Newslist
Select Board Meeting Announcement
Dog Licenses
2024 Dog Licenses are available at the Town Office. Please remember to register your dog by January 31st to avoid a $25 late fee.
Short Term Rental Survey
We need to hear the opinions and concerns of Surry residents about the potential growth of short term rentals in the Town. The responses will guide the Town’s direction on this critical issue. Please fill out the survey here on the website by December 15. Thank you from the Surry Comprehensive Plan Committee and the Surry Planning Board!
Short Term Rental Survey
Election Results November 7, 2023
State Referendum-
Q1-Yes 404 No 275
Q2-Yes 580 No 100
Q3-Yes 266 No 420
Q4-Yes 556 No 123
Q5-Yes 389 No 278
Q6-Yes 498 No 177
Q7-Yes 258 No 409
Q8-Yes 347 No 319
Town Cannabis Referendum
Medical Use:
Manufacture-Yes 241 No 420
Testing Facility-Yes 254 No 404
Caregiver Retail Store-Yes 290 No 377
Dispensary-Yes 280 No 383
Adult Use:
Cultivation-Yes 239 No 422
Manufacture Facility-Yes 227 No 432
Testing Facility-Yes 235 No 423
Cannabis Store-Yes 249 No 417
Donation & Resource Links for Lewiston Tragedy
Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP)
City of Lewiston Families & Victims Fund
Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund
LA Metro Chamber Foundation
Central Maine Medical Center Compassionate Care Fund
United Way of Androscoggin County Community Fund
Red Cross
Resources to support your community:
US Department of Justice - Supporting Communities after Mass Violence Incidents
Maine DHHS - Behavioral Health Resources for Those Affected by the Violence in Lewiston
American Psychological Association - Resources for coping with shootings
Comprehensive Plan Survey Results
In May and June of this year, over 320 Surry residents completed the Community Survey distributed by the Comprehensive Plan Committee, providing the Committee with very helpful input for creating our next Plan. That Plan should provide guidance to Town leaders on various boards and committees making decisions for the Town over the next five to ten years. You can access the results of the Survey by clicking on the following links. One link shows results of community-oriented questions, and the other shows demographic information provided by the Survey respondents. Thanks for your interest in the future of our town!
Survey Results
Town Zoom Meeting Reminder
UPDATE - Property Tax Stabilization for Senior Citizens
The LD290 "Property Tax Stabilization for Senior Citizens" program, enacted in August 2022 was repealed by the Maine Legislature on July 6, 2023. The repeal of this program means there will be no reapplication process and no need to follow-up with the Assessing Department or Town Office in August/September, as previously communicated. Although the program has been repealed, your initial application will still be administered this year for the current Tax Commitment in July of 2023-FY24. As a result, approximately 153 eligible Surry applicants will only be responsibly for the “frozen” property tax bill amount for the 2023-FY23 billing cycle – this amount will be equal to the tax amount the owner was billed in 2022-FY23, unless their new billed amount would be lower, in which case they’d owe the lower of the two amounts. Per the law, the State will reimburse the town for 100% of the difference between actual and frozen taxes.
*It is important to note that these are state programs and while the town plays a role in the administration of them, the town is not responsible for the policy objectives of these initiatives. Any questions or concerns owners have regarding this program should be directed to your legislative representative. To find your representative, please visit: State Representatives
To help lower income seniors avoid higher property taxes and remain in their homes, two existing state programs are being expanded:
The Property Tax Fairness Credit – allows eligible Mainers to receive a $1,500 credit, has increased to $2,000 and also loosens limits on the program in a way that allows the benefits to remain constant for a Mainer whose spouse passes away. Note: This program is not administered by the Town of Surry. To claim the credit, you must file a 1040ME and Schedule PTFC/STFC for the tax year during which the property tax or rent was paid. For assistance, please call 207-624-9784 or visit: Property Tax Fairness Credit Information
The State Property Tax Deferral Program – a lifeline loan program that covers the annual property tax bills of Maine seniors age 65 and older who cannot afford to pay them on their own, has been expanded. It doubles the income limit on that program to $80,000 and also raises asset limits. Taxes must be paid back when the home is sold or becomes part of an estate. This program is administered by the state; however, applications must be filed with the Assessor’s Office between January 1 and April 1 each year. Applications are forwarded to Maine Revenue Services who review and make determination for acceptance and approval. Questions can be referred to Maine Revenue Services, Property Tax Division at 207-624-5600 or prop.tax@maine.gov. For more information please visit: Tax Deferral Program Information
Please try the SUBSCRIBE HERE quick link on the home page above!
