Town Contact Information
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Town of Castine, P. O. Box 204, Castine, ME 04421
Telephone: 326-4502, Fax: 326-9465
Hours: Open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Selectmen meet: every other Mon. at 7 p.m.
Tax Collector and Town Clerk: same as town office hours.
e-mail: townofficecastine.me.us Web site: www.castine.me.us

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Municipal Information
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Town Description

This charming village is on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic markers can be found throughout the town, which is dominated by 18th and 19th century architecture. The town has had success keeping many of its beautiful elm trees healthy, and Castine still looks much like other New England towns before Dutch elm disease decimated the trees. The post office, located in the 1803 customs house, is the oldest continuously operating post office in the United States.

Castine was occupied by the British during the American Revolution in 1779 and during the War of 1812. Two forts remain from those eras: Fort George and earthwork remnants from Fort Madison. The British canal, built during the War of 1812 between Hatch’s and Wadsworth coves, defines on-neck Castine. Today the town is the home of Maine Maritime Academy, founded in 1941, a college of engineering, business, science and transportation with 825 students. With summer residents and visitors, the town’s population doubles during the summer months.

Town Officials

Town Manager
Dale Abernethy 326-4502
Selectmen
David Unger, Chm. 326-8201
Peter Vogell 326-9334
Gus Basile 326-9210
Clerk, Registrar of Voters, Deputy Tax Collector
Susan Macomber 326-4502
Finance Officer, Tax Collector & Treasurer
Karen Motycka 326-4502
Code Enforcement Officer
Dale Abernethy 326-4502
Plumbing Inspector
Peter Vogell 326-9334
Health Officer
Richard Read, MD
Animal Control Officer
Henry Erhard 326-8509
Planning Board
Dick Starke, Chm. 326-8065
Frank Wiswall, Doris Russell, Robin
Mass, Douglas Wellington, William
Corbett, Alt., Par Kettis, Alt.
Board of Appeals
James Stone, Patrick Haugen, Robert
Kilpeck, Thomas Beck, David Jones,
Assoc.
Comprehensive Plan Committee
Jean Cass, Sheila Corbett, Dan Gregorie,
Jeff Loustaunau, Robin Mass, Liz Parish,
Lynn Parsons, Scott Vogell, Lee Wylie
Recreation Committee
Paul Fallow, Co-Chm. 326-2006
Debi McLaughlin, Co-Chm. 326-8787
Dianna Paine, Dennis Colson Jr., Karen
Cukierski, Susan Macomber, Assoc., Lisa
May, Assoc.
Utility Board
Robert Meyer, Co-Chm. 326-9364
Sheila Corbett, Co-Chm. 326-4930
Patrick Haugen, Par Kettis, Don Small,
Colin Baker, Alt.
Historic Preservation Commission
Ann Miller, Chm. 326-4306
David Adams, Elaine Gardner, Michael
Coughlin, Ruth Basile, David Schoonover
Harbormaster
Ray Durkee 266-7711
Owen Reed, Asst. or 326-4502

Tax Information

Types of properties assessed and subject to tax: land, building and personal property. Bills are mailed mid-July and are due mid-Sep.

Interest on unpaid bills changes annually, per state rate.

Rules used to determine value: state statutes.

Tax exemptions: homestead, veterans, blind, state, federal, municipal properties, churches, hospitals, etc. To appeal assessment, file for abatement first.

To calculate property tax: assessment times mill rate. Mill rate: changes annually.

Town Ordinances

Zoning, subdivision, historic preservation, entrance and excavation, flood plain management, sewer, solid water, waterfront, E-911.

Permits

Types of permits needed: building, flood plain, subdivision, sewer connection, plumbing, historic preservation (if applicable) and fire permits. Available at town office. Burning permits available from fire chief and asst. chief.

Post Offices

Castine 04421
Mon.-Fri., lobby, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., window, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sat., lobby, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., window, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Process passports daily, Mon.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 326-8551

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Castine by the Numbers
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Geographic Profile

Total area: 5,053 (7.9 sq. mi.)
Land: 5,053 acres
Bog: 0
Flood: 120 acres
Inland water: 0

Population

1990: 1,161
2000: 1,343

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Education
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Education Contact Numbers

Union 93
20 Hinckley Ridge Rd.
P.O. Box 630, Blue Hill
Arthur Wittine, Super. 374-9927
fax 374-2951
Adams School 326-8608
Todd Nelson, Principal
www.adamsschool.com
School Board
Joe Spinazola, Chm. 326-2050
Tom Gutow 326-8062
Susan Adam 326-7123
Enrollment numbers (10/07)
K-8 63
Grades 9-12 24

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Emergency & Public Services
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FOR ALL EMERGENCIES—
FIRE, AMBULANCE & POLICE— CALL 911.

Non-emergency numbers

Randy Stearns, Fire Chief 326-4997
Peter Vogell, Asst. Fire Chief 326-9334
Fire Station (non-emergency) 326-8767

Fire permits need fire chief or asst. fire chief approval. Contact them for permit or call the town office for assistance.

Cemeteries

Cemetery Association
Castine Cemetery
Bradford Tenney, Chm.
Donna Sawyer, Treas.
Don Small, Janis Fitch, Bente Hartmann
Laura Hatch, Ray Nualla.

Trash & Recycling

Transfer Station hours: Mon., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tue., 12-1 p.m.; Wed., 7 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thu., 12-1 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sat., closed; Sun., 12-3 p.m. Curbside pick-up of stickered, non-recyclable waste will be each Mon. These items should be out by 7:30 a.m. When a holiday falls on a Mon., pick-up will be on Tue. Notice of this will be posted. All recyclable items must be placed by the curb by 8 a.m. to ensure pick-up. In case of inclement weather, hold materials for the next scheduled recycling day. Recycling guides are available at Emerson Hall. Recycling days are on the first and third Tue. of each month.

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Recreation
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Public Landings

Town dock

Walking Trails

A town walking map is available from Castine Merchants Association members or the Town Office.

Witherle Woods Preserve, 132 acres of old-growth woods maintained by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, offers a network of trails, including 300 feet of ocean frontage along Blockhouse Point. Hatch Cove Preserve, Castine Road.

Rene Henderson Natural Area, The Shore Road.

Starr Virginia Lampson Preserve, Rt. 199, just off 166A.

Public Restrooms

Summers dockside. Emerson Hall.

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