Winter 2026 NOTICES:
Town Office CLOSED:
Monday, 2/16/26 = Due to the Presidents Day Holiday.
Public Hearing – proposed Traffic Ordinance amendments:
Monday, 2/2/26 at 4PM
https://www.youtube.com/@TownofCastine
AGENDA:
Discussions on the following: amendments to the Castine Traffic Ordinance
(copies of the Traffic Ordinance are posted on the website www.castine.me.us or can be obtained in the Town Office)
Christmas Tree Disposal:
Leave at curbside and Public Works crew will swing by from time to time to pick up.
Notice: Due to private shoreland stabilization work, Water Street will narrow in width starting at 97 Water Street to 107 Water Street for the next few months. Use caution when traveling through this area.
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Curbside Trash Pick-up Weight Limits:
Newly Adopted Selectboard Mtg Procedures POLICY:
Newly Selectboard Meeting Procedures Policy adopted by the Selectboard on November 17, 2025.
Selectboard Mtg Procedures Policy
email agenda requests to: SBagendarequests@castine.me.us
Traffic Calming Signs/ Winter Season NOTICE:
Please either remove signs or move signs 20ft off the curb so they do not get destroyed when plowing starts.
Community Park/StoryWalk UPDATES, Naming & Frequently Asked Questions:
UPDATES:
The Community Park/StoryWalk is in its final stages and should be completed soon. The pathway is almost done, and plantings were going in the other day. Next, mulch will be added. Related vehicles and materials remain on the upper lot and roadside until final completion.
- We are solicitating ideas for an official name from the community; if you have a suggestion, please submit it to: ina@castine.me.us or drop it in writing to the Town Office
- The project should be completed in October with an opening celebration to take place in Spring ’26
- Fundraising efforts for benches
Community Park Frequently Asked Questions:
Blue Hill Peninsula Wildfire Study & Survey:
Blue Hill Peninsula Tomorrow is conducting the 18-month planning process in collaboration
with volunteer fire departments, first-response personnel, K-12 educators, local land
managers, conservationists, woodland experts, ecologists, community members, the Maine
Forest Service and others with an interest in reducing wildfire risk.
A community wildfire protection plan is a community-driven document that identifies
wildfire risks and outlines strategies to reduce those risks through fire prevention, hazard
mitigation, emergency preparedness, and coordinated response. The Blue Hill Peninsula
Community Wildfire Protection Plan will include detailed assessments of wildfire hazards
across the nine participating towns on the Peninsula, evaluate response capabilities, and
recommend strategies and actions to reduce flammable vegetation near buildings, improve
wildfire response and evacuation planning, and build long-term community resilience.
Public input will be a key component of the planning process. Blue Hill Peninsula Tomorrow
encourages Blue Hill Peninsula residents to share their knowledge of local wildfire concerns,
evacuation challenges, and priority areas for mitigation. Community participation helps
ensure that the plan incorporates local needs and values and supports future grants and
funding opportunities for both wildfire resilience projects and wildfire response resources.
https://forms.microsoft.com/r/m2q46Syhd4
BLUE HILL PENINSULA WILDFIRE STUDY AND SURVEY LINK
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/176atALgXf/
Town Office NEW Office Hours (starting Monday, 8/4/25):
Mondays = 8AM to 4PM
Tuesdays = 8AM to 4PM
Wednesdays = 8AM to 5PM
Thursdays = 8AM to 4PM
Fridays = CLOSED
CEO Office Hours:
Mondays = 8AM to 3:30PM
Tuesdays = 8AM to 3:30PM
Wednesdays = 8AM to 1PM
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC & DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR (CEDD) Office Hours:
Tuesdays = 10AM to 4PM
Thursdays = 10AM to 4PM
NOTE: Car & Boat Registrations can be completed online; BMV Rapid Renewal and IF&W boat online.
NEWS FLASH!! Castine wins USA Today 10BEST Reader’s Choice Awards -So exciting for our Castine community:
Castine was voted the #1 Best Small Town in the Northeast!!
https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-small-town-in-the-northeast/
Castine was voted the #3 Best Coastal Small Town!!
https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-coastal-small-town/
Castine was voted the #8 Best Historic Small Town!!
https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-historic-small-town/
Castine Existing Board/Committee and NEW Committee Volunteers Needed:
Current Castine Board/Committee Vacancies:
Utility Board – 2 alternate member vacancies
Historic Preservation Commission – 1 regular member & 1 alternate member vacancies
Planning Board – 1 alternate member vacancy
Board of Appeals – 1 alternate member vacancy
Recreation Committee – 2 alternate member vacancies
NEW COMMITTEES:
- 2026/2029 250th Anniversary celebrations Ad-Hoc Committee
If you wish to be considered to serve for either an existing B/C or a NEW one, please submit a letter of interest to the Town Office. Contact us if you have any questions. (207) 326-4502 or email: townoffice@castine.me.us.
