In June SAD 41 residents - approved an approximate $474,000 loan from Maine’s school revolving renovation fund for sprinkler and elevator upgrades at the Penquis Valley School. Under the program the state covers 70 percent of the costs, meaning a little more than $142,000 would be paid back by the district over five years at zero percent interest.

A little more than a month after the first version of the 2017-18 SAD 41 budget was voted down -- by a combined total of 270 to 68 across the district communities of Atkinson, Brownville, Milo, and LaGrange -- a revised spending plan will be brought to voters at a district budget meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at the Penquis Valley School.

Children in SAD 41 are able to eat breakfast and lunch every weekday when school is in session. In the summer months food insecurity can be more of an issue, but thanks to a collaborative effort between several organizations and volunteers anyone under age 18 can receive a free bag lunch five days a week from 11 to 11:30 a.m. through the summer meals program located at the Derby Community Center.

After tabling a decision at their regular meeting on the first Tuesday evening of the month, the selectmen set the 2017 tax commitment during a July 18 session. The 2017 mill rate -- in Milo the town’s fiscal year follows the calendar year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 -- will be $31.25 per $1,000 in assessed property, a decrease of 25 cents from the 2016 rate of $31.50.

As part of the newly-approved state budget SAD 41 will be receiving approximately $263,000 more in state subsidy for 2017-18 and during a July 12 meeting the school board made a motion to use all these funds to reduce the assessment for the four district towns in the next version of the spending plan to be brought forward later in the summer.

A decision on the 2017 tax commitment was not finalized during a June 27 selectmen’s meeting, as instead the mill rate could be set during a potential meeting on Tuesday, July 18.

A proposed 2017-18 SAD 41 budget of $8,500,571 was approved with 13 of 14 articles passing over 40 minutes during the annual district budget meeting on June 19 in the cafeteria at the Penquis Valley School. The total is now moved to a referendum in the district towns of Atkinson, Brownville, LaGrange and Milo on Thursday, June 29.

The SAD 41 board of directors approved a proposed budget of $8,500,571 for the 2017-18 academic year during a meeting on June 7 at the Penquis Valley School. The board also scheduled the district budget meeting for Monday, June 19 at 6 p.m. at Penquis Valley in the gymnasium, with an information session before at 5:30 p.m.

Earlier in the year applications made by the towns of Dexter and Milo to join the AARP/World Health Organization Network of Age-Friendly Communities were approved. The designation will enable the communities to utilize AARP resources, at no charge, to make the community more age friendly through the organization’s policies and infrastructure improvements.

On Tuesday, June 13 residents of the SAD 41 communities of Atkinson, Brownville, LaGrange and Milo will be voting on an approximate $474,000 loan from the state’s school revolving renovation fund for sprinkler and elevator system upgrades at the Penquis Valley School. Under the program the state would cover 70 percent of the costs, meaning a little more than $142,000 would be paid back by the district over five years at zero percent interest.

A public hearing on a $473,000 loan from the state’s school revolving renovation fund for sprinkler and elevator system upgrades at the Penquis Valley School has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Marion C. Cook School in LaGrange.

LAGRANGE — AOS 43 has announced the hiring of Dr.

Observer photo/Jeannette Hughes BOYS AND GIRLS FISHING ON BOYD LAKE — Six young anglers proudly display their catch on Saturday at the fire station in Milo as part of the 55th annual Schoodic Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

MILO — SAD 41 officials continue to work on short- and long-term plans for district facilities.

MILO – U.

MILO — Last month Atkinson residents voted, 151-34, to file a petition to withdraw from SAD 41, with this process to be done by a committee through negotiations with the school district.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The RSU 68 school board is hosting a “Meet Your Area Legislator Night” at the SeDoMoCha School on Monday, Dec.

Piscataquis County sets aside one day early in December to celebrate the wonder of Christmas and the magic of the holiday season.