Hartford, ME

Departments

Resources

Assessing and Tax Information

The Town of Hartford provides property assessment and tax information for residents and property owners. This page covers the current tax rate, payment schedule, available exemptions, and where to find property records.

Tax Rate

The current Hartford property tax rate is $13.05 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Payment Due Dates

Property taxes are due in two installments:

  • First installment: December 1
  • Second installment: May 1

Payments are accepted at the Town Office during regular hours by check or cash. Make checks payable to the Town of Hartford.

  • Town Office: 1196 Main Street, Hartford, ME 04220
  • Phone: 207-388-2674

Exemptions and Abatements

Homestead Exemption

Maine residents who have owned and occupied a home in Maine for at least 12 months may qualify for the Homestead Exemption, which reduces the assessed value of a primary residence by up to $25,000. Applications must be filed with the assessor by April 1.

Poverty Tax Abatement

Hartford residents who are unable to pay their property taxes due to poverty or inability to contribute to the public charges may apply for a poverty tax abatement. Contact the Town Office for an application.

To request an abatement, email hartforddeputy@gmail.com with your name, property address, and a description of your circumstances.

Assessor

Hartford contracts with JE O’Donnell and Associates for professional assessing services.

Property Records

Back to top

Code Enforcement

The Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) administers and enforces Hartford’s land use ordinances, building codes, and environmental regulations. Contact the CEO for questions about permits, zoning, and compliance.

Code Enforcement Officer

Permits

The following permits are administered by the Code Enforcement Officer. Application forms are available at the Town Office and in the documents library.

Building Permit

A building permit is required for new construction, additions, renovations, demolitions, and the installation of manufactured housing. Applications should include a site plan showing the proposed structure’s location, dimensions, and setbacks.

Plumbing Permit

A plumbing permit is required for all plumbing installations, alterations, and repairs, including subsurface wastewater disposal systems. Plumbing permits are issued by the Local Plumbing Inspector in accordance with the Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules.

Shoreland Zoning Permit

A shoreland zoning permit is required for construction, filling, grading, or other land use activities within 250 feet of ponds, rivers, and freshwater wetlands, or within 75 feet of streams. Activities in the shoreland zone are governed by Hartford’s Shoreland Zoning Ordinance.

Junkyard Permit

An annual junkyard permit is required for the operation of automobile graveyards and junkyards within the Town of Hartford, in accordance with state law and the Hartford Junkyard Ordinance.

Ordinances

The Code Enforcement Officer enforces all land use and building-related ordinances adopted by the Town of Hartford. View all town ordinances for the full list.

Fee Schedule

Permit fees are set by the Select Board. The current fee schedule is available on the Town Policies page and in the documents library.

Back to top

Emergency Management

The Emergency Management Director coordinates Hartford’s emergency preparedness planning, disaster response, and recovery operations. Hartford works in partnership with Oxford County Emergency Management Agency to ensure readiness for natural disasters, severe weather, and other emergencies.

Emergency Management Director

  • Name: Lianne Bedard
  • Phone: 207-388-2674 (Town Office)

Emergency Plans

Hartford maintains emergency operations plans covering hazard mitigation, emergency response, and recovery procedures. These plans are updated periodically in coordination with Oxford County EMA and the Maine Emergency Management Agency.

Emergency plan documents are available in the documents library.

Emergency Contacts

Immediate Emergencies

  • Police, Fire, and Ambulance: Call 911

Crisis Support

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (available 24/7)
  • Maine Crisis Line: Call 1-888-568-1112
  • 211 Maine: Dial 211 for information and referrals to health and human services

County and State Resources

  • Oxford County Emergency Management Agency - coordinates county-wide emergency response
  • Maine Emergency Management Agency - state emergency coordination and disaster declarations
  • National Weather Service - Gray, Maine - severe weather alerts and forecasts for western Maine

Preparedness

Residents are encouraged to maintain basic emergency supplies and a family communication plan. During severe weather events, check the Town of Hartford Facebook page and local media for emergency updates, announcements, and road closure information.

