Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z

• Property Tax Talk – Part III

  Send us a textNick Cloutier, current assessor for the Town of Scarborough, and soon-to-be Waterville city manager, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to provide an update on the Legislature’s Real Estate Property Tax Relief Tax Force.  Appointed by the Speaker of the House, Nick represents the interests of Maine’s tax assessors on the task force. In this episode, he outlines a range of solutions, from amending current programs such as the Property Tax Fairness Credit, to deliver immediate relief to homeowners, to long-term reforms requiring constitutional amendments.  Among these proposals is the introduction of a tiered mil rate system.  Nick also urges listeners to share their perspectives with the task force before it begins to draft its official recommendations.  

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• Right to Know Advisory Committee

  Send us a textIn this episode, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell explore the work of the 18-member Right to Know Advisory Committee, which oversees and supports the Maine Freedom of Access Act.  They discuss who serves on the committee, what the committee does, why the work maters, and how it impacts municipalities across the state.  For those looking for a clear and concise overview of the committee’s role and responsibilities, this episode is worth a listen.  

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• Housing Legislation – A Succinct Summary

  Send us a textTanya Emery, the newest member of MMA’s advocacy team, joins Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell to discuss housing, which is a hot topic in many circles. With the rapid pace of change and growing demands being placed on municipalities and residents who have helped shape their communities, the intergovernmental relationship is being tested. In what can best be described as a “CliffsNotes” approach, the advocacy team succinctly summarizes the many housing issues that await the Maine Legislature’s return in January.  The takeaway from this episode is clear: for Maine to advance its housing goals, the concerns being raised by municipal leaders must be taken seriously. It’s all about partnership.  

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• Property Tax Talk – Part II

  Send us a textOn this edition of the podcast, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell are joined by Kathleen Billings, Stonington’s renowned town manager, a dedicated member of MMA’s Legislative Policy Committee, and one of three municipal appointees serving on the Real Estate Property Tax Relief Tax Force. Kathleen brings a strong coastal community perspective to the discussion.  From the rise in second-home ownership and the dwindling availability of year-round housing, to inflationary pressures driving up the cost of providing essential public services and the ongoing struggle to recruit and retain public safety personnel and other municipal employees, Kathleen is on the front lines of it all.  Motivated to find thoughtful solutions, Kathleen would “rather try to do something and fail, than nothing at all.” 

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• MMA’s One-Stop Shop for HR Information

  Send us a textThis week, Rebecca Lambert and Amanda Campbell are joined by Janet Kelle, MMA’s Human Resources Director.  With more than 30 years of HR experience, most recently with Husson University, Janet quickly made her presence known at MMA.  In this edition, Rebecca, Amanda and Janet dive into the wide range of human resource services available to MMA member municipalities.  These include succession planning, employee handbook reviews, and compliance guidance, as well as a variety of fee-based services, such as recruitment assistance, background checks and budget consultation.  Janet also highlights the many resources available on the MMA website, which she describes as a “one stop shop for all things HR.” Municipal officials will have an opportunity to meet Janet at the MMA Annual Convention on October 8 & 9 in Bangor.  Be sure to stop in to say hello and participate in an opportunity to win a prize.  

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