Photo taken by local photographer Mike Peterson. Check out more from Photography by Mike on by clicking the link for his website or Facebook.

The Magic City Monthly

June 2025

A Piece of Our Past

In June of 1905 (120 years ago), Millinocket held its first high school graduation. Five students received diplomas from the Millinocket High School and Common School located at the corner of Katahdin Avenue and what would later be School Street. The photo shows the graduating seniors – Front row: Agnes Bradley, Marion Walls, Pearl Powers, Sue Downing and Back row: Franklin Fox, Alvernon Adams, Samuel Fox.

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!

Join the Star-Spangled Celebration in Millinocket!

Get ready for a fun-filled Independence Day Festival in Millinocket! We've got an exciting lineup of events planned from July 2nd to July 9th, and we want YOU to be a part of it!

Kick off the weekend with a community breakfast

Start the festivities on July 2nd with the Alumni Association Breakfast Buffet at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church basement. Enjoy a hearty meal with friends and family for just $10 per person.

Parades, music, and more!

On July 4th, join us for the Independence Day Parade, Through the Years. Stick around for music with DJ J Ice, face painting, balloon twisting, and a free helmet fitting and giveaway at Veterans Memorial Park.

Whoopie Pie Off

Don't miss the Whoopie Pie Off at 1pm, with a $100 cash prize for the People's Choice Award - supporting the Town of Millinocket's Scholarship Fund.

More fun to come!

Enjoy the Farmers' and Artisans' Market on July 5th, and join us for the Millinocket Memorial Library's 10th Anniversary Celebration. End the week with a street dance and fireworks display, followed by a patriotic performance by the 195th Army Band on July 9th.

Click the photo below to view the full schedule and plan your celebration!

We can't wait to see you there!

Municipal Updates

Town Clerk's and Tax Collector Department

Tax Collection

We've collected $1,078,352.92 in various transactions from May 20th to June 23rd.

Reminder: 30-Day Notice letters will be mailed on June 26th to 272 tax accounts with outstanding balances, starting the lien process. As of now, we have 335 delinquent real estate accounts and 29 delinquent personal property accounts.

Vital Records & Licensing

There's been a surge in Vital Record requests due to upcoming Real ID requirements. We're also preparing for the end of the fiscal year and processing various licenses, including IF&W and dog licenses.

Elections & Boards

Election Results: The School Budget Validation Referendum passed with 98 "Yes" votes and 58 "No" votes on May 20th.
We're maintaining voter registration files and purging inactive voters.
There are available seats on several boards and committees, including the Recreation Advisory Committee, Personnel Appeals Board, and Board of Appeals.

Other Updates

We're finalizing council meeting minutes, fulfilling tax information requests, and processing daily payments.
2025 Transfer Site Permits and IF&W Licenses are available for purchase.

questions or concerns about your taxes, please email our Tax Collector.

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

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

The Public Works Department has been busy keeping our town running smoothly. Here are some highlights from their recent activities:

Road Maintenance & Repairs

Repaired sinkholes and storm drains on Poplar St, Penobscot Ave, and New York St
Graded and added crushed rock to Pedler's Hill parking area
Installed a new concrete slab and privacy fence near the Porta John on Peddler's Hill
Paved utility cuts and repaired a sunken manhole cover on Poplar St and Somerset St

New Equipment

We're excited to announce the upcoming arrival of a new street sweeper, approved in the FY26 Capital Improvement budget!

Transfer Station & Recycling

AIM Recycling hauled away tin cans and mixed metal, and Maine Resource Recovery Association collected cardboard for recycling
New totes for cardboard and plastic jugs are available near the compactor
Reminder: large amounts of cardboard and plastic should be dropped off at the recycling building directly
Shingle disposal now requires homeowner and address information to prevent out-of-town shingles

Cemetery Updates

21 burials have taken place so far this season
Reseeding and pesticide application are underway to prevent grub damage
Regular mowing and trimming are in progress - please stay a safe distance from machinery

Important Reminders

Please keep the brush pile/compost area clear of metal and treated wood
Refrigerators and freezers must be empty and have all grates, trays, or compartments removed for disposal
Limit brush to 8 feet or less to help our contractor

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

Here's what's new from the Code Enforcement Department:

Short-Term Rentals (STRs)

Reminder: The Town of Millinocket has adopted a STR ordinance, and license applications are available online or at the Code Office. If you're planning to rent out your property, make sure to get licensed!

Peddlers Hill Updates

Peddlers Hill is getting vendor-friendly upgrades! If you're interested in selling at Peddlers Hill, permits are available at the Town Office for just $15 per year. Pick one up today!

Summer Home Repairs

Got questions about permits for summer maintenance and repairs? Contact the Code Office or check out our Permit Guide on the Town website. We're here to help!

