TOWN OF UNION P.O. Box 186 Union, Maine 04862 Town of ...

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Annual Reportof the

Municipal Officers

of the

For the Municipal Year

2020-2021

Published by Hollow Ridge Communications

July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 Financial ReportsJune 2021 Annual Town Meeting Warrant

Cover photo by Morgan Winslow

Annual Report 2020-20212

Town of Union, Maine

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PORATED OCTOBER 20,

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table of contents

Table of ConTenTs

ToWn of UnIon Dedication .........................................................4 Spirit of America ...............................................6 Senior Veteran ...................................................7 Municipal Officers, Town and Election Officials, Committee Members, and Union Fire & Rescue .........................................8

aDMInIsTRaTIon Board of Selectmen .........................................13 Town Manager ................................................16 Town Clerk ......................................................18 Registrar ..........................................................21

assessInG Assessors’ Representative ...............................23

fInanCe Unpaid Taxes, Liens, and Supplemental Taxes ..26 Fund and Trust Balances .................................30 Audit - RHR Smith & Company .....................31

PlannInG & DeVeloPMenT Code Enforcement Officer, Local Plumbing/ Building Inspector ...........................................40 PUblIC safeTY Animal Control Officer ...................................41 E-911 ...............................................................42 Health Office ...................................................43 Union Fire .......................................................44 Union Rescue ..................................................46

PUblIC WoRKs Public Works ...................................................47

solID WasTe Tri-County Solid Waste Organization .............49

boaRDs & CoMMITTees Aging in Place in Union ..................................50 Broadband ......................................................51 Planning Board ................................................53 Union Scholarship ...........................................55

CoMMUnITY seRVICes & oRGanIZaTIons Come Spring Food Pantry ...............................56 Union Historical Society .................................57 Vose Library ...................................................58

GoVeRnMenT Government Directory .....................................60 Governor Janet Mills .......................................61 Senator Angus King ........................................62 Senator Susan Collins ......................................63 States House Representative Chellie Pingree ................................................64 State Senator David Miramant ..............................................65 Maine House Representative Jeffrey Evangelos (91) ......................................66 Maine House Representative William D. Pluecker (95) .....................................68 ToWn MeeTInG WaRRanTs & MInUTes Minutes for Annual Town Meeting – Tuesday, July 14, 2020 & Monday, August 24, 2020 ..............................................69 Minutes for Special Town Meeting – Tuesday, November 3, 2020 ...........................82 Warrant for Annual Town Meeting – Tuesday, June 8, 2021 and Saturday, June 12, 2021 .................................................84

InfoRMaTIon Union Profile ...................................................91 Contacts ...........................................................92



DEDICATION Richard E. Kirkpatrick

When you hear the phrase, “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore,” Richard Kirkpatrick might be the one that pops into your head (if you’ve been in Union long enough, that is). He passed away in September 2020. Most all his life was lived in Union with hardly a dull moment. His parents were farmers and town fixtures Steve and Laura Kirkpatrick. Born August 4, 1947, he graduated from Union High School in 1966. Then he enlisted in the Air Force, serving his country for four years including Vietnam. When his time in the Air Force ended, he returned to Union and drove trucks for a number of companies throughout the area including Thurston Brothers. He subsequently developed an interest in heating and plumbing, which he learned from Bob Heath at Butler, Maxcy & Heath. This trade ended up being his life’s work. Richard was renowned for being one of the hardest workers on the midcoast. If anyone in Union had a heating or plumbing need, Richard was the one they called. People could depend on him and on his work. He would even cut a deal if asked. Later Richard got into the mowing business. Under his care, Union’s cemeteries and Common looked flawless. Summers were filled with the near-constant hum of his mowers and the sight of Richard – usually in a tank top, with a very deep tan – sweeping along emerald lawns. His love for cars resulted in him purchasing a few Corvettes and other antique cars through the years. During Union Fair, Richard could be found entertaining the crowd by smashing up a car or a few in the demolition derbies. Richard was a regular at Come Spring Café as well as a member of MidCoast Shriners and Union Masonic Lodge #31. He had an extended network of friends who were as close as family, with whom he enjoyed playing cards (especially cribbage) and spending quality time on those rare occasions when he wasn’t working. Described by his family as “a man of few words,” Richard nonetheless always had a one-liner that would elicit a chuckle. He also had a kind yet mischievous gleam in his eyes. It made people stop and wonder what he was going to say next – but often he never said anything, which in turn made people wonder what he had been thinking. He would just smile, maybe a brief wave, and that gleam brighter than ever.

DeDIcatIon

Annual Report 2020-2021 5

Town of Union, Maine DeDIcatIon

Many, many people benefited from Richard’s hard work and curiosity, perhaps none more so than his children. They are grateful to have received the “Kirkpatrick hard working gene.” Richard is survived by his children Chad and partner Amanda Cost of Orono, Wayne and wife Corrie of Union, and daughter Tonya and partner Daniel Michaud of Lewiston; grandchildren Christopher and Laura Cost-Kirkpatrick, Autumn and Madelyn Kirkpatrick, and Alyssa and Keith Bragg; great-grandson Haden; sister Jada and brother-in-law Dan Beardsley; sister-in-law Julia Kirkpatrick, nieces and nephews Cheryl and Bruce Dawson, Stephen Kirkpatrick and Stefan Kirkpatrick, Tracy Willis, Michael Beardsley and Danielle Beardsley, and numerous great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Gail and brother-in-law Robert Whittier, and brother Gary Kirkpatrick. Ultimately, Richard was known as someone who’d do anything for anyone, no matter the cost to him. His legacy lives on -- of hard work, helping others, community involvement, and a quick wit: four virtues that have always made Union a great place to live. Contribution excerpts and photos were provided by the Hall’s Funeral Home and the Kirkpatrick Family.



SPIRIT OF AMERICA John Gibbons

The 2020 Union, Maine Spirit of America Foundation Tribute honors John Gibbons for commendable community service.

Be it Resolved by the Selectmen of the Town of Union as follows:

Whereas, John has served on the Planning Board;

Whereas, John has served on the Ordinance Consolidation Committee;

Whereas, John has served on the Midcoast Economic Development Committee;

Whereas, John has served on the Board of Selectmen;

Whereas, John has served as a Director of RSU 40;

Be it Resolved by the Selectmen of the Town of Union that John Gibbons is hereby recognized for his great achievements and honors he has brought upon this community with the 2020 Union, Maine Spirit of America Foundation Tribute; and

Be it Further Resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to John Gibbons for appropriate display.

John Gibbons, Recipient



UNION SENIOR VETERAN Leo A. Laukka

Leo A. Laukka was presented with the Sabre as the Union Senior Veteran by resident and founder Greg Grotton on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Mr. Laukka enlisted in the Navy in 1945 during World War II. He was a Machinist Mate 3rd Class on the USS Capricornus (AKA-57), which carried cargo and provided support in the Pacific Ocean. He made four trips across the

Pacific Ocean: to China, Japan including Okinawa, the Philippines, and Guam delivering cargo and performing evacuations of US Marines and diplomatic personnel and their families. Mr. Laukka was born in Brooklyn, NY to Finnish immigrants. The family relocated to Harlem, NY where his parents owned a Finnish restaurant, and then to Flushing Meadow, NY. In 1942 the Laukkas moved to Warren, Maine where they had purchased a chicken farm. In 1958 Mr. Laukka bought a 100-acre parcel of land in Union on Crawford Pond. He first built his sauna and camp, then later a home here.

He enjoys maintaining his land and observing the deer, turkeys, eagles, loons, foxes, and other “wildlife neighbors” with whom he shares his fields, woods, and lakefront.

Greg Grotton presenting the award to Leo Laukka Past Recipients: Raymond Dinsmore Paul Doherty



ELECTED TOWN OFFICIALS

TOWN MEETING AND SPECIAL TOWN MEETING MODERATORS Ronald Hawes, Elmer Savage, and James Justice SELECTMEN, ASSESSORS AND OVERSEERS OF THE POOR Adam C. Fuller ..................................................................................................... term expires 2021 John Shepard, Chair .............................................................................................. term expires 2021 Joshua B. White .................................................................................................... term expires 2022 William J. Lombardi ............................................................................................. term expires 2023 Martha L. Johnston-Nash ..................................................................................... term expires 2023 TRUSTEES OF THE WILLIAM PULLEN FUND (to serve with two Selectmen – four-year term) Anita Brown ......................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Paul Gaudreau ...................................................................................................... term expires 2022 Judith Brogden ...................................................................................................... term expires 2023 Irene Hawes .......................................................................................................... term expires 2024 TRUSTEES OF THE CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS (three-year term) Joel Wentworth, Sr. .............................................................................................. term expires 2021 Keith Hilt .............................................................................................................. term expires 2022 Lee MacFarland .................................................................................................... term expires 2023 BUDGET COMMITTEE (three-year term) Erik Amundsen ..................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Michael Drickey ................................................................................................... term expires 2021 John Gibbons ........................................................................................................ term expires 2021 Doris Vertz ........................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Bruce Cobb ........................................................................................................... term expires 2022 Terry Brackett ....................................................................................................... term expires 2022 Paul Gaudreau ...................................................................................................... term expires 2022 Lawrence Nash ..................................................................................................... term expires 2022 Dan Day ................................................................................................................ term expires 2023 Wayne Kirkpatrick ............................................................................................... term expires 2023 John Mountainland ............................................................................................... term expires 2023 Barry Norris .......................................................................................................... term expires 2023 DIRECTORS OF REGIONAL SCHOOL UNIT NO. 40 (three-year term) Matthew Speno ..................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Erik Amundsen ..................................................................................................... term expires 2022 Robert Williams .................................................................................................... term expires 2023



TOWN OFFICIALS

ADMINISTRATION Town Manager, Road Commissioner, General Assistance Administrator and Public Access Officer .............................................................................................................. Jay Feyler Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Deputy Registrar/Treasurer/General Assistance Administrator ............................................................................................................ Stacey M. Y. Parra Registrar of Voters, Deputy Clerk/Tax Collector/Treasurer/Alternate General Assistance Administrator ............................................................................... Michelle Clifford Deputy Clerk/Tax Collector/Registrar/Treasurer .............................................................. Jaycie Brown Town Legal Counsel .................................................................................................... Roger Therriault Selectmen’s Secretary ............................................................................. Sandra Patrick/Sherry Abaldo ASSESSING Assessors’ Representative .......................................................................................... James Murphy, Jr. CEMETERIES Cemeteries Director ............................................................................................................ Myrna Soule FINANCE Treasurer/Bookkeeper ......................................................................................................... Laura Curtis PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Code Enforcement Officer, Local Plumbing Inspector, and Building Inspector ...................................................................................................................... Grant Watmough Alternate Code Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector, and Local Plumbing Inspector .......................................................................................................................... Melody Sainio PUBLIC SAFETY Animal Control Officer ....................................................................................................... Heidi Blood Emergency Medical Service Chief ................................................................................ Jesse Thompson Fire Chief and EMA Director .............................................................................................. Kevin Soule Health Officer .............................................................................................................. Grant Watmough PUBLIC WORKS Supervisor ............................................................................................................................. Matt Elwell



ELECTIONS ELECTION CLERKS (May 1, 2020 - April 30, 2022)

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN Dorothy Black Tera Corson Dianne Groce Linda Dean Debra Hilt Charlotte Doughty Pamela Jensen Barbara Fang Nancy Johnson Martha Johnston-Nash Carol Watier Ruth Leonard

ELECTION WARDENS Warden .............................................................................................................................. Elmer Savage Deputy Warden ........................................................................................................................ Jay Feyler Deputy Warden .................................................................................................................. James Justice ELECTION MODERATORS Moderator ......................................................................................................................... Ronald Hawes Deputy Moderator ............................................................................................................. Elmer Savage

COMMITTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS

AGING IN PLACE IN UNION (three-year term) Anita Brown ............................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Marcy Corwin ............................................................................................................. term expires 2021 Erik Durbas ................................................................................................................. term expires 2021 Lorain Francis, Chair .................................................................................................. term expires 2021 Wanda Gamage .......................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Phil Groce ................................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Katie Tarbox ............................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Carol Watier ............................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Dorothy Williams ....................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Robert Williams ......................................................................................................... term expires 2021 BOARD OF APPEALS (five-year term) Charlotte Doughty ...................................................................................................... term expires 2021 William Pagnano, Chair ............................................................................................. term expires 2021 Neil Pollis ................................................................................................................... term expires 2022 Abraham Knight ......................................................................................................... term expires 2023 Judith L. Brogden ....................................................................................................... term expires 2024



COMMITTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS – continued

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE (three-year term) Janelle Blake ............................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Jordan Cerny ............................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Aaron Cheesman ........................................................................................................ term expires 2021 Patrick Hood, Co-Vice Chair ..................................................................................... term expires 2021 James Justice .............................................................................................................. term expires 2021 Ashley McKellar ........................................................................................................ term expires 2021 Patrick Mellor ............................................................................................................. term expires 2021 Robert Milliken II ....................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Allison Moody ............................................................................................................ term expires 2021 Clairlynn Rountree ..................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Michael Thompson ..................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Mitchell Wilson, Chair ............................................................................................... term expires 2021 Matthew Wyman, Co-Vice Chair ............................................................................... term expires 2021 PLANNING BOARD (five-year term) Gerald S. Brooks, Jr., Chair ....................................................................................... term expires 2021 John Mountainland .................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Glenn Taylor, Vice-Chair .......................................................................................... term expires 2022 Laura Curtis ............................................................................................................... term expires 2023 Michael Johnson ........................................................................................................ term expires 2024 Robin Milliken .......................................................................................................... term expires 2024 C. Dale Flint .............................................................................................................. term expires 2025 SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE (three-year term) Barbara Fang .............................................................................................................. term expires 2021 Mary Joyce Grotton .................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Rebekah Smith ........................................................................................................... term expires 2021 Rachael Umstead ........................................................................................................ term expires 2021 TRI-COUNTY SOLID WASTE REPRESENTATIVES (one-year term) James Bailey, Secretary .............................................................................................. term expires 2021 John Shepard, President ............................................................................................. term expires 2021 Vacant ......................................................................................................................... term expires 2021



UNION & FIRE RESCUE

FIRE DEPARTMENT ROSTER Chief: Kevin Soule* Assistant Chief: Jesse Thompson Captains: Nick Ciasullo Scot Sabins* Lieutenants: Adam Simmons John Willis Fire Police: James Murphy

Firefighters: Joe Benner Jason Earl Jeff Grinnell Sherwood Hilt* William Jackson Maddy Kirkpatrick Wayne Kirkpatrick Lewis Merrifield AJ Naum Orrin Parker Ryan Soule Robert Wheelis Junior Firefighters: Michael Simmons Beth Wheelis

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE ROSTER EMS Chief: Jesse Thompson Paramedics: Stephen Barley Jeff Grinnell Cody Hickey Cherie Komandt Justin Ledolce Mike Poli Jesse Thompson EMT Advanced: Josh Conway Jason Earl Matt Kilpatrick Michelle Robinson

EMT Basics: Harry Ankers Teresa Ankers Alex Audette Nicholas Ciasullo Jamie Dow Michael Gross Clarence Keller Barry King AJ Naum Michael Seeger Drivers: Nick Huber William Jackson Robert Sayward *20 years or more of service


Town of Union, Maine aDMInIstRatIon

A Fuller

Bill Lombardi M Nash

Jay Feyler J Shepard

J White

Photo Courtesy of Christine Simmonds, Village Soup

BOARD OF SELECTMEN John Shepard, Chair

Adam C. Fuller, Vice-Chair Joshua B. White

William J. Lombardi Martha L. Johnston-Nash

We have all had a very unusual and interesting year. When the pandemic was beginning last March, we were quite unresolved as to the course of unfolding events and our proper responses to the many uncertainties. In 20-20 hindsight (sorry) we now know much more about the COVID-19 contagion and our collective reactions to this challenge. In our midcoast region we have generally adhered to the recommended public health protocols and united to protect our community from the worst of the virus’s serious effects. In Union, we have rallied to support and help one another and have acted responsibly to minimize the risks to our neighbors.

As always, our town Emergency Services, Public Works department, and Town Office staff have been truly heroic in meeting the challenges and surprises we’ve encountered during this time. Our collective hats are off to each and every one of these wonderful people… They work for us tirelessly and well. We should all say a heartfelt “thank you” whenever we see them! Our Select Board has been convening bi-weekly, as usual, but only through zoom teleconferencing which has worked well. In fact, we have regularly had a greater number of public attendees sitting in and participating with this format. It’s a convenient way for more citizens to be active in town affairs, and this is a very positive trend. We hope and encourage this to continue after we resume live meetings!













We have a new town website, by the way. It’s a big improvement over the previous version and is very comprehensive and user friendly. It’s quite beautiful, and it’s well worth exploring this site at: www.union.maine.gov. You’ll be able to find out pretty much everything that’s happening all over town… Check out our new “Select Board Sidelines” for the latest thoughts from your Select Board. Thanks to our town manager and staff for bringing us this great new website! We’ve welcomed two new Select Board members this year: Martha Johnston-Nash and Bill Lombardi. These two “newbies” are very engaged and contribute a lot of fresh ideas and dynamic energy. We often have longer board meetings now, as everyone has much to offer, and this can be a challenge for our chairman at times, but it’s all very good and necessary as we move forward with new projects and plans. We have formed three new committees to address specific aspects of town interests: -- the Broadband Committee: to enhance the availability of high-speed internet service throughout town; -- the Food Ordinance Committee: to allow for greater flexibility in local food production and sales; -- the Committee for the Future of the Thompson Community Center: to examine and explore all options for utilizing this wonderful historic building to its full potential. As with our other existing committees, new volunteers are always welcome to join and add their energy and ideas to the process. It takes a village to make a village! We’ve welcomed a new supervisor to our Public Works Department, Matt Elwell, who has been doing excellent work for us, and we’re lucky to have him. The new building is finally completed. We’ve added a new truck to our fleet and we’re ready for anything. Check out the great plow-sign at the building entrance! The PW building’s roof-mounted solar panels are fully operating and supplying a major portion of our electricity, while reducing our carbon footprint. We also have new LED streetlights in place all over town now, which are also helping to save a lot of electricity. We can all be proud of these efficient improvements in our town infrastructure! We have signed on to the resolution to obtain bond funding for road construction and paving projects, as was voted in at the last town meeting. This $1.8 million bond will enable us to retire a current higher-interest bond, saving thousands of dollars, and enable us to solve the major Clarry Hill Road flooding problem as well as repair many road problems around town.



While we are still very limited and affected by the pandemic as of this writing in March, we’re optimistic that the increasing supply of vaccines will allow us to resume more normal activities very soon. Hopefully our seasonal festivals and celebrations will be possible this summer, and we’ll soon be able to greet each other face to face and unmasked! We’ve been through a very challenging time this year, but we’re making our way through it together. Your Select Board would like to offer final “thank-you's” to: Our Town Manager for his steady, sure, and thoughtful guidance throughout this year! To all of our Town Office employees who rallied through and kept everything clean, safe, and working efficiently! To our Emergency Service providers who responded and handled all emergencies and helped keep us safe! To our Public Works team who kept the roads clear and safe at all hours! To all of the citizens of Union who comprise this wonderful community! We remember that our town was named Union “due to the uncommon harmony and union among the people of the community.” Still true. Your Select Board recognizes this noble spirit of cooperation, and we thank you all for being part of this community.



TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT Jay Feyler, Town Manager

It is hard to believe that we have been dealing with a worldwide pandemic for over 12 months and it still lingers on! There is no doubt that this past year has been the most difficult for all of us in local government. I can truly say I have never worked so hard and stressed so much about the health and safety of our employees and citizens of Union.

Our employees showed up for work every day and were asked to do more than they have ever done without any additional pay. They were potentially exposed daily to the deadly virus and did their utmost to keep our offices safe for themselves and the public that visited. It is my hope that soon we can reward our employees for their dedication to all the residents of Union.

During the year we saw our deputy clerk Sherry Abaldo leave to work in her family business. Sherry was a fantastic employee, and she will be missed. We welcomed Sherry’s replacement Jaycie Brown. Jaycie is a local young resident, and she has been studying hard to learn the very complicated position.

Although a bit premature, I want to recognize Laura Curtis who will be retiring by the end of the fiscal year. We wish Laura the best in her retirement.

Also, during the past year, I am proud to say we provided our local businesses and citizens the equipment and PPE they needed to keep us all safe. Much of the cost of this was provided by several grants that we received from both the state and federal level.

Speaking of grants, we have secured a $95,000 grant to improve the culvert on Clarry Hill to prevent flooding and erosion of the road. It is currently awaiting final approval from DEP, Army Corps, and a slew of other federal agencies. I am also working on an infrastructure grant to replace the boat ramp at Ayer Park. To top it off we are using an Efficiency Maine grant to convert the remaining town office lights to LEDs.

When I arrived in this position many years ago, I was tasked by the Board of Selectmen to improve our roads. We implemented a road preservation program, and at the time I stated it would take about 15 years to get where we need to be. I can say that today we are close to that goal. This program will save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in the future, if we are dedicated and stick to the program. Sometimes it is easy to get off the plan for a short-term savings which would increase future cost tremendously.

The voters approved a new bond for our roads, and we will be using about $1.4 million in bond funds along with our regular budget to upgrade roads.

We have upgraded Rabbit Farm Road, Davis Road, and Cole Road from dirt to pavement. This year we will upgrade two more dirt roads completely, and one partially. We have dedicated about $100,000 a year to the gravel roads in Union, some for just repair and some for eventual paving.

These next two years we will be upgrading the northern part of North Union Road and Sennebec Road. Both roads will receive a binder/cold mix and a modified chip seal.



Then there will be improvements of 2,000 feet of Coggins Hill: drainage will be improved, and the steep hill that causes tremendous erosion will be paved. We will then move to Townsend where we will fabric, add material, and pave that short section, then off to Sidelinger Road for the same treatment.

Quick overlays on Browns Lane, Sterlingtown, and Thurston Lane will happen either this season or next, depending on our contractors’ schedules, as well as road preservation treatments on many roads the following year.

Each year we update our long-term road plans. A lot depends on the weather and how much road degradation we see over the course of the winter. Long-term estimates are just that, estimates, and they are not written in stone. We use both paid engineers and the free services of engineers to assist us with our road plans -- professional services for a professional job.

This past year we also saw the completion of our solar panels on the Public Works building and the LED streetlights. We are seeing some great financial benefits from both of those projects, and it reflects in a reduction in our electricity budgets the ensuing year.

Since I am on the subject of Public Works, I want to welcome Matt Elwell as our new PW supervisor. Matt is a very personable individual and welcomes your questions and comments. We are proud to have him as an employee of the Town of Union.

One thing the pandemic has taught us is that streaming of meetings has increased public participation. There are some drawbacks, but overall it has worked out quite well. I believe that it will be impossible to go back to in-person meetings only, and the Board of Selectmen has invested in Town Hall Streams where you can watch the BOS meetings live (delayed by 30 seconds or so) or watch at your convenience.

The year the world changed we saw the true dedication of our town employees. Our ambulance and fire crews headed out to the unknown each day, keeping us all safe and risking their own safety and well-being.

Our front office staff, who were deemed essential workers, came to work each day, and diligently kept the office sanitized to not only protect other employees but also the entering public.

The public works crew showed up every day and worked under some major restrictions to get the job done to keep your roads and infrastructure in great shape.

On a very personal note, I want to thank all the employees, the Board of Selectmen, and the public for all the support they gave me during our family health issue. Every employee took on some extra duties while we cared for our 16-year-old with a cancer scare. Special thanks to our Town Clerk Stacey Parra who did above and beyond during this time.

Divisiveness is rampant in our society right now and especially in government. As tough as it can be at times, we take extreme care not to be political in local government. The Board of Selectmen and all staff take their ethical responsibilities seriously. We do what is best for the majority of Union residents.

We thank you, the citizens of Union, for all you have done this past year to make our beautiful Town of Union the greatest small town in Maine in which to live.



OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK AND TAX COLLECTOR Stacey M. Y. Parra, Town Clerk and Tax Collector

Michelle Clifford, Deputy Town Clerk Jaycie Brown, Deputy Town Clerk

VITAL STATISTICS 2018 2019 2020 Births ........................................................................................................................ 27 27 20 Marriages .................................................................................................................. 16 14 13 Deaths ....................................................................................................................... 28 20 35

NAME DATE OF DEATH TOWN OF DEATH AGE David George Byrd January 06, 2020 Lewiston 66 Robie B Robbins Jr. January 10, 2020 Union 95 Anthony Francis Camporiale Jr. January 17, 2020 Portland 64 Irene Gertrude Smith January 26, 2020 Union 83 Barbara Ann LeGendre February 04, 2020 Rockport 75 Evelyn Clark Morse February 24, 2020 Rockport 91 Frances Weaver Stewart February 28, 2020 Union 97 Edward H. Dowland March 16, 2020 Union 68 Nicholas Troy Bennett March 18, 2020 Union 35 Chrystal Athearn April 1, 2020 Rockport 73 Anne Marie Arnold April 13, 2020 Union 73 Donald F. Anspach April 30, 2020 Union 77 Michael Bruce Harrison May 15, 2020 Togus 72 Daniel R. Bailey May 19, 2020 Union 64 Valerie Mae Umstead July 6, 2020 Rockport 77 Dean Lyman Gardner July 8, 2020 Rockport 68 Drew W. Butler July 27, 2020 Union 62 Jon-David Thurston Gleason August 5, 2020 Belfast 42 Audrey M. Griffin August 14, 2020 Union 92 Charles Judson Howard August 16, 2020 Rockport 56 Orlene C. Wadsworth August 22, 2020 Union 86 Ragen Lewis Cary August 30, 2020 Union 82 James A. Larner September 2, 2020 Union 74 Richard Everett Kirkpatrick September 2, 2020 Portland 73 Raymond Edward Dinsmore Sr. September 11, 2020 Togus 97 Randall William Bell September 15, 2020 Union 67 Janet L. Morton September 28, 2020 Union 64 Kenneth Michael Schmiz September 28, 2020 Union 70 Donna J. Pollis November 7, 2020 Union 84 Kenneth Milton Sabins November 21, 2020 Rockport 88 Jessica Audrey Thombs November 28, 2020 Union 30 Denise Marie Massicotte November 29, 2020 Rockport 55 Gary Michael Leach December 8, 2020 Union 75 Zachary Michael Winpenny December 16, 2020 Warren 17 Laurel Ann Litke December 29, 2020 Rockport 76



LICENSES SOLD, STATISTICS, REVENUES RECEIVED, AND FEES COLLECTED

January - December 2020 DOG LICENSES 2018 2019 2020 Kennel Licenses ................................................................................................... 2 1 1 Male/Female Dogs ............................................................................................... 74 85 57 Spayed/Neutered Dogs ........................................................................................ 393 398 392 VITAL STATISTICS 2018 2019 2020 Marriage Licenses Issued .................................................................................... 11 14 14 Certified Copies of Birth Records ....................................................................... 54 43 37 Certified Copies of Marriage Records ................................................................. 36 45 24 Certified Copies of Death Records ...................................................................... 119 66 150 RECORD OF TOWN REVENUES RECEIVED 2018 2019 2020 BMV Excise Tax ......................................................... $481,721.50 $483,291.79 $478,224.60 BMV Agent Fees ......................................................... $ 8,146.00 $ 9,574.00 $ 11,437.00 Boat Excise Tax ........................................................... $ 3,410.70 $ 3,712.80 $ 3,940.54 Boat Registration Agent Fees ...................................... $ 252.00 $ 232.00 $ 159.00 ATV Registration Agent Fees ..................................... $ 96.00 $ 112.00 $ 93.00 Snowmobile Registration Agent Fees ......................... $ 96.00 $ 120.00 $ 85.00 Hunting & Fishing License Fees ................................. $ 412.00 $ 327.00 $ 229.00 Vital Records Fees ....................................................... $ 1,999.80 $ 1,878.40 $ 2,107.40 Dog License Agent Fees .............................................. $ 467.00 $ 486.00 $ 404.00 Dog License Animal Control Fees .............................. $ 786.00 $ 814.00 $ 750.00 Late Dog Registration Fees ......................................... $ 750.00 $ 550.00 $ 1,150.00 TOTAL ....................................................................... $498,137.00 $501,097.99 $498,579.54 RECORD OF STATE FEES COLLECTED 2018 2019 2020 BMV Registration, Sales Tax and Title Fees .............. $155,828.98 $157,645.88 $144,874.49 Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Fees .............................. $ 18,186.00 $ 19,538.00 $ 14,927.00 Sales Tax on Boats, ATV’s, & Snowmobiles ............. $ 3,790.81 $ 6,047.72 $ 4,961.40 Dog License Fees ........................................................ $ 1,919.00 $ 2,074.00 $ 1,647.00 Vital Records Fees ....................................................... $ 315.20 $ 229.60 $ 231.60 TOTAL ....................................................................... $180,039.99 $185,535.20 $166,641.49



WHAT TO BRING WHEN REGISTERING A CAR: RE-REGISTRATION: Previous registration, current insurance card, and mileage. NEW REGISTRATION (Dealer Sale): Documentation (Proof) sales tax paid, blue title application form, current insurance card, and mileage. It is MANDATORY to have the monroney label or window sticker on a brand-new vehicle. This became law on September 19, 1997. NEW REGISTRATION (Private Sale): Bill of sale and title on vehicle 1995 or newer. NEW REGISTRATION (Transfer): Same as above PLUS registration of the vehicle the plates are being transferred from. WHAT TO BRING WHEN REGISTERING A SNOWMOBILE/ATV/BOAT: RE-REGISTRATION: Old registration. NEW REGISTRATION (Dealer Sale): Documentation (Proof) sales tax paid, ME-assigned number on used recreation vehicles. NEW REGISTRATION (Private Sale): Bill of sale, ME-assigned numbers and serial numbers, horsepower & length for boats. NEW REGISTRATION (Transfer): Same as above PLUS registration of the vehicle the plates are being transferred from. WHAT TO BRING WHEN LICENSING A DOG: Current rabies certificate and neuter/spay certificate if applicable (furnished to you by your vet). WHAT TO BRING/SEND WHEN PAYING TAXES: Please enclose or bring your tax bill.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Property Taxes Due: ...................... Monday, November 15, 2021 and Monday, May 16, 2022 Dog Licenses Due: ............................................................................................... December 31 Boat Registrations Expire: .................................................................................... December 31 Snowmobile Registrations Expire: ................................................................................. June 30 ATV Registrations Expire: ............................................................................................. June 30

HOLIDAYS – The Town Office Will Be Closed on the Following Dates:

Monday, July 5, 2021 ……………………………………In Observance of Independence Day Monday, September 6, 2021 ....................................................................................... Labor Day Monday, October 11, 2021 ................................................................... Indigenous Peoples Day Thursday, November 11, 2021 ............................................................................. Veterans’ Day Thursday, November 25, 2021 ...................................................................... Thanksgiving Day Friday, November 26, 2021 ....................................................................... Thanksgiving Friday Friday, December 24, 2021 .................................................... In Observance of Christmas Day Friday, December 31, 2021 ................................................. In Observance of New Year’s Day Monday, January 17, 2022 ............................................................. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Monday, February 21, 2022 .............................................................................. Presidents’ Day Monday, April 18, 2022 ......................................................................................... Patriots’ Day Monday, May 30, 2022 ....................................................................................... Memorial Day



OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR Michelle Clifford, Registrar

Stacey M. Y. Parra, Town Clerk and Deputy Registrar Jaycie Brown, Deputy Registrar

Union residents who are eligible to vote may register at the town office during regular business hours or at the polls on Election Day. Proof of residency is required at the time of registration. Proof of residency could be a current vehicle registration, lease or rental agreement, utility bill, bank statement, or paystub with your Union physical address on it. Post office boxes cannot be accepted for proof of residency. If this is your first time registering to vote in Maine, you must also bring proof of identification, such as a driver’s license or other photo ID. You may also register to vote at a branch office of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. You may register by mail with a card supplied by the Secretary of State, but you must enclose a copy of your driver’s license. Seventeen-year-olds may register and vote in a Primary, as long as they will be 18 on or before the next General Election. In January of 2020 a new law went into effect allowing the registrar to conditionally accept the registration and enrollment of any person who is 16 or 17 years of age and who is otherwise qualified to be a voter. The conditional registration automatically becomes effective on the person's 18th birthday and the registrant is then eligible to vote. Only registered voters may vote at Town Meeting and at the polls. If you move within the Town of Union, please let us know so your address is correct in our voting files. Union has two voting districts, so your move may put you in the other district. To vote in a Primary election or participate in a Caucus, you must be enrolled in a political party. If you are unenrolled, you may enroll in a party at any time, including Election Day; however, if you are changing parties, you must do so at least 15 days before that party’s Caucus or Primary. You may change or withdraw party enrollment only after three months of enrollment in one of the three recognized political parties in Maine: Democratic, Republican, or Green Independent. Please note that although some unenrolled candidates and voters choose to designate themselves as “Independent,” there is currently no Independent Party in Maine. A “Declaration of Intent to Form a Party by Party Enrollment” was filed with the Secretary of State’s Office by four different parties in 2020, pursuant to Title 21-A, section 303, to form new parties called the People’s Party, Libertarian Party, Alliance Party and Yankee Party. In order for any of these parties to become a qualified party for the 2022 elections, the group must enroll at least 5,000 voters in the proposed party by January 2, 2022. A voter may enroll in the People’s Party, Alliance Party, Yankee Party or the Libertarian Party by completing a new Maine Voter Registration Application. The voter must check the box next to “Other qualifying party:” and write in the name of the party. The designation of a qualifying party will not be pre-printed on the Maine Voter Registration Application until it becomes a qualified party.



All statutes and rules relating to changing and withdrawing enrollment apply to voters enrolling in the People’s Party, Alliance Party, Yankee Party or the Libertarian Party.

• Once a voter enrolls in a party (including a qualifying party), the voter must remain in that party for three months before the voter can file an application to either withdraw or change enrollment.

• A voter who is enrolled in a qualified party (Democratic, Green Independent or

Republican) currently must have been in that party for at least three months before filing an application to change enrollment to one of the new qualifying parties.

In Maine, a registered voter may vote by absentee ballot for any reason. Absentee ballots are available 30 days before an election. Voters can request an absentee ballot in person at the town office, by mail, by phone, or on the internet from the Secretary of State’s website. There is a link to that site at www.union.maine.gov. Immediate family members may request an absentee ballot on behalf of a family member in person or by mail only. Absentee voting stops three days before Election Day except for certain special circumstances. Our voting takes place at the William L. Pullen Municipal Building Meeting Room (town office, 567 Common Road, downstairs). There is parking and an entrance around back of the building. The registrar’s email address is [email protected] and phone is 207-785-3658 REGISTERED VOTERS (as of May 2021) Democrats .................................................................................................................................... 542 Republicans ................................................................................................................................. 714 Green Independents ....................................................................................................................... 94 Unenrolled ................................................................................................................................... 516 TOTAL .................................................................................................................................... 1,866


Town of Union, Maine assessInG

ASSESSING James Murphy, Jr., Assessors’ Representative

Murphy Appraisal Services, Inc. Some assessing questions and observations about the past year, and some personal musing:

1. Are people who are moving to Union from out of state causing the taxes to increase? The answer is no. Budgets are gross taxes before all allowed reductions as voted by residents at town meetings or Knox County or SAD/RSU 40 school board meetings. If you want a say about your taxes, you need to vote at one or all of these meetings. The Assessor is only the messenger of your budget votes.

2. Are people moving to Union causing the assessment values to increase? Also no. There is

a possible “Covid bubble”; I will know for sure two or three years from now. But I think the “Covid bubble” is most likely due to lower interest rates than two years ago and a little bit of needless buyer panic. If you are really bored look up the “Dutch Tulip Bubble of 1634-1637” and Charles Mackay’s Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds. Nothing changes.

3. Of the 43 qualified sales in 2020, nine buyers were from out of state. Local buyers paid

117% of the average assessment value, and out-of-state buyers paid 113% of the average assessment value. Local buyers statistically are paying more than out-of-state buyers as compared to the average assessment values.

4. Research by property buyers is way up -- another way of saying I spend a lot more time providing property information. Fortunately, when I set up the assessment system 20 plus years ago, I added a lot of data concerning septic systems, sale prices and dates, deed references, and building permits. But there are still a lot of questions every day.

5. What concerns me most? I think the town might need a valuation update for the assessments effective April 1, 2022. I will know more by December 2021. I am requesting a budget line for a revaluation that will take effect for the 2022-2023 tax bills. If a change is not made you will pay more in taxes due to the reduction of the Homestead Exemption and a shift in taxes. The last general valuation update was in 2017, and the town is falling behind on its valuation ratios. The situation will get worse and without action the valuation increases will be greater if we wait. It’s better to make valuation adjustments gradually.

6. Solar panels: residential solar panels are taxable; however, if residential owners complete a Renewable Energy Equipment Exemption Application, they will have no taxes due for residential solar panels. There is a substantial commercial solar project coming to Union. The Maine legislature chose to also exempt commercial solar arrays. This will cost the Town of Union about $200,000 in taxes. The state will reimburse the town about half of that amount each year.


Town of Union, Maine assessInG

7. I recently had a new owner in town challenge and question me why taxes are so high. This new landowner had not even built their house yet and they were irate about the tax estimate, which by the way used their construction cost. So, let’s assume any and all taxes are too high. What do we as a society want to do without? Defund the police? Park the snowplow trucks? Consolidate students to fewer classrooms?

8. Tax bills are not required to be sent to anyone. It is expected that, as an owner of real and personal property, you are fully aware that taxes are assessed and due. If tax bills are to be mailed there are certain requirements of what is printed on the tax bills. The office staff makes a great effort to have addresses correct, but you would be shocked by how many people move and not tell the town office of their next address.

9. Personal note: there were several issues in our town over the last year or so that caused a lot of needless finger pointing. The Town of Union was not named by accident. It was named by the early settlers who marveled at the union of diverse newcomers to come together to collectively create a better life in this area. I am deeply troubled by the last year. Be receptive and respectful.

10. Personal note two: my best girl and I moved our family to Union in part to be positive contributing members to this community, not to force our will upon others or to cause havoc. Being a Union citizen is not an inward reflection; it is about the outward service to help each other. This is a reminder that there are many people in Union who do just that, quietly help each other without any need for recognition. Thank you to all of you -- the town needs more people like you.

