Kaitlynn Pelletier participates in choir tour

Kaitlynn Pelletier, of Waterville, will tour Pennsylvania and New York with Lebanon Valley College’s Concert Choir. Pelletier, a graduate of Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, is pursuing a bachelor of science and bachelor of arts in music education and music.

The 81st annual tour will run from Sunday, March 26 through Saturday, April 1, and will conclude with a performance in Frederic K. Miller Chapel on the college’s campus, in Annville, Pennsylvania. Students will perform vocal selections that related to this year’s theme of “From Hardship to Harmony” under the direction of Dr. Matthew Erpelding. All proceeds collected during the tour support a charity of each host church’s choice.

Winslow boys capture basketball tourney crown

WINSLOW — The Winslow eighth grade boys travel basketball team won the 2017 Bob Messier Basketball Tournament held at the Old Town-Orono YMCA. This championship capped a successful season when the team went 15-4. They also captured third place at the 38th annual Boothbay Region YMCA Basketball Classic. Team members, front row, from left to right, Joseph Lopes,  Jameson Carey, Jake Berard, Marek Widerynski and Cameron Cobb. Back, Hunter Gagne, Robbie Clark, Holden Dart, Reid Gagnon, Jack Bilodeau and Colby Genest. Not pictured are coaches Chris Biolodau, Jay Carey and Mike Gagnon.   Contributed photo

TRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOG: How important is the judge?

TRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOGTRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOG

Carolyn Fuhrer, North Star Dog Training School

When you enter an event with your dog, you are actually asking the judge to evaluate your performance according to the standards of the venue. Some people would say if my dog can do everything, it really doesn’t matter who the judge is. This is not necessarily so. The less experienced you are, the more influence a judge may have on your performance.

An obedience judge is responsible for ring set ups – where the exercises will take place and the heeling pattern. Set ups close to the ring entrance, recalls towards the ring entrance, set ups with a lot of distractions behind the dog, can all complicate simple exercises. While you should practice with distractions before you show, a good judge will do their best to make the ring dog and handler friendly.

The efficiency and energy of the judge also sets a tone that you and your dog react to – basically, if you are comfortable, your dog will be comfortable. While judges should expect you to take your performance seriously and to know the rules and ring procedure, it is important to never lose your sense of humor. Things happen; and remember, there is always another show.

Good judges work hard to make the best of the situations they are given. Rally judges design the course using the signs and guidelines appropriate to the level. Some like courses with lots of sits and fronts. Other judges prefer flowing, open courses. Some look more at precision while others focus more on teamwork. Both courses can be legal, but reflect a different style.

In agility, the judge’s skill at design is also very important because they actually design the course. While, of course there are guidelines to designing a course, a judge’s influence in course design, i.e. angle of approach, tight turns, how the course flows – can all influence your dog’s performance. Some judges are influenced by the type of dog they are running and what kind of course they like, so sometimes you may get a course that is friendlier to big dogs or one that is friendlier to little dogs. Again, both can be legal courses but may favor one size dog over another. Some judges like lots of obstacle discrimination, some like pinwheels or serpentines. Some like a spiraling, tight course and others like a loopy, flowing course. Again, the more experienced your dog, the less this will concern you. Try and learn from the type of courses you have trouble running.

In tracking, the judges’ knowledge of scent theory and how dogs work and what will help the dog and what can hinder the dog along the way is extremely important.

In tracking, each new day is another experience depending upon terrain and weather conditions. Since tracking is an outdoor sport and subject to varying conditions, tracking judges must consider many factors when plotting a track. What looks good on paper may not transfer well to a field. Tracking judges must be willing to go that extra mile to make things work.

Judges, in my experience, on the whole are very dedicated and want to see dogs and handlers succeed. They work hard and put in a long day. But as in any other slice of life, some become complacent and settle in and don’t put forth much effort.

If, in your trialing experiences, you are not happy with a judge – be polite and chalk it up to experience. Seek out other experiences with other judges. You can enjoy showing and good judges are out there. Please make sure you tell the clubs when you really like a judge. Clubs work hard to put on shows and it means a lot to know they made good choices in choosing judges.