To sign up for this service, click on the quick link: Subscribe here
then a page will come up that asks for your email address; you must enter your email address for the rest of the page to work properly.
Then below your email address, click on the items you want to be notified about.
Alerts/ Calendar and News are the choices.
If you choose the calendar button for example, every time a change is made to the calendar, you will get an email.
Did you know...???
If your income is at or below:
1 person $27,180 2 people $36,320 3 people $46,060 4 people $55,500 5 people $64,940 6 people $74,380 7 people $83,820
Or if you participate in certain State or Government assistance programs. Please call 1-877-384-2575 or visit fcc.gov/acp
If you need help with your application, please call the Town Office to be connected with a Surry Broadband Volunteer. 667-5912.
Shingles Information
An Experience with Shingles
Years ago, I had the Zostavax vaccination to protect myself from shingles. Later, my
PCP advised that I get the newer, more effective Shingrix vaccination (a series of 2
shots). Like many others, I was too busy to get the vaccine right away; then I forgot
about it. Being too busy and forgetting can be a costly mistake!
In January of 2020, I got shingles! My case did not appear very severe. The location
was a bit unusual as it affected the upper left side of my face and head. I had only a
few lesions, but that area felt like I had received a novocaine shot and sometimes it felt
very itchy.
The medical personnel I saw we somewhat concerned that it might affect my eye, so
they sent me to see my ophthalmologist. I was treated with medications intended to
help ward off infections to my eye. But, even so, about a month after I thought that the
shingles were gone, I started having trouble with the vision in my left eye. The
symptoms were appear to clear up, but then return after a short time without any
treatment. Finally in July, I was sent to a specialist.
I have learned that the shingles virus is very persistent. I have been treating it for nearly
3 years with daily eyedrops and an oral medication. The drop used to prevent the
spread of the virus is prednisolone, which can cause the eye pressure to increase
(possibly leading to glaucoma). So I use 2 additional eyedrops to lower the eye
pressure. My specialist has indicated that I will most likely need to continue using
eyedrops for the rest of my life. In addition to the medications, my eye is carefully
monitored by specialists, with appointments about every 6 weeks.
I am grateful that there is a treatment and that I will probably be able to keep from going
blind in that left eye, but, I often wish I had taken the time to get the Shingrix vaccine.
By the way, my PCP advised me to get the Shingrix shot about 6 months after my case
of the shingles. It is good to remember that shingles can affect a person more than
once and it is best to be as protected as possible.
Audrey Carter
Bus service from Surry!!
Downeast transportation bus service goes through Surry and makes a stop at Pugnuts!
Check out the Downeast Transportation schedule on their website.
Downeast Transportation Bus Schedule
Surry gets Fiber Internet!
https://www.ellsworthamerican.com/news/surry-gets-fiber-internet-service/article_cc423d54-be93-11ed-83e7-a3e6255082e1.html
Please see the Ellsworth American link for details!
IMPORTANT - ADDRESS CHANGE
741 North Bend Rd Surry, Maine 04684
Downeast Woodbank
The Downeast Wood Bank is available to assist Surry residents who are experiencing a heating crisis this winter. If you are unable to adequately heat your home for any reason, the Wood Bank can provide up to 1/3 cord of seasoned firewood per family. An appointment can be made for pickup by contacting Tom at 667-4392 or Ken at 374-2061.
The Downeast Wood Bank also provides firewood for Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Penobscot, and Sedgwick families. The Wood Bank is all volunteers and we are in need of individuals to help cut, split, and stack. We take tree length donations of hardwood if residents have any to donate. Call one of the above numbers if you have wood to donate or want to be part of our team.
Application to join Boards & Committees
Zoom Meeting Link
Surry ZOOM meetings
The link can also be found in the top right navigation bar of this website.