As winter settles in, Wells continues to embrace the season with a mix of community spirit, preparation, and planning for the year ahead. February is a time for reflection and forward momentum, whether it’s our dedicated Public Works team keeping our roads safe, our local departments assisting with routine registrations, or residents coming together for winter activities.

In this issue, we’ll highlight some important updates, including the latest on the municipal budget process, a welcome to new staff members and public safety initiatives. We'll also take a moment to recognize the hard work of our municipal departments, as evidenced in the long-term planning that keeps Wells moving forward.

As always, thank you for being an engaged part of our wonderful town!

Did you know...the Town of Wells social media pages are great resources for quick and timely

updates. We share breaking news, friendly reminders, pertinent information, local events and more!

Follow the Town of Wells on Facebook, on Instagram, and check out our

Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Library, and Harbor pages as well.

As a reminder, the Transfer Station is offering a grace period until February 1st to allow time for everyone to obtain their 2025 Transfer Station stickers for the new year.

To assist with this, Town Hall will be open THIS Saturday, February 1st, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, solely for the purchase of Transfer Station stickers.

Stickers are $5, and we ask that you please bring the vehicle registrations for any vehicle that you would like to purchase a sticker for.



We would also like to extend our continued thanks to the hardworking staff in the Finance Office for their efforts in issuing these stickers and assisting our residents.

Municipal Budget Process

The beginning of the year brings with it the start of the next fiscal budget process. Department Heads started compiling their budget requests in November and December. During the beginning of January, the Town Manager and Finance Director meet with each Department Head to review their proposed budgets. Once all department budgets were submitted, the Town Manager and Finance Director worked to prepare the Town Manager’s budget proposal that was presented to the Select Board and Budget Review Committee. The Select Board held a special meeting on January 28th to hear an executive summary of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating and Capital Budget. The Budget Review Committee kicked off their review of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating and Capital Budget on January 29th. 

The Budget Review Committee is now in the process of reviewing all department operating and capital budget requests. Once the Budget Review Committee review is complete, their recommended budget will be brought back to the Select Board for further review. Once the Select Board completes their review, a reconciliation meeting will be scheduled between the Select Board and the Budget Review Committee. The budget that will be brought before voters in a public hearing in March will be finalized at the reconciliation meeting. 

New License Plate Design will Replace Chickadee Plates Starting May 1st

Staff continues to remind residents that starting May 1st, the Chickadee Plates will start to be replaced with the new Pine Tree Plate (Pine Tree and North Star) or the No Tree Plate (No Picture). This change affects Antique (AQ), Bus (BU), Combination (CM), Commercial (CO), Custom Vehicle (CV), Disabled (DX), Farm (FM), Horseless Carriage (HC), Lowspeed (LS), Motor Home (MH), Passenger Car (PC), Special Equipment (SE), Street Rod (SR), Tractor (TR), Tractor Trailer (TT) and Hire plates (TX) with an expiration date of May 2025 and later. 

Registrants who would like to keep their current Chickadee plate numbers may reserve their plate by paying a one-time $25 fee. Registrants who have an active vanity, low digit and National Guard (PC Class Code) must reserve their plates if they would like to keep their current plate. Registrants can reserve a plate number in four different ways. This can be done by:

1. Going online to www.maine.gov/online/reservemyplate
2. Prompted to reserve if registrant used the Rapid Renewal website for registrations expiring before May 1st.
3. Going into a BMV branch office such as Sanford or Kennebunk.
4. Mailing in a Reserve Plate Application (MV-62) to the BMV Administrative Office here.

State-wide, it is anticipated that over 1,200,000 Chickadee plates are going to be replaced over the next year.  Here in Wells, staff is anticipating to issue approximately 2,000 new plates for re-registration transactions that expire in May and June.  Due to the number of plates being replaced throughout the State of Maine, the Town will be receiving its new plate inventory in limited amounts. Each delivery is expected to provide the Town with inventory for just a couple months of replacement transactions. With the limited inventory of the new plates that the Town will receive, it is important that registrants wait until they are due for re-registration before coming in to get a new plate.