2026 Dog Registrations:
2026 Dog Registrations can be processed starting October 15th. Fees = $6 for a spayed/neutered dog and $11 for non-spayed/neutered dog. Please bring current Rabies Vaccination.
REMINDER: Please remember that dogs need to be leashed, or owners need to have verbal control of their dogs when out walking around the community at all times.
Also, DO NOT leave doggy waste, please scoop the poop!!
Castine PFAS Information:
Castine Wastewater Facility PFAS Report (1-2023)
PFAS Report- April 2023- Final
Recycling:
Recycling Update: There are STRICT changes in the recycling program going forward. Brochures are available at the Town Office and on the Town’s website. Please note: 1) ACCEPTED items ONLY; 2) recyclable items MUST be CLEAN; 3) cardboard must be cut into 2′ X 2′ sections for disposal.
Attention: due to the Recycling Facility Zero-Sort equipment, shredded paper is a recycling item that cannot be ACCEPTED. Anything less than 2″x 2″ (paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, metal) their equipment cannot process.
Recycling Information Brochure 8.2022
Transfer Station PAGE: Transfer Station – Castine, Maine
Help Protect Castine Elms:
If you would like to donate to the Elm Trees, send your check, payable to Town of Castine and note “Elms” in the memo line. The mailing address is PO Box 204 Castine, Maine 04421. Or you can drop off to the Town Office.
Emerson Hall Drop Off Box:
There is a Drop Off Box near the front doors of Emerson Hall for your convenience to drop off water/sewer payments, tax bill payments, paperwork, etc.
The Town Office staff will be checking it regularly. Thank you.
DURING ELECTION TIME, ABSENTEE BALLOTS CAN BE DROPPED OFF IN THE SECURE DROP OFF BOX AS WELL.
Annual Rental Listings Form:
If you have a rental property in Castine, please complete the annual listings form and submit to the Town Office. Thank you.
Rental Listing Form
The completed form can be dropped off to the Town Office or mailed to: Town of Castine, PO Box 204, Castine Maine 04421.
Transfer Station & Curbside Pick-up Programs back to NORMAL SCHEDULES:
Transfer Station:
Mondays: CLOSED
Tuesdays: 8AM to 1PM
Wednesdays: 8AM to 1PM
Thursdays: 8AM to 1PM
Fridays: 8AM to 1PM
Saturdays: 8AM to 12 Noon
Sundays: CLOSED
Please practice social distancing at all times.
Curbside Trash Pick-up:
Feb 2026: Mon, 2/2/26
Curbside Recycling Pick-up:
The fall/winter 1st & 3rd Tuesday, of each month will start in October; weekly pick up during the summer from mid-June through mid-September.
Feb 2026: Tues, 2/3/26
Note: T&C Mkt sells trash stickers during their regular business hours.
Castine Area Relief Fund (CARF):
Castine Area Relief Fund:
1. Due to the pandemic of COVID-19 and in response to the growing needs of area residents, a group of concerned citizens has formed the Castine Area Relief Fund.
2. If you or someone you know, as a consequence of the pandemic, is in need of basic assistance, please contact one of the local churches or other local charitable organizations, and you will be directed to a person who wants to help.
3. If anyone would like to make a donation to this worthwhile endeavor, please send a check made out to the Castine Area Relief Fund to the below address: Castine Area Relief Fund P.O. Box 506 Castine, ME 04421.
Castine-opoly Games for SALE:
Castine-opoly makes a great gift idea to share a bit of Castine with family & friends. This custom game is a fundraising event sponsored by the Castine CED Committee. Castine-opoly is available to purchase at the Castine Town Office (207-326-4502 or email: townoffice@castine.me.us).
Price = $20/game. If you are out of town and want it shipped, the Castine Town Office can take orders over the phone using debit/credit cards for an additional fee to include S&H.
Call 207-326-4502 or email: townoffice@castine.me.us to order.
Reflective House Numbers Needed:
Is your house number clearly visible from the road during all weather conditions and seasons? If not, the Fire Rescue Department may have trouble finding you during an emergency. We recommend BLACK numbers on a 6″ x1 2″ reflective WHITE background with a BORDER. Please go to www.white-sign.com or call 1-800-479-6193 to obtain a new reflective house number sign and install at your home. Help us help you!
Safe Disposal of Prescription Drugs:
The Wastewater Treatment (Sewer) Facility Operators have noticed a large number of prescription pills had made their way to the facility. (Yes, what you flush down the toilet can be identified…) The ecosystem of the Treatment Facility is delicate and can be thrown out of whack when odd things come its way. And if any particles make their way through the facility, they go the Bagaduce River, which can affect Marine Life.
Just as we ask that Household Hazardous materials not go down the drain or toilet, but be disposed of properly through collection sites, we also ask the same for prescription drugs. The two closest Prescription Drug Drop off boxes are located at 1. Bucksport Police Department – 89 Franklin Street, Bucksport 207 469-7951 and 2. Hancock County Sheriff’s Office – 50 State Street, Suite 10, Ellsworth 207 667-7575.
Please help do your part and dispose of items properly.
Thank you.
