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Tips for Newcomers

Automobile
Registration/Licenses Secretary of State, Motor Vehicle Division, State House Station 29, Augusta, Maine 04333-0029. Phone: (207) 624-9000.

Child Care
Many excellent child-care services are available in the Capital Area. Day care centers, private homes, nursery school programs and after-school child care programs are easily accessible. Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation in Augusta is a source of information for parents, employers and providers seeking child-care information. Phone: (207) 626-3410 or 1-800-525-2229, located on Anthony Avenue.

Climate
The weather of the area is in four distinct seasons, but without the severe snowfalls and cold of the northern regions. Since Augusta is at the head of tide in the Kennebec River it is considered coastal, but it lacks the heavy fogs of the seashore towns. The summer heat is comfortably tempered, but a few days occur with maximums reaching as high as 90 degrees. Mid-summer afternoon temperatures are in the ideal range from 75 to 80 degrees on an average day, with the nighttime minimum average in the upper 50’s. Uncomfortably hot and humid nights are relatively few. Winters are moderately cold, with a mean temperature of 23 degrees for the three months of December, January and February. Readings of zero or lower are recorded on an average of 13 days per winter.

Newspaper/ Radio/Television
The Kennebec Journal serves the region as the primary daily newspaper. The Capital Weekly newspaper is published Thursdays. Several local radio stations are operated by Clear Channel and Citadel WMME/WEBB. Time Warner Cable provides cable television, phone and Internet services to the Capital Area. Network service is available via stations WCSH-TV, WGME-TV and WABI-TV located in Bangor, Lewiston/Auburn and Portland, Maine.

Worship
The Capital Area offers many places of worship for nearly every faith. With so many religious denominations represented, you are sure to find a very warm welcome in the house of worship of your choice.

Clubs/Organizations
Getting together with people who share your interests is an important part of life in the Capital Area. Most national service and social organizations can be found here. For a complete list of clubs and organizations please contact the Chamber.

Senior Citizen Assistance
General information is available from the Bureau of Elder & Adult Services, State House Station 11, Augusta, Maine 04333 Phone: (207) 287-9200 or 1-800-262-2232 or call Senior Spectrum, One Weston Court, Augusta, Maine 04330, Phone: (207) 622-9212 or 1-800-639-1553.

Taxation
The tax structure of Maine is comprised of state and local taxes. The state collects retail sales and use taxes, income taxes and business related taxes. At the local level, real estate, personal property and excise taxes are collected. Additional detailed information may be obtained from municipal offices or from the Bureau of Taxation, State House Station 24, Augusta, Maine 04333-0024. Phone: (207) 287-2076.

Utilities
Central Maine Power, an Energy East Company, provides the area with electric service. Verizon is the primary provider of telephone service, although several local independent companies also serve the area. FairPoint Communications plans to purchase the Verizon landline business in 2008. Cell phone companies include Unicel, U.S. Cellular, Verizon and T-Mobile. Time Warner Cable provides the region with cable television, high speed Internet and digital phone service. The Capital Area is served by a number of gas and oil dealers. The availability of municipal water and sewer systems varies from community to community.

Welcoming/Greeting Service
If you are new to the Capital Area and would like an information package from Newcomer Relocation Services, please call Ramona Venskus at (207) 622-4312.