MACHIAS, Maine — The Machias Select Board held four public hearings Thursday on the county’s tax anticipation note, proposed solar and wind ordinances and whether to allow long‑term leases.

Residents are expected to vote on the issues at a special town meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3.

The Select Board has proposed taking out either a five- or 10-year loan to cover its share of the estimated $8 million county tax anticipation note, avoiding the cost in next year’s county tax assessment.

Years of financial mismanagement have left Washington County without funds and facing an $8 million tax anticipation note, or TAN, owed to Machias Savings Bank by Dec. 31.

To help with cash flow, the Washington County Commissioners have asked the county’s 44 municipalities to pay the

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