Central Maine News: Coalition of Maine Mayors Calling on Lawmakers to Approve Funding Increase+ Keep Municipal Revenue Sharing

These are some of the stories central Maine is talking about today.

The chairman of the Maine Public Utilities Commission says he followed the language of the law when approving a rule that could limit funding for efficiency programs. Environmentalists blasted the decision to put a roughly $25 million cap on one source of funding for Efficiency Maine Trust, which supports programs aimed at cutting electricity usage and costs. Democratic lawmakers said they intended for the cap to be $60 million but there was a language error in the bill.Environmentalists said that decision could ultimately mean higher costs for ratepayers. (AP)
A coalition of mayors from a dozen Maine communities is calling on lawmakers to approve to increase funding for infrastructure projects and prevent Gov. Paul LePage from wiping out municipal revenue sharing. The Mayors' Coalition is supporting several measures before lawmakers, including bonds to fund improvements for roads and bridges, and a bill to have the state, rather than local school districts, directly fund charter schools. They're also urging lawmakers to maintain and increase state aid to cities and towns, which LePage wants to eliminate in his budget proposal. Bangor’s Mayor said that LePage's plan will drive up property tax rates and discourage new investments. LePage's administration says it wants to provide more targeted relief, arguing that revenue sharing hasn't actually lowered property taxes, as promised. (AP)

A tractor-trailer hauling 30,000 pounds of live Canadian lobster overturned on southbound 95 in Benton yesterday. The driver swerved to avoid striking a car that had spun out in front of him on the highway. No one was hurt and no charges are expected. The lobsters survived and continued on to New Hampshire and Rhode Island. (AP)

Federal and state officials continue to assess river flooding potential this spring in Maine. The River Flow Advisory Commission is holding its second meeting today. The panel will discuss snowpack, stream flow and river ice — all of which have a bearing on the risk of flooding. The panel is composed of state, federal and industry representatives. It is led by the director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency and the district chief of the U.S. Geological Survey Water Science Center in Maine. (AP)

The Oakland Town Council has abandoned plans to buy and renovate an old church because it would be too expensive to renovate. The town had planned to buy the former St. Theresa church building and rectory and convert them into municipal offices and meeting space. But asbestos and lead removal, roof replacement and other expenses were cause for concern. The estimated costs of repairs exceeded $1 million. The diocese has agreed to return the $5,000 deposit the town put down. (AP)