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Town of New Gloucester
385 Intervale Road, New Gloucester, ME 04260
(207) 926-4126 (phone) / (207) 926-4136 (fax)
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Town of Poland
1231 Maine Street, Poland, ME 04274
(207) 998-4601 (phone) / (207) 998-2002 (fax)
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 Woodstove Changeout Program
Do you know about the $5,000 voucher offered by the Woodstove Changeout Program?
New wood, natural gas, and pellet stoves are much more efficient-- and the funds are not from Maine's budget, either!
For more information, click here.
Home Energy Assistance Program
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Benefits include help paying for fuel and emergency fuel delivery. You can also qualify for energy-related repairs if you are eligible for HEAP.
How do I apply?
You apply at your local community action agency (CAA). You can find your local CAA here. It is important to call as soon as you can, since appointments fill up fast. Applications for HEAP are now being accepted through July 15, 2021. You can also apply for emergency fuel help from November 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021. For additional information about the Program, click here or call 1-877-544-3271.
Who’s eligible for help?
Qualifications for the HEAP have recently changed. The amount of help you may receive from the HEAP is based on your household size, income, and energy costs. You may still apply for HEAP even if heat is part of your rent. Contact your local CAA to find out if you qualify today!
Protect Against Browntail Moth Hairs during Fall Cleanup
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Maine Forest Service (MFS), and 211 Maine wish to remind the public to take precautions against browntail moth exposure, as fall cleanup activities and dry weather can exacerbate the public health risks they pose. Browntail moth hairs in the environment can become increasingly airborne during fall yardwork. These tiny hairs shed by the caterpillars may cause a skin reaction like poison ivy. They can also cause trouble breathing and other respiratory problems. Residents of all counties in southern, midcoast, DownEast, and south-central Maine are at some risk of browntail moth hair exposure.
To reduce exposure to browntail moth hairs while working outdoors in infested areas:
- do yardwork, if possible, when leaves are wet to prevent hairs from becoming airborne;
- do not rake, use leaf blowers, or mow the lawn on dry days;
- do not dry laundry outside where hairs can cling to clothing;
- cover your face and any exposed skin by wearing a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, goggles, a respirator/dust mask, a hat, and a disposable coverall;
- secure clothing around the neck, wrists, and ankles;
- if respirators are difficult to find, performing activities in damp conditions with a cloth face covering may reduce the risk of inhaling hairs;
- apply pre-contact poison ivy wipes to help reduce hairs sticking onto exposed skin;
- take a cool shower to wash off loose hairs and change clothes after outdoor activities; and
- use extra caution when bringing in items stored outdoors, such as firewood, or working in areas sheltered from the rain, like under decks.
For More Information
New Signs Warn of Dangers of Out-of-State Firewood
The installation of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s (DACF) high-visibility road signage is underway. The sign's message -- "FIREWOOD ALERT - TRANSPORTING FIREWOOD INTO MAINE IS BANNED" -- is intended to protect against the incursion of new pests like Asian long-horned beetle, oak wilt, or beech leaf disease, as well as the further spread of emerald ash borer (EAB), hemlock woolly adelgid, and other forest pests and diseases. The DACF worked with the Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) on the production and installation of the signs. The project was funded by a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Unfortunately, the decision to move firewood can wind up costing a whole lot more than a bundle of firewood. It can even jeopardize the very reasons people spend time at a place, such as excellent wildlife habitat, rivers and lakes with clean water, or forested vistas. Maine residents should also heed the message to use local or heat-treated firewood. Pests, like browntail moth and emerald ash borer, can be spread to new places within the State in and on untreated firewood.
The first of 15 signs went up in Calais during the month of September, and installation is continuing in conjunction with other Maine DOT projects. Travelers entering Maine will encounter new signage at these locations: Berwick and So. Berwick, Calais, Coburn Gore, Eliot, Fort Fairfield, Fryeburg, Gilead, Houlton, Jackman, Kittery, Lebanon, Madawaska, and Porter.
Help Protect Maine's Forests
- leave firewood at home - use local Maine firewood
- If you have already transported firewood into Maine, burn it. Please do not leave it or bring it home.
- If you cannot burn it all within 24 hours, bring it to the nearest drop-off site.
- Burn local or heat-treated firewood. Check out Firewood Scout.
Secretary of State Launches Accessible Absentee Ballot Option for Voters with Print Disabilities
The Secretary of State has announced the launch of a new online service that will provide an accessible absentee ballot option for qualified voters with disabilities.
The accessible absentee ballot option is now available as one of the options on the online absentee ballot request page for the Tuesday, November 3, 2020 general election. The Department of the Secretary of State developed this new service in coordination with Maine's online service provider, InforME, with input from advocates at Disability Rights Maine. It is intended for voters with print disabilities, which may include vision impairment or blindness, physical dexterity limitations, learning disabilities, or cognitive impairment, all of which prevent the individual from independently marking a paper ballot.
In addition to the accessible absentee ballot, the State provides the accessible voting system ballot-marking device at every polling place on Election Day. This will allow any voter to use a touchscreen or controller pad/audio to independently mark their ballot.
Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Announces Plans for a Virtual 2021 Maine Agricultural Trades Show
The Maine Agricultural Trades Show (ATS) will be held as a virtual event in January 2021. The announcement comes after the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF), which organizes and runs the ATS, assessed the public health and financial risks associated with planning to host an in-person event. Although the event would take place a few months from now, the ability to gather is still likely to be limited to a level that is much lower than the number of people who would regularly attend the ATS.
By holding the event virtually, farmers, service providers, vendors, and the public will still be able to celebrate agriculture in Maine while accessing important and timely resources and information.
For more information about the ATS, click here.
Reminder: Maine Maple Producers Association Announces Plans for Maine Maple Producers Weekend, October 9-11
New recipe contest and virtual components celebrate pure Maine maple
Due to COVID-19, the Maine Maple Producers Association (MMPA) and its members postponed Maine Maple Sunday, traditionally held the fourth Sunday in March. The association announced the event will take place October 9-11, 2020. There will be new virtual elements and in-person experiences at a variety of sugarhouses. The event will be held in conjunction with the new North American Maple Tour in the U.S. and Canada.
During the pandemic, and to provide an additional virtual experience, producers have started selling their products online. Several producers also now offer new pick-up options. With the new purchasing options, producers have set a goal to sell more than 10,000 gallons of maple syrup products during the North American Maple Tour from October 9-18. The new 14-day tour includes the promotion of maple products at events, breweries, distilleries, and restaurants across the Northeast.
The MMPA represents more than 240 members that are licensed maple producers. Producers range from small artisan producers to bulk syrup providers who serve major grocery store chains, foodservice distributors, and retailers.
Maine Maple Producers Association members produce 580,000 gallons annually. Their business operations generate more than $21.6 million for the Maine economy. Members of the association also support more than 560 full-time and part-time jobs that generate more than $17.3 million in wages.
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