New Residents Minimum Wage Increases to $11 Community
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Join us on Twitter @TheCalaisAdv Like us on Facebook VOL. 184, NO. 2 JANUARY 10, 2019 © 2019 The Calais Advertiser Inc. $1.50 (tax included) Minimum Wage Increases to $11 New Residents By Lura Jackson cording to the Bureau of Labor higher wage already. Unless the Statistics, Washington County’s corporation announces another With the turning of the new average weekly wage in 2017 preemptive nationwide increase, year, Maine’s minimum wage was $683, placing it third lowest Calais workers will be among has increased to $11 an hour. in the state. Of the approximate- those receiving an automatic The increase is part of a continu- ly 10,150 people now employed raise next year. Full-time work- ing trend in the state that began in the county, the Maine Depart- ers at Walmart, meanwhile, in 2016 when voters approved ment of Labor estimated in 2015 receive $13 an hour currently. an increase from $7.50 to $9. that 10.78 percent were working While chain-based businesses Next year’s increase to $12 an at the minimum wage level. backed by national or interna- hour is the last step in the chain Minimum wage workers in tional corporations – such as of mandatory raises, after which Washington County typically McDonald’s, for example – can regional increases may follow. work in restaurants, retail stores, absorb rapid minimum wage The rate of the ongoing wage fast food chains, or in gen- increases, small businesses and increases, while certainly favor- eral unskilled labor occupations. thin-margin municipalities have able for the recipients, is testing Last year, Walmart – among to make adjustments to compen- the budget-balancing acumen of the largest retail employers in sate for them. local small businesses and city the area – announced it was For the City of Calais, the administration alike. preemptively raising its wage to increasing minimum wage As a rural area, Washington $11 an hour nationally, meaning affects employees in the Cem- Barry Coleman, owner of B&R Rentals in Baileyville, and Rodger County has traditionally been part-time workers at the Calais etery, Recreation, Ambulance Durgin pose for a picture upon completion of their masterpieces on the lower end of wages. Ac- along with children Rhys, age 5, Maddison, age 9, and Ethann, age Walmart have been receiving a (continued on page 2) 11. (See article and additional photo on page 11) Community Rallies to Save Posh Consignment Clothing Shop By Sarah Craighead “As soon as I made the post, “I decided that I would do Sieber said Posh benefits the clothing for children, men and Dedmon right on the top of it Facebook the fundraiser and try, because I community more directly than a women. Posh sells clothes in all suggested ‘Ask your community believe there are enough people thrift shop because local people sizes, including plus sizes. Elissa Sieber went online Dec. for support,’” said Elissa Sieber, in the community who know that earn money when their clothes Besides providing a way for 27 to make a sad announcement. “and I thought well, I could try Posh is a need, not a want,” said are sold through Posh. “You’re Downeasters to sell their cloth- After struggling to stay open for this one last thing.” Sieber. “People deserve to be putting that money back into the ing locally, Sieber said Posh also many months, Sieber and her Sieber set up a Facebook fund- able to have access to affordable community,” she said. “People benefits the community by making husband, Ryan Sieber, decided raising page which has received clothing without having to drive are using that money to go and donations to local charities. If con- to close their Machias-based $1,075 as of press time, with 40 an hour in either direction when buy groceries.” signments do not sell after 90 days, consignment shop, but an auto- donors contributing. She even we’re such a struggling commu- Several hundred people from owners have the option of taking mated suggestion from Facebook has an anonymous matching gift nity as it is.” all over Washington County them back or donating them. changed their course. for the next $500. As a consignment boutique, use Posh to consign their used (continued on page 6) Tax Season Promises a Wealth of Changes By Lura Jackson throughout Washington County, tal Clear Accounting in Calais, pansive tax law overhaul in 30 Aside from simply utiliz- but this year’s filing process may the changes made by the Trump years.” We asked Gallina to help ing new forms, tax filers will The beginning of the year is take some people by surprise. administration in December of outline the major changes that have several other changes to synonymous with tax refunds According to Crystal Gallina, 2017 to the tax code amount filers can expect. anticipate this year – including for individuals and families Senior Tax Accountant for Crys- to the “most sweeping and ex- First and foremost, the famil- removal of personal exemp- iar forms of 1040EZ and 1040A tions, increased standard deduc- are no longer available for filers, tions, and impacts to itemized while Form 1040 – known as the deductions. 