At the request of the WEMS Board of Directors, The Town of Wells is taking steps to explore a possible merger between Wells Emergency Medical Services (WEMS) and the Wells Fire Department. On December 17, the Select Board unanimously approved a motion to consider incorporating WEMS operations into the Fire Department and authorized the Town Manager to gather relevant information, including budgetary and personnel impacts.

In response to the Board's decision, the Town has established a strategic planning group that will meet regularly to assess the potential blending of services. The exploratory group is comprised of representatives from WEMS, the Fire Department, the Select Board, and Town Management. The primary goal of this group is to ensure that the Town continues to receive the excellent service it is accustomed to, while evaluating the potential blending of operations. This group will focus on ensuring a smooth transition while seamlessly maintaining its high-quality emergency response services for the community.

Regular updates will be provided as discussions progress, ensuring transparency and keeping residents and personnel informed throughout the process.

For more information and future updates, stay tuned to the Town’s official channels.

January has brought consistently cold temperatures, along with a few minor snow events. Our Public Works team has been actively monitoring weather conditions and maintaining roads to ensure safe travel. While snowfall has been moderate, the cold has kept roads icy at times—so please drive with caution and give our plows room to work during storms.

Frost Heaves & Road Postings



With winter comes one of Maine’s most frustrating road conditions—frost heaves. These bumps in the pavement are caused by the freezing and thawing cycle underground. When water seeps into the soil and freezes, it expands, pushing the pavement upward. When the ice melts, the pavement can settle unevenly, leading to cracks and potholes.

With January’s prolonged cold, there is plenty of frost in the ground this year, and many roads are already experiencing frost heaves. To help motorists navigate these areas safely, we have begun posting warning signs in sections with particularly severe frost heaves.

As temperatures begin to warm, the ground will start to thaw beneath the roads, making them especially vulnerable to damage. To help prevent excessive wear and tear, the Town of Wells posts seasonal weight limits for vehicles over 23,000 lbs in early spring. These restrictions protect roads during the thawing period, when excess moisture weakens the pavement. Residents and businesses should plan ahead for these limits, which will be posted as winter transitions into spring.

Transfer Station Sticker Update



A friendly reminder to all residents: Starting February 1st, a 2025 transfer station sticker will be required to access the Wells Transfer Station. Stickers can be purchased at Town Hall during regular business hours. Please ensure your vehicle has the updated sticker displayed on the windshield.

Stay safe and warm this winter!

Please join us in welcoming the newest Town of Wells staff member, Christopher Wells.

The Town of Wells is fortunate to have Chris join our staff and we are confident he will shine in his new role. We wish you all the best!

Happy New Year from the Assessing Office! As we near the end of January, our office is busy distributing the Personal Property Declaration forms to local businesses. Some businesses have already submitted their forms for processing. If you own a business in town and have not yet received your form, please contact us at 646-6081 so we can assist you and provide the correct form. These forms must be returned by May 1st. It will take several months to process all submissions and update our assessment roll accordingly. The State also offers BETE and BETR exemption programs, so feel free to reach out if you need assistance with these.

In addition, we will be sending notifications to campground owners requesting updated information on any unit sales that we were not previously informed of. It's essential that we receive accurate details on these transactions, as they typically occur through bills of sale that are not registered with the county.

Our team is also actively updating tax rolls by visiting properties to inspect new construction and any changes to homes with active building permits. Remember, April 1st is the assessment date, so if you are transferring property, please keep this in mind. Tax bills will be issued to the property owner of record on that date.

Finally, all Homestead, Veterans, and Blind exemption forms are due by April 1st. For copies and links to these forms, please visit our homepage. 

The Wells Parks & Recreation Department has been in full winter mode despite the lack of snow! We have over 27 basketball teams participating in our Travel, Youth, and Kindergarten leagues. We will be hosting our annual 3rd & 4th grade girls basketball tournament February 14-16th where 8 teams will compete for a hard-to-come-by Wells Trophy and bragging rights of champions! 



We held our first Moonlight Skate Night on January 13th when the conditions were perfect! Over 45 people came to enjoy the evening between 5 -7 PM of skating to music on either their own skates or a pair of rentals from us, hanging around the bonfire, and enjoying snacks from the concession stand. We are hoping conditions will be well enough again to host another fun evening or more of skating at night this season. 

