Stoneham, Maine
Stoneham was incorporated on January 31, 1834
2023 Tax Bills are now available online
What Could Our Future Internet Look Like?
Look at the tiny town of Vienna, Maine if
you want to see what our future internet might look like in
Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Lovell, Stoneham, Stow, and Sweden,
Maine.That’s because Vienna won a broadband grant of almost $2.3
million from the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) to build a fiber
network. Vienna expects
to pay the remaining cost without raising taxes.
“It means I get to work from home,” said Katie Church, who lives in
Vienna. Church works for a nonprofit organization which uses online
Zoom meetings. To participate, she has to supplement her internet
access with a cell phone hotspot because her DSL internet keeps
cutting out.
In August 2023, Brownfield, Fryeburg and the other five Western
Maine towns intend to apply as a coalition for one of the highly
competitive MCA grants. The coalition, Eastern Slopes Regional
Broadband (ESRB), aims to make reliable high speed internet
accessible at competitive prices to every home and business in the
towns. ESRB volunteers from each town are currently reviewing
proposals from qualified internet service providers (ISP’s) to help
identify service options for the communities.
The cost of Vienna’s fiber network is expected to exceed the amount
of its grant by about $300,000. Town officials say that cost can be
covered by the town’s reserve funds, or by a bond which can be
repaid by broadband subscriptions.
At a recent town meeting, Vienna residents voted to form a broadband
utility district (BUD) to control the cost of subscriptions and
assure reliable customer service. Using the BUD structure, the town
will appoint directors to an overseeing Board that will contract
with an ISP to do installation, repair, billing, and collections.
Broadband Initiative Update
Town Schedule
The Selectmen meet:
1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.
The Planning Board meets:
2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7 p.m. or As Needed -
The Board of Appeals meets:
As Needed
General Assistance applications available for Albany & Mason Township:
Mondays - 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
General Assistance applications for Stoneham residents will be accepted
during regular office hours.
Vehicle Registration Requirements:
- Proof of Insurance
- Current Vehicle Mileage
- Title - First Time vehicle registration for vehicles 1995 and newer
- Bill of Sale - if applicable