Lincoln County approves LCRPC ARPA payment, six ASK grants and strategic plan update

Executive Director Emily Rabbe presented several LCRPC items to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on April 21, 2026. The board approved a $68,508.09 payment to Central Maine Power to fund a three‑phase extension that will allow Volunteers of America and the Town of Waldoboro to start work on a booster station; Rabbe said this invoice is the majority of previously approved ARPA funds for the project.

Rabbe also presented the Assistance with Specific Know‑How (ASK) grant awards, which the LCRPC Board approved at its April 15 annual meeting. The county approved six ASK grants: Town of Alna $5,000 for beaver baffle engineering and installation; Town of Damariscotta $4,000 to develop a municipal GIS platform; Kings Mills Union Hall Association (Whitefield) $3,500 for ADA and Fire Marshal compliance assessment; Town of Nobleboro $5,000 for drainage survey and moisture mitigation design at Nobleboro Central School (to address a mold-related closure of a wing); Town of Southport $3,000 to update and install an emergency notification district map; and Town of Westport $3,500 to retain a historic preservation architect to develop drawings and specifications for the historic Town Hall. Each grant was approved by a 2-0 vote.

Rabbe also presented the LCRPC Quarter 1 2026 Snapshot, reporting 465 hours of technical assistance, 16 grant applications supported or written, outreach events and tax-prep assistance, and staff training. Finally, the board approved the LCRPC 2026–2031 Strategic Plan Update, which retains the commission's priorities—housing, transportation, broadband, economic and community development, environmental sustainability and intergenerational community building—while refining action areas and desired outcomes for the next five years.

Rabbe noted the LCRPC annual meeting on April 15 at Bigelow Labs was well attended and included a presentation from Brian Ambrette, Director of the State Resilience Office. The board recorded its approvals without dissent and no further conditions were noted.