Page 3 - Thatch Hill News Today

The Augusta Fire Department said the smell is not coming from the city, but that the investigation is ongoing.

If you live in the Central Maine area, particularly between Gardiner and Waterville, you may have noticed a wicked unpleasant smell this morning.

The town will ask residents on Wednesday night to approve a $2.8 million budget, an increase of $410,304 from last year's $2.4 million budget.

Augusta councilors approved a $72.6 million budget for the city and its schools Thursday, resulting in a 4.7% tax increase several said was unavoidable.

City officials say that even with the fee increases, Hatch Hill will still cost less than other area landfills even as the site is prepared for an expansion before it fills up.

Stephen Rockwell, of Canton, was killed Wednesday afternoon when his car collided with another vehicle in New Albany borough, state police reported.

The driver was identified as 68-year-old Stephen Rockwell of Canton.

Goals for the year, just approved by the Augusta City Council, also include expanding ways to help people with substance use disorder, revitalizing Sand Hill, improving pedestrian safety, and solving the problem of Hatch Hill landfill filling up.

Residents at the annual Town Meeting on Saturday also approved a medical marijuana ordinance and the first updates to the building code in decades.

Some city councilors want the city to consider keeping its landfill to itself, or at least reduce the amount of regional waste taken in there, which would extend its lifespan but increase cost to taxpayers.