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MaineLD 531132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Establish the Toddy Pond Watershed Management District

Sponsored By: Nina Milliken (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

DAMSDAMS - MAINTENANCE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

District property is tax-exempt

All property the district owns in Blue Hill, Orland, Penobscot, and Surry is exempt from local property taxes forever. This tax break applies to district assets, not to private homes.

New district manages Toddy Pond dam

This law creates the Toddy Pond Watershed Management District. The district owns and runs the Toddy Pond dam, manages water levels and flows, and plans repairs. It can sue, borrow, take grants and loans, and set rules. It is treated as a government under the Maine Tort Claims Act. It can get state watershed help, and it uses a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year.

Waterfront owners pay shoreline-based fees

If you own waterfront property on Toddy Pond, the district charges you an assessment based on shoreline feet, capped at 250 feet per lot. The district mails bills, can charge interest, and can place a lien if you do not pay. If your town does not fund its share, that unpaid amount is added to the assessments on waterfront parcels in that town.

Towns cover half of district costs

Participating towns must fund 50% of the district’s total budget. The fixed shares of all district funds are: Blue Hill 6%, Orland 43%, Penobscot 24%, Surry 27%. Each town must pay its annual share before August 1.

Board makeup and voting balance

The board has nine seats: Orland 2, and one each from Penobscot, Surry, and Blue Hill, plus four elected by waterfront owners. Initial terms are staggered; later terms are three years. Waterfront candidates are nominated by a lake or pond group representing at least 20% of properties, or by a board process if none exists. Vacant town seats are filled by that town; a lake or pond group can fill a waterfront vacancy until the next election. A quorum is a majority. Any board action needs a majority and at least one town‑appointed and one waterfront‑elected yes vote. If a town withdraws, its seats are removed and remaining seats adjust to keep rules set by the law.

How towns join or leave the district

Voters in each town hold a referendum after June 1, 2025 and within two years. If a majority in one or more towns approves, other parts of the law take effect. If a town does not approve, it is not a member, and its municipal share is instead assessed on its waterfront owners. A town can later withdraw by majority vote with board approval; a town that fails to fund for two years is treated as withdrawn. The district can dissolve after paying its debts if a majority of trustees vote to do so.

Budget hearings and approval rules

The board must hold a public budget hearing before January 15 and finalize the budget by January 15. After that, it must send a warrant article to each town clerk by February 1 for a town vote. Budgets under $100,000 need a simple majority with at least one town and one waterfront trustee voting yes. Budgets of $100,000 or more need a two‑thirds vote. The $100,000 threshold rises each year with inflation.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nina Milliken

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • David Haggan

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Moonen

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole C. Grohoski

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steven Bishop

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    5/1/2026

  2. This being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/13/2025House

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.

    6/13/2025Senate

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-669) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-669), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/13/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-669).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/12/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES in concurrence

    2/11/2025Senate

  8. Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    2/11/2025House

Bill Text

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