11. Lastly, there are many new people in Union. Approximately 20% of the residences in

Union now have new owners in the last five years plus all the owners of houses that have been built. This is incredible growth and change! To all the new owners, WELCOME! Enjoy the town, patronize the businesses, and become a member of the Fire Department, Historical Society, Vose Library, the Masons, or the other organizations in town. The town needs you. Maybe even serve on the Planning Board or run for Selectmen or School Board. Come see us at the town office if you would like to know more.

But bring an open heart and objective point of view. Union is not the place you came from. All things change, and Union needs people to envision the future and to guide the town now, and in 10 or 20 years, and more years after that. For 2021-2022 the Homestead Exemption is $25,000 and will be adjusted downward due to the increase in average sale prices. Also available is the Veterans Exemption, Blind Exemption, and other programs that can assist at the town and state level. Please call me at if you have a question. I am usually scheduled for the Union Town Office most every Thursday.



ASSESSMENT STATISTICS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021

Total Taxable Valuation-Real Estate $230,471,200 Total Taxable Valuation-Personal Property 641,700 Total Taxable Valuation $231,112,900 Homestead Exemption Valuation $ 17,891,600

Commitment Date September 1, 2020 Last day to appeal valuation March 5, 2021 Tax (Mill) Rate $18.00 per $1,000 of taxable value 2020-2021 Tax amount to be raised $4,160,032.20 2019-2020 Tax amount to be raised $4,224,609.90 2018-2019 Tax amount to be raised $4,074,446.70

Revenue received from... And Expenses for...

Property Taxes 79.38% Education 62.01% Other Fees/State 20.62% Municipal 31.65%

County 6.34%

01020304050607080

PropertyTaxes

Fees/State

010203040506070

Education

Municipal

Knox County

assessInG


Town of Union, Maine fInance

REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES UNPAID AS OF MAY 17, 2021

Unpaid 2021 Real Estate Taxes

1718 Heald, LLC ........................... $4,054.50 1980 Heald Highway, LLC ........... $6,173.98 Abbotoni, Amber Rose ..................... $302.40 Abbott, Cathy J. ............................... $523.80 Athearn, Lynn R. ............................. $804.60 Baker, Virginia L. .............................. $12.85 Bangeman, John W. & Breyfogle, Ann L., ............................... $1.80 Bangeman, John W. & Breyfogle, Ann L., ............................ $272.70 Bangeman, John W. & Breyfogle, Ann L., ............................ $687.60 Barnard, Maureen .......................... $1,188.00 Battel, Cynthia A. & Heavey, James D. ........................................ $2,250.00 Beardsley, Jada K. & Beardsley, Daniel O. ..................... $1,985.40 Beardsley, Jada K. ............................. $37.80 Beardsley, Michael ........................ $1,803.34 Beck, Andrew & Beck, Alyssa ......... $964.80 Belcher, Shauna M. ............................. $7.35 Bendtson, Benjamin A. .................... $756.00 Bennett, Bruce & Dorinda L. ........ $1,411.70 Bentley’s Café, LLC ...................... $3,178.81 Berkley Investments, LLC ............. $2,334.60 Bonin, Thomas M., Jr. .................. $1,606.85 Bonner-Ganter, Didier & Nopakun, Nathalie ............................ $333.90 Brooks, Stephen ............................. $1,447.08 Brown, John P., Jr. & Ashley N. ..... $293.82 Bryco, Inc. ..................................... $2,086.15 Bryco, Inc. ..................................... $8,715.55 Burgess, Marc ................................... $168.95 Butler, Joyce ..................................... $358.42 Butler, Patricia .................................. $477.46 Butler, Walter K. ............................. $832.50 Byrd, Cheryl .................................. $1,145.91 Byrd, Ruth ..................................... $2,001.68

Camber, Richard E. ....................... $1,125.71 Carr, Jerry ......................................... $487.80 Cheesman, Aaron W. & Emily E. . $2,528.10 CLB JAF NRK, LLC ............................ $2.11 Collins, Norman, II & Jean ............ $1,389.60 Cosgrove, Patrick J. & Jane S. ..... $1,961.10 Cosgrove, Patrick J. ......................... $811.80 Crawford Lake Farm, LLC ............ $4,976.10 Crosby, W. David, Trustee ............ $1,633.50 Cruz Enterprises, LLC ................... $5,382.49 Daigle, Jeremy A. & Jennifer R. ..... $209.70 Davis, Dennis W. ........................... $2,101.50 De Mol Van Otterloo, Sander & Elizabeth .................................... $4,941.90 Dearborn, Anita ................................ $552.06 DED, LLC ..................................... $3,389.40 Degreenia, Walter C. & Gail M. ...... $834.30 Degreenia, Walter C. ....................... $558.90 Dodge, Frank ................................. $2,247.75 Doucette, Robert ............................ $1,305.68 Ducharme, Douglas & Deborah .... $3,180.64 Duffy, Peter & Beard, Caroline F. ......................... $3,003.30 Duffy, Peter & Beard, Caroline F. ............................. $460.80 Earl, Jason A. ................................... $476.10 Elder, Lucia C. ................................. $890.65 Elliott, Brenda D. .......................... $3,788.49 Elliptical Management, Inc. ............ $112.02 Fenton, Dennis & Regina .............. $1,957.31 Ferland, Michael L. & Kathryn ..... $1,070.62 FI & E, LLC .................................. $1,303.20 Fierro, Christopher ........................ $1,370.70 Flint, Jeremy W. & Sarah P. ......... $1,549.80 Ferraiolo, John & Tammra ............ $2,725.67 Fowler, George W. & Frances E. . $1,721.70 Fowler, Zachary ............................. $1,920.87 Frankenhouser, Marian .................. $1,132.24



Fuller, Adam C. & Evelyn L. ....... $4,373.65 Fullerton, Dennis M. ............................ $7.20 Galley, Bradley .............................. $4,328.39 Giegold, Susan L. ......................... $3,735.90 Golann, Colden L. & Young, Anna E. ............................ $1,332.00 Golann, Colden L. & Young, Anna E. ............................. $22.50 Golann, Colden L. Young, Anna E. ................................. $90.90 Gracie, Christopher & Cristine ...... $1,821.71 Greif, Daphne ................................... $127.10 Grierson, William F. ..................... $1,380.60 Grierson, William F., Jr. .................. $248.40 Grindle, Sandy S. & Jason W. ......... $606.01 Gushee, Valerie J. ......................... $1,593.90 Hadiaris, Chris N. ................................ $5.40 Hadiaris, Chris N. & Bonny L. ........ $270.00 Hall, Gerald F. & Edna F. (LE) ........ $550.80 Hankins, Kimberly ........................... $679.25 Hannan, Don S. ................................ $833.85 Harris, Joseph P., Sr. ..................... $2,424.05 Harris, Vicki J. .................................. $132.71 Harvey, Kerry & Carla J. ............... $3,505.69 Herbal Revolution Farm & Apothecary, LLC ........................... $1,697.40 Herridge, Catherine V., Trustee .... $2,772.90 Hill, Deborah E. ............................... $625.50 Hilt, Philip D., Jr. ............................... $78.30 Hilt, Philip D., Jr. ............................. $290.70 Hilt, Sherry L. Starrett ...................... $140.76 Holmes, Charles W. & Blair E. .... $1,076.13 Howard, Charles J. (Estate) .............. $660.60 Howard, Nancy M. .......................... $554.40 Jardine, Thomas C. & Margaret ........... $4.51 Jardine, Thomas C. & Margaret ........... $5.07 Jetmax, LLC ..................................... $571.50 Jetmax, LLC ..................................... $936.90 Johnson, Michael J. & Carrie A. .. $1,110.60 Johnson, Philip & Nancy ............... $1,137.60 Jones, Grace (LE) .......................... $1,003.50 Jones, Lowell .................................... $585.21 Jones, Patti S., Trustee ...................... $504.00 Jones, Susan M. & Lowell, Jr. ...... $1,753.20 Kaczor, Keri M. ................................. $22.50 Kaczor, Keri M. ................................. $90.90

Kaler, Shawn ................................. $1,467.28 Kenna-Moore, Sydney N. ................ $836.10 Kennedy, Andrea ........................... $2,637.07 Kirkham, Morgan ............................. $684.00 Klein, Karen S. ............................. $3,131.74 Kleiner, Donald & Nestor, Argera G. ..................... $1,411.20 LaCroix, Richard & Jean .................... $69.74 Langelier, Katheryn ....................... $3,028.22 Lanphere & Son, LLC ................... $1,819.64 Lanphere & Son, LLC ................... $1,055.93 Ledger, Benjamin R. ..................... $1,063.80 Legacy Realty Investments, LLC ..... $352.80 Lorentzen, Cody ................................... $7.20 Lorentzen, Cody $ Nichole M. ..... $1,714.50 Lorentzen, Michael P. & Amanda R. .................................... $1,060.88 Luce, Larry, Jr. & Sue E. ................... $49.58 Lunt, Katherine R. Graffam ........... $4,203.52 Lunt, Katherine R. Graffam ........... $3,294.50 Lynch, Matthew P. ....................... $2,155.50 MacFarland, Lee & Frances .......... $1,608.30 MacFarland, Lee & Frances .......... $1,326.60 MacFarland, Lee & Frances ............. $962.10 MacWilliams, Christine M. & David ............................................. $1,229.28 Mank, Harry, C., Jr. ....................... $1,942.20 Martz, Bonnie M. & Clint ............. $2,022.30 Matejka, Thomas C. & Clara L. ... $2,129.40 Matson, Edward, Jr. & Christina M. .................................. $1,002.66 Matthews, Meyric E. & Morrison, Carol M. ............................................ $560.10 McDaniels, Joseph P. ...................... $972.90 McDaniels, Laurie A. & Rossiter, Mark ............................... $1,406.70 McKee, Robert ................................. $265.40 McKee, Robert ................................... $22.49 McKee, Robert ................................... $90.88 Mellor, Thomas C. ........................... $223.20 Mercier, Elizabeth A. ................... $1,431.62 Merrifield, Judith D. & Plummer, Stephen J. ..................... $1,310.40 Metcalfe, James G. ....................... $1,344.24 Mic Mac Lane, LLC .................... $11,128.58 Micklich, Michael ............................... $67.93



Micklich, Michael .......................... $2,822.55 Miller, Maurice .............................. $1,762.94 Miller, Raymond E. & Rudy, Tanya .................................. $1,290.60 Mitchell, Nancy R. & Manual L., Trustees .......................................... $1,325.70 Moody, Paul W. ............................... $106.51 Morgan, Richard P. ....................... $1,289.15 Morgan, Richard P. ....................... $2,348.76 Morgan, Richard P. .......................... $152.42 Morine, Michele L. M. ................. $1,219.37 Nakazato, Hanako .......................... $4,354.10 Oliver, Charles L., Jr. ................... $1,190.70 Ott, Terry A. ..................................... $763.94 Overlock Hill Farm Holdings, LLC ................................................ $2,499.30 Overlock Hill Farm Holdings, LLC ................................................... $147.60 Pagano, Allen P. .............................. $629.00 Pease, James M. & Maria L. ......... $2,291.40 Pease, James M. & Maria L. ............ $501.85 Pelkey, Joseph L. & Rebecca D. .. $2,632.14 Pendleton, Kyle ............................. $1,305.68 Perkins, Katharine B. ....................... $356.40 Phifer, Steven, Jr. & Heather ............ $592.99 Pierpont, Mariah & Damon ........... $1,964.95 Pratt, Brent A. ............................... $1,084.50 Ramsey, Pamela ............................... $911.70 Rasmussen, Robert A. & Dawn .... $1,118.37 Rasmussen, Robert A. & Dawn ........ $576.63 Reiner, Charlotte Louise, Devisees of .................................... $1,140.40 Reuillard, Roger C. & Joanne J. ... $4,736.08 Sabins, Donald ............................... $1,607.40 Safe Care ....................................... $3,621.60 Savage, Melanie A. P. .................. $1,788.65 Sawyer, Victoria M. ..................... $1,541.23 Sebrey, Leann H. .......................... $1,013.40 Sedgwick, Debra J. ....................... $2,255.10 Shockey, Tomm & Galvin, Leslie A. ........................... $2,065.50 Skidgel, Dalton J. & Megan H. .... $2,945.59 Slader, Wilfred B. & Janet L. .......... $600.50

Slader, Wilfred B. & Janet L. ....... $2,301.01 Smith, David .................................. $1,406.68 Snow, Jeffrey B. & Kimberly J. ... $2,190.83 Snyder, Harriott D. ....................... $3,052.80 Springer, Susan ................................. $324.00 Springer, Susan .............................. $1,812.60 Starr, Kenneth J. ............................ $5,088.66 Steeves, Shawn ................................. $681.45 Stinson, Willis D. & Ashlee M., Trustees .......................................... $3,750.30 Sulzer, Steven M. & Natalie M. ... $2,120.40 Tani, Ann .......................................... $675.90 Taylor, Leslie M. ........................... $7,891.01 The Pour Farm, LLC ..................... $1,885.50 Thomas, Stephen D. & Suzanne B. .................................... $3,972.13 Thompson & Cosgrove, LLC ........ $1,572.30 Thompson, Tracy, Trustee ............. $1,434.23 Tolman, Nelson M. .......................... $194.85 Tomaselli, David ........................... $1,469.70 Tripp, Brandon L. ......................... $1,214.10 Ulmer, Susan G. ........................... $1,643.58 Venti, Anthony B. ......................... $1,877.40 Ward, Christle L. .......................... $1,123.14 Weed, Tracy & Michael ................ $1,368.46 Wexler Properties, LLC ................. $1,519.86 Wheelis, Larry E. & Karen L. ......... $702.59 White, Andrew .............................. $2,313.86 Whitlock, Dale R. ......................... $1,948.50 Whittier, Daniel P. ........................ $1,200.60 Widdecombe, Marilyn A. ................ $618.87 Williams, Erica ................................. $724.50 Williams, George N., Jr. & Sr. ........ $875.96 Williams, Pauline M. ....................... $534.39 Williams, Robert ............................... $606.01 Williams, Robert A. & Dorothy E. .. $113.40 Williams, Robert A. & Dorothy E. .................................... $1,990.80 Wilson, Patrick B. ............................ $575.10 Winchenbach, Aaron & White, Jennifer .............................. $2,064.58 Winchenbaugh, Allen ....................... $504.53 Wooster, Glenn E. ........................ $3,041.93



Unpaid 2020 Real Estate Taxes Beardsley, Michael ........................ $1,150.13 Burgess, Marc ................................... $251.20 Butler, Patricia .................................. $154.70 Byrd, David and Ruth .................... $1,305.70 Camber, Richard E. ...................... $1,222.78 Ferland, Michael L. & Kathryn ........ $835.97 Galley, Bradley ................................... $23.19 Harding, Paul E. ........................... $1,436.77 Harris, Joseph P., Sr. ..................... $2,747.32 Harvey, Kerry & Carla J. .............. $4,021.79 Holmes, Charles W. & Blair E. .... $1,731.59 Kennedy, Andrea ........................... $1,903.86 Langelier, Katheryn ....................... $3,517.53 Matthews, Meyric E. & Morrison,

Carol M. ............................................ $508.60 Ott, Terry A. .................................... $917.11 Pierpont, Mariah & Damon ................ $32.67 Reiner, Charlotte L., Devisees ....... $1,233.72 Savage, Melanie A. P. .................. $1,080.69 Sedgwick, Thaxter & Roberta (LE) .................................. $1,025.14 Slader, Wilfred B. & Janet L. ........... $722.44 Slader, Wilfred B. & Janet L. ........ $2,712.78 Starr, Kenneth J. ........................... $5,702.97 Thompson, Tracy, Trustee ................ $946.10 Ulmer, Susan G. .............................. $914.84 Widdecombe, Marilyn A. ............. $1,180.49 Williams, Pauline M. ....................... $750.88

Unpaid 2021 Personal Property Taxes

A + B Welding .................................... $91.82 Four Corner Variety ......................... $550.92 Lanphere & Son, LLC ................... $1,836.40 Maine’s Best, Inc. ............................. $165.28 Mic Mac Campground, Inc. ................ $14.69

Mic Mac Market ............................... $550.92 The Pour Farm, LLC ........................ $327.60 Union Pottery ...................................... $91.82 Union Square Laundry, LLC .............. $62.10

Unpaid 2020 Personal Property Taxes A + B Welding .................................. $101.61 Lanphere & Son, Inc. ..................... $2,032.22


A + B Welding .................................. $103.25

Unpaid 2018 Personal Property Taxes A + B Welding .................................... $97.25

2021 Supplemental Taxes Digirolamo, Jacob ............................. $120.00 Morin, David ................................. $1,485.30

Unpaid 2020 Real Estate Taxes Beardsley, Michael ........................ $1,150.13 Burgess, Marc ................................... $251.20 Butler, Patricia .................................. $154.70 Byrd, David and Ruth .................... $1,305.70 Camber, Richard E. ...................... $1,222.78 Ferland, Michael L. & Kathryn ........ $835.97 Galley, Bradley ................................... $23.19 Harding, Paul E. ........................... $1,436.77 Harris, Joseph P., Sr. ..................... $2,747.32 Harvey, Kerry & Carla J. .............. $4,021.79 Holmes, Charles W. & Blair E. .... $1,731.59 Kennedy, Andrea ........................... $1,903.86 Langelier, Katheryn ....................... $3,517.53 Matthews, Meyric E. & Morrison,

Carol M. ............................................ $508.60 Ott, Terry A. .................................... $917.11 Pierpont, Mariah & Damon ................ $32.67 Reiner, Charlotte L., Devisees ....... $1,233.72 Savage, Melanie A. P. .................. $1,080.69 Sedgwick, Thaxter & Roberta (LE) .................................. $1,025.14 Slader, Wilfred B. & Janet L. ........... $722.44 Slader, Wilfred B. & Janet L. ........ $2,712.78 Starr, Kenneth J. ........................... $5,702.97 Thompson, Tracy, Trustee ................ $946.10 Ulmer, Susan G. .............................. $914.84 Widdecombe, Marilyn A. ............. $1,180.49 Williams, Pauline M. ....................... $750.88


A + B Welding .................................... $91.82 Four Corner Variety ......................... $550.92 Lanphere & Son, LLC ................... $1,836.40 Maine’s Best, Inc. ............................. $165.28 Mic Mac Campground, Inc. ................ $14.69

Mic Mac Market ............................... $550.92 The Pour Farm, LLC ........................ $327.60 Union Pottery ...................................... $91.82 Union Square Laundry, LLC .............. $62.10

Unpaid 2020 Personal Property Taxes A + B Welding .................................. $101.61 Lanphere & Son, Inc. ..................... $2,032.22


A + B Welding .................................. $103.25

Unpaid 2018 Personal Property Taxes A + B Welding .................................... $97.25

2021 Supplemental Taxes Digirolamo, Jacob ............................. $120.00 Morin, David ................................. $1,485.30



FUND AND TRUST BALANCES AS OF APRIL 30, 2021

Aging in Place in Union .................................................................................................. $16,961.92 Ambulance Equipment Reserve ...................................................................................... $15,740.07 Ambulance Reserve ....................................................................................................... $115,689.59 Bicentennial Fund ................................................................................................................. $507.28 Bridge Reserve ................................................................................................................ $38,879.80 Cemetery Stone Repair .................................................................................................... $25,476.48 Cemetery Trust Funds ................................................................................................... $262,913.07 Fire Department Equipment Reserve .............................................................................. $38,073.16 Fire Truck Reserve ........................................................................................................ $437,203.76 Frank D. & Gertrude Rowe Scholarships ........................................................................ $15,697.26 Gilbert Doughty Memorial Scholarship .......................................................................... $12,878.53 Highway Equipment Reserve ........................................................................................ $111,399.02 I. & C. Thurston - Worthy ............................................................................................. $116,766.42 Joseph Pullen Investment ................................................................................................ $44,094.27 Joseph Pullen Recreation ................................................................................................... $9,480.70 Office Equipment Reserve ................................................................................................ $1,934.07 Parks & Recreation Reserve (Tennis & BB Courts/Ayer Park) ........................................ $4,980.73 Paving/BB/Tennis .............................................................................................................. $3,810.33 R. Thurston/B. T. Kinnison ............................................................................................. $74,805.50 Robert H. & Eleanor S. Heald Scholarship ..................................................................... $66,828.54 Town Office Building Reserve .......................................................................................... $5,026.93 Union Alumni Scholarship .............................................................................................. $15,547.39 William Pullen Fund ...................................................................................................... $484,298.22 TOTAL ...................................................................................................................... $1,918,993.04



Proven Expertise and Integrity



STATEMENT C TOWN OF UNION, MAINE

BALANCE SHEET - GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS

JUNE 30, 2020

See accompanying independent auditors' report and notes to financial statements.

