PCHC Service Cuts and Pay Freeze
Penobscot Community Health Care is enacting emergency pay freezes and preparing to close key community programs to stave off bankruptcy.
The healthcare network—which serves around 50,000 Mainers—needs a three-million-dollar cash infusion and has already eliminated staff raises and retirement contributions.
WABI news reports Bangor’s Warren Center speech and audiology clinic and the Unlimited Solutions mental health clubhouse both face potential closure by late November if transfer agreements fall through.
Governor Janet Mills’ office confirmed state officials are exploring limited, short-term emergency funding to keep operations running until the Legislature reconvenes.
Ellsworth City Council Public Comment Rules
The Ellsworth City Council voted 5 to 2 to adopt stricter rules of order governing public comment during its regular monthly meetings.
Under the new policy, general citizen comment can be capped at 30 minutes, with individual speakers strictly limited to three minutes, and comments regarding ongoing litigation or personnel matters will be ruled out of order.
The Ellsworth American reports the council also heard a proposal to establish a voter-elected “strong mayor” system to serve as chief executive rather than relying solely on a city manager. That idea was met with heavy pushback from council leaders and ultimately received no formal motion or action.
Roque Bluffs Boat Ramp Temporary Barrier
Town officials in Roque Bluffs have placed a temporary blockade across the Pond Cove boat ramp after a vehicle plunged into the water over the weekend, killing a grandmother and her two young grandchildren.
The barrier aims to keep motorists away while road crews prepare the site for a permanent safety gate, which could be installed as early as Friday.
The ramp was also the site of a fatal 2013 crash that claimed three lives according to WABI news.
That crash prompted previous road-end signage that officials now plan to expand alongside state transportation crews.
New Single-Family Housing Development in Ellsworth
A local developer is constructing 12 new single-family rental homes across two private ways off Bucksport Road in Ellsworth.
Builder Jonathan Bates is adding eight five-bedroom houses on Brook Trout Way and four three-bedroom homes on Salmon Way, targeting young working families with long-term leases and potential rent-to-own pathways.
The project utilized recent state density reforms that permit four homes per lot according to the Ellsworth American.
That allows construction to begin without planning board review. Initial homes are expected to wrap up by spring, with the remaining units move-in ready by mid-summer.
Art of Ellsworth & Maine Craft Weekend
Ellsworth will serve as a featured stop for the ninth annual Maine Craft Weekend from October 1st through the 4th, highlighting public sculpture and local artisans downtown.
Festivities kick off September 30 with a ribbon-cutting for the Union River Sculpture Trail’s first permanent installation on the Ellsworth Public Library lawn.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can tour the new Makerspace at 16 State Street, watch glass-blowing demonstrations at Atlantic Art Glass, and participate in community art workshops.
The full schedule of exhibitions and open studio tours is available online through Heart of Ellsworth.
Autumn Gold Bike Show at Ellsworth Elks Lodge
Motorcycle enthusiasts can check out classic and custom rides this Saturday, September 26, at the Autumn Gold Bike Show hosted by the Ellsworth Elks Lodge.
Spectator admission is free for the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the lodge on High Street as part of Ellsworth’s annual Autumn Gold Festival.
Visitors can view entries, enjoy concessions, and enter raffles, with all voting donations and proceeds directly benefiting the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.