Carolyn Fuhrer has earned over 90 AKC titles with her Golden Retrievers, including 2 Champion Tracker titles. Carolyn is the owner of North Star Dog Training School in Somerville, Maine. She has been teaching people to understand their dogs for over 25 years. You can contact her with questions, suggestions and ideas for her column by e-mailing carolyn@dogsatnorthstar.com.

Abigail King earns student-athlete recognition from the NFHCA

Abigail King, of Benton, was one of 11 Worcester Polytechnic Institute, student-athletes to be recognized by the NFHCA for their work in the classroom, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Abby King returned to the list of National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Scholar of Distinction honor while 10 others were also named to the National Academic Squad and the team earned its 13th consecutive National Academic Team Award.

All three awards are based on GPA during the fall semester of the current academic year.

CORRECTIONS, Week of March 30, 2017

Cover headline

The headline on the cover page of the March 23 issue of The Town Line newspaper should have read: Local student named geography bee semifinalist. It was an editing error.

Town meeting quorum requirement

The page 8 Community Commentary about the importance of town meeting participation in the March 23, 2017, issue of The Town Line should have read:

The number to establish a quorum at the town meeting currently is “A number equal to four percent of the residents registered to vote as of the first business day of January in the year in which the meeting is held shall constitute a quorum.” It was a source error.

VASSALBORO NEWS: Budget process begins with committee agreeing on two items

by Mary Grow

VASSALBORO — At the end of their third 2017 meeting, Vassalboro Budget Committee members agreed on two things: they cannot start making recommendations on the 2017-18 municipal budget until after they talk with school officials about the school budget, and they might need more than one other meeting after two joint meetings with the School Board.

The school board is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at the school, to be joined at 7 p.m. by the budget committee. The two boards meet again Tuesday, April 4, probably at 7 p.m. at the school. The budget committee plans to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the town office, and if necessary Tuesday, April 18, same time and place.

As in past years, budget committee members have differing views on basic questions, including whether and if so how they should recommend a municipal budget that will not raise property taxes; whether town equipment needed part-time should be rented or bought (referring specifically to the excavator the public works department has been leasing); and whether necessary equipment purchases should be financed by setting aside reserve funds or borrowing money when it’s needed.

After their initial meeting March 9, budget committee members met March 21 with representatives of non-profit and social service agencies and March 23 to consider capital improvements and other issues.

Committee members heard presentations from Nan Bell of the Family Violence Project, which served 23 Vassalboro residents last year; Lucille Murphy of the Waterville area Literacy Volunteers, an agency that has not previously asked for town support; Jim Wood of Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KVCAP) transportation services; Lee Duff of Friends Advocating for Vassalboro Older Residents (FAVOR), also making its first request; Jim Hart of the China Region Lakes Alliance (CRLA); and new police chief Mark Brown.

Murphy said there has been “an alarming increase in illiteracy in Maine” that Literacy Volunteers aims to combat. She added that the percentage of children not reading proficiently by fourth grade has been found to be an indicator of future need for prisons. Brown nodded agreement.

Wood has been working with Town Manager Mary Sabins to expand transportation services to Vassalboro and perhaps China. Duff said FAVOR’s purpose it to determine how best to organize support for senior citizens, including but not limited to KVCAP transportation.

Hart summarized three major CRLA projects: the courtesy boat inspections that seek to protect China Lake and nearby lakes from invasive plants; the Youth Conservation Corps, which includes the LakeSmart program recognizing landowners who minimize pollution from their properties; and the Alewife Restoration Initiative (ARI) aimed at restoring sea-run alewives to China Lake via the Sebasticook River and Outlet Stream.

Family Violence asked for $4,925 from the town; the selectmen and town manager recommend $2,500. Literacy Volunteers requested $500, not supported by the selectmen. KVCAP asked for $1,350, supported. CRLA asked for $15,000; the selectmen recommend $5,000. FAVOR’s $1,000 request has the selectmen’s endorsement.

