Welcome to the Town of Athens
The Athens Town Office is located in the historic Somerset Academy at 26 Academy Street in Athens, Maine.
Regular Town Office Hours are Mondays 2:00 to 6:00 PM and Thursdays 2:00 to 6:00 PM.
During these hours Athens residents can register vehicles, boats, and trailers, license dogs, register to vote, pay tax bills, and obtain hunting, trapping and fishing licenses. The Town Office is Closed on State Holidays.
Town Meeting Warrants, Annual Reports, Local Ordinances, Tax Maps, Selectboard Meeting Agendas, and Tax Commitment Books can be found at: www.athens.maine.gov/resources
The Board of Selectmen meet on Tuesdays, 7:00 PM at the Town Office.
The annual municipal election for First Selectman, Treasurer, and School Board take place on Friday, March 13th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The Annual Town Meeting will take place on Saturday, March 14th, starting at 1:30 PM at the Somerset Academy.
The Athens Budget Committee will meet on Thursday, February 12th, starting at 6:00 PM at the Somerset Academy.
ONLINE REGISTRATION and LICENSE OPTIONS
Many registrations and licenses issued by the Town Office can be obtained online.
Car registration renewals can be done online at: apps1.web.maine.gov/online/bmv/rapid-renewal
Trailer, camper, boat, and motorcycle registration renewals can be done online at: www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/registration/index.html
Hunting and fishing licenses can be obtained online at: apps1.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/moses_v3/index
Burn Permits can be obtained online at: https://apps1.web.maine.gov/burnpermit/public/index.html
Town Fire Warden Laurence French can also issue Burn Permits. The Fire Warden can be reached at (207) 616-1296 or Laurence.french2@gmail.com
TRANSFER STATION
The Transfer Station on Dore Hill Road is open to Athens residents with a Transfer Station sticker on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Stickers are available at the Town Office and the Transfer Station during regular hours.
ADDRESSING REQUIREMENTS
In order for 9-1-1 to work as designed, each structure in Town must be linked to a unique, physical address that clearly identifies where an emergency caller is located.
The Town of Athens Enhanced 911 Addressing Ordinance was adopted in 1997 in order to ensure the easy and rapid location of properties by fire, rescue, and emergency medical services personnel in the Town of Athens.
Whenever any residence or other structure is constructed or developed, it shall be the duty of the new owner to obtain an assigned number from the Board of Selectmen. This shall be done prior to commencing construction.
All owners of structures shall display and maintain in a conspicuous place on said structure, the assigned numbers in the following manner:
a. Number on the Structure or Residence. Where the residence or structure is within fifty (50) feet of the edge of the road right-of-way, the assigned number shall be prominently displayed on the front of the residence or structure near the front door or entry.
b. Number at the Street Line. Where the residence or structure is over fifty (50) feet of the edge of the road right-of-way, the assigned number shall be prominently displayed on a post, fence, wall, the mail box, or on some structure at the property line next to the walk or access drive to the residence or structure.
c. Size and Color of.Number. Numbers shall be displayed in contrasting colors with the background, at least 3″ tall, and located to be visible from the road.
d. Every person whose duty is to display the assigned number shail remove any different number that might be mistaken for, or confused with, the number assigned in conformance with this ordinance.
e. Residents and other occupants are requested to post the assigned number and road name next to their telephone(s) for emergency reference.
FOOD CUPBOARD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Cornville-Athens Food Cupboard is greatly in need of people to volunteer and help keep it running.
The Food Cupboard is open the first Saturday of each month from 9am to noon and open to all Athens residents, regardless of income. An additional Saturday may be added soon.
If you are available to volunteer with the Cornville-Athens Food Cupboard, please contact Shannon at (207) 399-0452 or shannondrury@rocketmail.com
Thank you!
OUR HISTORY
Athens is located in the Wesserunsett Valley. Wesserunsett Stream is the seventh largest tributary of the Kennebec River.
Athens is part of Somerset County and was incorporated on March 7, 1804, when Maine was still part of Massachusetts. Most of the early settlers of European descent in Athens were Revolutionary War soldiers. In 1821 the town annexed land from Hartland, and later from Brighton in 1838 and 1862.
The main village in the town is north of Skowhegan following Route 150 to the junction with state routes 43 and 151. It is located at the fork of the East and West branches of Wesserunsett Stream, which joins the Kennebec River just below Skowhegan. The historic Fairgrounds and Exhibition Hall are located on Route 150 coming into the center of town and the Grange Hall is in the middle of the village. The Town Office is located in the Somerset Academy, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