Fireworks Reminder

The Town of Millinocket has a Fireworks Ordinance in place. If you have questions or concerns, reach out to Code Enforcement. Let's stay safe and informed!

If you have any questions or need guidance on code-related matters, don't hesitate to contact the Code Enforcement Department. We're here to help!

Tom Malcolm, Code Enforcement Officer

Fire/EMS Department

The Millinocket Fire/EMS Department has been busy with various activities and training. Here are some highlights:

Training & Certifications

Paid Call Firefighter/EMT Isaac Hakes received his Basic Fire School Certification, qualifying him as an interior firefighter.
Firefighter/EMT-Advanced Matt Farrington completed ICS 300 & 400 training.
Chief Cote attended several training sessions, including Traffic Incident Management (TIM) training and a Fire Officer Simulation Train the Trainer Class.

Equipment & Grants

The department received a $9,000 grant from the Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation for a Low Angle Rescue Program.
New IV medication pumps have arrived and will be programmed soon.
Video Laryngoscopes have been ordered for the ambulances.

Community Outreach

D-Crew participated in the Granite Street Elementary School end-of-year events.
The department continues to distribute File of Life Cards, Naloxone, and install CO/Smoke Alarms, and conduct home safety surveys.

Department Updates

Pump testing and ladder & hose testing were completed on several units.
The station window project has been delayed until early July.
The department is working on updating standard operating guidelines, response plans, and preplans.

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

East Millinocket Police Department

The East Millinocket Police Department has been busy serving our community. Here are some updates:

Calls for Service

We've responded to over 5,790 calls for service so far in 2025, with over 3,600 of those calls being in the Town of Millinocket. We're committed to keeping our community safe.

Impaired Driving Enforcement

We've seen a sharp increase in impaired drivers recently. Our officers will remain vigilant in enforcing impaired driving laws to keep our roadways safe, especially during the summer months.

New Equipment

We're excited to announce that we've accepted $94,000 in grant money to purchase body-worn cameras and a TruNarc device, a handheld drug analyzer that uses raman spectroscopy technology to identify substances more safely and rapidly. We're looking forward to putting this vital equipment into operation soon.

Summer Safety Reminder

As we enter our busy tourist and visitor season, please be mindful of increased vehicle and foot traffic during local events and recreational activities. Let's work together to stay safe!

Department Updates

We're currently hiring for three vacant positions and have three applicants going through our hiring process. We're committed to finding the best candidates to serve our community.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to the East Millinocket Police Department. We're here to serve!

Chief Cameron McDunnah & Corporal Bradley Fitzgerald

Millinocket Airport

The Millinocket Airport has been busy serving various aircraft and operations. Here are some highlights:

Aircraft Operations

The G.A.R.D. System has recorded 110 aircraft operations so far this month. We're proud to support the aviation needs of our community and visitors.

Recent Activities

The airport played a crucial role in a recent search operation on Katahdin, serving as a staging and refueling area for five helicopters from the Maine Forest Service and Army National Guard. We pumped 1925 gallons of Jet Fuel over 2.5 days to support this operation. Additionally, three Army Helicopters visited the airport on June 6th for a VIP visit, using 708 gallons of Jet Fuel.

Grant Award

We're thrilled to announce that Senator Collins has awarded us an FAA/AIP grant in the amount of $317,970 for the extension of Taxiway D. This funding will help us improve our airport

infrastructure.

Ground Maintenance

Our maintenance team is hard at work, mowing and performing ground maintenance to keep the airport grounds looking their best.

Jeff Campbell, Airport Manager

School Department

The Millinocket School Department has been busy with various activities and events. Here are some highlights:

Memorial Day Tribute

Ms. Tessa DeSilva's Social Studies Classes at Granite Street School placed flags on graves at the cemetery for Memorial Day. The students enjoyed a picnic with bag lunches provided by the cafeteria staff and wrote about the meaning of Memorial Day.

Step-Up Day Success

The 5th-grade students had a successful Step-Up Day at Stearns School, thanks to Mrs. Katie DiFrederico's efforts. This event helped students transition to their new school environment.

Archery Lessons

Staff from Katahdin Woods and Waters taught archery to grades 6 and 9 at Stearns School. This hands-on experience provided students with a new skill and fun activity.

Senior Recognition

Congratulations to spring sports seniors Hailey Aldridge, Skylar Wilson, Beckett Brown, Tyler Morris, and Brady Brooker for their achievements!

College Experience

Twenty 8th-grade students participated in an overnight trip to Thomas College, courtesy of the Gear Up program. They explored college life, participated in science, robotics, and economics labs, and learned about stress management.

Dr. Shelley Lane, Superintendent of Schools

Registration is still open for our summer adventures! Open to those in rising grades 6-12. For more information or to register please visit the link here.

Summer hours for the Katahdin Gear Library are here! Effective immediately. Come see us Monday-Friday, 12pm-4pm. Closed on major holidays.