WEST GARDINER — Nomination papers for municipal posts are available now and must be returned to the Town Office by Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Greg Couture’s seat on the three-person Board of Selectmen is up for election, and he has taken out papers to run again. Victor Goodwin Jr., who ran for a selectman’s post last year, also has taken out papers to be on the ballot for that three-year post.

Incumbent Road Commissioner Gary Hickey has taken out nominating paper to run for another three-year term.

Debra Couture’s seat on the regional school board is also up for re-election. Couture has taken out papers to run again for the three-year tearm.

The town office staff, who hold one-year posts, have also taken out papers for re-election, according to Heidi Peckham, town clerk.

Voting for municipal office takes place on the morning of the annual Town Meeting, which is set for March 24.

Orton Foundation to host meeting

GARDINER — The Orton Family Foundation representatives will meet with community members on Wednesday to discuss the Heart & Soul Community Planning project.

The City Council also will get an update of the project.

In December, the city won a $100,000 grant from the organization for community planning.

The public meeting is 4-5:15 p.m. in the Hazzard Room of the Gardiner Public Library.

Nate Rudy, the city’s director of economic and community development, said people interested in participating in the project may attend. He said the public meeting is the first step in moving forward with the project. People will learn how to apply to serve on the project’s community advisory team.

Rudy said space at the public meeting is limited so please RSVP at 582-6892 or acoffice@gardinermaine.com.

Additional information is available at www.orton.org/who/heart_soul

KV United Way celebrates goal

AUGUSTA — The United Way of Kennebec Valley celebrated reaching its goal of $1.5 million with a party at the Governor Hill Mansion Thursday.

A highlight of the night was when United Way’s executive director, Rob Gordon, announced that the organization had not only reached, but exceeded the $1.5 million goal by $1,505.

“We are grateful for people’s generous partnership to United Way and we are thankful to be part of such a generous community” Gordon said Friday.

United Way spokeswoman Aubrey Michaud said the money will now go to the allocations committee, which visits each partnering agency to see what progress the program has made over the last year and assess what can be done in the coming year.

She said agencies make a presentation to the committee regarding how money from United Way has been used. Then they make requests for the amount needed in the coming year and explain what it will be used for.

The United Way partners with 54 local programs and initiatives to help make the Kennebec Valley a better place for its inhabitants, she said.