Orono Town Council Meeting

Monday night October 19, the Orono Town Council meet for its monthly meeting. State Representative Jim Martin was there to give a presentation on the impacts of the Excise Tax Referendum and TABOR II.

In his presentation Martin said that both referendums on this years ballot will have a negative effect on the state's economy. He compared the TABOR II program to the one that has been in effect in Colorado since 1992. Martin said that TABOR has also been tried in many other states but it has only passed in Colorado. Martin describes Tabor as the reason that Colorado has had economic problems and is now fiftieth in the nation for teacher salaries.



TABOR II is question 4 on the November Maine ballot. If the bill passed it would create a formula that would limit state spending unless a vote was held where the people passed a new budget. Martin explained that the extra elections would cost every town in Maine just to hold them.

Maine voted down a similar bill in 2006 called the Maine Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

The Town Council did not discuss Question 2, the automobile excise tax cut as heavily.

Orono Town Manager Cathy Conlow also presented on how the two proposed bills would affect the town of Orono. Conlow specifically talks about how the excise tax cut would affect the amount of money the town receives.



After the presentations the town council passed resolutions Order 09-171 and Order 09-172. These two resolutions stated the town of Orono’s opposition to questions 2 and 4 on the November ballot.

The Town Council passed the two resolutions unanimously.

Several victualer’s licenses were renewed for the town of Orono. These businesses included Bell’s IGA, China Garden, Dirigo Pines Inn, Thai Orchid.

The Town Council set the polling locations for the November third referendum election. The locations will be Birch Street School Senior Center, University Memorial Union all purpose room and the Orono Council Chambers. The polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.


The town council also approved $6,927 for the cooperative purchase of Tanker 6 with the City of Bangor Fire Department.

Black Bear Brewery

Black Bear Brewery is a local micro-brew located in downtown Orono at 19 Mill Street Suite 4. Black Bear Brewery works with other local businesses to get their distribution.

Beer from the brewery can be found on tap locally at 103 Ultra Lounge, The Bear Brew Pub and Woodman's. The beer is also distributed to Bar Harbor. Growlers of the beer is available at the brewery and at Burby and Bates in Orono.

Black Beer Brewery is a small operation, run by owner Timothy Gallon and one other employee.



In the video Gallon is moving a batch of the Voodoo Porter to begin cooling. It will be another two and a half weeks before this batch is ready to be shipped.

Beginning in November a winter seasonal Stout will become available. In the summer a Blueberry Ale seasonal is available.