Rabid bat recently identified in Vienna - May 2026
From: Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Disease Surveillance
Subject: Animal rabies
Date: May 1, 2026
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) would like to notify you of a case of animal rabies in a bat recently identified in your town. The enclosed materials are provided to your town office to promote increased awareness of rabies among your citizens. Please post these materials in an area where the public can easily view them.
Please share this letter with your appointed Animal Control Officer.
If you have any questions, please contact Maine CDC, Division of Disease Surveillance at 1-800-821-5821.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Vienna Village Cemetery - Annual meeting - Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 2 p.m.
MEETING NOTICE
Vienna Village Cemetery Association
Sunday, May 17, 2026 · 1:00 p.m.
Vienna Community Center
All Vienna residents are encouraged to attend. Whether you have a longtime connection to our village cemetery or have simply been meaning to learn more, this is a welcoming space for everyone.
On the agenda: association updates, grounds care, and an open conversation about burial options for Vienna residents.
We know that planning for burial is something most people put off — it can feel like a topic for "someday." But taking even a small step toward these decisions brings real peace of mind, and our members are here to help make that conversation feel approachable.
We hope to see you Sunday.
General Assistance Program Public Notice
General Assistance Program Public Notice
The municipality of Vienna administers a general assistance ("GA") program available to all persons who are eligible pursuant to the standards provided in this ordinance, state law (22 M.R.S. §§ 4301-4326), and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regulations. A copy of this ordinance and pertinent statutes are available for public inspection at the Town Office.
Anyone who wishes to apply for General Assistance may do so during the following hours:
Anytime: Call 207 860-8574 Ask for Chris Smith
In an emergency, applicants may contact Chris Smith at 207-860-8574
The municipality's General Assistance administrator must issue a written decision regarding eligibility to all applicants within 24 hours of receiving an application.
The department of Health and Human services toll free number to call with questions regarding the General Assistance Program or to report alleged violations is 1-800-442-6003, option 2, then option 1.
This notice is posted pursuant to Title 22 MRSA 84304-4305.
Town mowing bid opening - Tuesday May 12, 7pm - Town Hall
We will be opening bids for the mowing of cemeteries and town properties on Tuesday May 12 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall.
Planning Board Meeting - February 25, 2026
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE VIENNA
PLANNING BOARD HELD FEBRUARY 25, 2026
The meeting began at 7:00 PM at the Town House. Regular members present were
Waine Whittier, Alan Williams, and Creston Gaither. Alternate member Steve Trehu was also present. He was designated a voting member in the absence of other members.
Kirk Hiscock’s permit of May 30, 2005 for what is now the Swift parcel was briefly reviewed. It appears that gutters and erosion control were in fact required by the Board at that time.
Options for followup on permit conformance were informally discussed.
Waine has not heard anything from the Swifts (see January minutes).
Steve presented copies of a possible checklist for Shoreland Zoning Ordinance permit deliberations. Possible changes were suggested and discussed.
Steve will miss the March and April meetings.
Steve mentioned that Fayette has a short-term rental ordinance we could consider as a possible basis for a Vienna ordinance.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.
Creston Gaither, secretary
Health Officer - Mold
Vienna Health Officer Newsletter April 2026
Mold
It’s mud season, and everything feels damp. Mold is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter. It is normal to find mold both outdoors and indoors, but excessive growth of mold indoors can become a public health issue. Sensitivity to mold varies from person to person; for some it can cause allergies and breathing issues. Excess mold is caused by excess moisture; fixing a mold problem will always involve remedying the underlying moisture issue as well
Maine CDC has excellent resources for the public regarding dealing with mold in your house, so instead of writing a long newsletter, I’m providing the links to these resources:
Next month: How to safely clean your camp after a long winter of mouse activity
Mill Stream Grange - 2025 Town Report
Mill Stream Grange
(Town Report 2025)
Mill Stream Grange holds its meetings on the first and third Fridays of each month. Our potluck supper starts at 6:00 with a program and meeting following. Anyone in Vienna, and surrounding communities, is welcome to attend to find out what we do and who we are. Some interesting programs for the 2025-2026 year are an ASL interpreter; a 3D printing demo; a talk on Maine stone walls, a talk on the High Peaks Barn Quilt Trail, our annual Independence Day cookout (July 3) and more!
