[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6553038,"mediaKeyId","5077808-cbfcec181a13d3b663f4d444f864d9bf","parentId",5077808,"title","Northern Workforce Development Board outlines youth programs, warns of Job Corps uncertainty","audioSeconds",1282,"startMs",3984000,"endMs",5266000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5077808-cbfcec181a13d3b663f4d444f864d9bf&start=3984&end=5266","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5077808-cbfcec181a13d3b663f4d444f864d9bf/thumbnail_3984000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6553038/Penobscot-County/Maine/Northern-Workforce-Development-Board-outlines-youth-programs-warns-of-Job-Corps-uncertainty","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553038-fbf245aa2bb58533d0fd6da81fa60574/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165001&Signature=i9Q8dvRH~mFO7sOTyQh5y7BmOgEJfH6Gil4szHvNmeRMgCxjz8eDGxa0TNZiR8sLVbtWh9RN6rKQfBUzQrZbbOBnGWn-2GiI3r4C0-EEj0IosDlS~VxxCYBIP-VIQzicw0TK3gNFzCgLXzYQEBQ85xz~XVFiaoE9c8cztWRzce9U0vukxTPpNs-mc7kYM6VvUiMIKCa50LMRiuXJw-9XWqW-Xf~vG-JqKYUVAWyTeIcDU97kZZpABUW-~zHxsHL3N8XlAZ6wRB3Fraswtif3-FDKq3087cbHN1L7UCPTc30OTjP-GrYtR5dmbBZuEbHji8ysurhpykEgd75UHboCAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Penobscot County","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives of the Northern Workforce Development Board (NWDB) briefed the commissioners on fiscal matters, youth programming and contingency planning for a possible pause or closure affecting Job Corps centers.

NWDB leadership said the local area completed and submitted its four‑year workforce plan on schedule and that the board is reallocating funds after lower than expected dislocated‑worker spending; the board anticipates an approximate 10% reduction in its upcoming allocation (staff described this as roughly $168,000 across program and administrative funds) and adopted an interim budget while awaiting state allocations.

The board described several operational steps: it changed its on‑the‑job training (OJT) reimbursement policy to allow reimbursement up to half of the local average median wage (roughly $14 per hour under current numbers) to encourage employer participation; it is contracting for interim administrative support while seeking to sustain an executive‑assistant role; and it budgeted for audit and legal review costs.

Board members and EMDC staff discussed the ongoing uncertainty at the federal Job Corps program: a paused admissions process and contract term limits have placed two Job Corps centers at risk, with the board estimating more than 430 students and roughly 450 staff could be affected across the two facilities. NWDB and partners have been supporting contingency planning, outreach and transition assistance for students who would need placement or assistance if a center paused operations.

Brianna Lavin of EMDC, youth advisor, described frontline youth services and local placements: weekly in‑person support at Job Corps sites, enrollment and triage for at‑risk students, partnerships with Brewer High School (special‑education work experiences), and employer host sites such as the Bangor Housing Authority maintenance department that accepted a young person for 125 hours and later extended work experience because of positive performance. Lavin also described a Young Adult Workforce program (roughly 15–20 hours of pre‑workforce training) that pays a small stipend to participants and helps with resumes, interviewing and work‑readiness skills.

Why it matters: A federal pause or contract termination for Job Corps would displace students and staff and require local partners to scale up transition and sheltering services. The NWDB’s program and policy adjustments aim to expand employer incentives for hiring and improve youth outcomes locally.