Winter Programs

Our winter programs that are currently running consist of basketball, swim lessons for children, Mad Science, Hip Hop Dance for children, Zumba for adults, Adult pick up volleyball, Adult Open Gym for Men’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball League, Youth Wrestling, Parent Night Out evenings, our multi-week Pleasant Mountain Ski program, Odyssey of the Mind, and our daily Before and After School Child Care program.

You can now register for our February Vacation Week Camp for children Grades K-4. Please go to www.wellsrec.org to register for all our programs and special events.

Keep an eye out for advertisements for “Family Feud Night” on March 7th at the Activity Center with a snow date of March 28th. Come and enjoy an evening of laughs and competition between groups like the Wells Police Department VS the Wells Fire Department, Wells Town Office Employees VS Wells Library Employees, and four other teams. If your business, group of friends, or family of adults wants to participate as a team, please contact the Recreation Department office at 207-646-5826 as we are still lining up the competition. Tickets will be available in February on our website. Have a great winter!

We would like to inform the residents, contractors and design professionals that the state of Maine will be adopting the 2021 International Codes (I-Codes), which will replace the current 2015 I- Codes, effective April 7, 2025. This change follows a comprehensive review by the State of Maine, which believes this update is crucial to improving safety, energy efficiency, and modernizing building practices throughout the state.

This adoption reflects Maine’s ongoing commitment to upholding the highest construction standards to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and communities. The updates are intended to address advancements in technology, sustainability, and building system resilience. It is important for all residents, professionals in the construction and design fields to prepare for this transition.

• Key areas impacted by these changes include:
• Building design and structural requirements
• Energy efficiency standards
• Life safety regulations
•  Mechanical system requirements

This update is part of Maine’s broader initiative to align its building practices with national standards and evolving innovations. We strongly encourage you to review the 2021 I-Codes, available on the International Code Council (ICC) website, and to participate in training sessions to ensure compliance.

Wells Public Library February Programs sure to please

At a recent Select Board meeting, the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association presented the Board of Selectmen and WEMS Director, Steve Merrill, with funds to cover the cost of two pediatric stretchers.

This donation will have a considerable positive impact on Wells EMS and our community, helping to ensure our youngest patients are safely transported.

Thank you to the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association for their incredible generosity!

AARP Tax-Aide is back for 2025! AARP volunteers will be at the library every Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM to assist with personal taxes. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 207-806-2774. More information about what documents to bring can be found on the library’s tax assistance page.

With the snow starting to fall, here are some quick reminders to everyone for winter driving. Know that our Town can be broken into two different types of weather systems because of the ocean. The closer to the ocean is usually warmer and involves more rain or wet heavy snow. When you get west of I-95, the storm events are more snow in nature with different driving conditions. 

1.     Understand Winter Road Hazards

• Black Ice: Invisible and slippery, often forms in the early morning or on bridges. Drive slowly and carefully.
• Snow and Slush: These can reduce traction. Slow down and increase following distance. Be careful that you do not get too close to the edge of the roadway as built-up snow and slush can pull your vehicles off the roadway.
• Visibility: Snowstorms and fog can limit visibility. Use low beams and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

2.     Adjust Your Driving

• Drive Slowly: Reduce speed to maintain control on slippery roads.
• Increase Following Distance: Leave more space between you and other vehicles to allow for safe stopping. As the vehicle in front of you starts to brake, let of the accelerate and evaluate the situation. Defensively driving can save your life. 
• Smooth Movements: Avoid sudden braking, steering, or accelerating to prevent skidding.

3.     Emergency Kit Essentials: Always have an emergency kit in your car, including:

• Blankets, snacks, water
• Jumper cables, flashlight
• Ice scraper, shovel
• First aid kit, road flares

4.     Stay Informed: Check weather and road conditions before you travel. If conditions are too hazardous, delay your trip until it’s safe.

Winter driving requires extra caution, but with proper preparation and attention to conditions, you can stay safe on the roads.