Other TotalGeneral Governmental Governmental

Fund Funds Funds

ASSETSCash and cash equivalents 2,489,222$ -$ 2,489,222$ Investments - 86,768 86,768 Accounts receivable (net of allowance for

uncollectibles):Taxes 281,196 - 281,196 Liens 38,442 - 38,442 Other 148,122 - 148,122

Tax acquired property 5,906 - 5,906 Due from other funds 125,323 2,033,742 2,159,065

TOTAL ASSETS 3,088,211$ 2,120,510$ 5,208,721$

LIABILITIESAccounts payable 8,040$ -$ 8,040$ Accrued expenses 6,939 - 6,939 Due to other funds 2,033,742 125,323 2,159,065

TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,048,721 125,323 2,174,044

DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCESPrepaid taxes 13,213 - 13,213 Deferred tax revenue 148,259 - 148,259

TOTAL DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES 161,472 - 161,472

FUND BALANCESNonspendable 5,906 48,415 54,321 Restricted - 1,112,832 1,112,832 Committed - 933,453 933,453 Assigned 25,656 25,810 51,466 Unassigned 846,456 (125,323) 721,133

TOTAL FUND BALANCES 878,018 1,995,187 2,873,205

TOTAL LIABILITIES, DEFERRED INFLOWS OF RESOURCES AND FUND BALANCES 3,088,211$ 2,120,510$ 5,208,721$



STATEMENT E TOWN OF UNION, MAINE

STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, AND CHANGES IN FUND

BALANCES - GOVERMENTAL FUNDS JUNE 30, 2020


Other TotalGeneral Governmental Governmental

Fund Funds FundsREVENUES

Taxes:Property 4,233,049$ -$ 4,233,049$ Excise 463,452 - 463,452

Intergovernmental revenues 357,960 - 357,960 Charges for services 286,355 - 286,355 Investment income, net of unrealized

gains/(losses) 32,731 35,144 67,875 Miscellaneous revenues 10,003 134,863 144,866

TOTAL REVENUES 5,383,550 170,007 5,553,557

EXPENDITURESCurrent:

General government 538,452 - 538,452 Public safety 427,359 - 427,359 Health and sanitation 61,544 - 61,544 Highways and bridges 810,062 - 810,062 Recreation and library 6,937 - 6,937 Education 2,587,557 - 2,587,557 County tax 252,030 - 252,030 Unclassified 216,890 89,781 306,671

Debt service:Principal 106,710 - 106,710 Interest 13,689 - 13,689

Capital outlay - 137,021 137,021 TOTAL EXPENDITURES 5,021,230 226,802 5,248,032

EXCESS OF REVENUES OVER(UNDER) EXPENDITURES 362,320 (56,795) 305,525

OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES)Note proceeds - 69,000 69,000 Insurance revenue 657,180 - 657,180 Insurance expenses (657,180) - (657,180) Transfers in 13,000 223,500 236,500 Transfers (out) (223,500) (13,000) (236,500)

TOTAL OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) (210,500) 279,500 69,000

NET CHANGE IN FUND BALANCES 151,820 222,705 374,525

FUND BALANCES - JULY 1 726,198 1,772,482 2,498,680

FUND BALANCES - JUNE 30 878,018$ 1,995,187$ 2,873,205$



SCHEDULE 1 TOWN OF UNION, MAINE

BUDGETARY COMPARISON SCHEDULE - BUDGETARY BASIS

BUDGET AND ACTUAL - GENERAL FUND FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2020


VarianceActual Positive

Original Final Amounts (Negative)

Budgetary Fund Balance, July 1 726,198$ 726,198$ 726,198$ -$ Resources (Inflows):

Taxes:Property taxes 4,224,610 4,224,610 4,233,049 8,439 Excise taxes 471,000 471,000 463,452 (7,548)

Intergovernmental revenues:State revenue sharing 110,000 164,476 176,372 11,896 Homestead exemption - 154,596 114,581 (40,015) Local road assistance 52,800 52,800 53,892 1,092 General assistance 4,900 4,900 191 (4,709) Other - 1,832 12,924 11,092

Charges for services - - 29,630 29,630 Ambulance revenue 272,763 272,763 256,725 (16,038) Investment income - - 32,731 32,731 Miscellaneous income 54,240 51,838 10,003 (41,835) Transfers from other funds 13,000 13,000 13,000 -

Amounts Available for Appropriation 5,929,511 6,138,013 6,122,748 (15,265)

Charges to Appropriations (Outflows):General government 607,878 607,878 538,452 69,426 Public safety 451,222 451,222 427,359 23,863 Health and sanitation 62,300 62,300 61,544 756 Highways and bridges 932,750 812,350 810,062 2,288 Recreation and library 15,760 15,760 6,937 8,823 Education 2,587,556 2,587,556 2,587,557 (1) County tax 252,030 252,030 252,030 - Debt service:

Principal - 106,710 106,710 - Interest - 13,690 13,689 1

Unclassified 384,819 384,819 216,890 167,929 Transfers to other funds 223,500 223,500 223,500 -

Total Charges to Appropriations 5,517,815 5,517,815 5,244,730 273,085

Budgetary Fund Balance, June 30 411,696$ 620,198$ 878,018$ 257,820$

Utilization of unassigned fund balance 115,487$ 106,000$ -$ (106,000)$

Budgeted Amounts



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STATEMENT E TOWN OF UNION, MAINE STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES - GOVERMENTAL FUNDS JUNE 30, 2020


Other TotalGeneral Governmental GovernmentalFund Funds FundsREVENUESTaxes:Property 4,233,049$ -$ 4,233,049$ Excise 463,452 - 463,452 Intergovernmental revenues 357,960 - 357,960 Charges for services 286,355 - 286,355 Investment income, net of unrealized gains/(losses) 32,731 35,144 67,875 Miscellaneous revenues 10,003 134,863 144,866 TOTAL REVENUES 5,383,550 170,007 5,553,557

EXPENDITURESCurrent:General government 538,452 - 538,452 Public safety 427,359 - 427,359 Health and sanitation 61,544 - 61,544 Highways and bridges 810,062 - 810,062 Recreation and library 6,937 - 6,937 Education 2,587,557 - 2,587,557 County tax 252,030 - 252,030 Unclassified 216,890 89,781 306,671 Debt service:Principal 106,710 - 106,710 Interest 13,689 - 13,689 Capital outlay - 137,021 137,021 TOTAL EXPENDITURES 5,021,230 226,802 5,248,032

EXCESS OF REVENUES OVER(UNDER) EXPENDITURES 362,320 (56,795) 305,525

OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES)Note proceeds - 69,000 69,000 Insurance revenue 657,180 - 657,180 Insurance expenses (657,180) - (657,180) Transfers in 13,000 223,500 236,500 Transfers (out) (223,500) (13,000) (236,500) TOTAL OTHER FINANCING SOURCES (USES) (210,500) 279,500 69,000

NET CHANGE IN FUND BALANCES 151,820 222,705 374,525

FUND BALANCES - JULY 1 726,198 1,772,482 2,498,680

FUND BALANCES - JUNE 30 878,018$ 1,995,187$ 2,873,205$

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Town of Union, Maine PlannInG & DeVeloPMent

CODE ENFORCEMENT Grant Watmough, Code Enforcement Officer

Local Plumbing and Building Inspector

Hopefully most of you know how to get to our website and negotiate it. For those of you who might not, our website is: www.union.maine.gov. I am finding more building without a permit. That should not happen. Any structure over 100 square feet requires a permit before construction starts along with some other uses such as Home Occupation, etc. The selectmen have enacted a double-the-fee charge if you get a permit after-the-fact, so it is in your best interest to get needed permits before any construction starts. You are always welcome to stop in or call with your questions. It has been and will continue to be a privilege to serve in this capacity. Permit Type 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Single Family Dwelling 4 8 5 4 11 6 5 12 10 Mobile Home 0 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 0 Accessory Structure 24 33 15 18 15 22 32 18 31 Addition 11 12 10 15 12 20 17 11 7 Deck 15 11 11 8 12 16 9 8 5 Home Occupation 3 2 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 Change of Use/Other 18 12 13 11 8 13 11 17 16 Agricultural 2 5 3 5 0 2 7 5 6 Commercial 4 11 9 3 1 7 1 8 3 Sign 2 4 3 2 1 3 0 4 1 TOTAL PERMITS 83 99 71 67 64 90 85 84 81 PLUMBING & SEPTIC SSWD (septic) 12 16 13 12 20 17 24 24 24 Internal Plumbing 17 19 14 19 24 20 18 31 19 TOTAL PERMITS 29 35 27 31 44 37 42 55 43 My office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Monday and Friday by appointment.


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ANIMAL CONTROL Heidi J. Blood, Animal Control Officer

I look forward to serving the town of Union as Animal Control Officer again this year and encourage all to contact me with any questions, complaints, or concerns regarding Animal Control. I am also ACO for Hope and Appleton along with four Waldo County towns. I live in Searsmont with an array of my own pets, including dogs, horses, chickens, cats, and rabbits. Just a few quick notes for you: The Town of Union currently has nearly 500 licensed dogs. I am happy to say that most were licensed in a timely manner this year. In 2020 I responded to more than 64 calls for assistance and traveled nearly 500 miles. This is in addition to the countless calls, texts, and emails from people seeking assistance or animal-related resources. Your dog licensing fees support: state humane agents, investigation of animal cruelty complaints and enforcement of animal welfare laws, compliance with rabies vaccination of dogs, and is vital in the return of lost dogs to their owners. Only one dollar per dog license stays within the town. The remainder is sent to Augusta to support the State of Maine Animal Welfare Program. The Town of Union is contracted with Pope Memorial Humane Society in Thomaston to take in lost/stray animals that I pick up. So, if your dog gets loose or your cat is found, and I cannot identify it, it gets delivered to the shelter for safekeeping until its owner can claim it. If your pet is microchipped, I can scan it before going to the shelter in an attempt to get your pet back home to you. A fee must be paid to the shelter to claim your pet once it enters their care. If your dog is licensed and wearing tags, I will make every effort to contact you and reunite you with your pet. Pope Memorial will take in your unwanted animals, but Animal Control will not handle it. YOU must call Pope Memorial and make arrangements to get the animal to them for relinquishing. This helps the shelter by asking you questions about the animal’s likes/dislikes, etc. ensuring that your animal is placed into an appropriate new home. Dog licenses expire each year on December 31, regardless of when it was first done. You can renew your dog’s license for the next year any time after October 15. A state mandated late fee of $25.00 is applied starting February 1. This is non-negotiable as it is STATE law. You can renew your dog’s license at the town office, or online. Due to Covid and the Governor’s continued State of Emergency, dog licensing and late fees have been extended to June 2, 2021. It is Maine Law that every dog AND CAT be currently vaccinated against rabies. If you are unsure of your pet’s vaccination status, call and ask the town office or your veterinarian. Most vaccines are good for three years after a pet’s initial rabies vaccine which is only good for one year. Rabies is currently in every county of Maine, including Knox and Waldo. We had two cases of wild animals testing positive for rabies in 2019 in Union.



E-911/ADDRESSING James Murphy, Jr., Addressing Officer

The Union 911 Addressing Ordinance came into effect in 1995. Little did we know then that nearly every house in Union would have a GPS identification marker linked to satellites. Such is the nature of progress. I recently read our ordinance in preparation for offering house number signs through Union Fire and Rescue. The ordinance has a requirement of a 4” tall number placed on a contrasting background. Sounds simple enough. I checked my own house first: nope, gold numbers on white. Touring the town in my other position as Assessors’ Agent, I discovered that many house numbers are not as visible as you might think. I saw black numbers on brown houses, numbers missing, numbers too small to see at night. I found numbers carefully attached to houses, but the houses were not visible from the road. This started a realization that some of us are in danger. The Fire Department recently had a late-night call of an “active structure fire with persons trapped.” As the first Fire Department person on scene that dark and very foggy night, I had a difficult time finding the address. The numbers on the mailbox were 2” tall, white on silver, middle number missing. It turned out to be “only” a faulty smoke detector – far different from what we were expecting, fortunately. Still, five mutual aid fire departments were on their way at midnight on a very foggy night, delayed by incorrect and nearly invisible house numbers. Another problem is that some homes down long driveways and/or on the water have access issues. Your driveway or camp road should be clear of trees and tree limbs to allow emergency vehicles to reach your home. Visualize a space 10-12’ wide and 14-18’ high. This is the space needed to safely allow a fire truck to pass though. If tree limbs are rubbing the top of your car, there is no way the ambulance or fire truck is going to make it down your road or driveway. Because of these issues, Emergency Services may not be able to find some of you in an expedited manner. They want to help. Help them by having clear and visible numbers that identify your home, as well as by making sure your driveways and roads can accommodate fire and rescue vehicles. Our fire department, Union Excelsior Engine Company, is now offering reflective house number signs as a public service at a small cost. The signs are red with white numbers to help Emergency Services find you when you need it most. If you don’t already have yours, please see the insert in this town report for details.

E-911/ADDRESSING James Murphy, Jr., Addressing Officer

The Union 911 Addressing Ordinance came into effect in 1995. Little did we know then that nearly every house in Union would have a GPS identification marker linked to satellites. Such is the nature of progress. I recently read our ordinance in preparation for offering house number signs through Union Fire and Rescue. The ordinance has a requirement of a 4” tall number placed on a contrasting background. Sounds simple enough. I checked my own house first: nope, gold numbers on white. Touring the town in my other position as Assessors’ Agent, I discovered that many house numbers are not as visible as you might think. I saw black numbers on brown houses, numbers missing, numbers too small to see at night. I found numbers carefully attached to houses, but the houses were not visible from the road. This started a realization that some of us are in danger. The Fire Department recently had a late-night call of an “active structure fire with persons trapped.” As the first Fire Department person on scene that dark and very foggy night, I had a difficult time finding the address. The numbers on the mailbox were 2” tall, white on silver, middle number missing. It turned out to be “only” a faulty smoke detector – far different from what we were expecting, fortunately. Still, five mutual aid fire departments were on their way at midnight on a very foggy night, delayed by incorrect and nearly invisible house numbers. Another problem is that some homes down long driveways and/or on the water have access issues. Your driveway or camp road should be clear of trees and tree limbs to allow emergency vehicles to reach your home. Visualize a space 10-12’ wide and 14-18’ high. This is the space needed to safely allow a fire truck to pass though. If tree limbs are rubbing the top of your car, there is no way the ambulance or fire truck is going to make it down your road or driveway. Because of these issues, Emergency Services may not be able to find some of you in an expedited manner. They want to help. Help them by having clear and visible numbers that identify your home, as well as by making sure your driveways and roads can accommodate fire and rescue vehicles. Our fire department, Union Excelsior Engine Company, is now offering reflective house number signs as a public service at a small cost. The signs are red with white numbers to help Emergency Services find you when you need it most. If you don’t already have yours, please see the insert in this town report for details.



HEALTH OFFICE Grant Watmough, Health Officer

Grant Watmough, whom most of you already know as our Code Enforcement Officer, took on the additional role of Local Health Officer in March 2020 when Vicki Harriman retired after years of service. From the maine.gov website: “Maine LHOs role began in 1885 and have had a long and proud tradition of serving their communities. The ‘Local Health Officer’ (LHO) is a term established by Maine Statute. “The local health officer work force has a unique knowledge about how to assist and protect Maine citizens and communities. They are ‘on the ground’ working with public health nurses, other local health officers, environmental health officials, and other professionals who share the common goal of improving and caring for the health of their communities. “The LHO monitors his or her community through identifying and/or responding to immediate and trends in health risks to individuals or the community through town resident queries and/or the sharp eye of the LHO.” If you have a complaint, question or concern about health risks, environmental risks, or landlord tenant concerns, contact Grant at 785-3658 or [email protected].

HEALTH OFFICE Grant Watmough, Health Officer

Grant Watmough, whom most of you already know as our Code Enforcement Officer, took on the additional role of Local Health Officer in March 2020 when Vicki Harriman retired after years of service. From the maine.gov website: “Maine LHOs role began in 1885 and have had a long and proud tradition of serving their communities. The ‘Local Health Officer’ (LHO) is a term established by Maine Statute. “The local health officer work force has a unique knowledge about how to assist and protect Maine citizens and communities. They are ‘on the ground’ working with public health nurses, other local health officers, environmental health officials, and other professionals who share the common goal of improving and caring for the health of their communities. “The LHO monitors his or her community through identifying and/or responding to immediate and trends in health risks to individuals or the community through town resident queries and/or the sharp eye of the LHO.” If you have a complaint, question or concern about health risks, environmental risks, or landlord tenant concerns, contact Grant at 785-3658 or [email protected].



UNION FIRE Kevin Soule, Chief

Jesse Thompson, Deputy Chief

The members of Union Fire & Rescue and the Excelsior Engine Company would like to thank the citizens of Union for their continuing support. Many thanks also to the Appleton, Hope, Waldoboro, Warren, and Washington Fire Departments and their members for assisting us during this last year. As a result of the mutual aid system, we have been very successful over the past year. We continue to advance our skills to better serve the community. In 2020 we had to stop most in-person training and meetings due to COVID-19. When things are looking better, we hope to start our training and meetings again. In addition to training, Union Fire & Rescue responded to over 400 calls of service for Fire and EMS. We continue to offer public fire safety education in the local school and around the community. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance to your group or organization. We continue to add new members to the department and are always looking for those who would like to serve our community. We have many roles to fill, not only those of interior firefighters. The department meets on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7:00 p.m. Please remember should you or someone you know require assistance with smoke or CO detector batteries, please call us at 785-3803. I would like to ask those of you living on cottage roads or long driveways to take a look at them and ask yourself: can a large fire truck or ambulance get to us should the need arise? The tree canopies tend to grow in and limit access to these large vehicles. If we cannot get to you, our response to your emergency may be limited. Insurance companies have called us to see if we can access certain properties. It has been a pleasure to serve alongside the members of Union Fire & Rescue in protecting our community.



