Vintage postcard submitted by Peter Fredsall

The Magic City Monthly

January 2026

A Piece of Our Past

Remember when these trucks carried pulpwood to the mill? The trucks were often loaded by a man on the ground and another piling the wood on the truck. Hard work was how things got done before the days of mechanical loaders!

Photo courtesy of Millinocket Historical Society Curator, Trudy Wyman

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!

Millinocket Town Council Honors Melissa Crocco for Outstanding Volunteerism

The Millinocket Town Council extended a heartfelt thank you to Melissa Crocco during their Thursday, November 22nd meeting for her tireless volunteer efforts in our community.

Through her work with the Community Initiatives Department, Melissa has been instrumental in bringing people together with events like the Town of Millinocket Scholarship Fund, Back to School Supply Giveaway, Annual Whoopie Pie Bake Off, Bandstand Jams, and Community Movie Nights. Her passion for creating connections has not only built a stronger community but also inspired a team of youth volunteers to get involved and make their voices heard.

As recognized in a Town Council resolution, Melissa's kindness, dedication, and passion for community-building have earned her our deepest gratitude.

We're grateful for volunteers like Melissa who spark positive change. Her efforts are sure to inspire others to lend a hand and make Millinocket an even more wonderful place to live.

Millinocket Community Spotlight - London Lee's Birthday Gift

Eight‑year‑old London Lee turned her eighth birthday into a celebration of generosity by donating more than ten inches of her beautiful hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit that provides free hairpieces to children facing medical hair loss. London had been growing her hair for years, and on the day of the cut she was beaming with excitement. Her proud parents, Jordan and Erica Lee, shared how thrilled they are with London's kindness, saying her act perfectly captures the spirit of giving that our community strives to live by.

Stories like London's remind us that a simple gesture can make a huge difference for a child in need. If you'd like to support Locks of Love or learn about hair‑donation guidelines, visit their website at locksoflove.org or call (800) 365‑DASH. Let's celebrate London's generosity and keep the ripple of kindness going!

Municipal Updates

Town Clerk's and Tax Collector Department

The Town Clerk/Tax Collector's Office has been busy processing transactions and providing services to our citizens.

Here is an update on our activities from November 20, 2025, through January 16, 2026:

We collected $3,271,206.25 through 3088 transactions processed in Trio.

Tax Collection and Billing

FY24/25 Real Estate & Personal Property - Delinquent Account Balances: Lien Summary $117,925.85; 81 Accounts
FY25/26 Tax Billing:
Commitment date: 10/13/2025
Due Dates: 1st half 11/13/2025; Interest Date: 11/14/2025
2nd half: 3/13/2026; Interest Date: 03/14/2026
Real Estate as of 1/16/2026: $2,228,587.46; 1710 Accounts
Personal Property as of 1/16/2026: $68,363.50; 83 Accounts
Sharon is contacting delinquent tax foreclosure properties for last attempt efforts to retrieve payments before mandatory foreclosure date 2/1/26.

Other Activities

Preparing Department Budget and FY 23/24 Annual Report
November and December month-end reports for Vital Records, IF& Wildlife, and Dogs were reconciled and payments sent to all State agencies
Weekly Motor Vehicle reports are current, reconciled, and submitted to BMV
Municipal Referendum Charter Amendments distributed and advertised
Large increase in Vital Record requests and sales with impending Real ID requirements
Advertising – Election, Closure Notices, Board/Committee vacancies, and Public Hearings
Marriage and Cemetery – recording sales, deeds, maps, and electronic/card files
Council meeting minutes
Swearing in newly appointed first responders, elected officials, board, and committee members
Fulfilling requests for tax billing and account information, providing normal daily requests of motor vehicles, wastewater, and tax account balances via e-mail, fax, and phone calls

Elections

Met all SOS (Secretary of State) post-election deadlines required for the 11/4/2025 State Referendum
Preparing for new rollout of CVR; Maintaining voter registration files

Volunteer Opportunities

Recreation Advisory Committee: (1) Partial Term to expire 2/2026
Personnel Appeals Board (1) Partial Term to expire 11/2026
Board of Appeals (1) Full 3-Year Term

Reminders

2026 Dog Registration – Due by 1/31/26; Mandatory Late Fee $25 2/1/26, Available Online or in person. www.maine.gov; Rabies Vaccination Cert. required.

Diana Lakeman, Town Clerk

Sharon Cyr, Tax Collector

Human Resource Department

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

Firefighter/EMT
Community Initiatives Director
Public Works Operator Level 1

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.