Wells Ocean Rescue is now hiring for the 2025 season. Wells lifeguards watch over the tens of thousands of visitors to our beautiful beaches from June through September. This is a fulfilling position, in which you play a critical role in ensuring the safety of others and are a key member of our community.

• Paid Workouts
• Paid certifications
• Paid 45 minute breaks
• No experience necessary
• Must be 16+
• Starting pay, $19.50-$24.00 based on experience

Applicants must be 16 years of age.

Interested in applying? Fill out an application below and email it to employment@wellstown.org

• Employment Application

February 2025 Public Programs

Wednesday, February 5, 10:30am-12pm

Wednesday Walk

Join Norma Fox, certified interpretive guide and Wells Reserve docent and ranger, for a series of walks designed to help you get outside and enjoy nature throughout the changing seasons. Wednesday walks run bi-weekly through April. A variety of trails and topics will be incorporated, so repeat participation is most welcome. This walk is geared towards adults, but ages 12 and older are welcome. Free. Preregistration required at caryn@wellsnerr.org or (207) 646-1555 x110. Learn more at wellsreserve.org/calendar.

Wednesday, February 12, 12-1pm

Virtual Lunch & Learn: Advancing Sustainable Seafood Research and Innovation

Despite the historical importance of the seafood sector to Maine’s coastal communities, food security, and economy, research to address seafood sustainability challenges has been limited. Dr. Denise Skonberg, a seafood scientist at the University of Maine, will discuss two approaches to improving the environmental and economic impact of seafood in our region: 1) developing food uses for the invasive green crab, and 2) utilizing high-pressure processing to extend shelf life (and reduce waste) of harvested seafood. She will also present some of her team’s current research on upcycling (or valorization) of seafood processing byproducts. This is an online program and will not be held in-person at the Reserve. Preregistration required for Zoom link at wellsreserve.org/calendar.

Wednesday February 12, 5:00pm - 6:30pm 

Full Moon Walk

Join us for a peaceful walk on the trails to the beach after dark. We hope to catch the last colors of sunset and the full moon. Please come prepared for the trail and weather conditions. Families with children ages 12+ welcome. $8/$6 (individuals) $20/$15 (families). Preregistration required at caryn@wellsnerr.org or (207) 646-1555 x110. Learn more at wellsreserve.org/calendar.

Tuesday, February 18, 6-8pm

Wingspan Game Night

Join us for an evening of learning and playing the award-winning board game, Wingspan. All are welcome. Wingspan is best suited for ages 10 and up. If you have a copy of the game, please bring it! Free. Preregistration required at lbenoit@wellsnerr.org or 207-646-1555 x118. Learn more at wellsreserve.org/calendar.

Wednesday, February 19, 10:30am-12pm

Family Nature Trek

Join us for a family-friendly walk out on the trails to explore nature through observation. Who lives here? What do they eat? Where do they go? How do we know? Please dress for the weather and trails. The program is geared towards families with kids ages 5+, though younger siblings are welcome. The walk will be up to 1 mile and 1.5 hours. Free. Preregistration required at caryn@wellsnerr.org or (207) 646-1555 x 110. Learn more at wellsreserve.org/calendar.

Thursday, February 20, 10am-12:30pm

Winter Wildlife Day

Join us at the Wells Reserve for a day of family fun celebrating the wildlife of Southern Maine. Enjoy a live animal presentation, a guided walk, hands-on wildlife activities, and fun in the snow. Presented by long-time partners Wells Reserve, Center for Wildlife, and York County Audubon!

10-11am - Center for Wildlife presentation with live animal ambassadors. 11am-12pm - Wildlife activity & craft time. 11:30am-12:30pm - Family wildlife tracking & nature walk with experienced guides. Plus, enjoy sledding, snowshoeing, and snowy fun with hot cocoa for warming up. Bring your own snowshoes and sleds if you have them! If not, we will have some on hand for you to borrow. Animal hats or costumes encouraged. This event is free. Preregistration is not required. Learn more at wellsreserve.org/calendar.