2020 Fire Department Calls

Union Fire Department

Incident Type Code and Description Total Incidents Building Fire 15 Chimney Fire 7 Passenger Vehicle Fire 4 Natural Vegetation Fire 8 EMS Call, excluding Vehicle Accident with Injury 381 Motor Vehicle Accident with Injuries 29 Water & Ice-related Rescue, Other 1 Carbon Monoxide Incident 2 Power Line/Tree Down 18 Public Service Assistance 1 Standby 2 Cancelled En Route 17 Permitted Fire 4 Smoke Investigation 2 Alarm System Sounded 10

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UNION RESCUE Jesse B. Thompson, EMS Chief

This past year has been nothing like we have seen in the past. There have been many new firsts for us as we have had to navigate through this pandemic. I can honestly say that the people who work on the rescue have done an amazing job, from dealing with Personal Protective Equipment to new protocols for treating patients and being able to change the way they deliver emergency care. They continued to come to work every day without question. This has been a little bit slower year for Union Rescue. This is due to people staying home and trying to take care of each other more than before. We are always here and ready to serve whatever may be the needs of the community. This past year we started 24/7 per diem. Since then we have reduced our average time, from the time we are dispatched to the time that the rescue is responding, to one and one-half from 10 minutes on average. This mean we are getting on scene faster, rendering medical treatment faster, and making a difference in patients’ lives. Social distancing protocols have made it difficult to do the continuing education required of every licensed person, but we have adapted and have been using online meeting options that are out there. This has also allowed our medical director to perform some of our training and allowed us to obtain higher levels of education. As part of Maine EMS requirements, we have had to hire a service medical director. This will assist us with improving our training and, more importantly, the care that we provide. I would also like to thank each one of the members of Union Rescue for their dedication to the members of our communities and the privilege to serve with each one of them. We have an awesome team. I am extremely proud of them.

Union Rescue 1

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Town of Union, Maine PUblIc WoRKs

PUBLIC WORKS Matt Elwell, Public Works Supervisor

As for most everyone, 2020 was anything but a typical year for the public works department. The new garage, rebuilt after the fire in April 2019, was finally ready to be moved into in early summer. Until then, all maintenance to vehicles and equipment had to be done outside in the parking lot, not an overly fun nor easy task given the temperatures and weather conditions most of the time. The new garage was certainly welcomed. It is the same size and has the same layout as the one it replaced, but thanks to technology upgrades it is more efficient than the former garage which was about 20 years old. With things like solar panels on the roof and spray foam insulation inside, it is proving to be more energy efficient. In addition, we have a new standby generator, so when the power goes out we will be able to keep working at full capacity without any interruptions. The year 2020 also saw several personnel changes at public works. Chris Robinson was hired in February, and I was hired in October to replace longtime supervisor Orrin Parker. A handful of other employees also came and went during the year. I have learned in a few short months that it takes a certain type of dedicated person who is willing and able to be on call all winter long, and to work odd hours of the day or night as the weather dictates the schedule. Maintaining roads in the wintertime is obviously a big part of our workload and our budget, but we stay busy in the spring, summer, and fall as well. Roadside ditching, grading, replacing culverts, brush cutting, as well as mowing and maintaining the town parks and cemeteries keeps our crew busy year-round. Last year we completed ditching and replaced several culverts on North Union Road which is scheduled to be resurfaced this summer. In 2020 the town purchased a new Kubota excavator from Union Farm Equipment. Using an excavator as opposed to a backhoe is more efficient meaning we can get more done in less time. Speaking of backhoes, we will be looking to replace our John Deere backhoe with a new wheel loader sometime in the near future. This unit has almost 10,000 hours, so it is time to start thinking about replacing it before it begins costing us thousands in repair bills. In 2021 we plan to continue ditching and replacing culverts, when needed, as proper drainage is the single most important aspect of road longevity. There is also a preliminary plan in place to pave several dirt roads this year including Sidelinger, Townsend, and approximately the first 500 feet of Coggins Hill (after that section of road is engineered to allow for proper drainage to prevent future washouts). Hopefully each year, as funds allow, we will be able to convert more dirt roads to pavement which will drastically help us improve road maintenance. While paving a dirt road is quite an investment, it will save money in the long run, as dirt roads are much harder on our plow trucks and require constant maintenance year-round which drives up costs in both material and man-hours.

PUBLIC WORKS Matt Elwell, Public Works Supervisor

As for most everyone, 2020 was anything but a typical year for the public works department. The new garage, rebuilt after the fire in April 2019, was finally ready to be moved into in early summer. Until then, all maintenance to vehicles and equipment had to be done outside in the parking lot, not an overly fun nor easy task given the temperatures and weather conditions most of the time. The new garage was certainly welcomed. It is the same size and has the same layout as the one it replaced, but thanks to technology upgrades it is more efficient than the former garage which was about 20 years old. With things like solar panels on the roof and spray foam insulation inside, it is proving to be more energy efficient. In addition, we have a new standby generator, so when the power goes out we will be able to keep working at full capacity without any interruptions. The year 2020 also saw several personnel changes at public works. Chris Robinson was hired in February, and I was hired in October to replace longtime supervisor Orrin Parker. A handful of other employees also came and went during the year. I have learned in a few short months that it takes a certain type of dedicated person who is willing and able to be on call all winter long, and to work odd hours of the day or night as the weather dictates the schedule. Maintaining roads in the wintertime is obviously a big part of our workload and our budget, but we stay busy in the spring, summer, and fall as well. Roadside ditching, grading, replacing culverts, brush cutting, as well as mowing and maintaining the town parks and cemeteries keeps our crew busy year-round. Last year we completed ditching and replaced several culverts on North Union Road which is scheduled to be resurfaced this summer. In 2020 the town purchased a new Kubota excavator from Union Farm Equipment. Using an excavator as opposed to a backhoe is more efficient meaning we can get more done in less time. Speaking of backhoes, we will be looking to replace our John Deere backhoe with a new wheel loader sometime in the near future. This unit has almost 10,000 hours, so it is time to start thinking about replacing it before it begins costing us thousands in repair bills. In 2021 we plan to continue ditching and replacing culverts, when needed, as proper drainage is the single most important aspect of road longevity. There is also a preliminary plan in place to pave several dirt roads this year including Sidelinger, Townsend, and approximately the first 500 feet of Coggins Hill (after that section of road is engineered to allow for proper drainage to prevent future washouts). Hopefully each year, as funds allow, we will be able to convert more dirt roads to pavement which will drastically help us improve road maintenance. While paving a dirt road is quite an investment, it will save money in the long run, as dirt roads are much harder on our plow trucks and require constant maintenance year-round which drives up costs in both material and man-hours.



Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank our crew of Bryan Paparello, Paul Dever, and Chris Robinson for their hard work and dedication. They take pride in doing the best job possible in caring for and maintaining our roads, parks, cemeteries, and other public-owned spaces. We will hopefully fill our fifth full-time spot this coming year with someone who shares that same work ethic. The public works department certainly appreciates all the continued support from the residents of Union. If anyone has questions or concerns regarding road conditions, ditching, mowing, etc., I encourage you to reach out to me at the office by calling 785-3411 or by email at [email protected]. I will respond in a timely fashion and/or, if necessary, safely meet in person to discuss any issues and work together to find a resolution. The public works department can only be successful by working together with the community we serve. I look forward to a safe, healthy, and productive 2021.

Public Works Snowplow Fleet

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Town of Union, Maine solID Waste

TRI-COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION

David Stanley, Manager Greetings to all residents, As we move from a year of unprecedented events to a new year whose path has yet to unfold, I reflect upon the more promising and visible events at the transfer station. Employees remain our greatest asset, so I would begin by welcoming Terri Gilman and Kevin Smith, who joined our staff of attendants this year. We replaced an aging trash trailer with a new one, delivered from the manufacturer this past summer. Safety, a continual priority for all Tri-County employees, has been further enhanced by the posting of speed limit signs and pavement markings, new gate signage, and the purchase of high visibility coats and hats for the attendants. This apparel purchase was made possible through a Maine Municipal safety grant. As in past years, Tri-County’s annual Hazardous Household Waste Day event is scheduled for the morning of the third Saturday in June. This year, it is planned for Saturday, 19 June, from 8:30-11:00 a.m. As this date approaches, notification will be sent to member town offices, and will be displayed at the station and on the website. Our “free section” in the trash building will remain closed for the duration for the protection of our patrons. “Social distancing” is impossible in such a confined space. Once again, I wish to extend sincere thanks from all of us to all of you, our loyal patrons, for your support in all our endeavors this past year.

3368 Heald Highway Union, Maine 04862 Phone: 207-785-2261

Website: www.tcswmo.com


Town of Union, Maine coMMItteesAGING IN PLACE IN UNION

Anita Brown, Secretary Bill Lombardi, SB Liaison Marcy Corwin Katie Tarbox Erik Durbas Carol Watier Lorain Francis, Co-Chair Dot Williams Wanda Gamage-Wyman, Co-Chair Robert Williams Phil Groce

The Aging in Place in Union Committee met monthly during 2020 on the first Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. For three months, we met in the William L. Pullen Municipal Building meeting room. For the next nine months we met by zoom. The mission of this committee is identified as: the ability to stay in your home safely as you age. The committee vision is: Union is an age-friendly community. We are a community that helps meet the changing needs of its aging residents by connecting them with services and support that allows them to stay in their own homes. Our committee information is on the Town of Union website, www.union.maine.gov. This committee organized and put on one age 55 and older curbside pick-up luncheon during 2020. It was on October 22, 2020 and featured baked beans with hot dogs, macaroni and cheese casserole, coleslaw, and blueberry cake. We served 29 seniors who signed up in advance through the town office to receive this free meal. We also delivered this meal to homes when requested. We include an information resource bag with each meal. Committee members made telephone calls to Union seniors age 75 and older to inquire if they needed help and to offer the “Sand for Seniors” Knox County Sheriff’s Office program. We updated our Union Aging in Place in Union Resource Guide and distributed it to our mailing list for these seniors. Our 2020 AIP committee members were: co-chairs Wanda Gamage-Wyman and Lorain Francis, Secretary Anita Brown, Carol Watier, Bob and Dot Williams, Katie Tarbox, Marcy Corwin, Phil Groce, and Town Manager Jay Feyler. Bill Lombardi and Erik Durbas joined us at the end of 2020. Wanda Gamage-Wyman left her role as co-chair due to a change in her employment. Lorain Francis became chairman. We had another takeout luncheon of a St. Patrick’s Day meal on March 18, 2021 and served 52 curbside meals. We have another one scheduled for June 24. We invite all 55 and older residents to attend, and any drivers they may need to be there. We are scheduled to continue to meet at 1:00 p.m. on the first Monday of each month during 2021. We continue to seek volunteers who are interested in helping our Union residents with their needs. Please inform the town office if you are interested in this committee and our work.


Town of Union, Maine coMMItteesBROADBAND COMMITTEE

Adam Fuller, Chair Kimberly Grindle

Renee Flanders Michael Ross John Gibbons Holly Savage In October 2020, the Board of Selectmen chartered the Union Broadband Committee to investigate how to ensure the availability of high-speed internet access to all the citizens of Union. This action was motivated by the widespread recognition that high-speed internet is becoming essential in our day-to-day activities, with traditional internet uses like online shopping being expanded to include virtual classrooms, video conferencing, video streaming, telehealth, and similar activities, often with multiple simultaneous users in a single household. Realtors tell us that the availability of high-speed internet can be a major decision factor in residential real estate sales and in business siting decisions. Internet access in Union is currently provided by a combination of services that include cable, DSL (digital subscriber line, provided by the phone companies over phone lines), cellular connections, fixed-base wireless (Redzone, from a tower on Coggins Hill), HughesNet (satellite), and optical fiber (LCI.) Somewhere over the horizon are 5G cellular and Starlink (satellite). The committee recently conducted a town-wide survey to assess citizen satisfaction with their current internet service. The responses (148) indicated that few were satisfied with their current service. The biggest complaints were inadequate speeds, unreliability (freezes, dropouts), and high cost for what they got; most were looking for something better. The clear long-term objective for high-speed service in Union is a town-wide fiber optic network, connected to all premises that desire a connection. Fiber is capable of extremely high speeds, not susceptible to congestion or weather, and not going to be overtaken by any faster technologies for decades. Cost is likely to be no higher than for current services. A fiber network requires installing optical fiber cable on the utility poles, plus connections from the poles to individual premises. There are 1,274 addresses (residences and businesses) in Union, on 83 miles of public and private roads. LCI currently has just over 30 miles of fiber strung on its poles in Union, but with very few actual connections to premises. The current fiber is installed primarily in high-density areas of the town, where there are many potential subscribers. Further extensions into lower-density areas are likely to be paced by LCI’s perceptions of potential revenues from additional subscribers. The Broadband Committee is pursuing two options in its efforts to bring town-wide fiber connectivity to all Union residents:

1. Work with LCI to develop a plan for expanding its network to cover all of Union and connect all who wish to be connected, with supplemental funding provided by the Town (possibly a bond issue, to be repaid through a subscriber surcharge) to augment LCI’s


Town of Union, Maine coMMIttees

capital, as an inducement. Other towns around the country have pursued this approach successfully.

2. Develop an independent municipally owned network that spans the town (most likely funded by a bond issue) to be repaid out of subscription charges, then lease the network to a service provider to deliver services to users. Many, many towns have successfully pursued this approach, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years, as high-speed internet access comes to be seen as a utility, like electric power, that should be available to everyone. A municipally owned network could be operated as an open-access network, with several service providers offering competing plans and prices.

The committee is pursuing both of these approaches in parallel, with the objective of being able to make recommendations to the selectmen as soon as it can do so responsibly. We have had several meetings with LCI to explore the first option. We have been exploring the second with the Midcoast Internet Coalition, a multi-town entity which is pursuing a regional nonprofit utility. Both options involve costs to the town, but a bond issue to be repaid out of subscriber fees offers a way of underwriting most of the up-front cost of either option without depending on tax revenues. Another funding option may be grants, particularly federal grants. Union has not been able to qualify for grants up to now, but recent changes in grant criteria appear to be opening up possibilities in this area. The committee meets at least monthly, often on the last Tuesday of the month, but this varies depending on the schedule of other entities with whom we meet. Our meetings are posted on the town website, www.union.maine.gov, and are conducted via zoom.



PLANNING BOARD

Gerald S. Brooks, Jr., Chair Robin Milliken Laura Curtis John Mountainland C. Dale Flint Glenn Taylor, Vice-Chair Michael Johnson

PURPOSE AND ROLE OF THE PLANNING BOARD For those new to Union or curious as to the actual function of your local planning board, the board consists of seven volunteer Union residents who assist in the growth management of the town, as outlined in the Town of Union Comprehensive Plan. While the Comprehensive Plan offers the broad strokes and vision of the future for the town, as voted on and adopted by the residents, more specific requirements are detailed in the Land Use Ordinances, also voted on and adopted at Town Meetings. The Land Use Ordinances are formed from State of Maine statutes applicable to land use management and resource protection. Once an ordinance is adopted locally, it will provide the basis for the Planning Board’s assessment and judgment of applications from individuals or businesses wishing to build, inhabit, or otherwise modify existing properties for commercial or personal needs. While many existing ordinances have done so for decades, the process is still fluid in that they can be modified or altered -- with town approval -- to reflect technological or environmental changes in order to remain current and effective. Additionally, new ordinances can be enacted, such as the Solar Array Ordinance (currently in transition), that reflect the state’s shift towards sustainable energy resources. In this capacity, the planning board acts in an advisory role to ensure that the newly proposed ordinance is drafted in such a way as to incorporate and adhere to the values and integrity of the Union Comprehensive Plan. MEETINGS AND DECISIONS For the calendar year 2020, the Union Planning Board held eight meetings and one workshop session addressing solar array regulations and site plan review applicability for such. Of the eight meetings, one from January 14 is included that was a conclusion to a site plan review of the Consolidated Edison solar array installation. In addition to the meetings, three separate public hearings were held for the three site plan review applications. Those site plan reviews were conducted for a proposed minor subdivision, a proposed storage facility, and a proposed solar array installation project. Accordingly, the planning board submitted separate written “Findings of Fact: Conclusions of Law” following the decisions rendered for each applicant. An additional “Findings of Fact: Conclusions of Law” was issued for a dog grooming business application. Two Shoreland Zoning review judgments were issued with an additional two judgments regarding Resource Protection redistricting requests still pending. During the course of the year, two separate site walks were conducted by the planning board on properties under review.

ADDITIONAL REVIEWS OR OPINIONS The Board of Selectmen requested that the Planning Board review and issue an opinion regarding a proposed Food Sovereignty Ordinance or the viability of generating an ordinance that addresses the



issue. The Planning Board unanimously approved the idea of forming a committee or otherwise pursuing the draft of such an ordinance. The Board of Selectmen also requested a vote for a proposed Solar Array Moratorium Ordinance regarding future solar array installation applications. The Union Planning Board rejected the request for the moratorium due to adverse logistical requirements necessary to enact it and the subsequent Solar Array Ordinance during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. It must be noted that the stringent guidelines of the Town of Union Site Plan Review were more than adequate to address concerns and situational requirements for any proposed solar array applications. MEMBERS ATTENDING MMA TRAINING On February 20 Planning Board Members Dale Flint, Michael Johnson, Robin Milliken, and Gerald Brooks, Jr. attended Maine Municipal Association Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals training in Augusta. The workshop provides up to date decision-making training and review of procedural documentation necessary for the review application process associated with planning boards and zoning boards of appeals. NEW MEMBERS/DEPARTED MEMBERS The Union Planning Board would like to welcome the addition of Michael Johnson to the planning board. Michael came on board in February and has been an instrumental presence since his very first meeting.

On a separate note, the Union Planning Board would like to acknowledge the resignation of Maria Pease from her position as Planning Board Chair. It is with great honor and a heavy heart that we accept the reins of leadership from such an exemplary individual and leader. Of the countless superlatives that could possibly be attributed to Maria’s tenure as planning board member and chair, the following ring most true: intelligent, articulate, fair, and prepared. Her presence has always had an enormous impact on the board, and her legacy will remain in the procedural processes and judgments delivered during her years of service. Her approach to the reviews and decisions will remain the method of all future generations of planning board members to follow. Thank You, Maria Pease. MOST HONORABLE MENTIONS While the Planning Board members are listed above, we would be remiss not to include two individuals who make the entire process function. Grant Watmough, Code Enforcement Officer, is the foundation of knowledge on whom the board relies when making every single decision, as well as the person responsible for scheduling meetings and fielding all applications. He is, quite simply, the stalwart foundation that keeps this board and the town functioning.

Sherry Abaldo, secretary to the planning board, records and maintains all notes, minutes, and agendas for all meetings and workshops. Thank You both. FUTURE POSITIONS AVAILABLE ON THE PLANNING BOARD If a position becomes available for a planning board seat, please consider applying. Civic duty is an honor to the past, present, and future of these great United States and represents the purest form of democracy.



SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

Barbara Fang Rebekah Smith Joyce Grotton Rachael Umstead

Each year the Union Scholarship Committee oversees the awarding of monies from five scholarship funds. Two of these scholarships, the Robert H. and Eleanor S. Heald and the Gilbert Doughty, are designated for graduating seniors only. The William L. Pullen, the Union Alumni, and the Frank and Gertrude Rowe Scholarships are for any student, graduating seniors as well as post graduate students continuing their education. Recipients may be graduates of any high school, public or private, as long as they are residents of Union. Those who are home schooled are also eligible. The monies come from the interest earned on the principle from each of these funds. This year, we have been able to award monies from each of the five scholarship funds. After careful consideration of all applications, the available scholarship monies were awarded to each of the fourteen applicants. Seven of these students were graduating seniors. The total amount of money awarded in 2020 was $50,970. Monies from the following scholarships were awarded: Frank and Gertrude Rowe Scholarship $ 240 Union Alumni Scholarship $ 240 Gilbert Doughty Memorial Scholarship $ 220 William L. Pullen Fund $15,000 Robert H. & Eleanor S. Heald Scholarship Trust $35,270 Interested Union students seeking scholarship information regarding available scholarship application procedures, eligibility criteria, critical timelines, etc. may direct questions to the Union Town Office or to the Guidance Department at Medomak Valley High School. The committee members wish to thank the town for allowing us to serve the community in this capacity.


Town of Union, Maine coMMUnItY seRVIces

COME SPRING FOOD PANTRY

At Come Spring Food Pantry our mission is “Feeding our Neighbors with Dignity, while promoting Health, Opportunity, and Hope.” The Food Pantry is open on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10:00 a.m. to noon and is located in the back of the Thompson Community Center. We average between 25 to 35 unduplicated families and 90 to 100 unduplicated individuals per week. Our recipients are small families and couples, single mothers, and a few large families of five to eight. We have many single men of middle and senior ages. They are veterans, the working poor, disabled, widowed, elderly, and/or homeless. All are living below the poverty level. The pantry operates with 10 volunteers who are dedicated to all the essential roles it takes to run a successful food pantry. They donated 1,345 hours in 2020 picking up food deliveries from Good Shepherd Food Bank and the Common Market. They stocked shelves, shopped, sorted fresh vegetables, and filled bags. Some volunteers served as support and helped keep the pantry organized. The Covid pandemic has been extremely difficult for the pantry. All food is distributed outside in all kinds of weather. We have outgrown our space with prefilling multiple bags to be placed in the recipient’s vehicles. We no longer have a client-choice model for the recipients to choose their food. A safe, distanced system has been developed on the back side of the Thompson Community Center, in the corner where the yellow school and original school come together. Both our volunteers and recipients are kept safe. We have many partners who supply food, vegetables, and necessities: Good Shepherd Food Bank, One Less Worry, Erickson Fields, Sani e Felici Farm, and People’s United Methodist Church. We are thankful for the community who donates funds and food, Vose Library for collecting food, and our small businesses who support us with fundraisers. But the need is great, and funding is needed to continue to support our residents with healthy, nutritious food. Come Spring Food Pantry has purchased the property at 27 Common Road in Union. After pressing repairs are completed and the building is operational, the pantry will move into the front portion of our new building. We are targeting summer 2021.

Donations: PO Box 524 Union, ME 04862 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 207-596-d3687

On Facebook: Come Spring Food Pantry Registered in Maine as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation

Currently located in the Thompson Community Center, back side between the yellow and brick schools.



UNION HISTORICAL SOCIETY Sarah Drickey, Board President

What a year! Zoom meetings and in April our first Zoom program featuring music by Doug Protsic. It was well attended. We will have a few more Zoom programs and try for an outdoor program. We hope to have an in-person program in September. Find our schedule of events on our website at www.unionhistoricalsociety.org for more information. We plan to open the Robbins House in June by appointment only, masks required. We received a wonderful donation of Maine history books from Lee Webb, and Jim Turner built a beautiful bookcase to house them. We will be setting up a lending library. In June look for our table with books, shirts, caps, maps, and membership forms at the Union Farmer’s Market located at 27 Common Road, Union.

Photo Courtesy of the Union Historical Society

UNION HISTORICAL SOCIETY Sarah Drickey, Board President

What a year! Zoom meetings and in April our first Zoom program featuring music by Doug Protsic. It was well attended. We will have a few more Zoom programs and try for an outdoor program. We hope to have an in-person program in September. Find our schedule of events on our website at www.unionhistoricalsociety.org for more information. We plan to open the Robbins House in June by appointment only, masks required. We received a wonderful donation of Maine history books from Lee Webb, and Jim Turner built a beautiful bookcase to house them. We will be setting up a lending library. In June look for our table with books, shirts, caps, maps, and membership forms at the Union Farmer’s Market located at 27 Common Road, Union.

Photo Courtesy of the Union Historical Society



392 Common Road www.voselibrary.org

PO Box 550 207.785.4733

Union, Maine 04862 [email protected]

Dr. Debra J. Lay, Library Director

Covid Hours: Tuesday 10-12, 1-3 & 4-6; Wednesday 10-12 & 1-3; Friday 10-2

The mission of Vose Library is to advance learning, inspire curiosity, enrich lives, and promote community.

News and Updates from Your Community Library

It matters not that 2020 confronted us with monumental perplexities. What does matter is that

Vose Library, because of its devoted team of volunteers and personnel, persevered despite the

instability of 2020. A small but mighty group of individuals ensured that patrons remained at the

center of the library’s services by continuing to overcome obstacles with creativity and

determination. Internal operations from behind the circulation desk forged ahead; including the

implementation of virtual programs, the receipt of numerous grants, and a strengthening of

community outreach.

Family Story Time, Armchair Adventures, and artisan exhibits were underway and scheduled as

the first of the year got into swing; however, shortly thereafter the library doors closed as the

world grappled with COVID-19 safety precautions. Throughout that brief closure, the library

staff remained diligent in their devotion to serving the public, and through teamwork many new

initiatives were founded. A new procedure caught on with enthusiasm: Curbside Pick-up

Services began in June 2020 and remains popular with Vose patrons. The Zoom-with-Vose

Wednesday Series began in October, and each Wednesday since that time has offered patrons

and future friends the opportunity to take part in an eclectic series of topics ranging from authors

to artisans and everything in between. The Summer Reading Program for grades K-3 and 4-6

moved to a virtual platform. Interlibrary Loan Services (ILL) were reinstated in July, providing a

wider scope of borrowing for the library community. The monthly Book Club met throughout

the summer and into November while the weather allowed for off-site meetings and social

distancing. In addition, ease of access remained at the forefront of the library’s services by

temporarily removing fees for overdue items, extending borrowing time to 28 days, and

providing continual Wi-Fi access from outside the library.

New to the library in 2020 was the ongoing Maine Student Book Award picks of the month:

MSBA with D & J. This video series was a promotional and collaborative effort between Vose

Library and area schools whose purpose it was to encourage enthusiasm for the love of reading.

Additionally, the Beanstack app was a new feature that was publicized and downloaded by

numerous patrons. This app allows users the ability to keep a running log of books read and

poses challenges while promoting a sense of community. Grants received to date include a



Diversity Grant from Bates College for $300, an American Libraries Association grant for

$3,000, and an annual endowment in perpetuity from the Rudman Family Foundation, as well as

the Keep Maine Healthy Round 2 grant from which we benefited through a generous partnership

with the Town of Union. It was through this generosity that all necessary Covid-precautionary

equipment for the building was acquired to keep safe both those working inside and those

visiting from outside the library.

Community partnerships flourished during 2020. Fourteen business and independent supporters

of Vose Library purchased magazine subscriptions where their names/business logos appear and

in turn circulate among patrons. Come Spring food donations continue to pour into the curbside

collection bin, and the library’s Board of Trustees’ Annual Appeal was overwhelmingly

successful. All this is a sign of the deep generosity that is alive and well in Union. Despite all the

adversity associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the hard work and dedication of many

people enabled the library to continue with its mission.

Looking Ahead:

The library seeks involvement from the community. Please be on the lookout for communication

regarding the following events and give us a call or email [email protected] with interest.

● Website Redesign

● Technology Committee

● Volunteers (front desk and routine tasks)

● Annual Plant Sale on June 5, 2021 held at Vose Library



GoVeRnoR of MaIneJaneT T. MIllsDemocrat1 State House StationAugusta, Maine 04333-0001(207)287-3531888-577-6690 (TTY)[email protected]

U.s. HoUse of RePResenTaTIVesCHellIe PInGReeDemocrat2 Portland Fish Pier, Suite 304Portland, Maine 04101(207)[email protected]

sTaTe HoUse of RePResenTa-TIVesJeffReY eVanGelosIndependent465 Waldoboro RoadFriendship, Maine 04547(207)[email protected]

sTaTe HoUse ofRePResenTaTIVesWIllIaM D. PlUeCKeRIndependent1133 Finntown RoadWarren, Maine 04864(207)[email protected]

U.s. senaTesUsan CollInsRepublican68 Sewall Street, Room 507Augusta, Maine 04330(207)622-8414www.collins.senate.gov U.s. senaTeanGUs KInGIndependent4 Gabriel Drive, Suite F1 Augusta, Maine 04330(207)622-8292www.king.senate.gov/contact

sTaTe senaTeDaVID MIRaManTDemocrat3 State House StationAugusta, Maine 04333(207)287-1515 [email protected]

Government Directory

GoVeRnMent


Town of Union, Maine GoVeRnMent

PHONE: (207) 287-3531 (Voice) 888-577-6690 (TTY) FAX: (207) 287-1034

www.maine.gov

Dear Friends: When I took the oath of office as Maine’s 75th governor, I never imagined that we would face a deadly pandemic. But that is our reality, and it is my responsibility to guide our state through this time, to keep Maine people safe and healthy, and to put our economy on a path to recovery. COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our national economy, dealing heavy losses to businesses of all sizes, and leaving millions of people unemployed. Here in Maine it has taken the lives of hundreds of people and sickened many more. Since the arrival of the first vaccines in December 2020, we have been working to get as many shots into the arms of Maine people as quickly and efficiently as possible. While our spirits are lifted and we share in a collective sense of relief, particularly for frontline health care workers who are exhausted and have been working around the clock to save lives, it will take months to administer the vaccine to all Maine people and we must keep our guard up. In the coming months, I look forwarded to working with you in fully opening our schools and businesses across the state. We will hasten our state’s recovery if we wear our masks, watch our distance, avoid gatherings, and wash our hands. My Administration, in collaboration with public health experts and business leaders across the state, developed a plan to gradually and safely restart Maine’s economy. We also formed an Economic Recovery Committee charged with assessing the economic impacts of the pandemic on Maine’s economy and providing recommendations for policy changes to deal with these impacts. Together, drawing on the hard work and resilience of Maine people, we will rebuild and strengthen our economy and rise from this unprecedented challenge to be a stronger, better state than ever. I continue to be amazed by the strength and courage of the Maine people and businesses who have found different ways to do business and the brave first responders in your town and in our health care facilities. Thank you to the people of Maine who have demonstrated patience, kindness, and compassion during this difficult time. Please take care, Janet T. Mills Governor P.S. For the latest information and guidance on Maine’s response to COVID-19, as well as resources for assistance during this time, please visit www.maine.gov/covid19/.


Town of Union, Maine GoVeRnMentGOVERNMENT DIRECTORY

GOVERNOR OF MAINE JANET T. MILLS Democrat 1 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0001 (207)287-3531 888-577-6690 (TTY) [email protected] U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHELLIE PINGREE Democrat 2 Portland Fish Pier, Suite 304 Portland, Maine 04101 (207)774-5019 [email protected] STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JEFFREY EVANGELOS Independent 465 Waldoboro Road Friendship, Maine 04547 (207)832-7378 [email protected] STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILLIAM D. PLUECKER Independent 1133 Finntown Road Warren, Maine 04864 (207)273-3044 [email protected]

U.S. SENATE SUSAN COLLINS Republican 68 Sewall Street, Room 507 Augusta, Maine 04330 (207)622-8414 www.collins.senate.gov U.S. SENATE ANGUS KING Independent 4 Gabriel Drive, Suite F1 Augusta, Maine 04330 (207)622-8292 www.king.senate.gov/contact STATE SENATE DAVID MIRAMANT Democrat 3 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333 (207)287-1515 [email protected]


Town of Union, MaineGOVERNMENT DIRECTORY

GOVERNOR OF MAINE JANET T. MILLS Democrat 1 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0001 (207)287-3531 888-577-6690 (TTY) [email protected] U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHELLIE PINGREE Democrat 2 Portland Fish Pier, Suite 304 Portland, Maine 04101 (207)774-5019 [email protected] STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JEFFREY EVANGELOS Independent 465 Waldoboro Road Friendship, Maine 04547 (207)832-7378 [email protected] STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILLIAM D. PLUECKER Independent 1133 Finntown Road Warren, Maine 04864 (207)273-3044 [email protected]

U.S. SENATE SUSAN COLLINS Republican 68 Sewall Street, Room 507 Augusta, Maine 04330 (207)622-8414 www.collins.senate.gov U.S. SENATE ANGUS KING Independent 4 Gabriel Drive, Suite F1 Augusta, Maine 04330 (207)622-8292 www.king.senate.gov/contact STATE SENATE DAVID MIRAMANT Democrat 3 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333 (207)287-1515 [email protected]

GoVeRnMent

Dear Friends:

It is an honor to represent Maine in the United States Senate. I am grateful for the trust the people of our State have placed in me and welcome this opportunity to reflect on 2020, an incredibly challenging year for Maine families, small businesses, and communities. When the pandemic struck, our country faced the specter of an overwhelmed health care system and devastation to our small businesses and the millions of people they employ. I immediately worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass multiple laws allocating approximately $3 trillion to respond to this public health and economic crisis, including more than $8 billion directed to Maine to support testing, schools, the economy, and other purposes — that is nearly double Maine’s annual state budget. I am especially proud of the bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) I co-authored. This program has provided three out of four Maine small businesses with nearly $2.3 billion in forgivable loans, which has helped sustain more than 250,000 Maine jobs. I have met thousands of Maine small employers and employees in all 16 counties who are surviving because of the PPP. As one small business owner told me, the PPP provided “exactly what we needed at exactly the right time.” The PPP also allowed employers to maintain benefits, such as health care, during this challenging time. Another round of PPP is needed to sustain small businesses and their employees. While the pandemic continues across Maine, our nation, and the world, I thank the first responders, health care professionals, teachers, grocery store employees, factory workers, farmers, truck drivers, postal employees, and so many others who continue to stay on the job during this difficult time. With the deployment of the first vaccines, better tests, and the incredible speed with which these life-saving responses were developed, I am hopeful we can emerge from this crisis in the next few months. While providing relief to American families was my focus throughout 2020, other accomplishments include the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, which provides full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and addresses the maintenance backlog at our national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. As Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, in 2020 alone, I secured $132 million to improve Maine’s roads, bridges, airports, buses, rail, ferries, and seaports. Finally, as Chairman of the Aging Committee, I led the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which funds programs that improve the well-being, independence, and health of our nation’s seniors and their caregivers, and I authored laws to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and protect individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. As the end of 2020 is approaching, I have cast more than 7,535 votes, never having missed one. In the New Year, my focus remains to work with colleagues to find common ground on policies to help support the health and safety of Mainers and the safe, responsible opening of our communities. If ever I or my staff can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact one of my state offices. May the coming year be a successful one for you, your family, your community, and our state.

Sincerely,

Susan M. Collins United States Senator



Dear Friends,

2020 has been a year of unconscionable loss and hardship. The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged our nation, magnifying long-unaddressed inequities. I hear daily from constituents whose lives have been upended by the pandemic. As we navigate these ongoing challenges, my top priority in Congress has been to advocate for the resources Maine residents, businesses, and institutions need to weather this crisis.

In March, the CARES Act was signed into law, providing much-needed relief to Mainers, including expanded unemployment benefits, stimulus checks, grants and loans for small businesses and nonprofits, and funding for health care providers on the front lines of this crisis. As this crisis wore on, I saw increased need; that’s why I voted for the Heroes Act in May and again in October to provide further support. I’m relieved we passed another relief package at the end of December, but I know another round of support is still much needed in the coming year.

The pandemic isn’t the only crisis we face. Climate change threatens Maine’s environment and industries. This summer, the Gulf of Maine recorded its hottest day, and we experienced the longest, most severe drought in 20 years. Maine farms continue to be stymied by climate change, but they can also play a crucial role in combatting it. In February, I introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act to ensure American agriculture is net-zero by 2045. The release of Maine’s Climate Action Plan is a major step in the fight against climate change. I will continue to work with state leaders to ensure they have federal support to achieve this agenda.

2021 will offer different challenges. We must distribute a vaccine to millions, restore jobs, uplift the economy, and repair the divisions that undermine our ability to make meaningful change. I look forward to working with the incoming presidential administration to meet these challenges and emerge as a stronger, more resilient nation.

As always, the needs of Mainers guide my work as we recover from this crisis. If there is

anything my office can do to help, please reach out.

Sincerely,

Chellie Pingree Member of Congress



start here page 58

130th Legislature

Senate of Maine

Senate District 12

Senator David R. Miramant

3 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0003

(207) 287-1515 [email protected]

Fax: (207) 287-1585 * TTY (207) 287-1583 * Message Service 1-800-423-6900 * Website: legislature.maine.gov/senate

Dear Friends and Residents of Union, Thank you for the opportunity to continue serving as your state senator. I’m incredibly honored to represent our communities in Augusta, and I promise to work as hard as I can on your behalf. This past year, Mainers have faced challenges that we could have never imagined. We have confronted a global pandemic, an economic crisis, and mass unemployment, all while trying to go about our day-to-day lives to the best of our abilities. Unfortunately, these challenging times have not yet passed us by. Even though we see the light at the end of the tunnel with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, I would encourage everyone to stay strong and do their part now to slow the spread of the virus and prevent further loss of life. In the Legislature, I have been appointed to serve as Chair of the Marine Resources Committee. I know just how much our communities depend on our bodies of water for food, work, and jobs. It is my charge to make sure that our marine ecosystem remains sustainable and plentiful for generations to come. In addition, I will serve on the Labor and Housing Committee, whose work is central to rebuilding our state and supporting workers and businesses in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As with everything else in our lives, the way we will do our work will also be different this year. We will be doing much of it virtually, and only convening all-together in person when it’s necessary. Our committee hearings and meetings will all be live-streamed and recorded and can be seen online at www.legislature.maine.gov. In addition, folks will be able to participate and provide testimony via phone or videoconference, as well as by submitting written testimony online at www.mainelegislature.org/testimony. I will make sure that even during these unusual times, the public always has ample access to see our work and to add their voices to the process. I also want to remind you that I am here as a resource to you or your family. Whether you have an issue with your unemployment benefits, need to contact a state agency or just have a question or comment, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can send me an email at [email protected] or call my office at 287-1515. I know these are still difficult times, but we will get through them and on to brighter days. Sincerely,

Dave Miramant State Senator



State Representative’s Report to the Town of Union

A message from State Representative Jeffrey Evangelos

Dear Friends and Neighbors, It is an honor and pleasure to represent you in the 130th Maine Legislature. I wanted to take this opportunity to inform you about our efforts to improve your

lives. In my last report to you I said I was hopeful that we would enact proposals to increase municipal revenue sharing, the Homestead Exemption, and aid to education. We were successful in enacting all three. However, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Maine's finances, like all other states, are now in trouble. The Governor's proposal to tax the PPP loans that our small businesses received to survive last year will most definitely not receive my support. It's a terrible idea and will certainly do untold damage to our small businesses.