Follow-up: The NWDB asked the county to consider contributions to audit costs and to remain a partner in contingency planning for any Job Corps transitions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners Meeting of June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Northern Workforce Development Board reported on its fiscal year status, youth programming and contingency planning for possible Job Corps contract pauses. EMDC youth advisor described local placements, OJT changes and successes placing at‑risk youth in work experiences.","taxTitle","Penobscot County, Maine","taxId",2578,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553043,"Penobscot County tables vote on cannabis ordinance for unorganized territories; sheriff raises enforcement concerns",983,1810000,2793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5077808-cbfcec181a13d3b663f4d444f864d9bf&start=1810&end=2793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5077808-cbfcec181a13d3b663f4d444f864d9bf/thumbnail_1810000.jpg","/articles/6553043/Penobscot-County/Maine/Penobscot-County-tables-vote-on-cannabis-ordinance-for-unorganized-territories-sheriff-raises-enforcement-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553043-8efd121d0610b82a71b3ac33da23dbf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165001&Signature=AAifjuwN3MaAQzIlbKNvE6o6PC1ksODCOme~~65COdzzhqgwxzEHnrx-gkfqZYnIyAl-nboRE0OTZkYBRrDa8Hn~nkd6jrbMX1Sn7gmF5S8wdw00C897Z4m7XbSBAWAKZDrwBRdOORWxUk1ve4qLwaxsvoVK5y85IneWJ0VEdK63NhM8R9n2Vg~VNVFempYfLMSQVYSVJTTjr9gwCrk2PV0nFVgLh9CUuJNdrHirRx1FNgCMJ3XvjfAlj8HPVh1K7F2oayJGUcCUAsKFxO4-PssJ6PlPh1zU81TK7TM6JqTfgN8enbYcdBQYfJwU0WTrcQIfFW3HF3g2GI7kQ~9AIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Penobscot County opened a public hearing on June 17 on a proposed ordinance that would opt unorganized territories into permitting adult‑use cannabis activities including retail sales, cultivation, manufacturing and testing.

No proponents or opponents appeared in person or online to the public record, but the county sheriff addressed the commission with law‑enforcement observations. The sheriff told commissioners the greatest enforcement problem has been illegal, large‑scale grows — often operated by out‑of‑country actors — in rural areas. The sheriff said licensed adult‑use and medical operators have generally complied with licensing and inspections, but illegal operations create safety, investigative, and resource burdens for local agencies, and that some bills before the Legislature (including a proposed residency requirement for license applicants) could affect how local ordinances interact with state permitting.

Commissioners discussed the scope of an ordinance: the draft before them would allow retail, cultivation, manufacturing and testing but exclude social clubs; the Office of Cannabis Policy would be the state licensing authority. Commissioners asked whether the county should impose residency requirements or other local restrictions; staff noted the county currently does not require residency to operate in UTs.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to table action on the ordinance until the first meeting in July to allow time to monitor pending state legislative action and obtain any clarifying state guidance. The motion to table carried.

Why it matters: Opting in to allow adult‑use cannabis in UTs would permit new business activity in unorganized territories and subject applicants to both county ordinance and state licensing. Commissioners signaled concern about illegal grows, public‑safety risks and potential changes in state licensing rules that could be applied retroactively.

What happens next: The commission will revisit the ordinance at the first July meeting after tracking the relevant bills in the Legislature and considering whether to include residency or other local restrictions in the ordinance or leave licensing solely to the state process.","The county opened a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to allow adult‑use cannabis retail, cultivation, manufacturing and testing in unorganized territories, heard the sheriff’s enforcement concerns about illegal grows, and voted to table a decision until the first meeting in July to monitor pending state legislation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553048,"Unorganized territories update: Penobscot County hears state official on school transport, property valuations and bridge funding",522,895000,1417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5077808-cbfcec181a13d3b663f4d444f864d9bf&start=895&end=1417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5077808-cbfcec181a13d3b663f4d444f864d9bf/thumbnail_895000.jpg","/articles/6553048/Penobscot-County/Maine/Unorganized-territories-update-Penobscot-County-hears-state-official-on-school-transport-property-valuations-and-bridge-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553048-57abb29c1ea407fada2e93311895f453/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165001&Signature=huX9K4cx1N15114-zNeYwkJHQXApf7sj1nvK8cEye484jnWQibvddtmRi~T1tbiKRliaHElOUxtu8HKGnlVw06fVDAlkCJOW2WoE0zXcNghvCp30jSX3Xuu4Qu6S~1AK4lqP225rtfZN9XBkRcm-QnWK3RG29uF-2lsdQk2gS2ld6wa6CSRFLvCT6B592v4A-CJZeMy3vepq0uxnoevGHNi2i4rJ7U7t1q8WfuDaYVnTc4d6kd8XyEHYO7O0d1g-SVqm5OP12QBmYnYUeE7f~r3VkSPqlGPikrfa-djCmaVxk2hfkJy0s9dnelBhjW0RshZh7esc7YemmdvMgB43ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harold “Chip” Jones, financial administrator for Maine’s unorganized territories (UTs), told the Penobscot County Commissioners on June 17 that he is pushing to elevate UT needs within state processes and to secure funding to cover education and infrastructure costs.

