I hope everyone is enjoying the days of summer before the kids are back in school. Below are some local updates on items that I have received calls on lately. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Have a wonderful day!

Greene-Turner Bridge

Lately, I have received questions on the proposed new Greene-Turner bridge. There are rumors that the new bridge will not have a sidewalk for pedestrians, bikers, and snowmobiles. This is important because the bridge is surrounded by the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park.

I have spoken with Maine DOT Commissioner Dave Cole about the issue. Maine DOT is in the early planning stages of the bridge. The current bridge is 20 feet wide. The new proposed bridge will be 32 feet wide with 11 foot travel lanes and 5 foot shoulders. (The current bridge has no shoulders.) The DOT believes that 5 foot shoulders will provide an area away from traffic for those wishing to cross the bridge.

I discussed this issue with the Greene Selectboard at their most recent meeting. We will collectively be keeping an eye on the situation. The bridge is listed in the Maine DOT Statewide Transportation Improvement Program for 2010-2013.

Sabattus Stoplight

As most of you may have noticed, the Sabattus stoplight at the intersection of Route 126 and 132 is up and running.

I have received several calls about a tree blocking the light on Route 132. I contacted the DOT directly about the issue. Next week, they will be closing one lane and sufficiently trimming the tree. The DOT did remind me that all of the proper signs are in place at the intersection including, a BE PREPARED TO STOP warning sign and a NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN AHEAD warning sign.

Sabattus Tax Jump Caused by $159,000 Error

Many of you may have seen this article in the Sun Journal. Great job to Selectwoman, Ronda Fournier, for catching the error.

Sabattus Uncovers Cause of Unexpected Tax Increase

The countdown to back to school begins! I have two boys preparing to go back–one in 5th grade, the other to high school. My 5th grader will be going to Carrie Ricker in Litchfield. I am anxious to visit and see the school. I am positive that this will be a good transition for RSU 4. Now, the kids will all be on the same page in junior high, and the transition to high school should be much easier. My son has already met kids from Wales and Litchfield and is anxious to start. I hope your kids are ready. This can be a trying time for parents… and the kids too of course!

Below is information on the Smith Bridge on Bowdoinham Road in Sabattus and a new credit card scam in Maine.

Have a wonderful day!

Smith Bridge in Sabattus

The Smith Bridge is located on Bowdoinham Road in Sabattus, just before Williams Road. This bridge is in need of repair, as it floods in the spring, and the guardrails are ready to collapse. If you travel this road often, you will know what I am talking about.

On Wednesday August 18th, the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner David Cole, bridge engineer John Buxton, along with me and other town officials, visited the bridge to see the needs of the bridge firsthand. After visiting, Maine DOT has decided to start maintenance repairs on the bridge in early- to mid-September. (There are plans to replace the bridge in 2013-2014.)

For those of you who travel this road, this may mean daily delays for 4 - 6 weeks while the repairs are being made.

Pictured in photo: Selectboard Chair Scott Lansley; Maine DOT Commissioner David Cole; EMA Director Don Fournier; Selectwoman Ronda Fournier; Maine DOT Bridge Engineer John Buxton; Rep. Stacy Dostie

Not pictured in photo, but present: Alan Leblanc, Sabattus Public Works Director; Steve Lebrun, Sabattus Code Enforcement Officer.

Attorney General Warns of New Credit Card Scam in Maine

Have you recently received a confusing e-mail about having to claim health care on your income tax? Don’t worry, the information is false. Read below for more information.

Have a wonderful day!

Health Care Bill Rumors

Many of you may have recently received an e-mail or heard from someone that if you get health care through your employer you will need to report that care as part of your income next year. This information is false.

The new law will impact taxpayers with “cadillac” health plans, but not in the way the e-mail suggests. According to snopes.com which is a reputable debunking website:

This is another case of a legislative issue which has a kernel of truth to it, but which has been misinterpreted. It affects only a small percentage of the population, and has misleadingly been blown out of proportion through someone’s mistaken assumption that it applies to everyone.

In general, beginning in 2018 (not 2011) H.R. 3590 imposes a 40% excise tax on the value of employer-sponsored medical insurance that exceeds a given threshold (initially $27,500 annually). Although, “the aggregate cost of applicable employer sponsored group health coverage” will be reported on employees’ W-2 forms, the excise tax would be paid by the insurance company, not the employee, and is initially expected to affect fewer than 10% of families covered by health insurance.

