Governor Mills Celebrates Purchase of Hidden Circle Mobile Home Park in Jay by Residents

Purchase is fourth to take place since passage of nation-leading mobile homeowner protections signed into law by Governor Mills 

Jay, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills tonight joined the residents of the Hidden Circle Mobile Home Park in Jay to celebrate their purchase of the mobile home park, which will ensure the land beneath their 31 homes will remain locally owned and affordable. 

In most cases, residents of mobile home parks own their home and pay rent for the lot on

Maine Department of Labor Assisting Workers at Verso in Jay

*Rapid Response team will schedule sessions and apply for Trade assistance*

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Rapid Response team of the Maine Department of Labor has contacted the human resources regional managers of Verso Paper Corp. regarding the proposed reductions in staffing at the Jay mill. The WARN notification will be issued today with a projected layoff of up to 300 workers. The company anticipates that these layoffs will occur over a period of several months.

"The cost of doing business in Maine continues to have a negative effect on our workers and their families," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "As we did last fall in Bucksport, we will use all available resources to assist these workers and the Jay community."

The Rapid Response team will be meeting with company officials as soon as possible to set up a plan of action including filing for Trade assistance and working with all partners in the area. 

"Our team can answer questions families will have over the coming months and help them plan for this transition," said Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette. "Our assistance is not limited to unemployment benefits, but includes information about health insurance options, career planning, training support and job search guidance. Do not hesitate to contact the CareerCenter to ask for help. Many people will be facing difficult choices and support is available to aid you and your family as you consider your options."

Workers in this area are served by the Wilton, Skowhegan and Lewiston CareerCenters. The Wilton CareerCenter, located at 865 US Route 2E in Wilton, and the Skowhegan CareerCenter, located at 98 North Avenue, Skowhegan, are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Lewiston CareerCenter, located at 5 Mollison Way in Lewiston, is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. More information is available on the CareerCenter website, http://www.mainecareercenter.com .

The Rapid Response program of the Bureau of Employment Services assists workers facing job loss due to downsizing or temporary or permanent closures. The Department of Labor can advise and assist employers and employees with information about their rights, responsibilities and obligations during such an event to safeguard the economic stability of workers and the surrounding community. 

To find out more about the Rapid Response program, contact your local CareerCenter. The Bureau of Employment Services provides a variety of employment and training services for Maine workers, businesses and jobseekers through the Maine CareerCenter network, http://www.mainecareercenter.com/ .

Maine CareerCenters are equal opportunity providers. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.

Road Reconstruction to Begin in Jay, Joint Repair Work on Frank J. Wood Bridge

Jay, Maine - Crews will start a road reconstruction project on Routes 4/17 in Jay beginning on Monday, April 27th.

The project begins at the intersection of Pineau Street and extends northerly for 1.25 miles.

Motorists should expect slight delays through the construction zone that will have alternating one-way traffic controlled by flaggers.

Work includes a full reconstruction of the roadway along with new water main and sewer installations. In addition, there will be new granite curbing as well as drainage and safety improvements.

This $6 million project will be performed by R.J. Grondin & Sons of Gorham.

South Thomaston Fire Department and the Town of Jay To Receive SHAPE Awards for Safety

*SHAPE honors public-sector employers and employees who provide a safe workplace*
MAINE - Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette announced that two municipal organizations in Maine have earned the Safety and Health Award for Public Employers (SHAPE). This certification recognizes public-sector organizations that voluntary undertake a rigorous safety achievement program for their workers.

"We congratulate the town of Jay and the South Thomaston Fire Department for becoming SHAPE certified," Paquette said. Officials from the Maine Department of Labor will present the Safety and Health Award for Public Employers (SHAPE) to the Town of Jay and South Thomaston Fire Department (STFD).

"Organizations that achieve SHAPE status demonstrate that focusing on worker safety is of utmost importance," she explained. "These departments know that keeping workers safe is not only good for the people of Maine, but also good for their communities and their taxpayers. Better safety means less lost time due to injury and illness as well as lower workers' comp costs."

The STFD will receive their SHAPE award on March 12 at 6 p.m. at the selectmen's meeting. It is the 31st fire department to receive this award since 2005. Of these, 28 fire departments have maintained their SHAPE status.

The Town of Jay will receive its award on March 25 at 6 p.m., at the town office. The Town of Jay is only the fifth municipal employer to receive SHAPE status town/city-wide for all departments. Jay's fire department and police department first earned SHAPE recognition in March 2012.

The SHAPE award was originally conceived in 2005 as a way to recognize public-sector employers and employees who are striving to provide a safe and healthful workplace. It is given only to exemplary public-sector employers after a thorough review and inspection of the employer's safety and health policies and procedures by a SafetyWorks! consultant.

Municipalities and other public entities interested in learning more about the SHAPE designation should contact SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or http://www.safetyworksmaine.com . SafetyWorks! provides a trained consultant with industry-specific expertise who will review the facility by appointment. The consultation may include such elements as recognizing safety hazards, sampling for air and noise exposures, recommending ways to reduce or to eliminate hazards, developing or improving a safety program, complying with regulations and identifying training needs.

The Maine Department of Labor has enforcement authority of health and safety standards for public-sector employers in Maine and is responsible for inspecting workplace injuries or fatalities suffered by public employees.