Amber Wheaton, Human Resource Director

Public Works Department

The Public Works Department has been busy keeping our community safe and beautiful. Here's what's been going on:

Winter Operations

Responded to multiple winter events, plowing and salting/sanding roads to keep them safe
Conducted night-time clean-ups of the downtown area
Assisted East Millinocket with installing Christmas lights using our bucket truck
Removed trees and debris after a December wind storm

Community Support

Sanded a fire scene on Prospect St for the MFD
Removed Christmas lights and decorations on Penobscot Ave
Took down the Christmas Tree in the bandstand on Penobscot Ave

Important Reminder

PLEASE don't park on streets, tree belts, or road sides during snow storms - it hinders our ability to clear roads and increases accident risk

Transfer Station Updates

Northeastern Insulation Service installed custom insulation blankets on compactor hydraulic units to reduce energy consumption
Brush pile removal is almost complete
Reminder: refrigerators/freezers must be empty with grates/trays removed for disposal
Brush longer than 8 feet can't be accepted - helps the grinder, thanks!
Keep recycling cardboard, plastic jugs, and tin cans coming - let's reduce landfill waste!

Cemetery

Entrance gate is closed for the season (foot traffic allowed via pedestrian gate)

Thanks for your cooperation and support!

Bryan Duprey, Director of Public Works

Wastewater Department

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 207.723.7030 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

Code Enforcement

Tom Malcolm, Code Enforcement Officer

Millinocket Airport

The Millinocket Municipal Airport has been busy despite the challenges posed by winter weather. Here is an update on our activities:

The G.A.R.D. system has recorded 77 aircraft operations as of 1-16-2026
Winter weather has created some challenges in keeping the runways ice-free
We have welcomed one more aircraft to Millinocket, bringing the total to nine new residents in just over a year

Airport Operations and Maintenance

The new Agas system is now installed and working, with just a few bugs left to fix
Airport staffing is now fully staffed, with a year-round part-time position filled back in September and a seasonal part-time position filled on 1-12-2026

Aviation Activities

Ski plane operations have been steady despite the limited amount of snow cover

Jeff Campbell, Airport Manager

Fire/EMS Department

The Fire/EMS Department has been busy with various activities and training. Here's an update:

Meetings and Training

Chief Cote attended meetings with Penobscot County Fire Chiefs, Maine EMS Region 3 Council, and Maine Healthcare Coalition Leadership
Met with Eastern Maine Community College on EMS training and discussed State DOT road conditions with Maine DOT
Department members attended annual department supper and mandatory bureau of labor training
Firefighter/EMT-A Farrington conducted Fit Testing, and Dr. Turnquist trained staff on new Video Laryngoscopes

Grants and Programs

Community Paramedicine Grant Round 2 funding of $34,000 awarded for EMS education and training
Working with Motorola on grant to update department radios and intercom system
New Home Safety Survey Program launching soon with fire extinguishers

Operations

Responding to calls and providing services, including distributing File of Life Cards and Naloxone
Installing CO/Smoke Alarms and conducting home safety surveys
New AED placed in service on department side by side
Pressure Vessel inspected and passed state inspection

Upcoming Events

Basic Fire School kicking off January 24th for Katahdin Area Departments
Hose & Ladder Testing scheduled for Spring 2026

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

School Department

Here's the latest from Millinocket School Department:

Flex Farm Update

Food Service Coordinator Mia Charette reports they're in their 3rd grow cycle, harvesting 144 heads of lettuce and planting basil in its place. Students are loving it!

Spring Sports Ahead

Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Nick Cullen says lots of students are signed up for spring sports, starting April. Keep an eye out for baseball and softball schedules!

Stearns Gym Renovation

The Stearns custodial crew refinished the 13,500 sq ft gym floor, saving money and ensuring a safe surface. Great job, Louie DiFrederico and Ronnie McInnis!

Attendance Awards

78 students at Granite Street School were recognized for perfect attendance, with decreased chronic absenteeism. Congratulations!

Budget Update

Business Manager Rhonda Casey says 59% of the budget remains for the next 6 months - right on track!

Curriculum Development

Staff's working with Curriculum Leader Heather Girsa to provide a rigorous, relevant education. Thanks for your hard work!

Sports Highlight

Middle School Boys Basketball went undefeated - well done!

Dr. Shelley Lane, Superintendent of Schools