35 North Street Eyed for Improvements “long form” – will have a com- pletely different look, Gallina (continued on page 2) explained. Form 1040 has been revamped under the “building block approach,” meaning it will be the basis for all returns. Those accustomed to filing We meet/beat ANY competitor’s ad price! relatively simple returns using 1040EZ or 1040A will be using a simplified version of Form 1040. More complex returns, meanwhile, will utilize between one and six new Schedule forms that will build onto Form 1040 Check out prattcars.com to complete the return. US Route 1, Calais • 207-454-0600 Governor Mills’ Address.......................................3 Lane Construction Sold.......................................5 Federal Shutdown - Major Local Impact.............6 Now under the ownership of the City of Calais, 35 North Street – which houses Chen Family Economic Development...................................7 Garden – is being considered for exterior and structural improvements. The project is one of several to be addressed by the Economic Development Committee this year. (Photo by Lura Wildlife Photos..................................................15 Jackson) See article on page 7. Chief Hatton Honored.........................................24 PAGE 2 Tax Season (continued from page 1) Tax rates for the seven in- $24,000 for 2018. lina said. The deduction of can still be requested. The come brackets have been low- Noting that the loss of per- state and local income taxes penalty will be removed for ered for most brackets, mean- sonal exemptions dispro- (such as Maine State with- 2019’s returns. ing many tax filers should portionately and negatively holdings), sales taxes, real With so many changes – and receive a larger refund than affects those with dependents estate taxes and excise taxes potentially higher returns – in in previous years. The highest – including children or elderly is limited to $10,000, while the works, many tax filers income bracket’s share has parents – Gallina said that the deductions for job-related are ready to tackle this year’s PAWS Animal been reduced from 39.6 to 37 impact has been offset some- expenses and miscellaneous process – but they can’t do percent. The lowest income what by the doubling of the deductions have been elimi- so until the IRS begins ac- Shelter in Calais is bracket’s 10 percent tax rate Child Tax Credit from $1,000 nated altogether. “With these cepting returns. According in need of dry cat remains unchanged. Per Gal- to $2,000 per child. Those that changes, many taxpayers that to Gallina, the IRS has not lina, most people in this area have non-child dependents used to itemize will now announced when it will do food! Please fell into the 15-25 percent can claim $500 per individual find the standard deduction so. The continuing federal donate today. brackets in 2017, which, in they are caring for. more beneficial,” Gallina shutdown and the high number 2018, will be 12-22 percent The changes are not uniform explained. of changes make January 29th Located at 368 respectively. in their benefit, and some fam- Finally, the penalty for those the expected date, but noth- South Street in Filers can no longer claim ilies will still be negatively who did not have health insur- ing has been finalized. This personal exemptions. Instead, affected. “These credits help ance remains in place this year. year’s filing deadline is April Calais. the standard deduction has single parents the most, but Exemptions from the penalty 17th rather than the 15th in increased, Gallina explained. don’t do quite enough for two- for a variety of reasons, in- recognition of Patriots’ Day She provided the example parent families,” Gallina said. cluding low income, incar- and Emancipation Day. of how, in 2017, a single in- She explained how a married ceration, or personal hardship, dividual who didn’t itemize taxpayer with two young would be able to reduce their children could reduce their taxable income by $10,400 us- taxable income by $28,900 in ing the standard deduction and 2017 but by only $28,000 in Minimum Wage Increases to $11 (continued from page 1) personal exemption. In 2018, 2018. A single parent with two that same individual could children, meanwhile, could and Fire Departments, accord- property tax rate.” “With that being said, all of my reduce their taxable income reduce their taxable income by ing to City Finance Director To some business owners, staff are worth more than mini- by $12,000 through the higher $17,450 in 2017 but can do so Crystal Gallina.