Read more here…
http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/HR3590.asp

U.S. Benefits Analysts

If you are a veteran or if you know a veteran, please pass the below site on to them.

U.S. Benefits Analysts is a national company dedicated to providing long-term care assistance to veterans, spouses and surviving spouses of veterans by qualifying for the Veteran Affairs “Aid and Attendance Pension.”

The benefit is substantial. For a veteran and spouse, the Aid and Attendance Pension can pay up to $1,950 per month, or nearly $23,400 a year tax free.

http://gbausa.org/index.php

Wow, what a summer so far! I am hopeful that this weather will result in a real strong summer tourist season this year.

Below is information on the Circuit Breaker Property Tax and Rent Refund Program. Check out the link to see if you qualify. If you qualify and would like an application booklet mailed to you instead of filing online, please e-mail or call me and leave your name and address. I will pass the information on to Maine Revenue Services and they will mail a booklet to you.

Have you been to a fair yet this year? Once again, I have posted the fair dates below. Let’s all get out and have some fun!

Circuit Breaker

The 2010-2011 Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program, also known as the “Circuit Breaker,” is now accepting applications. Nearly 200,000 Maine households qualify for a partial refund of property tax assessed and/or rent they paid in 2009. The maximum refund available is $1,600. Visit this link to see if you qualify…
http://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxrelief/tnr.htm

Fair Dates

It’s fair season! Below is a listing of the upcoming fairs for 2010. Have fun!
HOULTON FAIR, July 1-4
OSSIPEE VALLEY FAIR, July 8-11
WATERFORD WORLD’S FAIR, July 16-18
PITTSTON FAIR, July 22-25
MONMOUTH FAIR, July 28-31
BANGOR STATE FAIR, July 30-Aug 8
NORTHERN MAINE FAIR, July 30-Aug 7
ATHENS FAIR, Aug 6-8
TOPSHAM FAIR, Aug 8-14
SKOWHEGAN STATE FAIR, Aug 12-21
UNION FAIR, Aug 21-28
PISCATAQUIS FAIR, Aug 26-29
ACTON FAIR, Aug 26-29
WINDSOR FAIR, Aug 29-Sept 6
BLUE HILL FAIR, Sept 2-6
SPRINGFIELD FAIR, Sept 3-6
HARMONY FREE FAIR, Sept 3-6
CLINTON LIONS FAIR, Sept 9-12
LITCHFIELD FAIR, Sept 10-12
CORNISH HORSEMAN’S DAY, Sept 11
OXFORD FAIR, Sept 12-18
NEW PORTLAND FAIR, Sept 17-19
FARMINGTON FAIR, Sept 19-25
COMMON GROUND FAIR, Sept 24-26
CUMBERLAND FAIR, Sept 26-Oct 2
FRYEBURG FAIR, Oct 3-10

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer weather. I am hopeful that all this sunshine will help the summer tourism business in Maine. Below are a couple of events coming up in our towns.

Have a wonderful day!

Sabattus Family Fun Festival is this Thursday!

The Sabattus Family Fun Festival will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm this Thursday, July 22nd, at the Sabattus Town Hall on Middle Road in Sabattus.

All Sabattus residents are welcome. Come and meet your neighbors. Bring the kids to play games and enjoy a barbecue of hamburgers, hot dogs, and many other goodies.

Visit the Sabattus Town website to keep informed on other events happening in Sabattus. www.sabattus.org

I hope to see you there!

Greene Village Day

Greene Village Day begins on Friday, September 10th. Friday nights events will start off with a bonfire, music, dancing, and lots of good food. You can also try your hand at the money machine. Festivities start at 6pm until 10pm. Dont miss this evening of fun! Free admission. Dance to the band “Skosh”. Great for ALL ages!

Saturday, September 11th, starts with a Blueberry Pancake breakfast at the Fire Station, parade down Main Street and lots of food, fun and games. All activities will be located at the fields on Recreation Drive, just off Main Street. Visit www.greenevillageday.com for more information.

I will have a booth at Greene Village Day. I look forward to seeing you there!

Visit the Greene town website to keep informed on other events happening in Greene. www.townofgreene.net