Back to top

E911 Addressing

Hartford participates in the statewide Enhanced 911 (E911) addressing system. E911 addressing ensures that emergency responders can locate any residence or business in town quickly and accurately.

Address Assignment

All structures in Hartford are assigned a physical address based on the E911 addressing system. Addresses are determined by location along a road, measured from the road’s origin point, and assigned by the Town’s E911 Addressing Officer.

New Address Requests

If you are building a new home or structure and need an E911 address assigned, contact the Town Office:

Address Signage

Property owners are responsible for posting their E911 address number in a location visible from the road. Proper address signage is critical for emergency response. Numbers should be:

  • Visible from the road in both directions of travel
  • Reflective or contrasting against the background for nighttime visibility
  • At least 4 inches tall for roadside posts or mailboxes

E911 Ordinance

Hartford’s E911 Addressing Ordinance establishes the procedures for address assignment and signage requirements. View Hartford ordinances for the full text.

Back to top

Recycling and Waste

The Town of Hartford provides curbside collection and coordinates recycling, bulky waste, hazardous waste, and battery disposal programs for residents. Contact the Town Office at 207-388-2674 with questions about any of these services.

Curbside Collection

Hartford provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection every Tuesday. Containers should be placed at the curb by 5:30 AM on collection day.

What to Put Out

  • Trash - in bags or containers with lids
  • Recycling - sorted according to the curbside recycling guide

The curbside recycling guide is available at the Town Office and in the documents library.

Bulky Waste

Bulky waste collection is offered seasonally. Items such as furniture, appliances, mattresses, and other large items that do not fit in regular curbside collection may be brought to designated drop-off events.

Check the news page for upcoming bulky waste collection dates and locations.

Hazardous Waste

Household hazardous waste - including paint, pesticides, solvents, and automotive fluids - must not be placed in regular curbside collection. Oxford County coordinates periodic household hazardous waste collection events.

Contact the Town Office for information about the next scheduled hazardous waste collection.

  • Phone: 207-388-2674

Battery Recycling

Batteries should not be placed in regular trash or recycling. The Town Office accepts household batteries for proper recycling and disposal. Bring used batteries to the Town Office during regular hours.

Solid Waste Committee

The Solid Waste Committee oversees Hartford’s recycling and waste programs. Residents with questions or suggestions about waste collection services should contact the Town Office or attend a committee meeting.

Related Pages

Back to top

Recreation in Hartford

Hartford offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, from swimming and boating on Lake Anasagunticook to snowmobiling, ATV riding, hunting, and fishing in the surrounding hills and forests.

Hartford Beach

Hartford Beach is located on Thompson Lane on the shore of Lake Anasagunticook. The beach is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Parking Passes

  • Resident annual pass: $10
  • Guest day pass: $5
  • AirBnB/short-term rental annual pass: $100

Parking passes are available at the Town Office during regular hours. Vehicles parked at the beach without a valid pass are subject to the town’s beach parking ordinance.

Beach Rules

The beach ordinance governs conduct, hours, pets, and parking at Hartford Beach. A copy of the beach ordinance is available on the ordinances page and in the documents library.

ATV, Boat, and Snowmobile

Registration

All ATVs, boats, and snowmobiles must be registered with the State of Maine.

Local Clubs

Hartford-area residents enjoy access to well-maintained trail systems through local clubs:

  • Bear Mountain ATV Club - ATV trail riding in the Hartford area
  • Canton Hi-Riders Snowmobile Club - groomed snowmobile trails
  • Streaked Mountaineers - outdoor recreation club

Club membership applications are available in the documents library.

Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping

Licenses

Hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses are issued by the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Hartford is located within Maine’s Wildlife Management Districts for deer, moose, turkey, and other game species. Check the Maine IF&W website for current season dates, bag limits, and district boundaries.

Emergency Contacts

If you encounter an emergency while recreating in Hartford:

  • Emergency: Call 911
  • Maine Game Warden Service: Call 1-800-452-4664 (to report poaching, injured wildlife, or outdoor emergencies)
  • Oxford County Sheriff’s Office: Call 207-743-9554 (non-emergency)

Back to top

Made with by TownCloud © Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.