RECREATION BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED
The Town of Winterport is searching for members to serve on the Town of Winterport's Recreation Board. There are two regular and one alternate position open. The purpose of the board is to recommend leisure time programs and facilities for the residents of Winterport. The board shall provide advice to the Town Council, Town Manager, Recreation Director and other organizations dealing with recreation.
If interested, please fill out the board and committee application that can be found at the following link on the town of Winterport's website https://www.winterportmaine.gov/boards-committees.php Please fill out the entire application and return it to the town manager at the town office at 44 Main Street in Winterport or email a copy to the town manager at winterporttownmanager@outlook.com Please contact the town manager at the town office at 223-5055 if you have any questions regarding the committee or the application process.
AMBULANCE SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING
The Winterport Ambulance Services Committee will hold a Zoom meeting at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, March 1, 2021. Individuals that wish to attend the Zoom meeting may join the meeting using the following link; https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8283582698 The meeting ID is 828 358 2698.
INTERNET ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED
The Winterport Town Council has formed an Internet Accessibility Committee that will be tasked with the following responsibilities: Gathering Information regarding the availability of broadband internet within the Town of Winterport; Identifying deficiencies in coverages, reliability, and/or speeds; Providing residents with that information; and providing guidance to the Town of Winterport's Town Council regarding possible future investments in broadband infrastructure within the Town of Winterport. The Town Council is looking for five individuals to serve staggering terms of up to three years. Please fill out the board & committee application that can be found at the following link on the Town of Winterport's Website https://www.winterportmaine.gov/boards-committees.php
Please fill out the entire application and return it to the Town Manager at the town office at 44 main street in Winterport or a copy can be emailed to the Town Manager at winterporttownmanager@outlook.com
Please contact the Town Manager at the Town Office at 223-5055 if you have any questions regarding the committee or the application process.
COVID-19 UPDATE- VICTORIA GRANT CIVIC CENTER
The Town of Winterport has temporarily closed the meeting room and kitchen area of the Victoria Grant Civic Center to the public and all local organizations until further notice as a result of the sharp increase in incidents of COVID- 19. This closure does not affect the operations of the Neighbors Food Cupboard located on the first floor. The Town will continue to monitor incident rates in our area and periodically discuss whether the circumstances related to Covid-19 have changed enough to warrant reopening the VGCC. We apologize for any inconvenience but hope you understand that the health and safety of our residents and the larger community are our highest priority at this time.
INTENT TO BUILD APPLICATION FORM NOW AVAILABLE
The Winterport Town Council approved the use of a new application form to be filled out by anyone who is looking to build a new structure or dwelling over 100 square feet or that will increase the footprint or add an additional 100 square feet of gross living space to an existing dwelling or structure. Applications can be obtained from the Code Enforcement Officer or on the Town's website in the Codes & Permits folder under the Government Tab.
ASSESSOR'S NOTE TO THE COMMUNITY
State of Maine property tax law requires all property which is subject to property taxation be assessed in accordance with the status of that property on April 1st each year. Property tax is to be assessed by the municipality where that property is located, according to its value and to whoever owns it, all as of April 1 each year. To that end, each year all Tax Assessors and/or their agents generally hit the road around April 1st trying to determine what has changed from the prior year. In towns like ours that do not have any building permit or intent-to-improve system, that work has to be done by observation and visitation. This means driving the roads and looking for new buildings and additions to buildings including garages, barns and the like. In order for property taxes to be assessed fairly, all property must be taxed at or about the same level of market value.
In light of our concerns regarding COVID-19 and how it is impacting our citizens, the Winterport Board of Assessors has asked our new Assessors’ Agent to temporarily hold back from making her annual property visits. At a time when social distancing is being encouraged for all, we do not want out citizens to feel put upon with a visit from our Agent. However, we would ask that property owners who have made substantial improvements to their property to be forthcoming regarding any new construction and when it has occurred. We ask that you contact the town office to let us know what construction and improvements you have made over this past year. When the authorities tell us it is safe to resume work as normal, the Agent will be back out on the road to continue her work by visiting and documenting new properties.
As of today, we have made the decision to hold off on any direct property visits for at least two weeks. Our previous Agent, who retired last fall, had been with us for 20 years and had a pretty good grasp of the town and what was on the ground. Our new Agent will still be driving our roads, trying to get familiar with our town and making notes as to where she must visit in the future when things return to normal.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and if you have been made uncomfortable in any way by her visit, we apologize. If you have any questions, please contact the Town Office and they will take your phone number and either myself or the new Assessors’ Agent will call you back.
Tom Skratt, Chair Winterport Board of Assessors