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.

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:
 

• The Key to Mold Control is Moisture Control
• Best Practices for Clean-up of Smaller Mold Problems

Next month: How to safely clean your camp after a long winter of mouse activity

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! 

1st Selectman - David Castles - 42

RSU9 representative  - Joshua Robbins - 35

Measles has come to Maine: What You and Your Family Can Do to Stay Healthy

On February 5, 2026, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) confirmed one case of measles in an adult  from Penobscot County who had recently traveled to a state with measles cases.  This is the first case of measles reported in Maine since 2019, however, cases of measles have been increasing nationally with over 700 cases in 2026. Measles has been detected in some wastewater surveillance sites in the northeast.  As of Feb 20, 4 additional people have contracted measles through exposure to the first case; all four were not vaccinated.

About Measles

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially deadly respiratory disease caused by a virus that spreads easily from person-to-person. It can spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. This disease is also called rubeola. Measles can be prevented with vaccines.

Symptoms

Symptoms of measles usually appear about 7 to 14 days after contact with an infected person. Measles usually begins with:

• High Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes

Two or three days after symptoms begin:

• tiny white spots, called Koplik spots, may appear inside the mouth.

Three to five days after symptoms begin:

• rash begins as flat red spots, which may develop small, raised bumps on top
• rash starts on the face along the hairline, then spreads downward to neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet
• fever may spike to more than 104°F

Spread

Measles virus is highly contagious. Measles spreads in two main ways:

1. Measles virus lives in the nose and throat of an infected person. It spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
2. The virus can live in the air on surfaces for up to 2 hours. People can get infected by breathing the virus from the air or touching a contaminated surface and touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Measles only spreads between people. Animals do not get or spread measles.

If you have measles, up to 90% of the people close to you who are not immune will also get infected. An infected person can spread measles to others before they know they have the disease. Infected people can spread measles from 4 days before through 4 days after the rash appears.

People at Higher Risk

Measles can be serious in all age groups. Certain people are more likely to suffer from measles complications including:

• Children younger than 5 years of age
• Adults older than 20 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with weak immune systems

Ear infections and diarrhea are common complications from measles. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis and may require hospitalization. Death from measles can occur.

Prevention

The best way to protect against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children may get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead, which protects against chickenpox, too. Most people who get vaccinated with MMR or MMRV will be protected for life.

Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective. Some people who get two doses of MMR vaccine may still get measles if they are exposed to the virus, but the disease is usually milder and they are less likely to spread the disease to others.

Who should get vaccinated?

• Children: All children should receive two doses of MMR. The first dose should be given at 12 through 15 months of age and the second at 4 through 6 years of age. CDC does not recommend measles vaccine for infants younger than 6 months of age.
• Any adults who do not have evidence of immunity to measles. This includes:
• Students at post-high school educational institutions.
• Healthcare personnel.
• International travelers.
• People of childbearing age before they get pregnant.

Talk to a healthcare provider about vaccine recommendations for you and your family.

Recommendations related to vaccination prior to travel – whether to an area with a known measles outbreak in the U.S., or to any destination internationally – are outlined below, in the Travel section.

CDC recommends that individuals born between 1957 and 1967 check their measles vaccination history. While most people in this age group have some immunity, some may need extra protection. You may need another measles vaccination if:

• You received the inactivated (killed) measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967. This version was ineffective.
• Get vaccinated with at least one dose of the live, attenuated (weakened) MMR vaccine.
• If you are not sure about your vaccination history or immunity.
• Get an extra dose of the live attenuated MMR vaccine.
• You are in a high-risk group. This includes health care workers, international travelers, and individuals in outbreak prone areas.
• Talk to a health care provider to make sure you are fully protected.

Travel

Measles cases in the US often originate from international travel. The best way to protect yourself from getting measles is by getting vaccinated.

Before international travel: Make sure you're protected against measles

• Plan to be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before you depart
• If your trip is less than 2 weeks away and you're not protected against measles, you should still get a dose of MMR vaccine

After international travel, watch for measles.

• Monitor for symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, rash)
• Call a healthcare provider immediately if you think you or your child have been exposed to measles
• Resources

Source: Maine CDC website 

https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/rash-illness/measles#maine

Indoor Air Quality and Heating with Wood

Beth Tréhu, MD, Health Officer for Mount Vernon and Vienna

Jan 26, 2026

Brrr, baby it’s cold outside, and nothing is as nice as the heat from a wood stove! If you heat your home with wood and especially if anyone in your home has asthma, lung disease, or heart disease, you may find these suggestions from Maine CDC helpful.

What You Can Do To Improve Air Quality For Breathing While Heating With Wood

• Weatherize your home, such as closing up areas that will let heat escape.
• Have your chimney, flue, and woodstove inspected and cleaned at least once per year.
• Use wood pellets. They burn 25-50% cleaner than cord wood.
• Replace an old woodstove, fireplace, or fireplace insert (built before the late 1980s) with a newer more efficient EPA-certified equipment that uses less wood and burns up to 90% cleaner.
• If using cord wood, burn hardwoods that are clean, dry, and seasoned (>6 months) because they burn cleaner and are less likely to pollute the air.
• Never burn garbage, trash, plastics, styrofoam, paints, painted wood, salt water wood, cleaning chemicals such as solvents, charcoal/coal, or treated woods (treated with varnishes, sealants, or pressure-treated). These substances can result in toxins being burned and released into the air.
• Burn small hot fires. They produce less smoke than those that are left to smolder.
• Split wood into 4-6 inch pieces. Fires burn cleaner with more surface area exposed to the flame.
• Keep your home tobacco smoke free.

Available documents:

• 2025 Annual report 
• 2026 Warrant 

Voting will take place at the Community Center/Fire Station on Kimball Pond Road: Friday, March 13,  2026 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The annual meeting will be held there Saturday, March 14 at 9 a.m.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Vienna Broadband Authority Fiber to the Home project.