HANOVER

Mexico man killed when car slides into truck hauling logs

A Maine man has died after his car slid on slippery roads into a truck carrying logs in the Oxford County town of Hanover.

Police said Arland Burgess, 58, of Mexico was killed Friday on Route 2 southwest of Rumford.

Burgess was the only person in the vehicle, the Sun Journal reported. Police said he apparently slid on a slushy section of road in front of the fully loaded log truck.

Police said the driver of the truck was not injured.

BENTON

Town meeting’s voters OK TIF zone for CMP substation

Just a handful of voters turned out Saturday morning for the town meeting, and they approved a tax zone that is expected to generate millions of dollars for the town over the next 30 years.

The zone, called a tax increment financing district, passed on a secret-ballot vote of 22-14, the slimmest margin of the meeting.

Because of the vote, taxes on a portion of the new Central Maine Power Co. substation on Albion Road that otherwise would have been diverted to the state and county instead will be kept in Benton.

The zone will result in a net gain for Benton of an estimated $79,000 per year in state subsidies that otherwise would have been lost, Noreen Norton, an economic development consultant for the town, told voters as she fielded a variety of questions.

However, the arrangement restricts how the town can spend revenue raised in the TIF zone, which amounts to a total of $106,000 per year.

That money must be spent to improve the area of the TIF zone itself.

Selectman Antoine Morin, who has been vocal in his support of the TIF, said some of the money might be spent to help resolve noise complaints from the substation’s neighbors.

The money could go to pay legal fees and consultations as the town works with CMP to deal with the noise problem, he said.

Approved uses for the money include about $27,000 in existing costs for the town, such as trail maintenance and expenses associated with an annual alewife festival, Morin said.

The rest of the money might be spent on things such as a business park on Neck Road, a sewer line extension and bringing improved Internet access to the town, all of which are acceptable uses under the TIF, according to Morin.

AUGUSTA

State accepting nominations for best workplace in Maine

Maine officials want to know which businesses are the best places to work in the state.

Nominations for the “Best Places to Work in Maine” program will be accepted online until May 23. In June, all registered companies will be surveyed on things like the company’s employee benefits and policies. The award recognizes businesses with outstanding work environments.

Last year, Cianbro construction and the Putney Inc. animal drug firm were rated the best places to work in the state from a list of 60 companies in the finals.

Companies must have at least 15 employees to participate.

To apply online, go to www.bestplacestoworkme.com.

CONCORD, N.H.

House panel will consider Senate bill to insure needy

A House committee will decide next week whether to recommend passing a bill to use federal Medicaid money to pay for health insurance for an estimated 50,000 poor adults.

The House Finance Committee on Tuesday will consider a Senate bill passed with bipartisan support that essentially creates a 21/2-year pilot program providing coverage to eligible adults if the federal government approves using federal funds to pay for private insurance.

Supporters say the bill would improve the health of currently uninsured residents by providing access to affordable preventive and primary care. They say that would reduce the amount of uncompensated care provided by hospitals, which could help drive down premium costs and help struggling businesses.

– From staff and news services

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