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1. See all FAQs

Use the FAQs module to easily find answers.

2. How do I contact a Town department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

3. What day is recycling on?

What day is trash and recycling collected?

• For the streets west of Main Street, from Gardner Road to Bennoch Road, trash pick-up is Thursdays.

• For both sides of Main Street and all streets east of Main, including everything north of the Stillwater River (College Avenue, Webster side), trash pick-up is Fridays.

Recycling occurs on every other week.

On the following holidays, trash pick-up is delayed by one day (except when the holiday falls on the weekend): New Year’s, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

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4. When is the Town Office open?

The Town Office (including Front Desk, Code Enforcement, Assessing, Planning, and Economic Development) is open the following hours:
Monday -  Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

The Town Manager's Office hours are generally:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: Closed

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1. Who may apply?

Any interested citizen who resides and/or works in the town of Orono is encouraged to apply. Citizens involved in the Orono Community in some way, such as youth involvement or neighborhood groups are very important to the Academy. Citizens must be 18 years of age or older to attend, have no prior felony convictions and have no prior misdemeanor convictions within the previous 3 years. Applicants must pass a background check conducted by the Orono Police Department prior to approval.

2. When is the Academy?

The Academy will be offered twice a year, once in the spring and once again in the fall. Classes will be held at the Orono Public Safety building.

3. How do I apply?

Interested persons may apply by picking up an application packet at the Orono Police Department at 63 Main Street. For more information, Please contact Sergeant Scott Wilcox at 866-4000.

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1. Does the fire department accept old fire extinguishers or household chemicals that I don't want?

The fire department does not accept old fire extinguishers or household chemicals.

2. What should I do when a fire truck or ambulance approaches me while I am driving?

If any emergency vehicle approaches you with emergency lights and sirens on, pull to the right and come to a stop. Emergency vehicles are trying to get to a scene as quickly as possible while driving respectfully. Also, please slow down when you see emergency vehicles on the side of the road. Roads may be slippery and firefighters may be in the roadway helping others.

3. How do I get a fire permit?

Fire permits can be obtained by going to the Maine Forest Service website. There is a fee of $7.00 per day. The Orono Fire Department cannot issue fire permits at the Orono Public Safety building.

4. Where can I go to get my blood pressure checked?

If you would like your blood pressure checked, please come to the fire station between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Blood pressure clinics are also held in the laundry rooms between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Hasbrouck Court on the first and third Wednesdays of the month and at Longfellow Heights on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month. These clinics are for residents of the complexes only. A weekly blood pressure clinic is also held between 12:30 and 1 p.m. every Wednesday at the Birch Street School.

5. Who do I call about a fire extinguisher that doesn't work?

Call the Fire Marshal at 207-866-4000 or check the Yellow Pages under Fire Extinguishers.

6. Why does a fire truck show up when I called for an ambulance?

Certain medical calls require additional personnel to help treat a patient. By dispatching a fire truck to an ambulance call, extra paramedics are available to quickly move the patient to the ambulance and start treatment. This results in medical care being delivered more effectively. If another call comes in, the fire truck is available to respond to the next emergency.

7. Why do so many fire apparatus respond to simple incidents?

Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 9-1-1 operator. Each truck carries different equipment that allows us to help the citizens of Orono. Fire engines carry the water and the hose to put out a fire. The ladder truck carries saws, ladders, and other specialized equipment to help put the fire out safely. The ambulance responds to help treat any citizens or firefighters who are injured. The Orono Fire Department thinks pessimistically when they respond to citizens in need of help. In other words, the firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen. They are fast, well-trained and pleasant in their response.
There may be three fire department vehicles on the scene for what appears to be a "simple" incident. However, in emergency services we have learned that if we assume something is "simple," we can be horribly mistaken. Plus, we respond as fast as we can, prepared to encounter the worst. The winner in these situations will always be the citizen who needs help.

8. How come I see fire trucks with full lights and sirens go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down?

As explained in the previous answer, sometimes several units are dispatched to the same incident. The first unit may have arrived on the scene, surveyed the situation and informed the dispatcher that the situation was under control. All other responding units were cancelled and put back into service, ready to take another call. Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle go "Code 3" (lights and siren) through an intersection and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been cancelled from the call they were going on.

