Upper Machias Bay, Policy Reviews Highlight Selectboard Meeting

By Paul Sylvain

The monthly Machiasport selectboard meeting on Aug. 28 was dominated by a presentation on the Upper Machias Bay Master Plan from Sunrise County Economic Council’s Tora Johnson, a discussion about the shellfish conservation committee’s pending work on revising the town’s shellfish ordinance, and the often entertaining monthly harbormaster’s report by David Cale.

It has been a busy Raider summer! 

Shortly after the school year ended in June, rising seniors Lucas Cushing and Jade Gardner participated in an interactive experience at the Cohen Institute's High School Summer Leadership Program on the University of Maine's Orono campus. Throughout their years at Washington Academy, Lucas and Jade have been engaged student leaders as members of the Raider Student Council and National Honor Society. 

By Will Tuell

Wedged in between Machias’s Wild Blueberry Festival and the Blue Hill Fair on Labor Day weekend, the Washington County Fair, held at the Pembroke fairgrounds, may be the best-kept secret of the summer. Yet, for hundreds if not thousands of locals, the gathering offers a chance to showcase their wares, livestock, or talents or just meet with friends and family over a doughboy. 

By Paul Sylvain

“We’re just staying afloat, and I mean just barely.”

Those words, spoken by Washington County Commissioner Billy Howard at an Aug. 21 public hearing, sum up the current state of the county’s government finances. And the situation could get worse — a lot worse — if a $11 million bond referendum being sought by the county fails in the Nov. 4 election. Among other things, the county will be unable to repay its $7.6 million tax anticipation note that comes due in full on Dec. 31.

By Paul Sylvain

Washington County Commissioners on Aug. 20 voted down a fleet vehicle leasing proposal, in favor of keeping with the past practice of purchasing three new vehicles yearly, at least until the 2027 budget year.

The unexpected vote came at an emergency meeting of the commissioners, held as a precursor to determine how to present 2026 budget options to the public at the commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting the next day.

By Nancy Beal

“It’s utterly ridiculous!” was Paul Farnsworth’s opening salvo at the Aug. 13 meeting of Jonesport selectmen. His remark was aimed at any rebuilding effort the town might undertake on behalf of the old Cummins & Norton store in front of the firehouse and adjacent to his auto repair business in the part of town that used to be considered West Jonesport.

By Nancy Beal

Beals’ treasurer, town clerk, and tax collector, Terry Beal, recently suffered a fall and broke her right wrist — her dominant hand — and has notified the town’s selectboard that the office will only be open on Wednesdays for the near future. 

Beal also urged the board to advertise for the positions, from which she said last spring she would retire after this term.

By Will Tuell

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, will be a solemn day for the family of slain Korean War soldier Oscar Sprague, who lost his life serving our country during the Korean War. Sprague, 22, was reported missing in action on Sept. 3, 1950, in the vicinity of Yongsan, South Korea, and, until recently, remained unaccounted for. Now, 75 years later, Sprague’s hometown of Milbridge will welcome home their fallen hero with full military honors, funeral organizers said last week. 

By Jayna Smith

For the first time in years, July saw more Americans entering Canada by car than Canadians returning the favor. Statistics Canada reports that 1.8 million Americans crossed into Canada by vehicle during the peak summer travel month, surpassing the 1.7 million Canadian car trips south of the border.

This summer, Better Milbridge is honoring the memory of longtime fisherman Alton Wallace with a school supplies drive to benefit area students and teachers.

Wallace, who died in a tragic accident at sea this spring, was known throughout the community for his generosity. Each summer, he used his own money to purchase and donate school supplies to Milbridge Elementary School and other nearby schools, helping students and teachers cover basic needs at a time when budgets are tight.