Government at a glance
Local government in Maine provides many essential services its citizens, including road construction and maintenance, solid waste disposal, water utilities and waste water treatment, police and fire protection and emergency rescue, land use planning and building inspection, welfare, and public education for grades Kindergarten through 12.
Municipal government in Maine enjoys a special authority called “home rule.” This authority is given to the towns and cities of Maine in the state’s Constitution. Under “home rule,” municipalities may govern themselves in any way that is not denied them by state or federal law. This authority sets Maine apart from many other states where the authority of municipal government is exactly the reverse. Home rule finds its origin in the state’s reliance on community, an historical tendency to devolve the power of government to its most local level, and a deep respect for the common sense and good judgment of Maine’s citizens.
As its name implies, local government is run by and for its citizens. Whether as a selectmen, councilor, or school board member, people seek to be elected for municipal office out of a sense of civic duty and to make a positive difference for their community. This spirit of community volunteerism also applies to the people who agree to be appointed to the local planning board, appeals board, or the numerous other committees that collaboratively work together to make their local government what it is. From running for elected office to volunteering to assist in the publication of a municipal newsletter, there are numerous opportunities to serve local government.
For more information on how you can get involved in local government, contact Maine Municipal Association, 60 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330, visit www.memun.org or send e-mail to ResourceCenter@memun.org.
.000Franklin County
Address:
140 Main Street
Farmington, Maine 04938
Tel: (207) 778-6614
Fax: (207) 778-5899
Franklin County, incorporated in 1838, is in Western Maine, bordering Canada and serving as an economic gateway for U.S. and Canadian business. Historically, the area was known for its dairy farms, lumbering, canning, woolen mills, and shoe manufacturing industries. It is still home to the Androscoggin Paper Mill, as well as newer companies such as Carrabasset Coffee and ICT Group.
Franklin County facts
Population: 29,467
Land area: 1,698
Incorporation date: 1838
County seat: Farmington
Towns in Franklin County include Avon, Carrabassett Valley, Carthage, Chesterville, Coplin Plt., Dallas Plt., Eustis, Farmington, Industry, Jay, Kingfield, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Rangeley, Rangeley Plt., Sandy River Plt., Strong, Temple, Weld and Wilton.
.000Oxford County
Address:
26 Western Avenue
South Paris, Maine 04281
Tel: (207) 743-6359
Fax: (207) 743-1545
Oxford County, incorporated in 1805, is located on the Western edge of Maine and borders New Hampshire. South Paris is the County seat. The towns of this region are mostly small and rural. This mountain region provides both summer and winter recreation opportunities and boasts some of the state’s best skiing, miles of hiking and snowmobile trails.
Oxford County facts
Population: 54,755
Land area: 2,078
Incorporation date: 1805
County seat: South Paris
Municipalities in Oxford County include Andover, Bethel, Brownfield, Buckfield, Byron, Canton, Denmark, Dixfield, Fryeburg, Gilead, Greenwood, Hanover, Hartford, Hebron, Hiram, Lincoln Plt., Lovell, Magalloway Plt., Mexico, Newry, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Peru, Porter, Roxbury, Rumford, Stoneham, Stow, Sumner, Sweden, Upton, Waterford, West Paris and Woodstock.
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Interested in checking out who lives in a particular neighborhood? Sex offender registry info can be found at the Maine Sex Offender Registry online search service at http://sor.informe.org/sor/
Find out where to take your driver’s test or renew your driver’s license. Bureau of Motor Vehicles information for the state of Maine can be found online at www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/locations. Additional online services at maine.gov include Hunting and fishing licenses, ATV/snowmobile registration renewal and Burning Permits.
Department of Health and Human Services information for the state of Maine can be found online at www.maine.gov/dhhs/DHSaddresses.htm. Online services include Adoption Search, Water Test Kits, Order Vital Records, Assisted Living Search, Health Care Search, Home Health Comparison, Medicare Savings Calculator, Senior Dining Services, Subsidized Housing, and more.
Consumers have the right to register their phone number on the FTC’s Do Not Call List. You can log on to www.donotcall.gov to do so. In addition Maine State Law provides for penalties against telemarketers who call after being told to stop.
Sales/Use & Service Provider Tax Rates:
General, Service Provider & Use 5%
Lodging & Prepared Food 7%
Short Term Auto Rental 10%
Find more information for your area such as Public events, Public libraries and library events, Walking paths/trails, Restaurants, State parks and historic sites, and Weather forecast, visit Maine.gov.
– You can find contact information for elected government officials at Maine.gov.
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