Due to concerns for citizen safety and health in conjunction with the guidelines set forth by the CDC regarding Halloween, the Town of Raymond and Cumberland Country Sheriff’s Office do not recommend that Raymond citizens participate in traditional trick or treating in the Main St area, where traditionally over a thousand children and adults gather in a short window of time.  We encourage everyone to stay safe and vigilant this Halloween by participating in other lower risk activities outlined below. 

Moderate risk activities:

• Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard) Remember to wash hands before and after preparing bags!
• Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where social distancing is easy.
• Attending a costume party held outdoors with mask wearing and social distancing.

Tips to keep in mind: A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and does not leave gaps around the face. Also do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can make it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

Lower risk activities

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
• Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
• Doing a Halloween themed outdoor scavenger hunt
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
• Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

You may notice a difference in your exemptions amounts this year. This is due to MRSA Title 36: In determining the local assessed value of the exemption, the assessor shall multiply the amount of the exemption by the ratio of current just value upon which the assessment is based as furnished in the assessor's annual return to the State Tax Assessor.  

For the 2020-2021 assessment, the Town of Raymond certified the maximum ratio available of 97% to the State of Maine.  Therefore, all exemptions noted below have been adjusted by 3% to comply with State Law. The adjusted amounts are as follows:

Homestead: $24,250

Veterans: $5,820

Blind: $3,880

Parsonage: $19,400

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please contact Kaela Gonzalez at kaela.gonzalez@raymondmaine.org or call 207-655-4742 x133. 

Spectrum Northeast, LLC, locally known as Spectrum, will be making changes to the channel lineup for customers in the Cumberland channel lineup. On or around July 29, 2020, Public Access channels 1301 will be dual illuminated on channel 2, channel 1302 will be dual illuminated on channel 3 and Community Access channel 1303 will be dual illuminated on channel 5.

Additionally, on or around July 29, 2020, WPXT 2 MyTV will be relocated from channel 3 to channel 7.

To view a current Spectrum channel lineup visit www.spectrum.com/channels.

From Maine.gov/ConnectMe website:

Mission Broadband has offered a quick survey to collect data on some of the impacts of this current COVID-19 is having on all aspects of our broadband network. They put together a survey to try to capture the end users perspective that might help guide efforts to improve broadband across the state.The survey focuses on a few key items during this crisis, the influx of at home usages from families staying at home. It’s designed to highlight the gaps in coverage, inadequate coverage and social-economic factors. 

To take the survey please follow the link here: https://www.maine.gov/connectme/home

Please fill out the census online at 2020census.gov

Using the online method saves mailing costs and means that a person will not need to come to your house.

Thank you!

The Town of Raymond staff, along with some dedicated volunteers, will be using  a phone tree list and making phones calls to check in on our families that might need help during this national health emergency due to the Coronavirus or COVID-19.

If you know of some elderly residents or a resident that might benefit from assistance - encourage them to call to get added to the phone tree.

Residents of Raymond who want to be added to the phone tree or need help securing food or medications can call the Town Hall at 655-4742 ext. 124 or Cathy Gosselin, Town of Raymond Health Officer at 756-2374 or cathy.gosselin@raymondmaine.org, or email Covid19@raymondmaine.org. 

Click HERE for report.

The Town of Raymond has been working with Standish, Windham, and Gray to explore the possibility of bringing broadband internet service to this region.

Information relating to these efforts:

• Introduction
• Technology Plan Summary
• Map
• Windham Eagle Article - August 24, 2018

If you have any feedback or questions please contact:

• Don Willard, Raymond Town Manager via email or 207-655-4742 x131
• Thomas Bartell, Windham Economie Development Executive Director via email or 207-892-1936

Become a Foster Grandparent or Senior Companion!

The Opportunity Alliance has meaningful volunteer opportunities available for adults 55 and older in Southern Maine. Foster Grandparents are placed in schools and child development centers to support school readiness and academic achievement of children. Senior Companions make independence a reality for isolated elders by visiting clients in their homes and providing transportation assistance for doctor’s appointments and/or grocery shopping.

Volunteers who commit to a minimum of 15 hours/week and meet generous income guidelines, receive a tax-free stipend, mileage and meal reimbursement. All volunteers receive ongoing training, recognition, and supervision.

We are also accepting referrals for individuals interested in having a Senior Companion provide socialization and local transportation.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer or client, please call 207-773-0202 or toll-free at 1-800-698-4959.

Any residents that are having trouble this time of year with the effects of the extreme cold, whether it be frozen/burst pipes, reduced or no access to heating fuel are encouraged to use 211 Maine as a resource. 211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that connects people of all ages across Maine to local services and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You can call, text, email or search their website.

They are available to discuss options, programs and services that can help with heating and utility assistance. Along with financial assistance, health care, mental health, domestic violence and addiction treatment. 

Approved at Town Meeting, the Town of Raymond is planning to extend the current sidewalk on Route 302 along Main Street to the intersection of Route 121 (Meadow Road).

For more information click HERE.

The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce has put together a program highlighting the Lakes Region area.  To view the segment about Raymond you can click HERE.  The show will begin airing this month on some local networks and run through to June. To view the entire show you can click HERE which covers other towns in the area in additon to Raymond. 

Just a reminder to all citizens to make sure your mailbox and/or house has proper identification so that emergency services can locate your home in the event of an emergency. 

The Public Safety Building located at 1443 Roosevelt Trail offers FREE mailbox numbers to those who need them.

Remember: They Can't Help You, If They Can't Find You.