Town News

Town News – August 2023
 
The Town Office moved to the North Wayne Fire Station at 14 Kents Hill Road. The same office hours: Tues. thru Thurs., 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The same phone (207) 685-4983 and the same fax number (207) 685-3836. The same cool staff: Cathy, Bryce, Chip, Bruce, and Matt. The only change is just new digs, come on down, check it out, and sit a spell. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me, at (207) 685-4983 or townmanager@waynemaine.org.
 
This month the Selectboard will be meeting on Tuesday, August 1, and TuesdayAugust 15 at 6:30 PM at Ladd Recreation Center and remotely.
 
The Selectboard now has one new email account that auto forwards to all their individual Selectboard email accounts. To contact the Wayne Selectboard by email: selectboard@waynemaine.org
 
This month the Planning Board will be meeting on Thursday, August 3 at 6:30 PM at Ladd Recreation Center and remotely.
 
The Planning Board now has one new email account that auto forwards to all their individual email accounts. To contact the Wayne Planning Board by email: planningboard@waynemaine.org.
 
This month the Conservation Commission will be meeting on Wednesday, August 9 at 5:30 PM at Cary Memorial Library.
 
The Town’s Assessor Agent Matt Caldwell from RJD Appraisal will be available by appointment on Wednesday, August 30, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM to answer any questions you might have about your assessment or tax bill. To schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact the Town Office at (207) 685-4983.
 
Readfield Transfer Station’s last Sunday for the summer will be September 3, 2023, from 8 AM to 12 Noon. 
 
In observance of Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2022, the Town Offices will be closed.
 
Your 2023 property taxes will be committed on August 1st, and tax bills will be mailed at the end of August. Property taxes are due on Saturday, September 30th, 2023.
 
Please be courteous to your neighbors and drive responsibly. The Town has contracted with Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office for rural patrol this summer. Police will take notice.

Several years ago, the Town adopted a Consumer Fireworks ban. Please respect this ban for everyone’s safety and peaceful enjoyment of town.
 
The Town has an Animal Control Ordinance that states no domesticated animal, licensed or unlicensed, shall be permitted on Town property (highways, sidewalks, Ladd Recreation Center, parks, footbridge, Wayne Town House, North Wayne School House, Town Boat Launch, Fire Stations, or old Town Office) without a leash. The Town provides dog waste bags in the parks around the millpond, please be courteous to others who use these public facilities, and please pick up after your dogs.
 
Update on the Property Tax Stabilization Program for Seniors.
The State of Maine legislature decided to sunset the Property Tax Stabilization Program for Seniors after one year. As a result, the Town cannot accept applications for the 2024 tax year. However, if you were accepted into the program, your 2023 tax bill will be frozen at the 2022 tax amount, the same as your 2022 tax bill. 

If seniors are looking for tax relief going forward, the legislature has expanded the existing Property Tax Fairness Credit and State Property Tax Deferral Program. Both programs will be handled through the Maine Revenue Service. For more, go to https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/property-tax-relief-programs.

 
Browntail Moth Update.
How can I prevent attracting browntail moth adults?
*Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights at night from July until the first week of August to dissuade moths from flying near your property.
*Consider switching to yellow-spectrum lights instead of the traditional cool white-colored lights as yellow bulbs are less attractive to adults.


If you already have browntail moth adults near you, you can put a HEPA filter into a wet/dry vacuum and fill the base of the vacuum with a few inches of soapy water. Vacuum the moths off the side of your house, porch, garage, or other surfaces. Leave them in soapy water for a few days before disposing of the vacuum contents.
For more information about Browntail Moth, go to: https://www.waynemaine.org/browntailmoth


Surface Use Restriction on Androscoggin Lake
With water recreation activities in full swing, please remember to stay well away from the restricted area in the Inner Cove of Androscoggin Lake, not far from the public boat launch. The Surface Use Restriction is in place because invasive milfoil has been found there, and efforts are underway to contain and eradicate it. The area is well-marked, and there is a channel for passage if you need to access the dock for Cobbie’s Corner Store. This means not casting fishing lines into the area as well. Fishing lures can catch on delicate stems, and risk spreading plant fragments that can quickly take root in other areas. Please inform your guests and renters as well, if applicable. FMI: https://30mileriver.org/androscoggin-milfoil/