Two of the biggest challenges facing Maine in 2021 continue to be the deplorable issues around the performance of Central Maine Power and the challenges being faced by the Maine lobster industry.

First, in reference to CMP, last year I testified before the Public Utilities

Commission on your behalf in opposition to the proposed rate increase and demanded that CMP refund all the money they overcharged my constituents and other Mainers in their over billing scheme. Both the PUC and Maine's Public Advocate heard my concerns and are currently investigating these serious matters.



I want to be clear that I am in full support of CMP's line workers who put their lives on the line for us everyday.

In addition, I continue to oppose the CMP power “corridor” in western

Maine....to Massachusetts. Are you kidding me? You can count on me to oppose this proposal. Does anyone think Massachusetts would allow Maine to slice through the Berkshires to send power to Maine? Of course not, so I will be forcefully opposing this proposal.

Second, I am deeply concerned about the unjustified and unfair proposals

being promoted by the federal agency NOAA, who is blaming the Maine lobster industry for Right Whale deaths despite the fact that they have publicly admitted there is no evidence to back up this claim. I have joined hands with my fishermen and women in my District to fight these draconian proposals and have attended hearings and provided testimony against these proposals. The lobster industry is the lifeline to our local economy and you can rest assured I will continue to fight to protect your interests. Recent news also indicates that most of the wind power projects that were slated to interfere with out lobster fleet have now been put on hold.

I have enjoyed representing Union, something I also did in the 1980's and

1990's when I served SAD #40, when we all collaborated to build the new Union School and gymnasium. The people in Union are friendly and I appreciate it. I also wanted to thank Jay, the Selectmen and women, Town Office staff, our emergency responders, and the Public Works crew who keep our roads safe. I appreciate the work you do. I would like to thank Stacey Parra and her staff for the great job they have done in adjusting to conditions of operation during the Pandemic.

I also wanted to comment to you about your beautiful town. Last fall I

campaigned hard in Union, traveling your back roads and hills on crisp autumn days, foliage brimming brightly. When I arrived at home after taking the short-cut over Clary Hill, I told my wife that Union is one of the most picturesque towns in New England! Sincerely, Jeffrey Evangelos

State Representative 465 Waldoboro Rd. Friendship, Maine 04547 1-800-423-2900 or 287-1400 207-832-7378 email: [email protected]



William D. Pluecker1133 Finntown RoadWarren, ME 04864

(207) [email protected]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES2 STATE HOUSE STATION

AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0002(207) 287-1300

In times of hardship and strife, we look to our leaders to step up and lead us forward. In ourcommunity, we had the leaders we needed. The emergency service personnel and fire fighters whoshowed up to work despite the risks to themselves and their families. There were those who kept our townoffice accessible despite the challenges, and the select board who showed up and did their job, knowingthat our community relied on every person having a voice. Our roads were kept in good shape, because nomatter what else is happening in the world, we still need access to our grocery stores, doctors, and jobs.Food pantries were kept open by loyal volunteers from our churches who followed their hearts despite therisks. And our town’s businesses adapted and did incredible work to make sure that we had the productsand services that we depend on. In Union, we showed up - and continue to show up for each other - as wehave for almost 250 years.

Our state government is also struggling under the pressure of the pandemic and economicchallenges. We cannot dodge the reality that income and tax receipts are down, and the legislature mustface these budget shortfalls head-on. But these shortfalls cannot be countered by increasing taxes on thoseindividuals and businesses who already don’t have enough. We know that those without reliable housing,food, or work were already vulnerable when the pandemic hit, and they will be the last to see a realeconomic recovery. The state cannot forget the small businesses struggling to make it through these hardtimes, and the people who have lost their jobs because other businesses have shut down.

I have worked with many Union families since the beginning of the pandemic. Many have had toapply for unemployment for the first time, have needed to get connected with the Knox County AIO forfuel assistance, or have learned that the food pantry is truly for anyone in need. Similar to what we’vedone in our town, the state and legislature must provide leadership, a willingness to pare down excesses,and the ability to see where efficiencies can be found without hurtingthe services that our neighbors need to recover.

These are complicated, tough times for all of us, but ourcommunity is equally tough. We have proven that we can bandtogether in hard times to care for our community and those in need.We can only succeed as a community when every person is heard, andno one is left behind as we pull ourselves out of this hole.

This is the work of the Legislature over the coming two years.We won’t succeed on every count, but by speaking up, speaking out,and by looking out for each other, we can make Maine even betterthan it was when this crisis originally hit.

Please, if you ever need help, have questions, or want to voiceyour opinion, get in touch with me at (207) 273-3044 [email protected].


Town of Union, Maine WaRRants & MInUtes

MINUTES

2020 TOWN OF UNION

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT

MUNICIPAL ELECTION ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

July 14, 2020 - TUESDAY July 20, 2020 - MONDAY

8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

William L. Pullen Municipal Building William L. Pullen Municipal Building

Postponed until August 24, 2020

Union Fairgrounds

Stacey M. Y. Parra, Town Clerk of Union, called the Municipal Election and Annual Town

Meeting to order on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. The Warrant was read then and there to act upon the

following articles:

ARTICLE 1. To elect a Moderator to preside at said meeting and to vote by written ballot.

Ronald Hawes was nominated and elected by secret ballot to the position of Moderator for the

meeting. The Town Clerk duly swore him into office.

Ronald Hawes appointed Elmer Savage as Deputy Moderator. The Town Clerk duly swore him into

office.

The Polls were declared open and Article 2 through Article 17 by secret ballot began.

ARTICLE 2. To elect all necessary Municipal Officers/Officials and School Committee

Members as are required to be elected.

Polls shall be opened at 8:00 a.m. and closed at 8:00 p.m.

Selectmen/Assessor/Overseer of the Poor (two-year term)

Johnston-Nash, Martha L. 516*

Justice, James W. 212

Selectmen/Assessor/Overseer of the Poor (three-year term)

Grotton, Gregory 320

Lombardi, William J. 413*

Director of Regional School Unit No. 40 (three-year term)

Williams, Robert A. 648*

*elected



2020 Town of Union Annual Town Meeting Warrant Minutes

2

ARTICLE 3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for fiscal year 2020-

2021 for debt service or act thereon:

A. Road Bond $113,000.00

B. Solar Project $ 69,000.00

TOTAL $182,000.00

These funds have already been committed during previous town meetings and these are the payment amounts. BOARD OF SELECTMEN RECOMMENDS 4-0

BUDGET COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 9-0

Article 3. passed by a secret ballot vote of 587 Yes 170 No and 25 Blank.

ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the issuance of general obligation

securities in an amount not to exceed $1,800,000.00 for the purpose of

Clarry Hill Road culvert replacement, road paving, and payment of

previous bond, with the dates, maturities, denominations, interest rates,

place of payment, form and other details of the securities and like

provisions for the sale of the securities, to be determined by the Selectmen

in the best interests of the Town. The proceeds of the borrowing shall be

utilized only for the purpose of the borrowing stated above and the

Selectmen are hereby authorized to make such assurances and

representations as may be necessary, appropriate or convenient for the

purposes of the borrowing, to apply the proceeds to the stated purposes of

the borrowing, and to conduct such other activities as may be required.

This will reduce our interest rate on our current bond. The public works budget below does not have any money allocated for paving and road repair without this bond. Previous municipal bond will be paid off at an expected lower interest rate.

Total Town Indebtedness if Article 4 is approved:

Debt outstanding and unpaid:

$1,742,166.05

* Municipal $ 557,353.62

As of June 30, 2020

County $ 106,431.32

As of December 31, 2019

Schools $ 1,078,381.11

As of June 30, 2019

Debt Authorized and Unissued: $ 0

Debt to be Issued if Article 4 is Approved: $1,800,000.00




3

Total Indebtedness if Article 4 is approved: $3,542,166.05

* Municipal Debt includes the road bond and copier lease.

Cost of the General Security Obligation

At an estimated average interest rate of 2.0% over a term of ten (10) years, the estimated cost of

issuing the general security obligation will be:

Principal $1,800,000.00

Estimated Interest $ 187,491.00

Total Debt Service $1,987,491.00

The validity of the debt and of the voters' ratification of the debt may not be affected by any errors

in the estimate of the cost of the general security obligation. If the actual amount of the total debt

service for the general security obligation issue varies from the estimate, the ratification by the

electors is nevertheless conclusive and the validity of the obligation is not affected by reason of the

variance.

s/Laura J. Curtis, Treasurer

Town of Union


ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of

$597,880.00 for fiscal year 2020-2021 for General Government.

This includes Insurances, Payroll, Office Personnel, and Building Maintenance. This has been reduced by $11,988.00 from the previous year.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN RECOMMENDS 4-0



ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $603,898.00 for

fiscal year 2020-2021 for Protection.

This includes ACO, Fire, Ambulance, and Planning Department. The ambulance budget has a total increase of $155,200.00 but only an additional tax amount of $31,319.00. ACO is down $650.00 and Planning up $229.00.




4



Article 6. passed by a secret ballot vote of 646 Yes 126 No and 10 Blank .


fiscal year 2020-2021 for Health and Sanitation.

This includes Septic Waste and Tri-County Solid Waste; this is down $136.00.





fiscal year 2020-2021 for Highway and Bridges and Paving.

This has been reduced by $375,000.00 in paving. The bond article will allow us to pave and do repairs this year.





fiscal year 2020-2021 for Parks and Recreation.

The budget is down $1,260.00 and is partially funded by a dedicated trust fund and

carryovers. Approximate net to raise is $9,000.00.





fiscal year 2020-2021 for Social Security.

.




5





fiscal year 2020-2021 for Cemeteries.

The Cemetery budget is up $15,750.00 due to mowing cost. Bids for one year were $55,000.00, so Public Works will continue to do it for $15,000.00 less! Some cemetery funds come from perpetual care and do not raise taxes.




ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $12,000.00 for fiscal year

2020-2021 for General Assistance.

These funds do not raise taxes but are funded under a dedicated trust fund.





fiscal year 2020-2021 for Unclassified.

This includes Reserve Accounts, Dispatch, Common maintenance and Emergency Management and Outside Agencies. Reduced accounts include: Outside Agencies -$7508.00; Reserves -$59,000.00; Common Maintenance -$1,500.00; and EMA -$225.00. Increases include: Dispatch $3,707.00; and Retirement $1,000.00. Total budget is down $63,500.00!







6

ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the following General Fund revenue

and dedicated revenue sources to be used toward the 2020-2021 budget

appropriations of the Town of Union, thereby decreasing the amount required to be

raised by property taxes or act thereon:

State Revenue Sharing $ 98,000.00

Ambulance Billing and Assessments $ 427,000.00

General Assistance Reimbursement $ 5,000.00

Parks and Recreation Pullen Investment $ 2,300.00

Animal Control Fees $ 2,300.00

Local Road Assistance Program $ 50,000.00

Excise Tax $ 470,000.00

Scholarship Trust Funds $ 45,000.00

Cemetery Perpetual Care $ 1,900.00

Other Revenue and Fees $ 50,000.00

TOTAL $1,151,500.00


ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to carry the unexpended balances in the following

accounts for the ensuing fiscal year:

Ambulance

Parks and Recreation

Cemeteries

Animal Control

Union Assistance Fund


ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from fund balance the following

overdrafted account:

Paving and Road Construction $20,000.00

This is estimated at the time of printing.


ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to reduce the amounts to

raise by taxes if other revenues become available.




7

This will enable the Board of Selectmen to use other revenues such as COVID-19 funding to reduce taxes.


Moderator Ronald Hawes opened the Annual Town Meeting at 7:00 p.m. and read the results of the

Municipal and School Election.

ARTICLE 18. To choose all other necessary Municipal Officials or act thereon:

One Trustee of the Cemetery Trust Fund (three-year term)

Term of Lee MacFarland

A motion and second were made for Lee MacFarland. Motion carries.

Four Members of the Budget Committee (three-year term)

Terms of Barry Norris, Dan Day, John Mountainland, and Wayne Kirkpatrick

A motion and second were made for Barry Norris. Motion carries.

A motion and second were made for Dan Day. Motion carries.

A motion and second were made for John Mountainland. Motion carries.

A motion and second were made for Wayne Kirkpatrick. Motion carries.

One Trustee of the William Pullen Fund (four-year term)

Term of Irene Hawes

A motion and second were made for Irene Hawes. Motion carries.

ARTICLE 19. Shall the Ordinance entitled “2020 Amendment to Town of Union Land Use

Ordinance” be enacted?

A motion and second were made. Motion carries.

ARTICLE 20. Shall the Ordinance entitled “Union Fire & Rescue Insurance Claim and

Restitution Ordinance” be enacted?


ARTICLE 21. Shall the Ordinance entitled “Canine Control Ordinance” be enacted?





8

ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to approve the amendment to the Tri-County Solid

Waste Management Organization Interlocal Cooperative Agreement as appears

below in this Article and made a part hereof:


INTERLOCAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

Part 4 – FINANCE

Section 4.2 In-Kind Contributions.

(a) Subject to prior approval by the Joint Board, credit shall be given to the parties for in-kind

contributions to the Corporation. Credit amounts shall be based upon actual costs and shall

be limited to administrative overhead, office space, telephone, equipment and supplies, and

to costs of obtaining real property acquired and provided by a party for a facility site.

(b) The Corporation agrees to provide an annual in-lieu-of-taxes credit payment to the Member

Town in which the Facility is located equal to the amount of property tax revenue lost as a

result of the Corporation’s tax-exempt status.

Purpose: The purpose of this proposed amendment to the Tri-County Solid Waste Management

Organization Interlocal Cooperative Agreement is to change the manner of recognizing in-kind

contributions to a Member hosting the facility from an actual payment to a credit.


ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to approve the amendment to the Tri-County Solid

Waste Management Organization Interlocal Cooperative Agreement as appears

below in this Article and made a part hereof:


INTERLOCAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

Part 3 – ADMINISTRATION

Section 3.2 Joint Board. The operation and management responsibilities of the organization shall be

delegated to Directors designated as the Joint Board. At least one Director from each Member

Town shall be a municipal officer. Additional Directors and alternates may be municipal officers or

municipal officials. It is desirous, but not required, that Directors and alternates be municipal

officers (Selectmen) or municipal officials. The apportionment of Directors among the member

communities shall be as follows: one Director from each Member Town with a population of 1,000

or less; two Directors from each Member Town with a population of 1,001 to 2,500; three Directors

from each Member Town with a population greater than 2,500. Initial allocation of seats on the




9

Joint Board shall be delegated to Member Towns in accordance with populations reflected by 1988

Maine Department of Human Services census data. Subsequent allocations shall be made based

upon United States Census Bureau data, beginning with 1990 reports, or upon population data

provided by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, whichever is more current.

Directors and alternates from each Member Town shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen of

that town to serve a term of one year. Each Director or alternate may be reappointed to such terms

indefinitely. The Board of Selectmen of each Member Town shall appoint one alternate member to

the Joint Board. An alternate may be appointed by the chairman of the Joint Board as a voting

member of that body at any time a Director from his or her respective Member Town is absent

when a vote is taken. Under no other circumstances may an alternate have voting power. Each

Director, or voting alternate where appropriate, shall cast one vote.

Purpose: The purpose of this proposed amendment to the Tri-County Solid Waste Management

Organization Interlocal Cooperative Agreement is to eliminate the requirement that all members of

the Joint Board be either municipal officers (Selectmen) or municipal officials. Restricting

membership on the Joint Board to municipal officers or officials has proven problematic. This

amendment will allow the Selectmen of each Member Town to appoint non-governmental

representatives to the Joint Board.


ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town of Union will authorize the Board of Selectmen, with a four-

fifths vote, to transfer up to 10% of unexpended balances between accounts as

needed or act thereon.


ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to fix the salaries

of the officials appointed by them under provision of MRSA Title 30-A, Section

2601, subsection 1 & 2, or act thereon.


ARTICLE 26. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appropriate

from Fund Balance an amount not to exceed $6,000.00 to be used to cover Tax

Abatements for the fiscal year of 2020-2021.




ARTICLE 27. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell tax-

acquired property, and to give quitclaim deeds thereof. Sales to other than the




10

former record titleholder, his or her heirs, devises or assigns shall be by the best

means available to obtain the maximum price, and to expend such funds as the

majority of the Board of Selectmen shall decide, except that the Board of

Selectmen shall use the special sale process required by 36 MRSA 943-C for

qualifying homestead property if sold to anyone other than the former owner(s).


ARTICLE 28. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Tax Collector to accept prepayment

of taxes not yet due or assessed and no interest to accrue or act thereon.


ARTICLE 29. To see if the Town, in accordance with 36 MRSA Section 505 (4), will vote that

property taxes shall be delinquent if not paid by November 15, 2020 and May 15,

2021, and that interest at the rate of 8% per annum shall be charged on all

delinquent property taxes, or act thereon. If the due date(s) fall on a Saturday,

Sunday, or holiday, then the due date(s) will fall on the next business day, and

interest will start the day after.

NOTE: The Board of Selectmen recommends due dates of November 15, 2020

and May 15, 2021, and interest due dates of November 17, 2020 and May 18, 2021

and interest at the rate of 8% per annum. Taxpayers’ names will appear in the

Town Report if taxes are not paid by the close of business on May 17, 2021.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN RECOMMENDS 8% 5-0


ARTICLE 30. To see if the Town, in accordance with 36 MRSA Section 506-A, will vote to set a

rate of interest to be paid on the overpayment of abated taxes from the date of

overpayment or act thereon (maximum 8% and minimum 4% per annum).

EXPLANATION: If taxes are paid and later abated, the Town of Union must

refund the abated taxes and pay interest on them.



ARTICLE 31. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to use the

proceeds of any payment on insurance claims, for damage occurring to Town

property in the fiscal year 2020-2021, to be allocated to the municipal department

whose goods or equipment were damaged, and appropriate any such insurance

payment to repair or replace the damaged goods or equipment or act thereon.




11


ARTICLE 32. To see if the Town will vote to approve a Community Development Block Grant

Application and/or a Quality Community Grant Application, and to submit same to

the Department of Economic and Community Development or the Maine

Department of Transportation, and if a grant is approved to authorize the Board of

Selectmen to accept said grant funds and to expend grant funds for the purpose of

the grant, and to make such assurances, assume such responsibilities, and exercise

such authority as is necessary and reasonable to implement such a program or act

thereon.


ARTICLE 33. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to submit

applications for grants, and if a grant is approved to authorize the Board of

Selectmen to accept said grant funds and to expend grant funds for the purposes of

the grant, and to make such assurances, assume such responsibilities, and exercise

such authority as is necessary and reasonable to implement such a program or act

thereon.


ARTICLE 34. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to disburse money

received from the State Snowmobile Refund from the registration of snowmobiles

to the Appleton Trail Makers, Inc. (Appleton) and the Hatchet Mountain

Snowriders Snowmobile Club (Hope) – ½ to each club – for the purposes of

maintaining their snowmobile trails in Union, to be open for the use of the public

at all times while they are snow covered or act thereon.


