Maine Fall Foliage Report for the Week of September 24, 2015.... Gradual Changes Taking Place in Northern Maine!!

Maine Fall Foliage Report
September 23, 2015

Gradual Changes in Leaf Color

Taking Place in Northern Maine

 

 

Augusta, MAINE (September 23, 2015) - With the official arrival of autumn ushering in cooler temperatures, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry reports 15-20 percent color change and very low leaf drop in northern Maine (zones 6 & 7).
“While we were fortunate to enjoy an extended summer-like weather pattern, our warm sunny days and crisp evening temperatures will start the succession of color from north to south. Typically, northern Maine begins to see peak or near peak conditions the last week of September into the first week of October, with the rest of the state nearing peak conditions in the middle of October. If our weather pattern continues, we may still see an abundance of color in late October along the coast and the southern part of the state,” according to Gale Ross, fall foliage coordinator.
It’s the perfect time to drive or bike along the St. John Valley Cultural Byway. This route, rich with Maine's Acadian heritage and culture, runs 92 miles along the northern border of Maine and through the St. John Valley.
With a forecast of sunny skies predicted for the weekend, it’s a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the fall events happening in Maine.
Join in the celebration of rural, sustainable living and sample organic foods featuring Maine-grown ingredients at the Common Ground Country Fair taking place in Unity, Sept. 25 through Sept. 27.
In southern Maine, the Eliot Festival takes place Sept. 25 and 26 with an antique car show, Maine crafts and more. In addition, Sept. 26 is Punkinfiddle, a National Estuaries Day Celebration that fosters stewardship of coastal environments. This day of family fun and learning takes place at Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm.
Leaf peepers can visit the state’s official foliage website, www.mainefoliage.com and sign up to receive weekly reports by email and share their own photos from throughout the state as the progression of color begins.
For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.

The End of An Era.........or the Start of Something WONDERFUL??

GOODBYE LEBANON RESCUE DEPARTMENT!!

HELLO LEBANON FIRE AND EMS DEPARTMENT!!

 

The old signs came down around 2 pm on

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Your NEW Lebanon Fire and EMS flagpole, signs and building paint job will be completed and in place for the

October 3, 2015 Re-Dedication!!!

 

BUH-BYE to Lebanon's Embarassment!!

HELLO to Community, Involvement, and Pride!!

 

Thank you SO much to Chuck and Corey

of C&C Sign, Lebanon, ME

 

Tips for Steering Clear of The Flu This Season!!

Staying on top of facts about the flu is the best medicine.
Visit http://www.maineflu.gov for more information.
And follow these easy tips from the CDC:
•Cover your cough
•Wash your hands frequently
•If you have a fever, stay home for at least 24 hrs after that fever has ended
•Get vaccinated

SEPTEMBER is SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.... 1-800-273-TALK........

If You’re Feeling Hopeless,

call

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

for help and support.

We're here for you - tonight and every night!!

 

 

 

Maine Fall Foliage Report..........September 16, 2015

Maine Fall Foliage Report
September 16, 2015

Warmth of Extended Summer Slows Foliage

Augusta, ME (September 16, 2015) - While Maine is still experiencing the warmth of an extended summer, the foliage in northern Maine is gradually changing, with tinges of oranges, reds and yellows visible in the forest canopy. However, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry report reveals very little color change and very low leaf drop.
“Weather plays a significant role in the changing of the season. Sunny days, followed by cool, but not freezing temperatures help move the progression of color along. We have not experienced the cooler evening temperatures in all 7 zones,” noted Gale Ross, fall foliage coordinator for Maine.
Leaf peepers can visit the state’s official foliage website at www.mainefoliage.com and sign up to receive weekly reports by email. Visitors and natives can share their photos throughout the state as the progression of color begins.
There are a plethora of events happening throughout the state this coming week and now’s the time to get outside to enjoy this last little bit of summer weather. Old Orchard Beach is playing host to a 22nd Annual Car Show on Sept. 18-19 and the town of Bethel will come alive with scarecrows and harvest decorations during the 18th Annual Harvestfest & Chowdah Cook-off on Sept. 19. Or, experience the 11th Annual Camden International Film Festival, taking place from Sept. 17 to 20 in Camden and Rockland. More than sixty documentary features and shorts will be shown throughout a number of local venues.
For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.

