Solid Waste Program

Washington/Aroostook Sustainable Development Plan

Coastal Canadian Corridor Plan

"Bold Coast" Scenic Byway

CDBG Assistance

Milbridge Comprehensive Plan Update

Whitneyville Comprehensive Plan

The Washington County Council of Governments (WCCOG) is a municipal membership organization that delivers a wide range of customized planning, advisory and resources development services to help communities build the future of Washington County, Maine. 

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 Updates from Washington County Council of Governments 

4-30-12 - AARP - Public Input Meeting - AARP is sponsoring a community conversation on the future of Medicare and Social Security. They will be in Machias at the County Court House on May 15th at 2PM. More details available here.

4-30-12 - Funding Opportunity - Non Point Source Pollution Control Grants - - Maine DEP is seeking proposals to restore or protect lakes, streams, or coastal waters that are impaired or considered threatened. The Request for Proposals is available here and offers grants for NPS Watershed Implementation Projects, NPS Watershed Surveys, or Watershed-based Planning. Deadline is June 6, 2012

4-30-12 - Upcoming Training Opportunities - Issues in the Shoreland Zone May 29 (Ellsworth), May 30 (Saco), June 1 (Augusta) - registration deadline May 21,2012; this is for those preparing for the certification exam; already certified Code Officers will earn 6 re-certification credits; click here for details and registration form.

Also - the 3rd Annual Maine Code Conference, sponsored by the Maine Building Officials Inspectors Association and the Maine Fire Chief's Association will be in Sebasco Harbor May 21-22, 2012.Click here for attendee package and registration materials.

4-21-12 - WCCOG receives Governors Award for Environmental Excellence -

The awards, administered by the Maine DEP and scheduled in conjunction with Earth Day (April 22), recognize entities voluntarily going beyond regulatory requirements to creatively and collaboratively initiate innovation that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.

WCCOG won in the "Public Sector" category for its county-wide Brownfields program, which has is restoring environmental vitality in a region greatly dependent on the health of its natural resources while activating needed economic development. Full article posted here.

4-12-12 - Dental Outreach (FREE) April 30-May 5 - Free dental clinics available for Washington County residents  with difficulty accessing dental care. Details on clinic hours available here.

4-6-12 - Grant Opportunities - MaineDOT - Quality Community Program: Small Harbor Improvement Program (SHIP)

MaineDOT is now accepting applications for the Small Harbor Improvement Program. This competitive grant application is open to tidewater communities that can demonstrate a need to improve economic activity and improve access to a tidewater river or the ocean on publicly accessible property. Typical types of projects funded under this program include wharfs, piers, floats, gangways, boat ramps, limited dredging, etc. The goal of this program is to promote economic development, improve public marine infrastructure, and improve public access. MaineDOT will schedule site visits as needed after Letters of Intent have been filed.Deadlines May 11 (Letter of Intent) June 29 (Application); electronic forms available here.

4-5-12 - Grant Opportunities - MaineDOT - Quality Community Program: Transportation Enhancement & Safe Routes to School -

MaineDOT is now accepting applications for federal Transportation Enhancement (TE) and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funding through the MaineDOT Quality Community Program. Typical types of projects funded under this program include sidewalks, crossing improvements, off-road connections, downtown improvements, etc.   The goal of this program is to improve transportation, improve safety, and promote economic development.  MaineDOT will schedule site visits as needed after Letters of Intent have been filed. Deadlines May 11 (Letter of Intent) June 29 (Application); electronic forms available here.

3-5-12 - Grant Opportunity - Maine Coastal Program Competitive Coastal Grant - Funds may be used for planning, ordinance development, project implementation, and for outreach and educational programs. Grant range $5000-$50,000; deadline March 28, 2012. More details here.

2-23-12 - Grant Opportunities - Rural Energy for American Program offering grants, loan guarantees and combination grant/loan guarantees to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements in rural areas. Deadline March 30, 2012. Details available here.

2-23-12 - Training Opportunity - Regional Planning for Small Communities Workshop. Intended to help small communities understand, plan for, and manage growth this workshop will address data collection, scenario development, development suitability analysis, reduction in vehicle miles travelled making efficient use of infrastructure and more. Details available here.

12-9-11 - Upcoming Training Opportunities - are available for municipal officials. Learn how to use the American FactFinder data retrieval tool on the Census Bureau web site to get data for grant writing, market research and planning for economic development. Details on time, locations and registration available here.The State Planning Office/Maine Coastal Program is sponsoring two workshops on the connection between clam flats and land use at two locations: Jan 4 in Freeport and Jan 6 in Ellsworth. Details are available here including a draft agenda.

Learn about the for improving coastal access, preparing for coastal hazards

11-11-11 - FY12 Maine Coastal Program Competitive Coastal Grants are available for improving coastal access, preparing for coastal hazards, addressing effects of land use activity on water quality, and restoring coastal habitats. Application deadline is December 7, 2011More information available here.  

11-11-11 - Your Community by the Numbers workshop on December 14 at 3 locations (Machias, Caribou, Calais) click above for details. Learn how to use the American FactFinder data retrieval tool on the Census Bureau web site to get data for grant writing, market research and planning for economic development.

10-13-11 - 2011 Annual Report and 2012 Work Plan now available for review in preparation for review at the Annual General Meeting to be held this year at the Chandler River Lodge in Jonesboro, Monday October 17 from 5:30-8PM. If you have not done so already please RSVP to Judy East

9-30-11 - Right of Way Discovery Grants available to research forgotten or overlooked rights-of-way. A total of $10,000 is available; individual grants may not exceed $2500. More information here. Deadline Oct 21, 2011.

