Friday, November 1, 2024
Here’s a reminder to municipal officials to periodically review and update local subdivision ordinances and regulations. It is important for these documents to be consistent with the state’s Municipal Subdivision Law (30-A M.R.S. §§ 4401 – 4408), because the law overrides local enactments in several areas.
For example, the state Legislature occasionally amends the statutory definition of “subdivision” and related exemptions. One notable change was...
Friday, November 1, 2024
(Updated from the June 2013 Legal Notes)
Question: Can municipal officers (select board member or councilor), municipal employees or other local officials serve on a municipal budget committee? If so, can they vote on recommendations concerning their own program?
Answer: Membership on municipal budget committees is not governed by state law. Whether a municipality has a budget committee, and if so, its composition and its duties depend entirely on the charter provision,...
Friday, November 1, 2024
The deadline for grantees to “obligate” unspent American Rescue Plan Act State & Local Fiscal Recovery (ARPA) funds is fast approaching.
ARPA grant funds must be “obligated” by December 31, 2024 and most must be expended by December 31, 2026 (except for projects under the Surface Transportation Projects and Title I eligible use categories, for which funds must be expended by September 30, 2026).
Generally, obligating funds requires more than a budget...