Photo taken by local artist Ross Knowlton. Ross Knowlton is a Millinocket-based wildlife and landscape photographer whose work can be viewed and purchased online at RossKnowlton.com

The Magic City Monthly

December 2024

A Piece of Our Past

A crowd of Millinocket children is seen gathered at the Millinocket Theater on Penobscot Avenue for a movie afternoon or a special holiday presentation. Special matinees for the Christmas season were common. The theater, owned and managed by the LePage family, opened in 1938 and ran until 1962.

Photo courtesy of Millinocket Historical Society Curator, Trudy Wyman

From Our Festive Office to Your Cozy Home, Warmest Wishes for the Holiday Season!

Engage, Participate, & Subscribe!

Stay in the know by attending the various Council and Committee meetings. We appreciate any and all input and feedback. Please remember this is YOUR community and YOUR voice matters. CLICK HERE to view the Community Calendar and stay up to date with all scheduled meetings. If you cannot attend a meeting you can stay in the know by watching the recordings on our YouTube Channel. Feel free to subscribe to the channel to stay up to date.

The Millinocket Town Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 5:30. Meetings are held in-person in Charles Sanders Council Chambers and remote access available via Zoom. CLICK HERE for more information regarding town council meetings! Please considering joining these meetings are participating in the discussion. All are welcome!

On Sunday, December 1st, a remarkable collaboration between Our Katahdin, the Town of Millinocket, and the Christmas Tree Santas brought joy to local families in need. This heartwarming event, hosted at Our Katahdin's facility, saw 50 real Christmas trees, complete with bases and trimmings, distributed to grateful families.

The success of this initiative was a direct result of the tireless efforts of Michele McInnis, Our Katahdin's Community Development Coordinator, and Amber Wheaton, the Town's Community Initiatives Director. Their dedication to bringing the community together and providing a festive boost to local families was evident throughout the event.

Families in attendance were treated to a special visit from Santa Claus himself, as well as a guest appearance by the Grinch. The event was a wonderful display of community spirit, with numerous volunteers lending a hand to make the day truly special.

"Our community is what it is because of the people in it, the relationships built and the collaborations made. With that said, there is no greater feeling than giving! To see the smiles on the faces of adults and children alike is what it is all about!" said McInnis

The Town of Millinocket and Our Katahdin would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to all involved in making this event a success. Your selflessness and generosity have brought joy to countless families, and we are forever grateful.

Want to get involved next year? Email Michele McInnis or Amber Wheaton!

Before school break, the jolly old man himself, Santa Claus, paid a special visit to the local elementary schools. Accompanied by his merry elves, Santa brought joy and festive cheer to the students of Granite Street Elementary School, Opal Myrick Elementary School, and Kids Peace.

Every child received a special holiday craft, courtesy of Santa's workshop. The young students eagerly engaged in the fun activity, their faces lighting up with excitement as they created their own unique holiday treasures.

Santa also took the opportunity to gather last-minute wishes from the students. With his keen ear for listening and his warm, kind smile, Santa made sure every child felt heard and special.

This special event would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Tom Malcolm, Public Health and Safety Officer; Amber Wheaton, Community Initiatives Director; and Diana Lakeman, Town Clerk. Their dedication to bringing joy to our community's children is truly appreciated.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to Granite Street Elementary School, Opal Myrick Elementary School, and Kids Peace for allowing us to join in their holiday festivities.

Municipal Updates

Human Resource Department

The Town of Millinocket is seeking applications for the current job opportunities:

Paid Call Fire Fighters
Full Time Fire Fighter/Advanced EMT or Paramedic
Public Works Mechanic Level 1
Public Works Operator Level 1
Public Works Call Truck Driver - Class B accepted, Class A preferred

These position are all open for immediate hire. Please go online or stop into the Town Office for a full job description or application. Please submit applications to the Human Resource Director via email or mail 197 Penobscot Ave., Millinocket.

The Town of Millinocket is an E.O.E/AA Employer.

Lori Santerre, Human Resource Director

Public Works Department

As we dive into the winter season, the Public Works Department has been busy keeping our town safe and clean. Here are a few updates from our team:

Community Events

We were proud to assist with the 9th Running of the Millinocket Marathon, ensuring a safe and smooth event for all participants.