ARTICLE 35. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to assess the

Town of Washington the sum of $58,174.00, and the Town of Appleton the sum of

$51,666.40 for ambulance services for the fiscal year 2020-2021 or act thereon.


ARTICLE 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate an additional $3,600.00 for

outside agencies or act thereon.


ARTICLE 37. To see if the Town will vote to allow the Union Ambulance Department and Union

Fire Department to expend monies raised by them for equipment and other

operational expenses or act thereon.




12


ARTICLE 38. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell surplus

Fire, Ambulance, Office, and Highway Department Equipment and appropriate the

proceeds from the sale back to the respective departments’ Equipment Reserve

Account or act thereon.


ARTICLE 39. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell or

otherwise dispose of equipment and Town property with a value less than

$8,000.00 per item after appraisal for fiscal year 2020-2021 or act thereon.


ARTICLE 40. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appropriate the

sum of $2000.00 from Cable Franchise Fees received for fiscal year 2020-2021 to

be used for preparation of material for public awareness and/or the Town of Union

website or act thereon.




ARTICLE 41. To see if the Town will vote to take the following amounts from income and

interest earned on the respective scholarship accounts to fund a scholarship(s) to be

awarded in the year 2020-2021 or act thereon:

A. Robert H. & Eleanor S. Heald Fund $35,269.99

B. William L. Pullen Fund* $14,639.85

C. Raymond Thurston & Belle Thurston

Kinniston Fund $ 1,078.40

TOTAL $50,988.24


*This is a non-binding vote as the William L. Pullen Fund is under the exclusive authority of

the Board of Selectmen and Pullen Trustees according to the will.



12



Fire, Ambulance, Office, and Highway Department Equipment and appropriate the

proceeds from the sale back to the respective departments’ Equipment Reserve

Account or act thereon.



otherwise dispose of equipment and Town property with a value less than

$8,000.00 per item after appraisal for fiscal year 2020-2021 or act thereon.


ARTICLE 40. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appropriate the

sum of $2000.00 from Cable Franchise Fees received for fiscal year 2020-2021 to

be used for preparation of material for public awareness and/or the Town of Union

website or act thereon.





interest earned on the respective scholarship accounts to fund a scholarship(s) to be

awarded in the year 2020-2021 or act thereon:

A. Robert H. & Eleanor S. Heald Fund $35,269.99

B. William L. Pullen Fund* $14,639.85

C. Raymond Thurston & Belle Thurston

Kinniston Fund $ 1,078.40

TOTAL $50,988.24


*This is a non-binding vote as the William L. Pullen Fund is under the exclusive authority of

the Board of Selectmen and Pullen Trustees according to the will.


ARTICLE 42. To see if the Town will vote to permanently increase the property tax levy limit

established for the Town of Union by State Law in the event that the municipal




13

budget approved under the preceding articles will result in a tax commitment that

is greater than that property tax levy limit.

A motion and second were made to indefinitely postpone as article is not needed. Motion carries.

A motion and second were made to adjourn the Annual Town Meeting at 7:48 p.m. 46 registered

voters attended.

GIVEN UNDER OUR HANDS THIS 16th DAY OF JUNE, A.D. 2020

s/Gregory Grotton, Chair

s/John Shepard, Selectman

s/Sarah Drickey, Selectman

s/Adam Fuller, Selectman

s/Joshua White, Selectman

UNION BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Dated:

A True Copy Attest: __________________________

Stacey M. Y. Parra, Town Clerk

RESIDENT’S RETURN

COUNTY OF KNOX

STATE OF MAINE, ss.

By virtue of the within Warrant to me directed, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the

Town of Union, qualified to vote in Town affairs to assemble at the time and place and for the

purpose within named, by posting this Warrant at the following public and conspicuous places

within the Town including the Town Office, 567 Common Road; Common Market, 40 Burkett

Road; Four Corner Variety, 1718 Heald Highway; Union Farm Equipment, 1893 Heald Highway,

and Mic Mac Market, 994 Heald Highway; on the 7th day of July, A.D. 2020, the same being at

least seven days prior to the within named meeting.

Attest: s/Sherry Abaldo, Resident



MINUTES

TOWN OF UNION SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

WARRANT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020

WILLIAM L. PULLEN MUNICIPAL BUILDING MEETING ROOM

8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Stacey M.Y. Parra, Town Clerk of Union, called the Special Town Meeting to order on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The Meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. ARTICLE 1. To elect by written secret ballot, a Moderator to preside at said meeting.

Elmer Savage was nominated and elected by secret ballot with four (4) votes to the position of Moderator for the meeting. The Town Clerk duly swore him into office. Elmer Savage appointed James Justice as Deputy Moderator. The Town Clerk duly swore him into office. The Polls were declared open and voting on Article 2 by secret ballot began.

ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town of Union will vote to continue with phase one of the sidewalk improvements project on Depot Street, funded by a $400,000 grant awarded from the Maine Department of Transportation and $100,000 appropriated from the Town’s sidewalk reserve account.

The Town has already encumbered approximately $70,000 of their share leaving an additional $30,000 to complete phase one of the project. At this time $50,000 has been raised and funded to the reserve account.

Article 2. failed by a secret ballot vote of 668 Yes 891 No and 15 Blank. GIVEN UNDER OUR HANDS THIS 1ST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2020

s/John Shepard, Chairman s/Adam C. Fuller, Selectman

s/Joshua B. White, Selectman



Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Town of Union Special Town Meeting Warrant Minutes

2

s/William J. Lombardi, Selectman

s/Martha L. Johnston-Nash, Selectman UNION BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Dated:

A True Copy Attest: __________________________ Stacey M. Y. Parra, Town Clerk

RESIDENT’S RETURN

COUNTY OF KNOX STATE OF MAINE, ss.

By virtue of the within Warrant to me directed, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Union, qualified to vote in Town affairs to assemble at the time and place and for the purpose within named, by posting this Warrant at the following public and conspicuous places within the Town including the William L. Pullen Municipal Building (Town Office), 567 Common Road; Common Market, 40 Burkett Road; Four Corner Variety, 1718 Heald Highway; Union Farm Equipment, 1893 Heald Highway, and Mic Mac Market, 994 Heald Highway; on the 26th day of October, A.D. 2020, the same being at least seven days prior to the within named meeting. Attest: s/Sherry Abaldo, Resident



2021 TOWN OF UNION

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT

MUNICIPAL ELECTION ANNUAL TOWN MEETING June 8, 2021 - TUESDAY June 12, 2021 - SATURDAY 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. William L. Pullen Municipal Building William L. Pullen Municipal Building Meeting Room Outside – Rear of Building TO: Greg Grotton, Resident of the Town of Union, in the County of Knox. GREETINGS: In the name of the State of Maine, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Union in said County and State, qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, to meet at the William L. Pullen Municipal Building in said Town on Tuesday, the Eighth day of June, A.D. 2021 at 8:00 a.m. in the morning, then and there to act upon Article 1 and by secret ballot on Article 2 through 19 as set out below; and to notify and warn said inhabitants to meet at the William L. Pullen Municipal Building, outside, in said Town on Saturday, the Twelfth day of June, A.D. 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the morning, then and there to act on Articles 20 through 36 as set out below, to wit: ARTICLE 1. To elect a Moderator to preside at said meeting and to vote by written ballot. ARTICLE 2. To elect all necessary Municipal Officers/Officials and School Committee

Members as are required to be elected. Polls shall be opened at 8:00 a.m. and closed at 8:00 p.m. ARTICLE 3. Shall amendments to Article 4 of the Land Use Ordinance changing Map 19, Lot 13

from Resource Protection to Limited Residential Zone.

A copy of the changes is attached and available for review at the Town Office.

ARTICLE 4. Shall amendments to Article 4 of the Land Use Ordinance changing part of Map 3, Lot 12-1 from Resource Protection to Limited Residential Zone.

A copy of the changes is attached and available for review at the Town Office. ARTICLE 5. Shall a Solar Array Ordinance be adopted as Section 5 to the Land Use Ordinance

to provide regulations for commercial proposals.

A copy is attached and available for review at the Town Office.



2021 Town of Union Annual Town Meeting Warrant

2

ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for fiscal year 2021-2022 for debt service or act thereon:

Road Bond $186,000.00 TOTAL $186,000.00 These funds have already been committed during last year’s town meeting and this is the payment amount. BOARD OF SELECTMEN RECOMMENDS 4-0 BUDGET COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 9-0

ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $678,805.00 for fiscal year 2021-2022 for General Government.

This includes Insurances, Payroll, Office Personnel, and Building Maintenance.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN RECOMMENDS 4-0 BUDGET COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 9-0

ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $642,453.00 for fiscal year 2021-2022 for Protection.

This includes ACO, Fire, Ambulance, and Planning Department. BOARD OF SELECTMEN RECOMMENDS 4-0 BUDGET COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 9-0

ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $63,664.00 for fiscal year 2021-2022 for Health and Sanitation.

This includes Septic Waste and Tri-County Solid Waste. BOARD OF SELECTMEN RECOMMENDS 4-0 BUDGET COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 9-0

ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $609,008.00 for fiscal year 2021-2022 for Highway and Bridges and Paving.



fiscal year 2021-2022 for Parks and Recreation. BOARD OF SELECTMEN RECOMMENDS 4-0





3

ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $47,694.00 for fiscal year 2021-2022 for Social Security. BOARD OF SELECTMEN RECOMMENDS 4-0 BUDGET COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 9-0


fiscal year 2021-2022 for Cemeteries.


ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $12,000.00 for fiscal year

2021-2022 for General Assistance.

These funds do not raise taxes but are funded under a dedicated trust fund.



fiscal year 2021-2022 for Unclassified.


ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the following General Fund revenue

and dedicated revenue sources to be used toward the 2021-2022 budget appropriations of the Town of Union, thereby decreasing the amount required to be raised by property taxes or act thereon:

State Revenue Sharing $ 186,400.00 Ambulance Billing and Assessments $ 447,776.00 General Assistance Reimbursement $ 2,500.00 Parks and Recreation Pullen Investment $ 2,300.00 Animal Control Fees $ 900.00 Local Road Assistance Program $ 50,400.00 Excise Tax $ 471,000.00 Scholarship Trust Funds $ 45,000.00 Cemetery Perpetual Care $ 1,900.00 Other Revenue and Fees $ 50,000.00 TOTAL $1,258,176.00

ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to carry the unexpended balances in the following

accounts for the ensuing fiscal year:

Ambulance




4

Parks and Recreation Cemeteries Animal Control Union Assistance Fund Road Bond Building Maintenance

ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from fund balance the following

overdrafted account: Paving and Road Construction $130,000.00 Emergency Management $ 21,000.00 This is estimated at the time of printing.

ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to reduce the amounts to

raise by taxes if other revenues become available. ARTICLE 20. To choose all other necessary Municipal Officials or act thereon:

One Trustee of the Cemetery Trust Fund (three-year term) Term of Joel Wentworth, Sr.

Four Members of the Budget Committee (three-year term) Terms of Doris Vertz, Erik Amundsen, John Gibbons, and Michael Drickey

One Trustee of the William Pullen Fund (four-year term) Term of Anita Brown

ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town of Union will authorize the Board of Selectmen, with a four-

fifths vote, to transfer up to 10% of unexpended balances between accounts as needed or act thereon.

ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to fix the salaries of the officials appointed by them under provision of MRSA Title 30-A, Section 2601, subsection 1 & 2, or act thereon.

ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell tax-

acquired property, and to give quitclaim deeds thereof. Sales to other than the former record titleholder, his or her heirs, devises or assigns shall be by the best means available to obtain the maximum price, and to expend such funds as the majority of the Board of Selectmen shall decide, except that the Board of Selectmen shall use the special sale process required by 36 MRSA 943-C for qualifying homestead property if sold to anyone other than the former owner(s).




5

ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Tax Collector to accept prepayment of taxes not yet due or assessed and no interest to accrue or act thereon.

ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town, in accordance with 36 MRSA Section 505 (4), will vote that

property taxes shall be delinquent if not paid by November 15, 2021 and May 15, 2022, and that interest at the rate of 6% per annum shall be charged on all delinquent property taxes, or act thereon. If the due date(s) fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, then the due date(s) will fall on the next business day, and interest will start the day after.

NOTE: The Board of Selectmen recommends due dates of November 15, 2021 and May 15, 2022, and interest due dates of November 16, 2021 and May 17, 2022 and interest at the rate of 6% per annum. Taxpayers’ names will appear in the Town Report if taxes are not paid by the close of business on May 16, 2022.


ARTICLE 26. To see if the Town, in accordance with 36 MRSA Section 506-A, will vote to set a

rate of interest to be paid on the overpayment of abated taxes from the date of overpayment or act thereon (maximum 6% and minimum 2% per annum).

EXPLANATION: If taxes are paid and later abated, the Town of Union must refund the abated taxes and pay interest on them.


ARTICLE 27. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to use the proceeds of any payment on insurance claims, for damage occurring to Town property in the fiscal year 2021-2022, to be allocated to the municipal department whose goods or equipment were damaged, and appropriate any such insurance payment to repair or replace the damaged goods or equipment or act thereon.

ARTICLE 28. To see if the Town will vote to approve a Community Development Block Grant

Application and/or a Quality Community Grant Application, and to submit same to the Department of Economic and Community Development or the Maine Department of Transportation, and if a grant is approved to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept said grant funds and to expend grant funds for the purpose of the grant, and to make such assurances, assume such responsibilities, and exercise such authority as is necessary and reasonable to implement such a program or act thereon.

ARTICLE 29. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to submit

applications for grants, and if a grant is approved to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept said grant funds and to expend grant funds for the purposes of the grant, and to make such assurances, assume such responsibilities, and exercise




6

such authority as is necessary and reasonable to implement such a program or act thereon.

ARTICLE 30. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to disburse money

received from the State Snowmobile Refund from the registration of snowmobiles to the Appleton Trail Makers, Inc. (Appleton) and the Hatchet Mountain Snowriders Snowmobile Club (Hope) – ½ to each club – for the purposes of maintaining their snowmobile trails in Union, to be open for the use of the public at all times while they are snow covered or act thereon.

ARTICLE 31. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to assess the

Town of Washington the sum of $63,002.00, and the Town of Appleton the sum of $55,955.00 for ambulance services for the fiscal year 2021-2022 or act thereon.

ARTICLE 32. To see if the Town will vote to allow the Union Ambulance Department and Union

Fire Department to expend monies raised by them for equipment and other operational expenses or act thereon.


Fire, Ambulance, Office, and Highway Department Equipment and appropriate the proceeds from the sale back to the respective departments’ Equipment Reserve Account or act thereon.


otherwise dispose of equipment and Town property with a value less than $8,000.00 per item after appraisal for fiscal year 2021-2022 or act thereon.


interest earned on the respective scholarship accounts to fund a scholarship(s) to be awarded in the year 2021-2022 or act thereon:

A. Robert H. & Eleanor S. Heald Fund $25,374.46 B. William L. Pullen Fund* $18,289.00 C. Raymond Thurston & Belle Thurston Kinniston Fund $ 1,000.00

TOTAL $44,663.46


*This is a non-binding vote as the William L. Pullen Fund is under the exclusive authority of the Board of Selectmen and Pullen Trustees according to the will. ARTICLE 36. To see if the Town will vote to permanently increase the property tax levy limit

established for the Town of Union by State Law in the event that the municipal




7

budget approved under the preceding articles will result in a tax commitment that is greater than that property tax levy limit.

GIVEN UNDER OUR HANDS THIS 4th DAY OF MAY, A.D. 2021 __________________________________

John Shepard, Chair

__________________________________ Adam C. Fuller, Selectman

__________________________________

Joshua B. White, Selectman

__________________________________ William J. Lombardi, Selectman

__________________________________ Martha L. Johnston-Nash, Selectman UNION BOARD OF SELECTMEN

A True Copy Attest: __________________________________ Stacey M. Y. Parra, Town Clerk

RESIDENT’S RETURN

COUNTY OF KNOX STATE OF MAINE, ss. By virtue of the within Warrant to me directed, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the Town of Union, qualified to vote in Town affairs to assemble at the time and place and for the purpose within named, by posting this Warrant at the following public and conspicuous places within the Town including the Town Office, 567 Common Road; Common Market, 40 Burkett Road; Four Corner Variety, 1718 Heald Highway; Union Farm Equipment, 1893 Heald Highway, and Mic Mac Market, 994 Heald Highway; on the _____ day of May, A.D. 2021, the same being at least seven days prior to the within named meeting. Attest: _________________________________ Greg Grotton, Resident


Town of Union, Maine InfoRMatIon

UnIon PRofIle

UNION PROFILE

2018 2019 2020 Population per 2010 Census 2,259 2,259 2,259 Registered Voters as of April 8 1,753 1,756 1,866 Area in Acres 22,054.54 22,054.54 22,054.54 Area in Square Miles 34.49 34.49 34.49 Miles of Town Roads 43.79 43.79 43.79 Miles of State Aid Roads 11.65 11.65 11.65 Miles of State Highway 6.95 6.95 6.95 Property Valuation Base as of April 1 228,901,500 230,853,000 230,471200 Number of Land Parcels as of April 1 1638 1638 1662 Number of Homestead Exemptions as of April 1 665 677 715 Number of Acres Classified under Tree Growth Tax Law

1149.41 1174 1159.40

Number of Acres Classified under Farmland Tax Law

3319.95 3258 3189.73

Number of Acres Classified under Open Space Tax Law

631.30 644.00 631.3

Tax rate per $1000 of Valuation (mill rate) 17.80 18.30 18.00 Certified Assessment Ratio 100% 100% 100%

Online Assessing Data!

https://www.axisgis.com/UnionME/


Town of Union, Maine contact InfoRMatIon

CONTACT INFORMATION SHEET

Town of Union

Town Office www.union.maine.gov 785-3658 Town Office Fax 785-3652 Town Manager Jay Feyler [email protected] 785-3658 Town Clerk Stacey Parra [email protected] 785-3658 Animal Control Officer Heidi Blood [email protected] 322-3237 Assessors’ Rep. Jim Murphy [email protected] 785-3658 Code Officer Grant Watmough [email protected] 785-3658 EMS Director Jesse Thompson [email protected] 785-3803 Fire Chief Kevin Soule [email protected] 785-4306 Public Works Supervisor Matt Elwell [email protected] 785-3411 Treasurer/Bookkeeper Laura Curtis [email protected] 785-3658

Emergency/Non-Emergency Numbers

Fire & Ambulance Calls 911 Knox County Sheriff’s Office www.knoxso.com 594-0429 Maine State Police www.maine.gov/dps/msp 1-800-452-4664 Pen Bay Medical Center www.penbayhealthcare.org 301-8000 Poison Control Center www.nnepc.org 1-800-222-1222

School Numbers

Medomak Middle School www.msad40.org/schools/mms 832-5028 Medomak Valley High School www.msad40.org/schools/mvhs 832-5389 Superintendent’s Office www.msad40.org 785-2277 Union Elementary School www.msad40.org/schools/union 785-4330

Other Numbers

Thompson Community Center 975-0352 Tri-County Solid Waste (Transfer Station) www.tcswmo.com 785-2261 Union Fair Office www.unionfair.org 785-3281 Union Post Office www.usps.com 785-3734 Vose Library www.voselibrary.org 785-4733

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TOWN OF UNION P.O. Box 186 Union, Maine 04862 Town of ...

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