Commentary

Wood Boiler Rule changes

A hearing will take place on Oct. 16 regarding proposed changes to wood boiler rules. Some of the proposals include requirements for outdoor pellet boilers such as setbacks from neighboring properties and minimum stack height and a replacement and buyback program to remove nuisance outdoor wood boilers that were installed prior to Feb. 1, 2008.

 

The proposed rule includes criteria for determining whether an outdoor wood boiler constitutes a nuisance condition or threat to public health or safety and is eligible for participation in the program, compensation criteria and amounts, and procedures for certification and verification of removal and possible replacement of eligible outdoor wood boilers.

 

The public hearing will be held on Oct. 16, 2008 at 10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn in Augusta. The department will accept written comments until 5 p.m. on Oct. 27. The draft rules are available at www.maine.gov/dep/air/regulations/proposed.htm.

 

Minimum wage to increase

Maine‘s minimum wage will increase from $7 to $7.25 per hour on Oct. 1. Another increase will take place in October 2009 when the rate rises to $7.50 per hour. The increases are a result of a bill, “An Act to Ensure Fair Wages,” passed by the 123rd Maine Legislature. This is the third minimum wage hike signed into law by Gov. John Baldacci.

 

According to the Maine Department of Labor, approximately 26,000 Maine workers have earnings at or below the minimum wage. Certain employers are exempt from paying the minimum wage.

 

Tipped employees may be paid one-half provided the employer makes up the difference if tips plus the hourly wage do not average at least the minimum wage. Many states have their own minimum wage laws and an employee subject to both a state and federal minimum wage is entitled to the higher of the two wages.

 

The current federal minimum wage is $6.55 an hour. In July of 2009 the federal minimum wage will increase to $7.25 per hour. The federal minimum wage was established in 1938 and was set at 25-cents an hour.

 

The other New England states’ minimum wage rates are: Massachusetts – $8.00; Vermont – $7.68; Connecticut – $7.65; Rhode Island – $7.40; and, New Hampshire -$7.25.

 

Any-Deer Permit holders announced

Recently the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW) conducted its annual Any-Deer Permit Lottery, granting 51,850 permits to current hunting license holders.

 

Some 66,476 people entered the lottery this year. Permits were allocated as follows: Resident: 39,578; non-resident: 3579; landowner: 8421; and, superpack: 272.

 

This year hunters will not be mailed a transport tag. Instead, they can find their permit number online; and DIFW recommends hunters write down the permit number on their hunting license as it will be required to register any antlerless deer. The list of permit holders and numbers can be found at http://deer.informe.org/index.htm.

 

This is the last year that paper applications will be accepted for Any-Deer Permits. Next year, all entries will need to be received through DIFW’s online application system at www.mefishwildlife.com. The system is designed to be fast and simple and saves the department money in time and labor. Hunters get instant confirmation of entering the lottery and can print their confirmation.

 

2008 Hunting Season dates:

Firearms season: Nov. 3-29 (statewide); Any-deer Wildlife Management Districts (WMD) are 15-17, and 20-29; Maine residents only on Nov. 1; Youth Deer Day is Oct. 25;  Archery hunting is from Oct. 2-31; Muzzleloader statewide (all WMDs) is Dec. 1-6; Muzzleloader WMDs are 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29 from Dec. 8-13; and, expanded archery season (designated areas only) is from Sept. 6-Dec. 13.

 

State Representative Jonathan McKane represents Edgecomb, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol and Monhegan Plantation

 

As always, Rep. McKane encourages the sending of thoughts, ideas, questions and opinions. Contact me for more information on this or any other issue at 563-5427 or by email at Jon@JonMcKane.com