Winter Maintenance

Our crew has been working tirelessly to keep our streets and sidewalks clear during the recent snowstorms. We kindly remind residents to adhere to our winter parking ban, as parked vehicles can hinder our snow removal efforts.

When encountering our large plow trucks, please give them plenty of space to maneuver, as they have blind spots and may need to back up at intersections.

Important Reminders

Please refrain from flushing "baby wipes" or similar products, as they can cause sewer plugs and backups.
When visiting the Transfer Station, remember to:
Empty refrigerators and freezers, and remove grates, trays, or compartments.
Keep brush pile items under 8 feet long.
Empty bagged leaves and dispose of bags properly.
Recycle cardboard, plastic jugs, and tin cans.

Transfer Station Updates

The brush pile has been ground and is being hauled away.
Our crew has repaired a hydraulic leak in one of the compactors and rebuilt the ceiling to the employee restroom.

Cemetery Update

The Cemetery is now closed for the season, with only foot traffic allowed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team. Stay warm and safe this winter!

Bryan Duprey, Director of Public Works

Wastewater Department

Important Reminder: Protect Our Sewer Lines

Due to this year's low rainfall and flows, our town's sewer lines are under increased stress. This can lead to:

Increased plugs and blocks
Unnecessary bypasses
Potential backups into residential basements

Help Prevent Problems: Flush Wisely

To avoid these issues, please remember:

Toilet paper ONLY should be flushed
Avoid flushing other items, such as wipes, sanitary products, and trash

What to Do in Case of a Sewer Issue

If you experience:

Slow-running drains
Sewer backups in your basement

Call the Public Works Department first at 723-7030 to determine if the issue is with the town's infrastructure. This can save you time and money on unnecessary plumbing calls.

Jason Ingalls,

Wastewater Treatment Facility Superintendent

Fire/EMS Department

The Fire Department has had a busy year, and we're excited to share some of our recent accomplishments and updates.

Grant Award

We're thrilled to announce that the Fire Department, in partnership with Age Friendly, has received a grant of $9,607 from AARP Community Connector Fund. This funding will support our Fire & Life Program, which installs CO/smoke alarms and fall prevention items in our community.

Chief Cote's Updates

Chief Cote has been actively attending various committee meetings, including the Penobscot County Fire Chiefs Association Meeting, Maine CDC Healthcare Coalition Leadership Team Meeting, and Region 4 EMS Board Meeting. He also attended the NEIRS Training/Webinar on the new fire reporting program for Maine, set to start in 2025.

Department News

Chief Cote renewed the Department's EMS Service License with Maine EMS.
The Department provided emergency services and operated the Command Post for the Millinocket Marathon on December 7th.
Chief Cote is working on putting together an After-Action Report from the Marathon and meeting with Public Safety Officials in early January.
The Department is gearing up for the 2025 training schedule, including annual BLS training and Respiratory Fit Test and Medical clearances.
Chief Cote is updating the Town of Millinocket Emergency Action Plan and working on logistics and lesson plans for the Basic Fire School in February 2025.

Equipment and Training Updates

All full-time staff attended Water Rescue Training and now have their Water Rescue Awareness Certification.
Water Rescue Equipment is now in service and ready for use if needed this winter.
A new Stair Chair has been received and put into service.
The Department Snowmobile and Rescue Boggan have been serviced and are ready for use.
Vehicles 789 and 788 have been serviced with new batteries and software upgrades, respectively.

SHAPE Inspection Preparation

Chief Cote is working to get the department ready for a SHAPE (Safety & Health Award for Public Employers) Inspection with Maine Safety Works.

Community Support

We continue to distribute File of Life Cards and Naloxone to residents. If you're interested in learning more or obtaining these resources, please don't hesitate to reach out.

We're grateful for your ongoing support and look forward to serving our community in the new year!

