from Schedule A to E in 2010, then rising to F in 2011 where they stayed through 2013. The rate dropped to D in 2014 and stayed there in 2015.

"This will give our employers more money to reinvest in their workers and growing their business, benefiting our workforce and economy," Commissioner Paquette added.

Maine's job situation stabilized in 2011 and has sustained modest growth. This has had the dual effect of reducing the number of people receiving unemployment while improving the overall health of the unemployment trust fund.

Employers pay unemployment taxes on up to the first $12,000 in wages paid to each employee. Each business' rate is based upon the business' unemployment insurance experience, taxable wages and past contributions in relation to those of other businesses. The 2016 minimum rate will be 0.57 percent per $1,000 paid an employee, the maximum rate is 5.40 percent and the average rate, which is also the new employer rate, per $1,000 paid per employee will be 2.04 percent.

To put this in real dollars, employers paying the minimum rate will see an annual decrease of $20.40 in taxes per employee paid at least $12,000 in wages, employers paying the average rate will see a decrease of $67.20 per employee, and employers paying the maximum rate will see a decrease of $175.20 per employee.

State unemployment taxes are paid by employers into the Maine Unemployment Trust Fund and are used solely to pay benefits to people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. No funds are taken out of Maine workers' checks to support this system.

Administration of the unemployment insurance system is not supported by employer-paid state unemployment taxes. The cost of the program's administration is almost entirely funded through federal grants to the state, supported by the federal unemployment tax paid by employers.

The Department of Labor administers Maine's unemployment insurance system. Employers should receive their individual 2016 rate notices in mid-to-late December. Employers with questions about their 2015 or 2016 unemployment contributions should visit the department's webpage on unemployment taxes at http://www.maine.gov/labor/unemployment/tax.html or call (207) 621-5120.

Maine Conservation Corps Announces Environmental Steward Positions for January 2016!

Environmental Steward Positions for January 2016!

 

 

 

The Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) is accepting applications for AmeriCorps Environmental Steward positions located throughout Maine for January 2016. MCC is dedicated to environmental education, outdoor recreation and conservation projects, volunteer opportunities, and developing career and leadership skills. 

 Environmental Stewards undergo two weeks of training with MCC before being paired with a Host Site (individuals know what site they will be with before their start date) for the remainder of their term. MCC will post a full list of Host Sites on our website mid-November, but 2016 sites include: Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, and High Peaks Alliance.

 MCC’s Environmental Steward assist agencies with a wide variety of projects: water quality, wildlife protection, trail improvements, and volunteer recruitment are all examples of the projects that Environmental Stewards may be involved in. 

Application Deadline: November 9, 2015

(MCC Member Application)

Start/End Date: January 11- November 18, 2016

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Attitude: Ability to work and get along with others. Non-judgmental attitude and sensitivity to others. Positive approach to creative solutions. Have the desire to learn, serve others, and make a difference. Reliability and responsibility. Motivation and initiative Essential Functions: High School diploma or equivalent Must be at least 18 years old Must be a US Citizen Must agree to criminal and sex offender background checks Eligibility for AmeriCorps and ability to complete term of service All state positions require a valid driver’s license with a good 5 year driving record  Passion for community service and the environment. Skill requirements:  Communication skills, including comfort with public speaking. Organizational skills. Experience conducting outreach and giving presentations. Good computer skills. Program-specific duties Vary by site; refer to position descriptions on MCC website. Training and responsibilities Participate in AmeriCorps training and events as required and requested by the Maine Commission for Community Service and the MCC. Participate in community service activities. Participate in orientation training and two week initial training with MCC Work schedule: 40 hour work week, typically Monday-Friday, with occasional weekends and overnights, depending on Host Site Preferences. Benefits: Environmental Stewards are 1700 hour AmeriCorps members who will receive a weekly living stipend of $300.00 for 45 weeks. Other benefits include health insurance, a wide range of training and networking opportunities, a Maine State Park Pass, and an education award of $ 5,730.00. Some members may also be eligible for student load deferment and childcare reimbursement. A small number of Host Sites also offer housing as part of their position.

For information on the application process contact

Jasmine Greenman
Maine Conservation Corps
124 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-6085 or 1-800-245-5627 (Toll Free in Maine)
corps.conservation@maine.gov