Annual county/UT budget hearing set for Nov. 17

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2026 fiscal year county budget and 2026-27 fiscal year Unorganized Territory budget at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17 in the commissioners’ chambers at the Peaks Building, 163 East Main St.

“As you know, the budget committee has finished its portion of the budget work,” County Manager Michael Williams said during an Oct. 21 commissioners meeting.

The budget advisory committee convened in early September to review the UT and county budgets and make recommendations. The annual public hearing is held in mid to late November. The commissioners give final budget approval at one of the December meetings.

The Oct. 21 meeting was the first for newly-appointed District 3 Commissioner Adam B. Coover, R-Barnard Township. 

In the summer Wayne Erikkinen, R-Harfords Point resigned after serving more than two terms as a commissioner representing the Greenville and Brownville areas. Erkinnen was reelected on the November 2024 ballot as the only candidate listed for District 3.

During a meeting last month Commissioners Chair Andy Torbett said the local party would caucus — residents of District 3 who participated in the countywide caucus in the last election — to vote on which name or names they would like to send to the governor and then an appointment will be made. Gov. Janet Mills appointed Coover the week before the meeting

Torbett said the person appointed would serve until the first of the new year and then a special election will be held. 

“They would have to campaign again, so it’s actually a short time to fill,” Torbett said.