City Operations and Services During COVID-19

General:

City of Bath buildings reopened to the public Monday, June 1, 2020. City Hall offices open by appointment only. We encourage the public to take advantage of our online and over-the-phone services until offices can reopen. Learn More

For general questions, please contact the City Manager's Office at 207-443-8330. 

Assessor's Office Services:

Property Tax Exemption Applications

Governor Janet Mills signed an Executive Order extending the April 1, 2020 application deadline for certain property tax exemptions.

"Ordinarily, applications for certain property tax exemptions would be submitted by April 1 to be effective for a municipality’s property tax commitment. Now, the Executive Order extends the April 1, 2020 deadline to either the commitment date of the municipality or 30 days after the termination of the declared emergency, whichever occurs first.  The extended application deadline includes the following property tax exemptions: Property of Institutions and Organizations (36 M.R.S. § 652); Estates of Veterans (36 M.R.S. § 653(1)(G)); Solar and Wind Energy Equipment (36 M.R.S. §§ 655(1)(U) and 656(1)(K)); Exemption of Homesteads (36 M.R.S. § 684(1)); and Exemption of Business Equipment (“BETE”) (36 M.R.S. § 693(1))."

In Bath, the commitment date is generally the end of August. Thus, Bath property owners may apply for Homestead, Veterans and Solar exemptions until the end of August, or 30 days after the end of the emergency. Business owners whose business personal property is eligible for the Business Equipment Tax Exemption (BETE) program also have an extension.

• View Tax Exemption Applications related to Homestead, Blind Persons, Veteran's, Veteran's Survivor Exemptions 
• View Tax Exemption Applications related to Solar and Wind Energy Equipment
• View Tax Exemption Applications related to Exemption of Business Equipment (BETE)

For more information, please email jmarshall@cityofbath.com.

Bath CityBus:

The Bath CityBus will continue to be out of service until further notice. For more information, please call 207-443-8363. 

City Clerk's Office Services:

Public Meetings

Guide to Participating in Virtual Meetings

The City will begin holding meetings, including City Council and Planning Board, via video conference until further notice. Details for public participation in those meetings will be made available in the online event postings. City Council and Planning Board meetings will still be broadcast live on Bath Community Television (Channel 14) and BCTV On Demand (https://www.cityofbath.com/bctv-on-demand).

Codes Enforcement Office Services:

Indoor inspections that are necessary for a project to continue are being done via photos and video. Outdoor inspections are on a case-by-case basis. Mail permit applications and other materials to City Hall at 55 Front Street, Bath 04530. Include a phone number and email address (if available) on mailed materials. Call 207-443-8334 or email sdavis@cityofbath.com for service. 

Finance Office/Treasurer's Office Services: 

• Property Taxes may be paid over-the-phone by calling the Treasurer’s Office at 207-443-8340 (credit card fees apply), online (card fees apply), mailing your payment to City Hall (55 Front Street, Bath ME 04530), or dropping your payment into the City Hall drop box (on the parking lot side of City Hall).
• Tax Information may be obtained by calling 207-443-8340 or emailing jmillett@cityofbath.com . 
• *Vehicle Registration Renewal may be processed through Maine’s Rapid Renewal service.
• *ATV and Snowmobile Registration may be processed online through Maine’s IFW ATV & Snowmobile Registration website
• *Boat Registration Renewal may be processed online through Maine’s Boat Registration Renewal website     
• Hunting and Fishing Licenses may be purchased online through the Maine Online Sportsman Electronic System (MOSES)

*30 day extension on NEW vehicle and trailer registrations, beginning AFTER the termination of Maine's State of Emergency
Please be aware that the Secretary of State has stated that during this time of civil emergency, Motor vehicle and trailer registrations, including all temporary registrations and any fuel use decals that expire during the state of emergency will be extended. This applies to registrations issued by municipalities or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and also to temporary registrations issued by dealers. The State of Maine recognizes the need of individuals, families, and businesses for transportation, work, and commerce during the emergency. These registrations can be renewed after the emergency ends.

Registrations issued by a municipality, including temporary registrations, are deemed extended until 30 days following the termination of the state of emergency pursuant to P.L. 2019, ch. 617, F-1, emergency laws approved by the Governor on March 18, 2020. 

Other registrations, including temporary registrations, will be extended until 30 days following the termination of the state of emergency pursuant to the emergency provision of 29-A MRSA 405(4). 

Remember that renewals can be done online, and, rest assured, the Maine State and local police have been notified of the extension on expired registrations as well as on inspections.

General Assistance Services:

General Assistance business may be conducted over-the-phone and by email, or you may set up an appointment - please call 207-443-8335 or email jmillett@cityofbath.com  

Parks & Recreation Department Services

For detailed, up-to-the-minute information, including information about sports programs, parks/facilities and cemetery operations, please Click Here. 

Planning and Development Services:

The Planning Board is continuing to meet remotely at the regularly scheduled date and time. Please mail any permit applications and other materials to City Hall at 55 Front Street, Bath 04530. Include a phone number and email address (if available) on mailed materials. Call (207) 443-8363 or email baverill@cityofbath.com for service. 

Police Department Services:

Please call ahead (207-443-5563, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mon-Fri)  to the make an appointment for fingerprinting, concealed weapons permits, taxi licenses, or mooring permits. Parking Tickets and Parking Permits may be paid online, by mailing in a payment to the Bath Police Department at 250 Water Street, Bath 04530, or paid over-the-phone. The Department is NOT able to do car seat installations at the present time. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Records checks may be paid by mail, email, or phone to Deputy Chief Andrew Booth at abooth@cityofbath.com, 207-443-5563.

Public Works Services

The Bath Public Works Department is taking care of critical tasks that impact public health and safety, but please be aware that some routine and seasonal work may be delayed. If you need to speak with the Department concerning work or emergency requests please call 207-443-8357 during regular business hours (M-F 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) or county dispatch at 207-443-8200 for after hours service.  

Landfill:

The Bath Landfill reopened to the general public on Monday, May 18, 2020, with certain changes in procedures to help protect the health of our staff and customers alike. Learn More

For more information, please call 207-443-8356. 

Curbside Collection of Trash and Recycling

The City’s curbside collection of trash and recycling will continue as normal.

If you are working or practicing social distancing at home, you may find yourself generating unusual items in your waste stream and you might wonder about recycling. Our curbside recycling program is operating normally and the rules have not changed:

• Wash food out of containers
• Plastic wraps and bags (films) are not recyclable curbside but may be at grocery stores if clean and dry.
• Use the drop off kiosks for food waste to keep it out of your trash and create energy and compost.
• Ask your local take-out restaurant to use compostable containers so they can be tossed with the food.
• Wipes (anti-bacterial or not) and paper towels cannot be recycled and should be placed in your trash. Also do not flush these items in your toilet.
• Office paper used at home is recyclable with other paper in your curbside bin. Remember to use both sides.

Learn more about curbside collection here.