Jones said the state Department of Education recently changed a rule to allow parents or other private individuals to be paid mileage to transport students in remote UT areas when contract providers are not available. He described the change as a potential cost savings compared with lengthy contracted routes, noting that transporting a single student by contract can cost “$75,000 to $80,000” per school year in extreme cases.

Jones described several statutory and administrative topics affecting UTs: the removal of a fixed minimum petitioner threshold in the law that previously required “no less than 10 registered voters” to petition to deorganize; the long‑standing gap in general purpose education aid for UT students (the statewide target is commonly described as a 55% funding share, but UTs historically have not benefited equivalently); and bridge and road maintenance responsibilities, which in UTs have been transferred to the county and the state’s capital‑improvement support can cover “50% of capital improvements or 1% of the municipality’s collective property value, whichever is less,” subject to available funding.

Jones said UTs are being underfunded relative to the property valuations recently completed by the Maine Revenue Service (MRS). He noted that some lakefront properties saw very large valuation increases this review cycle — comments at the meeting put some waterfront valuation increases in the “230–250%” range — and that the subsequent tax impacts caused an unusual amount of public concern in several UTs. Jones described the MRS review schedule as five‑year for more populated UTs and ten‑year otherwise, and said this year’s revaluation was done because the districts were “so far off.”

On local infrastructure, Jones said Penobscot County currently has two bridges for which it is responsible in the UTs (a million-dollar bridge in Grand Falls and the bridge on Scribe Lake Road were mentioned). He encouraged county officials to inventory bridges early to allow MaineDOT to consider them in biannual budgeting cycles.

Jones closed by offering the UT office as a resource to county officials and residents and by noting that capital and education funding adjustments could free resources for local infrastructure projects if the UTs can capture a greater share of state education funding.

Why it matters: The financial and statutory clarifications affect county budgeting for education and capital improvements in the unorganized territories, where the county is the municipal authority for many services and where revenue and valuation changes can create fiscal strain for small communities.

What the commissioners asked for: Several commissioners asked for follow-up information about the MRS valuation process and potential appeals; Jones said MRS had scheduled local appointments and that property owners could seek abatements and, if necessary, pursue appeals through the court system. Commissioners also asked Jones to participate in county meetings and educational sessions this fall.","Harold ‘Chip’ Jones, the state financial administrator for unorganized territories, briefed the commissioners on recent statutory changes, property‑valuation reviews, school-transport rules and bridge funding that affect UT budgets and services.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553053,"Votes at a glance: Penobscot County Commissioners, June 17, 2025",79,2967000,3046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5077808-cbfcec181a13d3b663f4d444f864d9bf&start=2967&end=3046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5077808-cbfcec181a13d3b663f4d444f864d9bf/thumbnail_2967000.jpg","/articles/6553053/Penobscot-County/Maine/Votes-at-a-glance-Penobscot-County-Commissioners-June-17-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553053-727462c6d93a32d7cdfa213f0e2f017c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165001&Signature=ZVXbI3K5ChNXwO2lqm~owxc4YIIRmDn7tya-i9WVn5gqB9Xr~UCa6EQXV~hy~hMdByoJ87WXwGZaQbF2c9dPfBiwRQ2-hfj7cbVKjQaq7dLm11O~PAtoVgn3Zdpy3WAAr1nxxVkl~CeWBHqgF2TvHfXbNE4xre54ARVi3dc2VGyTvDJeQxWw915~V9Rjuvr7NDWVESyKZ1RtG3wzi4PtFnyDefJ9MnizyX9aF4BQjTGxJ2oIphP8bbY4n1C6B~MoG7mIZA-yn79bgLERPs8poH2nEoAqxl1Cesr-nKNBt7Y4ScGgFu1aeBXuWltCIeUmE2qoq~VGsG3uSn4PCBntcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Penobscot County Commissioners approved a set of routine and substantive items at their June 17, 2025 meeting, including contract renewals, TIF-funded purchases for unorganized territories, and procurement of a new county website vendor. The board also acted on two personnel grievances in executive session.

