Grow Smart Maine will hold its biggest annual event at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on Thursday, Oct. 11. The conference will feature many of the ways that the City of Bangor is rejuvenating itself, including along its waterfront and downtown. A question and answer session with the 2018 Gubernatorial candidates is also planned.

The Maine Office of Tourism is developing a five-year strategic plan to help grow this important industry, and municipal input is sought. The deadline to complete the survey is coming right up: This Friday, Sept. 7.

The state Department of Health & Human Services has released its anticipated “General Assistance Maximums,” which are produced to help municipalities administer general assistance programs. All municipalities must annually adopt the most recent maximum assistance numbers issued by DHHS before Oct. 1. This is accomplished by amending the municipal GA ordinance to replace existing appendices with the updated versions. State law also requires that municipalities notify DHHS once the local ordinances are updated.

A Westbrook-based organization called the Maine Climate Table is inviting municipal officials to attend a meeting on municipal energy efficiency at Coastal Enterprises Inc. in Brunswick, on Sept. 25.

It seems there may be some confusion about the effective date of LD 1539, the recent sweeping overhaul of Maine’s Medical Use of Marijuana Act.  Contrary to popular belief, this legislation will NOT take effect this October.  It is not likely to become effective until much later this year, if not early 2019.  MMA Legal Services explains.

MMA’s Legal Services staff has updated our sample Medical Marijuana Retail Store Moratorium Ordinance.

In addition to registered caregiver retail stores, this updated version temporarily prohibits the licensing, location, and operation of new medical marijuana registered dispensaries, testing facilities, and manufacturing facilities. Given the volume of questions we have received recently about proposals for these other types of medical marijuana establishments within municipalities, we thought that an expanded moratorium ordinance was warranted. Of course, municipalities may tailor this sample to address the type or types of establishments of particular interest to them.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking comments about its planned $600 million rural broadband program, which was recently created by Congress. The result will be a one-time application process and grant program for communities with 20,000 residents or less. The comment period will end on Sept. 10.

The Maine Development Foundation has released a report and executive summary about areas of investment that would help boost Maine’s economy. The report was done in conjunction with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Educate Maine.

The State & Federal Relations staff at Maine Municipal Association today is releasing an extensive set of tools to help municipal leaders – our most effective advocates – engage candidates for the Legislature and Governor’s Office during the crucial 2018 election season. Please check out this comprehensive package, use it, and feel free to contact MMA with any questions.

Many municipalities have been struggling with how to regulate medical marijuana retail stores. See a summary of the issue and recommendations from MMA Legal Services, including a Sample Moratorium Ordinance, on our Marijuana Resources page.