Chris Bouchard

Waterville

Reporter at The County

Reporter for @KJ_Online

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Articles

Madawaska residents approve $10 million school budget

2 days ago | thecounty.me | Chris Bouchard

MADAWASKA, Maine — Madawaska residents approved the school’s $10 million annual budget during a May 27 town meeting. The next step for formal approval will be for residents to vote on the budget during Madawaska’s upcoming June 10 election. The locally funded portion of this budget is $5.05 million which represents a $236,000 increase over last year’s locally funded portion of $4.81 million.
Fort Kent Mills man barred from nursing homes after being convicted of a sex crime

2 days ago | thecounty.me | Chris Bouchard

FORT KENT, Maine — A Fort Kent Mills man is now barred from entering any nursing home after being convicted of a sexual offense last month. Aurele Laferriere, 81, was charged with three counts of unlawful sexual touching on Sept. 17, 2024, according to court records. Records did not indicate if the crime occurred at a nursing home or whether he was employed at a nursing home at the time. Fort Kent Police Chief Michael DeLena was not immediately available for comment.
Aroostook woman gets lifetime achievement for decades of ambulance service

4 days ago | thecounty.me | Chris Bouchard

VAN BUREN, Maine — When Gloria Ouellette isn’t working for the town’s ambulance, she’s detailing cars on the side or helping people in need. Ouellette will turn 74 in October, and she has no plans to slow down. Earlier this month, Maine EMS presented Ouellette with a lifetime achievement award for serving the town’s ambulance for over four decades and for frequently going above and beyond for the people in her community.
Candidate drops out of Madawaska selectboard race

1 week ago | thecounty.me | Chris Bouchard

MADAWASKA, Maine — A candidate on the ballot for a three-year seat on Madawaska’s selectboard in the upcoming June 10 election has dropped out of the race. Steven Deschaine announced via social media last week that he was exiting the race to tend to family matters. Although Deschaine has dropped out, he said it was too late to get his name taken off the municipal ballot. He said he fully endorses Paul Chasse, his opponent on the ballot, and has asked everyone else to do the same.
Water rates are going up in Frenchville

1 week ago | thecounty.me | Chris Bouchard

FRENCHVILLE, Maine – A handful of people attended a Tuesday night public hearing about a proposed water and sewer rate increase to Frenchville residents. For the majority of local ratepayers, this means a $140.49 increase in annual costs. Frenchville currently charges residents an annual rate of $404.25.
Madawaska finalizes budget for town meeting

2 weeks ago | thecounty.me | Chris Bouchard

MADAWASKA, Maine — Madawaska officials last week approved a final municipal budget of $9.96 million, which represents a roughly $910,137 increase over last year. Town revenues are expected to increase by $241,811 this year, going from $13.94 million to $14.18 million. “If the town’s people vote to approve this, it will equal out to be a $836,657 deficit,” Madawaska Town Manager David Daigle said.
2 Aroostook communities see significant valuation increases

2 weeks ago | thecounty.me | Chris Bouchard

FORT KENT, Maine — Aroostook County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a total $14.64 million tax commitment for all Aroostook communities. This total is up $2.09 million from last year’s $12.55 million commitment. Out of the county’s communities, New Limerick and Limestone saw the largest increases, with their overall valuations increasing by a respective $60 million and $41.65 million. New Limerick’s overall valuation increased to a total of $275 million this year.
New signs will give special welcome to Canadians visiting Maine

2 weeks ago | thecounty.me | Chris Bouchard

The Maine Department of Transportation will install 11 signs throughout the state welcoming Canadian visitors ahead of the summer tourism season as part of an effort to improve relations with the neighboring country, which have soured on the national level due to President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war. The signs will be installed in key locations at border crossing and other locations throughout the state.
Traffic will be paused at Aroostook border crossing next month

2 weeks ago | thecounty.me | Chris Bouchard

VAN BUREN, Maine — The port of entry connecting Van Buren and St. Leonard, New Brunswick, will be temporarily closed to vehicles next month due to construction, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The closure, which is due to construction taking place on du Pont Street in St. Leonard, will begin June 9 at 6 a.m. and is expected to finish by 10 p.m on June 11.
MSAD 27 residents approve $16.5M school budget

2 weeks ago | thecounty.me | Chris Bouchard

FORT KENT, Maine – About 50 people attended MSAD 27’s annual budget meeting on Monday, approving a $16.5 million spending plan. The budget represents a total additional $429,404 in local taxes that will be spread across the district’s towns of Fort Kent, New Canada, St. Francis, St. John and Wallagrass. The combined tax impact for all parts of the budget on MSAD 27 communities is $5.9 million. Last year, that number was $5.47 million.