As reported in the Bangor Daily News

10 years ago — Aug. 26, 1982

The Bangor City Council approved exploration of a new frontier in zoning with adoption of an ordinance that authorizes contract zoning. The vote was 6-3 to make the necessary change to the city’s comprehensive plan to allow for contract zoning and 7-2 to adopt the ordinance which spells out the procedures for the zoning. Contract zoning is “the process by which the property owner, in consideration of the rezoning of his property, agrees to the imposition of certain conditions or restrictions not imposed on other similarly zoned properties,” according to a state statute.

The looming possibility of a $55,000 sewer deficit prompted members of the Brewer City Council to rethink last week’s sewer rate hike, and a motion for a reconsideration vote will be on the agenda when the council meets for a special session. The city’s sewer treatment fees were raised from 75 cents per hundred cubic feet of water to 95 cents on Friday. Brewer City Manager Reynold Perry had sought a larger increase for the fee assessment because of a projected 1982 deficit and a $48,000 loan that was transferred from the city’s general fund to the sewer fund.

25 years ago — Aug. 26, 1967

General Services Administration officials said that the new Federal Building would probably be ready for occupancy “sometime around Thanksgiving.” Allston Conlogue, GSA resident engineer, said that the finishing touches on the building are now being made. “This is detail work,” he said, “and it is slow.” The building is a year behind schedule, GSA officials said, due to a variety of reasons including many changes that have been made during the course of construction.

Eastern Maine General Hospital reported an operating loss of $148,469 for the year ending June 30, 1967. According to a report of the Arthur Andersen and Co. auditors, released by the hospital, gross income of $4,274,845 was reduced $644,409 to cover free treatment and to provide for uncollectable accounts. This left a net of $3,630,436 against hospital expenses of $3,778,932. Robert N. Haskell, president of the board of trustees, said the hospital lost money in spite of room rate increases averaging about $4 per day and an increase in the number of patient days from 83,398 to 85,186.

50 years ago — Aug. 26, 1942

Ten alleged violators of the blackout regulations during a recent test in Bangor were arraigned in municipal court before Judge Albert C. Blanchard. Nine pleaded guilty and paid fines of $5 each. The tenth, through his attorney, pleaded not guilty and waived hearing. He was adjudged guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of $5, appealed the sentence and was released on his personal recognizance for appearance at the September term of the superior court. Complaint in all cases was made by Gordon D. Briggs, chief air raid warden.