Last year, Mill Stream Grange won a prestigious National Grange award, the "2025 Diamond Grange in Action" which was presented at the State Grange convention. Only two Granges in Maine were so recognized. Our three Junior Grangers also won an award on the National level for their "Coastal Clean-up" project which they won through their hard work cleaning up around the Mill Stream and pond here in town. We can't help but feel proud of our little Grange, right here in Vienna!
Mill Stream Grange also participates in community service projects including offering a scholarship in two school districts, RSU 38 (Maranacook) and RSU 9 (Mt. Blue) including homeschoolers within those districts. The Dorothy Waugh Memorial Scholarship is presented to seniors pursuing careers in agriculture, horticulture or animal husbandry. We present dictionaries to 3rd graders in Mt. Vernon and Cape Cod Hill schools and 3rd grade homeschoolers. We place flags at 3 cemeteries for Memorial Day. We support, through donations, the local food bank and several of our members also volunteer their time there. We also give to the Mt. Vernon Giving Tree. We hold an annual Christmas party for community children. This year we partnered with several organizations to have a community Trunk or Treat which had a great turnout! The tool lending library continues on an "on call" basis. We have put in 4 raised-bed gardens; some of the produce raised will go to the food bank. The Hall is open on Tuesdays for anyone in the community who'd like to socialize and do crafts. Each year, members of the Grange create a beautiful quilt to raffle off, with proceeds to benefit our community service projects.
Historically, the Grange, officially known as the Patrons of Husbandry, has supported farmers and agriculture. It began after the Civil War to advocate for farmer's rights and continues that function on a local, state and national level today. Mill Stream Grange honors this tradition while also trying to help make our community a better place for all.
For more information, call Jill Sampson: 293-4960. You can also visit our (public) Facebook page!
Election Results - Town Meeting March 13, 2026
1st Selectman - David Castles - 42
RSU9 representative - Joshua Robbins - 35
Planning Board Meeting - January 28, 2026
AMENDED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE VIENNA
PLANNING BOARD HELD JANUARY 28, 2026
The meeting began at 7:00 PM at the Town House. Regular members present were
Waine Whittier, Creston Gaither, and Tim Bickford. Alternate member Steve Trehu was also present. He was designated a voting member in the absence of other members. Also present were Lidie Robbins and Sara York of 30 Mile River Watershed Association.
Lidie and Sara met with the Board, at the Board’s request, to discuss the Swifts’ revegetation plan (see December 2025 minutes). They have visited the site and believe that more cutting has been done than what the Board had initially thought. Based on photos and neighbor reports, it appears that the entire shorefront buffer of shrubs and woody vegetation along their developed shorefront has been removed. Lidie and Sara recommended planting a buffer on the shoreline, along with planting other trees and shrubs uphill. Lidie says that Erosion Control Mulch would be preferable to wood chips as wood chips tend to wash away. 30 Mile can also make a variety of species available as live stakes to plant this spring.
Creston will check to see whether gutters or stone were required by the Board when Kirk Hiscock’s original permit for the house was issued.
In general it was noted that as the plan mostly recites recommendations and not requirements or time lines, it isn’t really a “plan.”
Tim may be able to find examples of suitable revegetation plans or to locate people who might be able to provide such a plan.
Steve suggested that we advise the Swifts that we need something with specific time lines, goals, and requirements etc. Tim said he would draft a letter to the Swifts to this effect fairly soon.
Lidie and Sara left about 8:00 PM.
Future Planning Board efforts were discussed. Some possibilities are: 1). A short-term rental ordinance; 2). A flow chart outlining permit procedures for various land use projects; 3). Check lists for site visits etc.; 4). A formal application for Shoreland Zoning projects.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Creston Gaither, secretary