Plan to use Jay mill land for waste network moves ahead

View this email in your browser.

December 05, 2025

A plan to repurpose the former Androscoggin Mill’s landfill and wastewater treatment areas for a regional waste collection and processing network is moving forward. JayCo of Bangor finalized the purchase after state permits were transferred on Sept. 26, marking the first major private investment on the mill property since its closure. The project could redefine how Franklin County and surrounding towns manage solid waste while creating new infrastructure jobs.

The move is seen as part of a broader effort to attract post-industrial redevelopment. Jay Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere previously said the site’s utilities and road access make it ideal for such use. Environmental oversight and long-term monitoring remain in place as the company transitions operations, ensuring the area meets DEP standards as it enters a new phase of use.

Also in this week's newsletter: 15 pets perish in Avon house fire; pigeon infestation causes costly cleanup; and county sheriffs consider a regional jail to tackle overcrowding and rising costs.

Thanks for reading,

- Rebecca Richard

MORE NEWS

Tony McDonald, right, a partner in JGT2 Redevelopment, and Michael Carroll, executive director of Municipal WasteHub in Hampden, meet in June with Jay selectpersons about acquiring the former Androscoggin Mill’s landfill and wastewater treatment plant. The operation will be part of a statewide waste management network. (Donna M. Perry/Staff Writer)

AROUND TOWN

Eleven dogs and four cats were killed in a blaze Tuesday night that destroyed an Avon home after firefighters spent nearly 45 minutes locating the fire spotted by a Phillips resident on Wheeler Hill Road.

Pigeons moved into the Franklin County Courthouse clock tower, where numerous dead and live birds and heavy droppings were found in early September, and it will cost $18,000 to clean them out.

Sheriffs in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties have proposed a regional jail, citing overcrowding and rising costs as reasons to find ways to save money and improve inmate programs.

Livermore Falls native and IT specialist Jake Nichols keeps the Franklin County government humming, overseeing operations for 91 county computer systems.

Readers' pick: The most-clicked story in last week’s newsletter was about a worker in Strong who was buried under two tons of wood pellets before co-workers dug him out.

MORE COMMUNITY NEWS

Use the buttons below to see news from a specific community.

FARMINGTON

WILTON

PHILLIPS

DON'T MISS OUT: To thank you for being a loyal reader of Franklin Now, we're giving you this special subscription offer! Get unlimited digital access to Sunjournal.com for just $1 a week and enjoy even more local coverage.

THINGS TO DO

Visit with therapy dogs and therapy dogs in training from Love on a Leash at the Tails and Tales event from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at Treat Memorial Library in Livermore Falls.

The Farmington Public Library will host an Emo Night Trivia event at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21. Music fans are invited to form teams and test their knowledge of all things emo, from album names to music video details. Snacks will be provided, and prizes will be awarded to the top participants. Space is limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.

ArtsFarmington will host an OktoberFest Celebration featuring live music by the Opus One Big Band from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the North Dining Hall, University of Maine at Farmington. Guests can dance to classic swing and big band tunes. Tickets are $20 for adults and free for UMF students and youth 18 and under through the Arts Inspire Youth Program. Tickets are available online or at the door.

VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR

THE WAY IT WAS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY

Nov. 5 2021: The 45th annual Children's Halloween parade travels down Main Street from the Phillips Public Library.

Click here to read more of this story from 2021. Subscribers enjoy exclusive access to search and browse our digital archives on Newspapers.com.

EPAPER | GUIDES | HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS | GAMES | CALENDAR

Rebecca Richard is a reporter for the Franklin Journal and the creator of this newsletter. Send feedback and suggestions to Rebecca. Read more Franklin County news at sunjournal.com. You can support this newsletter by encouraging friends and family to sign up. Explore our other newsletters.

You're receiving this newsletter because you signed up for email news on sunjournal.com To ensure this email stays out of your spam folder, add newsletters@sunjournal.com to your contacts or add this email to your "Priority" box.