Town Contact Information
Town of Castine, 67 Court St., P.O. Box 204, Castine, ME 04421
Telephone: 326-4502 Fax: 326-9465
Website: castine.me.us
Email: townoffice@castine.me.us
Hours: Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Selectmen meet: 1st and 3rd Mon. 4 p.m.
Tax Collector & Town Clerk: Same as town office hours
Municipal Information
Town Description
Historically, the flags of four nations have flown over Castine. With the village listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Castine has worked to keep its storied past vivid, with an active historical society, signs indicating locations where notable events occurred, and continuing efforts to maintain the elegant elm trees that still line many streets.
On Main Street, the post office, opened in 1814, is the second oldest in continuous operation in the United States. Witherle Memorial Library is Maine’s oldest municipal library, established as such by the town in 1855.
Castine has been the prize sought in a number of military engagements, starting with a raid by the English in 1613, which was the beginning of disputes over the boundary between French Acadia and the English colonies.
Since 1867, the town has been home to an institution of higher learning. The Eastern State Normal School prepared students to meet the growing need for teachers in Maine. Its facilities became the basis of Maine Maritime Academy, a college of engineering, business, science and transportation, when the normal school closed in the spring of 1942. With the academy vessels’ year-round presence and summer boaters, the town has an active waterfront.
Town Officials
Town elections are held in November. Town meeting is held in May.
Town Manager
Shawn Blodgett 326-4502
Selectboard
Colin Powell 326-1014
Gordon MacArthur 326-4042
Roberta Boczkiewicz 326-5016
Clerk, Registrar of Voters
Susan Macomber 326-4502
Finance Officer, Tax Collector, Treasurer
Karen Motycka 326-4502
Code Enforcement Officer
Shawn Blodgett 326-4502
Plumbing Inspector
Peter Vogell 326-9334
Health Officer
Ingrid Scott 610-9193
Animal Control Officer
Henry Erhard 326-4502 after hours, call 326-8509
Planning Board
Douglas Wellington, chmn., Beverly Bishop, Tom Comiciotto, Bob Friedlander, Don Tenney; Jim Bernard, alt.
Board of Appeals
James Shanley, chmn., Michael Coughlin, Amy Gutow, Ann Robinson, Bobby Vagt; Bill Lyons, alt., Mark Morgoini, alt.
Recreation Committee
Karen Cukierski, chmn. 326-8774
Jessica Simmons, Sara Kneisel, Therese Biggie; Susan Macomber, alt., Scott Vogell, alt.
Harbor Committee
Zander Parker, chmn., Bill Corbett, J.T. Loomis, David Wyman; Tim Leach, Dan Willis, MMA representative; Amelia Griffith, alt.
Harbormaster
Scott Vogell 266-9392
Utility Board
Kirk Langford, chmn., Josh Adam, Dave Hassett, Gordon “Mac” MacArthur, Carl Olson
Historic Preservation Commission
Debby Neve, chmn., Medan “Hank” de Raat, Kelly Gaultieri, Arthur Layton, Brooke Tenney; Diana Bernard, alt.
Tax Information
Types of properties assessed and subject to tax: land, building, personal property. Bills mailed mid-July and 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 multiplied by mill rate. Mill rate changes annually.
Town Ordinances
Zoning, subdivision, historic preservation, entrance and excavation, flood plain management, sewer, solid waste, 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 Office
Castine 04421 326-8551
Lobby: Mon.-Fri. 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat. 7:30-11:30 a.m.
Window: Mon-Fri. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. Sat. 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Passports processed by appointment: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.
Castine by
the Numbers
Geographic Profile
Total area: 5,053 acres (7.9 sq. mi.)
Land: 5,053 acres
Bog: 0
Flood: 120 acres
Inland water: 0
Population
1990: 1,161
2000: 1,343
2010: 1,366
2020: 1,320
Education
Education Contact Numbers
Union 93 Superintendent of Schools
20 Hinckley Ridge Rd.
P.O. Box 630, Blue Hill
374-9927
Adams School
27 School St. Castine
Fred Cole, Principal 326-8608
School Board
Temple Blackwood, chmn. 951-5086
Kate Noel
Johanna Barrett
Enrollment numbers (Oct. 2022)
Pre-K-8—Adams School 49; Bay School 1; home school 11. Grades 9-12—George Stevens Academy 16; Blue Hill Harbor School 6; John Bapst 3, Bucksport 1.
Emergency and
Public Services
Trash & Recycling
Transfer Station hours: Tue.-Fri., 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-noon, closed Sun. and Mon. Curbside pick-up of stickered, non-recyclable waste is 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. Recycling days are the first and third Tue. of each month. All recyclable items must be placed by the curb by 7:30 a.m. in clear plastic bags to ensure pick-up. In case of inclement weather, hold materials for the next scheduled recycling day. Recycling guides are available at Emerson Hall.
Note: During the summer months, if there is enough demand curbside recycling will take place weekly.
Public Restrooms
Summers dockside, Emerson Hall.
Parking Restrictions
Review Traffic Ordinance posted at castine.me.us as parking regulations are enforced.
Fire Department
To report a fire: 911
Non-emergency numbers:
Randy Stearns, Fire Chief 557-7721
Jack Spratt, Asst. Fire Chief 812-2705
Tom Gutow, Asst. Fire Chief 266-8331
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.
Recreation
Walking Trails
A town walking map is available from the town office.
Witherle Woods Preserve, 132 acres of old-growth woods maintained by 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, Rte. 166A; Starr Virginia Lampson Preserve, Rte. 199, just off Rte. 166A; Greenbie Natural Area, Rte. 166A; Dunc’s Meadow, Rte. 166.
Public Landings
Town dock, ramp, float, launch and tie-up, timed parking is available.
Cemeteries
Castine Cemetery
Bradford Tenney, chmn., Victoria Blackwood, Kathy Eaton, Ruth Eaton, Don Small