Key votes (motions and outcomes):
- Reapprove Lee Edwards ambulance contract (one-year renewal, 10% increase for Kingman and Furnace townships); authorized the county administrator to sign the contract. Outcome: approved (motion passed; authorization recorded).

- Award Furnace Township paving project to Streets Landscape & Lawn Care / Street and Company of Old Town (winning bidder as recommended by staff). Outcome: approved (motion passed).

- Approve permit for the Rocky Mountain Trail Riders ATV poker run on two dates, and waive the $50 amusement/permitting fee for those dates (fundraiser). Outcome: approved; fee waived (motion passed).

- Table action on the proposed cannabis ordinance for the unorganized territories to the first meeting in July 2025 (to allow the board to track pending state legislation affecting residency and licensing). Outcome: motion to table approved.

- Approve TIF committee recommendation to fund 80% of the Penobscot Regional Communications Center (PRCC) tower site purchase in Patton — 80% of $195,000 = $156,000 from UT TIF funds. Outcome: approved (motion passed).

- Approve TIF committee recommendation to fund 60% of the purchase price for a one-ton pickup truck for Patton Ambulance Service to haul rescue trailer and equipment — 60% of $46,854 = $28,112; conditioned on a minimum three‑year service contract and CPI‑only increases. Outcome: approved (motion passed).

- Award county website request for proposals to Revise (website design $13,600; $3,900 annual hosting/support; 4‑year interest‑free payment plan offered). Outcome: approved (motion passed).

- Executive-session personnel grievances: grievances numbered 194 and 190 were each moved and denied in executive session. Outcome: both denied (motions passed).

- Authorize the county administrator to sign a revised contract with the named contractor (Hailey Ward / the contractor referenced in executive session) under previously discussed terms. Outcome: approved (motion passed).

- Approve warrants as published. Outcome: approved (motion passed).

Why it matters: These votes affect service delivery in unorganized territories (ambulance coverage, emergency communications), county technology and procurement, and personnel matters resolved in executive session. Several approvals tie county funds or TIF monies to multiyear service commitments or conditions.

Details and procedural notes: Votes were recorded broadly as unanimous among commissioners present unless a specific opposed vote was noted on the record. In many cases the motions were introduced, seconded and the record shows the board voting “aye.” Where the transcript did not list named movers or a full roll-call vote, the items are recorded here with the outcome stated as entered in the public minutes.","The Penobscot County Commissioners voted on contracts, TIF funding, procurement and personnel matters on June 17. Major actions included approval of an ambulance contract increase, awards of TIF funds for a communications tower and an ambulance pickup, selection of a website vendor, and two grievance denials following executive session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northern Workforce Development Board outlines youth programs, warns of Job Corps uncertainty

Penobscot County tables vote on cannabis ordinance for unorganized territories; sheriff raises enforcement concerns

Unorganized territories update: Penobscot County hears state official on school transport, property valuations and bridge funding

Votes at a glance: Penobscot County Commissioners, June 17, 2025