Isn’t it wonderful that calendar spring has arrived and soon the snow will melt, ushering in that fifth Maine season – mud season?
If you are planning a building or demolition project this year, please remember to contact the building permit / code enforcement office. A building permit is $25 and demo permits are free if obtained prior to the start of your construction or demolition project.
The changing season evokes a quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin, “Change is the only constant in life. One’s ability to adapt to those changes will determine your success in life.” The legislative session often brings about changes which affect the workings of municipal government.
In the property tax assessment realm, this year the homestead exemption for qualifying Maine residents increased to $25,000 of value and the municipality will receive a 70 percent reimbursement of the revenue lost due to the exemption.
There is also a new renewable energy equipment exemption. The past few legislative sessions have also brought about changes with building codes. Staff attends frequent training to stay informed about new requirements and best practices. When the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code was updated from the 2009 to 2015 editions of IRC, IBC and IEBC, it brought about some important changes that might require additional documentation during the permit process. Service providers also must stay current on new mandates.
Recently, department personnel attended training on new directives from the Maine Fuel Board. Staff wants you to know that if your fuel company communicates that an equipment upgrade or modification is required, your compliance is necessary. Above all else, department employees want you to be safe.
When the snow melts, city staff will once again be working to combat the problem of blight in our neighborhoods. The city council has made it a priority to reduce the number and severity of blighted properties in the community. If you are looking for resources on how you can help with this project, please visit the website, and under the “Living in Caribou” tab, select “Blight Initiative.”
It’s that time again for the decennial census. It is critical that every person is counted to ensure accurate local representation at both the federal and state levels. After the census is complete there will be a redistricting project and the congressional districts will change based on the information collected. The data gathered in this process also factors into decisions about grant monies and financial assistance programs. If you have any questions about the process, reach out to your municipality or go to www.census.gov.
Are you wondering how recent events may impact your ability to connect with city staff for guidance on your upcoming projects? Please know that City Manager Dennis Marker has instructed employees to be available by phone and email even when the Caribou municipal buildings are closed. There is a great deal of information available on the city website, cariboumaine.org. Caribou’s city clerk/general assistance administrator, Jayne R. Farrin, and her team continue to assist taxpayers. She said, “We answer questions, direct them to all the information and links on the City website, and offer to mail forms if they are unable to print items.”
Executive Assistant to the City Manager Denise Lausier has compiled a helpful list of online and remote services. This document is posted right on the home page and is a shortcut to many of the frequently used resources.
Do you have a creative suggestion for how municipal employees can be of assistance while social distancing? Customer service is important to city staff and they would like to hear your ideas of how to adapt with the many changes happening to successfully continue doing the work of the local community.
Penny Thompson is Caribou’s tax assessor and building official. She can be reached at 207-493-5961 or pthompson@cariboumaine.org.