9. Why do I see firefighters cutting holes in the roof of a building on fire?

This is called "venting the roof." There are two basic reasons for this practice. Dangerous gases and dark smoke accumulate in a burning building. Unlike the movie versions of fires, it is impossible for firefighters to see in such an environment. When a hole is made in the roof because the building is "vented," the smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise. It makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see. It also reduces the possibilities of backdraft and flashover. Another reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed. One of the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly. Firefighters may go ahead of the fire on a roof, cut holes to access the attic and stop the fire from spreading through the attic.

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1. What do I need to register my vehicle?

If you are registering this vehicle for the first time, you will need to bring proof of residency. Otherwise, you will need to bring your previous registration. In both cases, you will also need to bring proof of insurance, your mileage, and cash or a check to pay with(we do not accept credit or debit).

2. What do I need to register my dog?

You need to bring a rabies certificate and proof that your dog is spayed/neutered.

3. How do I register to vote?

We can take care of everything down at the Town Office as long as you bring proof of residency and proof of US citizenship.

4. How do I get a landfill permit?

Landfill permits can be obtained in the town office, with prices varying based on the vehicle that you will be hauling with. For those who never before obtained a landfill permit from the Town, proof of residence is required. The landfill is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am to 4pm.

5. Does the Town offer notary or dedimus services?

Yes. All of the assistant clerks are notaries and our town clerk is a dedimus justice.

6. When are taxes due?

Taxes are due in both September and February.

7. How do I switch my sewer account to be in my name?

Please contact your closing company.

8. How do I get an abatement on my sewer bill?

Within 30 days of receiving your bill, come to the Town Office and get an abatement form.

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1. Who is eligible?

Any Orono residents may be eligible for this program if they are a senior citizen who is 60 or older and are living alone or an adult with disability living alone. A short application must be completed and a waiver signed. This will provide us with some basic information about the participant.

2. Is there any charge for this program?

No. This program is a free service provided by the Orono Police Department.

3. How can I participate in this program?

Call (866-4000) or stop by the Orono Police Department and complete and application. If you cannot come into the Police Department please let us know, an officer will be glad to bring the form to you.

4. What if I have a lifeline?

This program compliments Lifeline or any other service you may already participate in. Lifeline and these other services trigger immediate assistance in emergency.

5. Are you interested?

If you are interested in this program, or know someone who might benefit from the "Good Morning Project" program, please contact us.

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1. How do I set up my account?

Click on the Create an Account link in the Login area. Follow the steps to establish an account and then add all household members. Please enter all information accurately. The Recreation Department will be notified you have opened an account

2. What if I need to change my personal account information (address, phone number, email, etc)?

Log into your account and make the changes. In some situations your Recreation Department may block the ability to change birth dates and resident status.

3. What email address should I provide for Online Registration?

Use your main email address when opening your account. The email address you provide will be used for all notices such as; cancellations, updates, transaction receipts, etc. This email address (Username) along with your password is used to log into your account. Please remember to update your email account information in the system if it changes.

4. What can I do if I am denied access to my account?

For security reasons, your account will be locked after 7 unsuccessful login attempts. Please wait 24 hours for your account to be reset and try again.

5. Why am I being asked to log back in?

There are two reasons why you may have been logged out of your account:
- You ceased using this registration system for a period of a half hour or longer. Please exit the system and log back in.
- You registered for an activity, did not Go To Checkout to complete the payment process and then ceased using the system for a half hour or longer. Please exit and log back into the system.

6. Why are participants asked for their birth date?

Certain programs or activities have age requirements. Having the participant's birth date on file helps avoid incorrect registrations.

7. How do I add another person to my account?

Log into your account, click on the Edit Members link, and then the Add New Member button.

8. How can I update my account?

To change your account information login into your account and click on the appropriate links. In some situations your Recreation Department may block the ability to change birth dates and resident status.

9. Why do you want my email address?

Your email address is a link between you and Online Registration. If you forget your Password, you can just click on the Forgot My Password function and you will immediately receive an email with your Password. If the email you used when opening your account is no longer active you’ll need to contact your Recreation office to update your login information.

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1. What is Online Registration?

Online Registration is an online activity registration system. This system is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. You can use this system to register yourself and household members for upcoming activities that are currently listed online and to make payments on existing balances. This system also provides pre-filled out registration forms that are available to print and mail or bring to the office.

2. What can I do with the Online Registration system?

You can search for programs and view activity registration information, register, receive confirmation of your paid registration, view recent registration history information and make payments on your account.