9-27-11 - Shore and Harbor Technical Planning Grants available. Funds are provided through the states NOAA Coastal Program Grant. Shore and Harbor Technical Assistance Grants are meant to promote sound waterfront planning, harbor management, and balanced development of shore and harbor areas to improve marine infrastructure and assure access to the shore. Funds may be used for harbor planning, including harbor management plans, ordinances, and mooring plans; as well as, planning studies for public and working access, planning and designing of harbor improvements, developing management plans for municipal facilities in harbors and waterfronts that border upon and may include state- owned submerged lands. More details available here.

9-23-11 -Free Dental services - For those having difficulty accessing dental services the Washington County Children's Program is sponsoring dental clinics at the Lee Pellon Center in Machias for six days in October - see details here.

9-1-2011 - WCCOG Annual General Meeting scheduled for Oct 17, 2011 at the Chandler River Lodge in Jonesboro 5:30-730PM. The theme of the meeting with be the new Economic Development District linking Washington County with Aroostook County and several regional planning initiatives in the county.

8-29-11 - WCCOG to receive $100,000 in state and federal funds to develop a Corridor Management Plan for the Bold Coast Scenic Byway - Federal announcement is available here. This announcement means WCCOG will be hiring a full time planner in the coming months. More details to follow as timing of funds disbursement are known.

8-9-11 - WCCOG seeks qualified civil engineering firm to develop a conceptual site plan and preliminary cost estimate for a proposed regional recycling facility on the grounds of the Marion Transfer Station.  - Bid documents are available here.

6-29-11 - Code Enforcement Officer and Local Plumbing Inspector training opportunity - Maine Rural Water Association and Maine Association of Site Evaluators are offering the 2nd Annual one day Maine Septic conference. Excellent training opportunity for hands-on experience and training. Details and registration materials here.

6-22-2011 -Canadian Coastal Corridor Plan - Public meeting to review draft report at the Washington County Community College Auditorium at 7PM.

6-13-11 Household Hazardous Waste collections on June 18 and 19 - click here for details.

4-25-11 Solid Waste in the Post-2018 Era. Hancock County Planning Commission has invited communities in Washington County to join a discussion on solid waste disposal options after the operating license for PERC expires in 2018 on May 26 from 4:00-6:00 at Ellsworth City. Pre-registration requested. RSVP to Sherri Walsh 667-2099.

4.-13-11 Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Universal Waste (UW) Collections scheduled. WCCOG will host three HHW collections on June 18 & 19 and two UW collections on July 16. Click here for details.

3.-11-11 Whitneyville Comp Plan Survey online. Participate in the online version of the Whitneyville Comprehensive Plan Survey. Paper copies are being mailed to Whitneyville residents. Additional copies are available in the Town Office and Library. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan, click here.

2-2-11 -Feedback wanted on Byway Application - WCCOG is soliciting feedback from towns on a draft Eligibility Application (PDF 3.7 MB) for designation of a byway in coastal Washington County. For more information click here.

2-2-11 -Free Dental services - For those having difficulty accessing dental services the Washington County Children's Program is sponsoring dental clinics at the Lee Pellon Center in Machias for six days in April - see details here.

11-4-10 -Explore Maine by bike - 33 Bicycle Loop Tours. The WCCOG office has about 100 copies of this great spiral bound guide of Bike Tours in Maine. Contact Judy East if you want a copy.

10-21-10 -Northern Maine Development Commission, WCCOG and partners awarded $800,000 HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grant. A collaboration with NMDC and 10 other "consortium" members yielded funds to prepare a Washington Aroostook Regional Plan for Sustainable Development. The application abstract summarizes the proposed work to take place over the next 3 years.

10-11-10 WCCOG Annual Meeting: Thursday, October 14 WCCOG will be launching our new, USDA-funded Solid Waste initiative at the Annual General Meeting this Thursday (11/14, 5:30pm at the Bluebird Ranch Restaurant in Machias). The Annual Report and Meeting minutes are available online.

09-30-10 Lubec Comp Plan Update Resubmitted to SPO Revisions to the Town of Lubec's Comprehensive Plan Update were submitted to the State Planning Office for review on September 30, 2010. The Committee anticipates hearing back from the State Planning Office sometime in October. A Public Hearing will be scheduled after SPO issues findings on the consistency of the Comprehensive Planning update with Maine's Growth Management Act.

08-10-10 Keep It in the County: Local Products for Local Profits is a program that links schools, non-profit organizations, and Washington County-based businesses to offer local products for fund raising activities. WCCOG is currently working with Washington County: One Community to identify additional businesses and school organizations interested in participating in this program. Interested businesses should complete the registration from by August 25, 2010.

7-23-10 The WCCOG has obtained a $42,385.00 Solid Waste Management grant from the USDA Rural Utilities Service. The grant will allow WCCOG staff to assist communities throughout Washington County to increase recycling efforts. The grant will also be used to organize and conduct up to 3 collections of household hazardous waste, universal or electronic waste and pharmaceutical waste. More details here.

6-7-10 The Public Utilities Commission just announced the second round of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants The PUC is seeking a statement of interest from municipalities that is due no later than 5PM on Thursday June 25th.   WCCOG assisted six Washington County communities in the preparation of applications for the first round. All six application were fully funded. More details on how to apply here.

See older updates from WCCOG...

Washington County Council of Gov'ts
PO Box 631, Calais, ME 04619
(207) 454-0465 Fax: (207) 454-2568
Toll free (888) 287-3006