TOPSHAM — Voters at Town Meeting on Wednesday, May 16, will be asked to approve an $8.1 million municipal budget for next year. The proposed fiscal 2013 spending plan is up slightly more than 1.8 percent from current spending. Including potential school and county assessments, Topsham’s tax rate would climb from the current $16.15 per […]

BATH — Bath Iron Works has paid a $12,200 fine imposed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for violation of hazardous waste standards. According to DEP’s April 2012 monthly enforcement report, BIW’s violations included failure to keep hazardous waste containers closed except when waste was added or removed, not marking or labeling such a […]

BRUNSWICK — Usually, the staff and volunteers of the Coastal Humane Society are the ones who do their canine and feline charges a good turn. But Calypso, a runaway pit bull with a serious medical problem, turned that tradition upside down by taking center stage in an adventure that has helped her human wards in […]

BRUNSWICK — An 18-year-old Brunswick man was arrested last week in connection with the theft of four motor vehicles over a four-day period. Cars left with their keys inside were stolen, driven around town, and abandoned, according to police. In two cases, the cars were stolen while their owners were inside area restaurants. Stephen G. […]

WEST BATH — The Regional School Unit 1 Board of Directors on Monday postponed its vote on a proposed budget until next week to allow more time to find potential savings. School Board Chairman Tim Harkins said it has been suggested that RSU 1 cut a significant amount more from the $26 million budget proposed […]

FREEPORT — The municipal budget may take center stage at next Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, but tax breaks and shellfish licenses will also be subjects of discussion. A new ordinance creating an excise tax exemption for active military personnel and revisions to the shellfish ordinance will receive public hearings at the 7 p.m. meeting on […]

Nine-year-old Connor Quiet keeps his eye on the ball and sends it sailing on Saturday in Falmouth, where Little Leaguers competed in a hit, run and throw competition for an opportunity to participate in the finals at Hadlock Field next month. Portland Sea Dogs staff evaluated the players in the competition co-sponsored by Mercy Hospital.

FREEPORT — Donors to the Community Center and its programs will be honored in sweet and sturdy ways next week. From 5:30-7 p.m. on May 17, a garden party hosted by the Freeport Community Services Capital Campaign Committee will be highlighted by the unveiling of a donor wall listing major donors who helped fund the […]

YARMOUTH — After months of review and deliberation, councilors had little more to say last week about the fiscal year 2013 budgets. The public did not add much more in a hearing preceding a council workshop, so it took about 10 minutes to advance $32 million in school and municipal spending to the June 5 […]

CUMBERLAND — The School Administrative District 51 Board of Directors approved a fiscal 2013 budget Monday that reflects a 5.3 percent increase from the current year. The Cumberland-North Yarmouth district spending plan, which now goes to two public votes, passed 6-2. If approved, the budget could cause a tax rate increase in Cumberland of 50 […]