Chief Jonathon P. Cote, Fire Chief, Emergency Management Director

Recreation Department

This holiday season has been a whirlwind of activity for the Recreation Department! We kicked off the festivities by participating in wreath lightings at Granite Street School, Opal Myrick Elementary, and Medway Middle School, handing out treats to spread some cheer. A huge thank you to Hannaford of Millinocket for their generous donations and to Jandreau's Greenhouse for creating the beautiful wreaths.

We were also honored to host our holiday senior dinner, serving 109 meals to our regional communities. It's events like these that remind us of the importance of coming together and giving back.

In addition, we assisted with Christmas tree distribution alongside the Town of Millinocket and Our Katahdin. We also set up a Santa's mailbox in East Millinocket, open to all in the Katahdin region.

One of the highlights of our holiday season was participating in the Town of Millinocket's Festival of Lights parade. Our two rec trucks were decked out in lights, bows, and candy canes, all with the help of Santa and his elves!

Mark Your Calendars!

The ice rink will be opening after the new year, pending suitable ice conditions. Stay tuned for winter recreation updates and get ready to lace up those skates!

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Recreation Department!

Cody McEwen, Recreation Director

School Department

As we approach the holiday season, the Millinocket School Department would like to take a moment to reflect on the many accomplishments and events that have taken place throughout our schools. From honoring our local veterans to exploring new opportunities for our students, we are proud of the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and community.

Honoring Our Veterans

The Millinocket School Department is proud to have hosted a successful Veterans Day Celebration. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our local veterans for their service and sacrifices. Special recognition goes to our National Honor Society students for organizing the event and the Student Council students for providing breakfast.

Preparing Students for Future Careers

We are excited to announce that our new Technology Director, Jared Robbins, is working with administration to introduce students to the "Great IT Recycle" program. This initiative aims to prepare students for lucrative career opportunities in the IT field after high school.

Student-Led Conferences a Huge Success

Our recent Student-Led Conferences saw an impressive 95% participation rate from PreK-12 families. During the conferences, families were shown how to download the new Millinocket School Department app and had the opportunity to sign up for door prizes. We would like to thank all the students and staff who contributed to the success of this event.

Introducing the DARE Program

Officer Edison is working with administration to launch the DARE program in January. As a regular visitor to our schools, Officer Edison has built a strong rapport with our students, ensuring a comfortable and engaging learning experience.

Congratulations to the Stearns/Schenck Football Team

The Stearns/Schenck football team had an incredible season, culminating in a State championship game appearance against Old Orchard Beach. We are proud of the team's achievements and grateful for the amazing support from fans who traveled to Kennebunk.

Emergency Evacuation Plan in Place

We are pleased to announce that our emergency evacuation plan is now in place. After thorough practice and alignment with the needs of our school community, we are confident in our preparedness. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of everyone involved.

Exploring Shared Services with Neighboring Schools

The Millinocket School Department recently participated in Shared Services meetings with East Millinocket and Medway schools. These discussions focused on exploring opportunities for sharing teaching resources to provide our students with more choices and opportunities. We look forward to continuing these conversations and identifying ways to enhance our school community.

Dr. Shelley Lane, Superintendent of Schools

East Millinocket Police Department

As 2024 comes to a close, we're reflecting on a record-breaking year for our department. Our officers responded to an impressive 11,600 calls for service, with over 6,900 of those calls being in Millinocket. We're proud of our team's hard work and dedication to keeping our community safe.

We'd like to extend our gratitude to the community for their tremendous support during the Millinocket Marathon. This year's event saw record participants and supporters, and we're thankful for the many outside agencies that helped make it a successful and safe event.

We're also honored to recognize some of our outstanding officers who have gone above and beyond in their service. Congratulations to:

Sgt Jesse Gee: Officer of the Year
Cpl Bradley Fitzgerald: Captain Peter Larlee Dedication Award
Ofc Jordan Knappe: Rookie of the Year
K-9 Derbt: Rookie of the Year
Ofc Charles Edson: Community Police Officer of the Year

These awards were voted on by their peers, and we're proud to have such a talented and committed team.

Finally, we're excited to announce that the DARE Program will be returning to our region's schools after the new year. Officer Edson is looking forward to working with our students and bringing this important curriculum to our community.

Thank you again for your support, and we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Chief Cameron McDunnah and Corporal Bradley Fitzgerald