Sunday Feb 23, 10-11am

Sunday Compassion Grief Walk

A walk to expand awareness, cultivate compassion, and connect with nature as resources for grief. Join us for a guided meditation followed by a nature walk to care for grief as we collectively expand awareness and cultivate compassion. Led by compassion and grief educator Elizabeth Straka. This event will ground your body and gently settle your mind and heart. The walk is neither strenuous nor fast-paced. We will meet outside the barn to begin. Free. Preregistration required at edgesofgrief@yahoo.com or (207) 408-5657. 

Tuesday, February 25, 5-7pm

Cribbage Night

Join us on the last Tuesday in February for a fun night of Cribbage. All playing levels welcome. New to the game? Need to sharpen your skills? Experienced players can help. Located in Mather Auditorium at the Wells Reserve. Free. Preregistration required at lbenoit@wellsnerr.org or 207-646-1555 x 118. Learn more at wellsreserve.org/calendar.

Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Ryan Ranco Presents "The Great Canoe Loop”

Join Penobscot Nation guide Ryan Ranco as he retells the adventures of an 1,800 plus mile canoe loop around northeastern Turtle Island through stories and a photo slideshow. Embarking in the spring of 2023 with National Geographic writer/adventurer Freddie Wilkinson and Neil Benedict of the Oneida tribe, the group traveled various different waterways and were joined by several tribal paddlers and guides along the way. Event held at the STAR Theater in Kittery and made possible by The Indigenous Learning & Conservation Collaborative (made up of conservation organizations including but not limited to Great Works Regional Land Trust, Kittery Land Trust, York Land Trust, Kennebunk Land Trust, and Wells Reserve at Laudholm). Free. RSVPs preferred. If you are compelled to donate, donations will be collected and sent to the Wabanaki Alliance. Learn more at wellsreserve.org/calendar. 

Town staff and the the Board of Selectmen are supported by the efforts of the many volunteers who make up our resident-led boards and committees. These committees advance the work on present issues in Wells and do the research and preparation before bringing it to the board.

If your New Year's resolution is to become more involved in your community, having a role in local government activities is a great way to start. There are currently vacancies on the following boards/committees:

• Board of Assessment Review - 2 alternate member vacancies
• Budget Committee - 2 alternate member vacancies
• Energy Advisory Committee- 1 alternate member vacancy
• Lodging Facility Advisory Committee- 1 alternate member vacancy
• Recreation Commission -1 alternate member vacancy
• Shellfish Conservation Commission - 1 alternate member vacancy
• Zoning Board of Appeals - 1 member vacancy

• Learn more about each Board and Committee here.

Community Partners: Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit

Trivia Night: Fun with Maine History

Hosted by the Historical Society of Wells and Ogunquit

Join us for a fun night of historical trivia at Pepper's Landing in Ogunquit. We’ll laugh and cheer as we test our knowledge of state and local history! 

6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Thursday, Feb. 20th

Peppers Landing Restaurant

243 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME

Free – prizes awarded!

Apply today to join our team!



The Town of Wells has several open employment opportunities. We encourage you to take a look at the job opportunities currently available with the Town of Wells on our Employment Opportunities page. There is so much important work that goes in to keeping the town running, often behind the scenes.

If nothing is a great fit for you, consider passing the listings along to friends and family who might be looking for a satisfying and important career.

Stay informed with the RAVE Alert System

Sign up for the RAVE Alert System for York County to ensure you receive emergency alerts.

​The RAVE Alert System is a reverse 911 application that allows citizens to sign up for emergency alerts. The program allows users to create a profile to alert first responders to their specific needs as well. For example, if there was an evacuation, the program would let first responders know if a user needed evacuation assistance through their profile. The profiles allow users to mark if they need specialized assistance, are dependent on electric supply, or even if they have pets or livestock.

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Examples of alerts include: winter storm notices, evacuation notices, flood alerts, bio-terrorism alerts, and boil water notices.

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Click here to Sign Up for RAVE Alerts.

We are always looking for ways to improve communication with our community members.

As always, if there is anything we can do to better communicate information, please let us know by emailing rkelley@wellstown.org

Be sure to check out our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages using the buttons below. You can also see news and updates on the Town of Wells website at www.wellstown.org.