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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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Congratulations Gray-New Gloucester Award Recipients
Winter Tips
- Stay Informed: The Governor’s Energy Office tracks heating fuel prices to help consumers make informed energy decisions.
- Tune Up: Schedule your annual heating system maintenance as soon as possible to ensure it is operating most efficiently.
- Energy Efficiency: Weatherizing your home and installing a high efficiency heat pump can help you save money this winter and use less fuel. Learn more about incentives and get energy saving tips from EfficiencyMaine and MaineHousing.
- Lock Your Price: Ask your heating fuel provider about locking in a price for the heating season as security against unexpected price increases. Read price contracts closely and ask questions to understand all details before signing.
- Automatic Delivery: Ask your heating fuel provider about automatic delivery. Your provider will monitor your fuel usage so you will not accidently run out of fuel. Automatic delivery also offers added security in the unlikely event of supply disruptions or very cold/inclement weather.
- Propane: If you heat with propane, read this Propane Consumer Guide (PDF), which includes information on obtaining a good price, changing suppliers, and potential start-up fees.
- Wood Heating: If you use wood to heat your home, read this firewood guide prepared by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.
Winter Energy Resources
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
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.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program – Utilities
Maine’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides rental and utility relief payments to help eligible renters. Maine’s Community Action Agencies will review applications, check eligibility, and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households.
Weatherization Assistance Program
MaineHousing’s Weatherization Program provides grants to low-income homeowners and renters to reduce energy costs by improving home energy efficiency.
Weatherization improvements may include insulation, weather-stripping, caulking, and some safety-related repairs. Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP) grants may be used to repair or replace central heating systems.
Low Income Assistance Program
The Low Income Assistance Plan (LIAP) helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for electricity costs by providing a credit on their electric bills.
Electricity Bill Assistance
Central Maine Power Co. and Versant Power each operate an Arrearage Management Program (AMP) that assists eligible low-income residential customers who are in arrears on their electricity bills. Customers who are eligible for LIHEAP and have an arrearage of $500 or more that is at least 90 days old are eligible to participate in the program. Participating customers will have 1/12 of their arrearage amount, up to a maximum of $300, forgiven every month that they pay their current bill on time. To enroll in an AMP, customers should contact either their local Community Action Agency or their utility.
2022 Maine Agricultural Trades Show Goes Virtual
After carefully assessing potential risks to public health amid a sustained surge of COVID-19, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) recently announced that the annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show (ATS) will be held online instead of in-person the week of January 10, 2022.
The DACF will share details of the new online event, including the anticipated schedule and information on how content will be made available to the public. The Department looks forward to promoting participants and fostering a robust online community celebrating Maine agriculture over the course of the virtual event, January 10-14, 2022.
Bookmark and visit the Maine Agricultural Trades Show Web page for news and updates.
Attention Providers of MaineCare Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
Registration for Supplemental Worker Bonus Payments Extended through December 17, 2021
Supplemental payments are available for recruitment and retention payments to direct support workers and their supervisors who provide HCBS under any of these MaineCare Sections: 2, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 29, 40, 65, 92, 93, 96, 97B, 97D, 97E, or 97F. Provider agencies must register to participate at this portal. The Department of Health and Human Services is extending the registration period for an additional week, through December 17. More information is available in these Frequently Asked Questions.
December Fishing Report
Temperatures are dropping and some of Maine's smaller ponds in northern Maine are already frozen! Before you know it, anglers across the State will enjoy one of Maine's most cherished winter activities -- ice fishing.
Maine's fisheries biologists put together a list of waters across the State they recommend trying in December, depending on ice conditions. You will also find a few spots to try starting January 1 when additional waters open to ice fishing. Click here to view the Fishing Report.
Remember, the early part of the ice fishing season is the best time to target Maine's stocked waters for brook trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, brown trout, splake, and rainbow trout. Click here to view the stocking report. If you are new to ice fishing, check out the beginner's guide to learn about essential gear, where to go, and what to do.
Landowners and Sportsmen Relations Advisory Board Virtual Public Meeting -- December 16 at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting will include an update from Maine's Landowner Relations Program followed by a public comment period.
Register to join the meeting by clicking here.
Once you register for the meeting, you will receive information to join on Zoom on December 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Learn more about Maine's Landowner Relations Program and visit mefishwildlife.com/outdoorpartners.
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