Town of Lebanon Solicits Invitation to Bid for GRADING DIRT ROADS 2015

Town of Lebanon

15 Upper Guinea Rd.  (207) 457-6082

Lebanon, ME 04027  (207) 457-6067fax

 

Invitation to Bid

Grading Dirt Roads 2015

 

 The Town of Lebanon will receive sealed bids for grading dirt roads. This bid is for grading the roads three times from 10/01/2015 through 06/30/2016 at the discretion of the Road Commissioner. 
 All bids will must be received sealed by Thursday October 1st and will be opened publicly and read aloud on Thursday October 1st at 5:00pm at the Lebanon Town Hall. Bids will also be awarded on Thursday October 1st. 
All bids must be sealed and labeled “Grading Bid” and can be mailed to or delivered to the Town Hall at 15 Upper Guinea Rd., Lebanon ME 04027. The Town of Lebanon reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids.
Roads to be Graded:
Orrills Hill Rd.
Goding Rd. 
Kennebec Rd. 
Upper Middle Rd.
Whittum Way 
Lower Guinea Rd.
Commanche Ln.
Bog Rd. 
Upper Barley Rd.
Holtby Ln. 
Lower Barley Rd.
Carter Ln.
Hartford Dr. 
Lord Rd. 
Abbott Rd. 
Hebo Hybo Rd.

 

For More Information Call

Road Comissioner Tom Torno at (207) 432-3216

Select Board Chairman Ben Thompson Announces 2015-16 Lebanon Tax Schedule and MIL Rate.

The Lebanon board of selectmen/assessors have finalized assessments for this year.

Tax bills should be in taxpayers hands by the first of next week.  

     We attempted to correct two major assessment categories this year.  We succeeded in factoring a much needed depreciation schedule on mobile homes across the town.  The board made the decision to establish a base assessment of $25,000.00 on any mobile home that is currently liveable.  We also established an assessment standard for all additions on mobile homes based on a cost (grade E, lowest) of $52.53 per square foot which had never been factored before.

The currently established depreciation schedule has been used to adjust a 1987 double wide mobile home from $98,000.00 to just over $46,000.00 (given as an example).  

The depreciation schedule has been adopted from the State's standards as shown in the State's Assessment Manual.

     The board also attempted to finalize reassessments of all waterfront properties this year.  This project is a large undertaking as well, and has been ongoing since 2013.  The board decided to finalize this project next year due to personal time constraints of the selectmen/assessors and in the interest of ensuring proper assessments.

     Much time has been given and several adjustments have been made to bring assessments fairly into line and to keep the mil rate as low as possible.  The town lost approximately $4.8 million in assessment due to depreciation on mobile homes.  However, we gained slightly over $5 million in assessment due to the expansion project of CMP transmission lines and the substation.  While out assessing, board members also discovered several buildings that had not been identified to be assessed due to a lack of communication between the Codes office and the assessors, and one that had been missed for several years.  We have implemented several changes to avoid these issues in the future.

The board also voted to raise the base lot land value (2 acres and under) from $32,000.00 to $35,000.00.  Assessments on additional acreage remains at $1,000.00 per acre.  This change provided over $9 million worth of additional assessment which helped to drive down this year's mil rate, and effectively spread the tax burden fairly to all land owners with a minimal impact on our finances.  We committed well below the projected $16.00 mil rate.

     On September 14, 2015, during the videotaped evening meeting, the board utililized information provided to them to set the tax mil rate.  Once the calculations were completed, a mil rate was discussed.  As seen on the tape, Selectman Thompson felt something wasn't quite right and reviewed the calculations which had been made.  No mistakes had been made on implementing the information provided into the calculations worksheet.  

Still feeling unsettled about committing to such a low mil rate, Selectman Thompson spent more time on Tuesday morning reviewing all information which had been provided by the Town clerk, Treasurer, and the Selectmen's Assistant.  Upon further review, an error was discovered where the State's revenue sharing and homestead reimbursements had been accounted for twice and needed to be manually removed on one report.  Unfortunately, the mil rate discussed on video is NOT the correct mil rate. 

This year's new mil rate correctly calculated is $15.24 per thousand.

    We are proud to provide a mil rate well below our original projections.

If any resident or citizen has any questions in regard to their own tax bill or any part of the overall process, please feel free to ask.  

Sincerely, 

Ben Thompson

Chair Selectman/Assessor 

CMA #885