2023 in Review

Embark on a journey through the highlights of 2023 with us as we invite you to experience our captivating year in review video. This video not only celebrates our successes but also showcases the hard work that went into making a better future for our community. Take a look at the past year as we express our gratitude to our partners, collaborators, donors, supporters, and friends.

As we move into 2024, we look forward to another year of collaboration, growth, and success. Let's continue working together to build a thriving community focused on health, productivity, and mutual support. A special thanks to Arran Haynes for lending his voice to our year-end video, adding eloquence and depth to the reflections of 2023.

Town Clerks Office

March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election

Absentee Ballot requests are available until February 29, 2024

Dog tags became available on October 15, 2023; Courtesy reminder phone calls began; Fees: $6 spayed/neutered; $11 intact. Mandatory $25 Late Fee effective Feb. 1, 2024. Please remember that all dogs must be vaccinated and licensed in their residing towns by State Statute and to utilize the Town’s Dog Park.

Town Board/Committee Expirations:

Board of Appeals:

• Krystle Garand 12/2023

Personnel Appeals Board:

• James Lawrence 12/2023

Recreation Advisory Committee:

• Brennan Turner 12/2023
• Stephanie Jamieson 12/2023

Board Committee Members: if interested to continue - kindly fill out the attached application and submit to the Town Clerk. You can get an application here.

Diana Lakeman, Town Clerk

Department of Tax Assessment

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR AN EXEMPTION?

Homestead Exemption Eligibility requirements:

• Must be a legal resident of the State of Maine
• Must have owned a homestead property in Maine for at least the past 12 months as of April 1.
• Must declare this homestead as your permanent place of residence and it must be the only property for which a homestead exemption is claimed. (Summer camps, vacation homes and multiple residences do not qualify.)
• Must file an application with the Assessor on or before April 1

Blind Exemption Eligibility requirements:

• Real estate property owners who have been determined to be blind by a licensed Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathy or Doctor of Optometry may be eligible for this exemption.
• Must file an application with the Assessor on or before April 1

Veterans Exemption Eligibility requirements:

A veteran who served on active duty in the armed forces may apply for an exemption from property tax in the place where they reside provided they:

• Served during a recognized war period and have reached the age of 62 years or;
• Have been awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; or
• Have become totally disabled from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service in the line of duty and is receiving any form of pension or compensation from the federal Government for total service-connected disability. A veteran receiving compensation as unemployable at the 100% level is considered totally disabled; and
• Receive a pension or compensation from the federal government for total disability, either service- or non-service-connected, as a veteran; or
• Receive a pension or compensation from the federal government for total disability because of injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service in the line of duty or because of unemployability; and
• File an application (and VA proof of service) with the assessor of the municipality in which the veteran maintains their permanent residence, on or before April 1.

Veteran’s Widow/Widower Exemption Eligibility requirements:

• Unremarried Widow, Widower or the Minor Child of a Veteran and Unremarried Widowed Parent of a Veteran may also be eligible for this exemption.
• Must file an application with the Assessor on or before April 1

Applications/further information can be found at the following web address:

https://www2.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/property-tax-relief-programs/property-tax-exemptions

Lorna Thompson, Tax Assessor

Wastewater Department

We would like to remind the residents of Millinocket to please NOT flush wipes, paper towels, grease, plastics, Q-tips or anything other than toilet paper into the sewer system. Even the "flushable" wipes will clog the sewer system. These items are causing extreme plugs to the sewer system and costly maintenance to our pumping stations. We would like to thank the residents for this consideration.

Jason Ingalls,

Wastewater Treatment Facility Superintendent

Public Works Department

The Crew has been busy with the recent storms, plowing and cleaning up the downtown area. We have expanded clean up efforts into some neighborhoods to assist in drainage of upcoming snowmelt.

Public Works has been assisting in the installation of the EV Chargers on Penobscot Ave. in the Municipal and Veteran’s Memorial parking lots.

Recently warm weather has started pothole season early. We encourage you to report potholes that we may have missed.

We would like to remind the public and contractors to not push snow into roadways or sidewalks after the town has cleared the right of ways. This continues to be a problem year after year and is a quick way to narrow our streets to one lane width.

The grindings from the brush pile have been hauled away by Northwoods Bark Mulch. An amazing total tonnage of 2,388.8 Tons or 75 tractor-trailer loads was hauled away this year. 

Bryan Duprey, Public Works Director