Town Contact Information
Town of Penobscot, P.O. Box 4, Penobscot, ME 04476
Telephone: 326-4364
Website: penobscotmaine.org
Town Clerk: Mon. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tue. 4-7 p.m. Thu. 12-4 p.m.
Tax Collector/Treasurer: Mon. 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tue. 4-7 p.m. Thu. 12-4 p.m.
Selectmen meet: Tue., except 5th Tue., 7-8:30 p.m., town hall
Municipal Information
Town Description
The town of Penobscot takes its name from the Indian word “Penobskeag,” or “Penopeauke,” signifying a rocky place. Contemporary farmers will attest to the accuracy of this choice. Similar to neighboring communities, small farms have been reestablished and are again supporting local families.
Early trades included brick-making, home and machine knitting, and the manufacture of fish barrels, lime casks, carriages, harnesses and coffins. Ice harvesting, peat bogs, shipping and gristmills employed other residents.
Home-based businesses are growing in number. In addition, a resurgence of the local alewife fishery is under way.
The Penobscot Community School educates students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. “Penobscot Day,” celebrated in July, involves the fire department, the historical society, Scouts and others to present a parade and day of exhibits and events.
Town Officials
Selectmen
Harold Hatch 326-9383
Sara Leighton 326-4185
Phil Rapp 326-0818
Treasurer
Amy Dunn 326-4364
Tax Collector
Elizabeth Hutchins 326-4364
Town Clerk, Registrar
Sally Bridges 326-4364
Deputy Tax Collectors
Sally Austin, Rita Martynowski
326-4364
Alewife Committee
Bailey Bowden, chmn. 326-8524
Animal Control Officer
Robert Gross 326-8651
Board of Appeals
Jeff Berzinis 326-8548
David Koenka 326-9702
Jan McKay 326-0551
Code Enforcement Officer
Donald Baker 356-2309
Finance Committee
Audrey Bradford, chmn. 326-8671
Jonathan Albrecht, Audrey Berzinis, Carol Cody, Royce Hardin, Geanna LeClerc, Jesse MacNair, Vivian Turner
Planning Board
Meets first Tue. at 7 p.m.; third Tue., summer months, if needed.
Dana Willis, chmn. 460-6276
Jonathan Allen 326-8750
Donald Bradford 326-8671
Winsor Bowden 326-4364
Elizabeth Snow 326-4364
Plumbing Inspector
Donald Baker 356-2309
Recreation Director
Jim Henry 326-4364
Road Commissioner
William Hutchins 326-8497
Snowplowing
Cameron Dow 266-1602
Shellfish Warden
Steve Bechard 326-4007
Shellfish Conservation Committee
Bailey Bowden, chmn. 326-8524
Town Moderator
Sherman Hutchins 326-8545
Tax Information
Types of property assessed and subject to tax: real estate. Tax bills mailed by approximately July 1 and are due in September. Interest rate for unpaid bills: 8 percent, after 60 days. Tax exemptions: homestead and veterans. To appeal assessment, go to the board of assessors.
Mill rate: changes yearly.
To calculate tax: mill rate multiplied by valuation.
Town Ordinances
Land use regulation, flood plain, shellfish, wind tower, and alewife.
Permits
Building, earth moving, road building. Permits can be obtained at the town office or from town CEO and at planning board meetings.
Post Office
Penobscot 04476 326-4121
Lobby: Open 24 hours
Window: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. Sat. 8-11:45 a.m.
Penobscot by
the Numbers
Geographic Profile
Total area: 30,737 acres (48.03 sq. mi.)
Land: 30,496 acres
Bog: 634 acres
Flood: 152 acres
Inland water: 241 acres
Shoreline: 18.75 miles
Population
1990: 1,131
2000: 1,344
2010: 1,263
2020: 1,136
Education
Education Contact Numbers
Union 93 Superintendent of Schools
20 Hinckley Ridge Rd., P.O. Box 630, Blue Hill 374-9927
Penobscot Community School
66 N. Penobscot Rd.
Jay Corbin., prin.
326-9421
School Board
Jerald Markley, chmn. 326-9308
Charles Brenton 326-8897
Ed DeVito 508-319-9268
James Goodman 326-9430
Tanya Astbury
Enrollment numbers (Oct. 2021)
Grades pre-K-8—Penobscot Community School 69; Bay School 5; home school 5; Bucksport 1;out of area 1. Grades 9-12—George Stevens 21; Bucksport HS 10; Blue Hill Harbor School 3; HCTC 4; John Bapst 5; out of area schools 5.
Emergency and
Public Services
Trash & Recycling
Transfer Station hours: Tue. and Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Stickers required; available at transfer station. Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, telephone books, colored paper, junk mail, envelopes with windows, corrugated cardboard, plastic (#1 and #2), tin, aluminum and glass.
Public Restrooms
No information available.
Fire Department
To report a fire: 911
Non-emergency numbers:
Fire House 326-4296
Scott Ferden, fire chief 266-4318
Burn permits available Mondays from Scott Ferden by phone or at fire house.
Recreation
Walking Trails
Starr & Virginia Lampson Preserve, Rte. 199; Weinland Natural Area, trails, Gray Ridge Rd.; Sherm Perkins Park, Rte. 175/199.
Public Landings
Partial tidal launching on Town Landing Rd., right after Northern Bay Market. Fresh water: Wight Pond, Pierce Pond.
Cemeteries
Approx. 60; Bay is only public cemetery.