3. What information do I need to register online?

- Your Username and Password

- Credit or debit card (Visa and MasterCard, other cards are available at the discretion of your Recreation Department)

- Each person you wish to register must be in your account; their name, date of birth and when appropriate the grade.

4. Is your system secure?

We use the latest in online payment security. The online registration system employs 128-bit encryption, the highest form of encryption generally available to the public. You will see the Network Solutions symbol indicating that your data is secure.

5. Can I use Internet Explorer or any other web browser?

This registration system is designed primarily for use with Internet Explorer version 7 and Firefox version 2. The site should also work just fine on many other browsers including Safari and Opera. If you are experiencing difficulty using a browser such as Internet Explorer version 6, you may want to consider upgrading.

6. What is your privacy policy?

Your personal information is kept confidential. Your address and email are never sold to any other organization.

7. Is there a convenience fee for using Online Registration and/or any additional fees?

The Recreation Department has the option to charge an extra fee for online registration but most do not.

8. Who can I contact with more questions?

Contact your Recreation Department with questions regarding programs. The Recreation staff cannot answer hardware or software questions related to online registration. Call us at 207-866-2556.

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1. What is my Login?

Each account has an Account Login. This is the account's personal identification number and serves as the account's Login to use Online Registration or to print a registration form to mail or bring to the office. Each participant in an account shares the same Account Login (username & password) unless otherwise setup by the household account. It should not be shared with anyone other than those people listed on the account.

2. What is my Username & Password?

Each Account shares 1 password, unless otherwise setup by the household account. This, and the Username (the email address you used when opening your account) is used to login to the online registration system to register any member in your account and to print a registration form to be mailed or handed in at the office.

3. Can I change my Username or Password?

You can change your username and password at anytime by visiting your account. Your username is the email address you used when you opened your account. Remember to update your username whenever you change your email address. Your Recreation Department uses your email address to notify you of important changes to activities such as cancellations.

4. What if I forget my Username and/or Password?

Click on the 'Forgot My Password' link in the login screen and enter your username. Your username is the email address you entered when you opened your account. Your Username and Password will be emailed to you. If the email address you used to open your account is no longer active you will not receive your Username & Password. Contact your Recreation Department for assistance.

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1. How do I obtain a police report?

Contact us Mon-Fri during business hours, and the request will be fulfilled based on current laws regarding access to public records, fees apply according to Town of Orono fee schedule.

2. How do I make an anonymous report of criminal activity?

 Go to our website - http://orono.org/190/Police-Department - click on "Crime Watch" and submit the information.   NOTE:  this is not monitored 24 hours a day, if there is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately, please call 911 and tell the dispatcher that you'd like to remain anonymous.

3. Does the Town issue parking permits?

Yes, please see Jessica at the Public Safety building.  We issue a limited number of permits (costs based on current Fee Schedule) for posted areas in the municipal lot behind the Public Safety Building, and the posted parking spots at the Public Library.  

4. Winter Parking Ban Information

Daily Overnight Parking Ban

The Town of Orono has a parking ban from November 1 to April 15 each year.  Motor vehicles must be parked in off-street locations between 12AM (midnight) and 8AM.  

Winter Storm Response Parking Ban

During a winter weather event and subsequent cleanup, vehicles are required to be parked off-street to allow for snow removal. If owners/users of motor vehicles do not comply, vehicles in violation of the ordinance may be towed. Vehicles may continue to park in designated parking spaces along Mill Street and in Municipal Parking Lots (Pine Street, Bennoch Road, Mill Street, and behind the Public Safety Building on Main Street) until 2AM.

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1. What day is my trash and recycling collected?

For the streets west of Main Street, from Gardner Road to Bennoch Road, trash pick-up is Thursdays.

For both sides of Main Street and all streets east of Main, including everything north of the Stillwater River (College Avenue, Webster side), trash pick-up is Fridays.

Recycling occurs on every other week.

On the following holidays, trash pick-up is delayed by one day (except when the holiday falls on the weekend): New Year's, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

Click here for a calendar.

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1. How do I pay my sewer bill?

Sewer payments can be made in one of two ways. In-person payments can be made at the counter in the Town Clerk's Office downstairs in the Town Office at 59 Main Street. Online payments can be made at https://epayment.informe.org/payportonline/disclaimer/1943. 

2. How do I apply for a sewer abatement?

The Town’s abatement policy, including valid reasons for an abatement, can be found at this link. Please see the Town Clerk’s Office desk downstairs at the Town Office at 59 Main Street to get an abatement application.