• Aroostook County Commissioners rejected the Governor’s consolidation plans for county jails.
• There was a 65 percent increase reported in passport applications for 2007.
• A Houlton soldier missing for more than 60 years was finally laid to rest. Second Lt. Harold E. Hoskin served with the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. He was flying a test mission in Alaska on Dec. 23, 1943 when his B-24 went down.
• SAD 70 Elementary and Middle School adopted a new name — Mill Pond School.
• The Shiretown Motor Inn began its reconstruction after a fire claimed 21 of its motel units
• Houlton town council adopted an outdoor wood boiler ordinance.
• The Savings Bank of Maine purchased 1 Market Square from the town of Houlton. It also acquired the JC Penney building, as well as the yellow building located next to Cole’s Shoe Store.
October
• The Battered Women’s Project began preparations for its annual candlelight vigil. The Project joins other shelters nationwide in celebrating October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• A Veteran’s Affairs administrator pledged support for a Houlton veteran’s clinic.
• The Houlton Visitor Center celebrated its 25 years of service to the community.
• Longtime community leader, Otis Putnam, died at 85.
• A petition was circulated protesting the town’s new outdoor wood boiler ordinance.
• A $2.5 million building project in Market Square was given a go-ahead from Houlton’s planning board. Coastal Enterprises plans to construct a 28-unit, three story senior citizen apartment building.
• The Shiretown Development Corporation began discussions on the possible demolition of the Houlton International Building at the airport.
November
• Houlton Regional Hospital administrators reached a contract agreement with the nursing staff.
• SAD 29 officials worked to sort out consolidation issues. The district is just one of many that have been instructed to consolidate its schools to fit the Governor’s budget plans.
• World War II veteran Forrest Quint was presented with a series of medals, which he earned for his service with the U.S. Army. “Frosty” served overseas 64 years ago. He was given the Army Occupation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with four bronze stars), the French Fourragere and the World War II victory medal.
• Houlton’s town manager Doug Hazlett announced to town councilors an increase in the 2008 budget.
• Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians officially welcomed its new tribal officers.
• The former Penney’s building is demolished.
• Rotary auction nets more than $40,000 for local projects.
• Board of Budget Review began its meetings.
December
• Washington County’s Stetson Mountain is approved as a Tax Increment Financing approval site. The mountain is the second location to receive state approval as a wind turbine project. The first location is in Mars Hill.
• The Aroostook Band of Micmacs looked to have 400 acres of land in both Caribou and Littleton put in trust in order to protect it from possible future land seizures.