Police Chief Brown’s main concern was the proposed new police vehicle, suggested by his predecessor, Richard Phippen (who is a budget committee member). Brown has specifications on a Ford Explorer, with an estimated cost of $35,000 including equipment. Trading in or selling the current vehicle would contribute toward the new one.

Committee Chairman John Melrose raised a broader issue: does Vassalboro need a policeman, or should town residents rely on county and state law enforcement? The 2017-18 request for public safety totals almost $68,000, with almost $14,500 for animal control, $26,476 for dispatching and the rest for the police chief’s salary, benefits, equipment and vehicle maintenance.

At the March 23 meeting Sabins summarized the town’s revenues and answered committee members’ questions about employees’ salaries and benefits. She recommends three percent salary increases next year except for herself; her contract calls for a two percent increase.

Obituaries, Week of March 30, 2017

ROLAND J. LANDRY

WINSLOW––Roland J. Landry, 80, passed away Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta. He was born in Waterville on March 6, 1936, the son of Napoleon J. and Helen Marie (Veilleux) Landry.

Roland served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp. in the early 1950s to the early 1960s, discharged as a sergeant.

Roland was an electrician for SAPPI–Scott Paper Company. He was a member of the Waterville Elks Lodge #905 and loved hunting, fishing, and playing cards with his friends at the Elks.

Roland is survived by his daughter, Linda Knight and her husband, Rick, of Winslow; two brothers, Charlie Landry, of Waterville, and Paul Landry, of Deer Isle; two grandchildren, Jennifer Snow and John Michaud, Jr.; great-granddaughter, Denasia Peavey; and great-grandson, Levi James Michaud; several nieces and nephews.

An on-line guestbook may be signed and condolences expressed at www.gallantfh.com.

STEVAN E. GRESSITT, M.D.

UNITY––Stevan Edward Gressitt, M.D. died unexpectedly on Monday, March 13, 2017. Born in Yreka, California, Stevan was the son of John and Doris (MacKellar) Gressitt.

He graduated from the Porter Gaud School in Charleston, South Carolina, from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and from the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston, South Carolina. He served as chief resident in psychiatry at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Moving to Maine in 2001, Stevan was an active supporter of the Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians, and served as councilor, committee member and committee chairman at various times. He was involved in many other professional organizations, such as the American Association of Community Psychiatrists, the Maine Medical Association, the Maine State Psychiatric Working Group (Drug Utilization Review Committee), the International Pharmaceutical Federation (Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences,, Environment and Pharmaceutical Section), and the Maine Health Workforce Forum, Maine Office of Rural Health and Primary Care.

Stevan founded the Maine Benzodiazepine Study Group, and worked passionately for a better understanding of the adverse effects of prescription medications and for practices that are more effective, safe and cost-effective. He tirelessly promoted the awareness of adverse environmental consequences of inappropriate medication disposal, including pharmaceutical contamination of ground water streams and rivers. He promoted the practice of initially prescribing in smaller amounts, to reduce the volume of unused medication that could be diverted or be the cause of accidental poisoning. He pioneered medication take-back events that many communities now sponsor, and that provide data to illuminate issues of waste, fraud and abuse in prescribing practices.

He was an exceptional psychiatrist, with great vision, dedication and relentless energy and courage.

Stevan was a principled man, and a loving and deeply devoted husband, son, brother and father. He was also endlessly quirky, making no two days with Stevan the same. He would take a break from psychiatric articles to spend half an hour with his ducks; he would become fascinated by the beauty of a feather, or the form of an egg. He had no interest in living in a home without dogs and cats, and took great pleasure in their presence and the way they lived their lives. He was a complicated being and the most interesting companion his wife has ever known. She, and his family and friends, miss him deeply.

He is survived by his wife, Gail M. Chase; his mother,Doris M. Gressitt; his sister, Alexandra S. Gressitt; and his daughter, Carina A. Gressitt.

PAUL E. LESSARD

OAKLAND––Paul E. Lessard, 68, died unexpectedly Thursday, March 16, 2017. He was born in Waterville on March 1, 1949, the son of Gilbert and Ruth (Sweet) Lessard.
Paul attended Waterville schools.

He was employed by the city of Waterville, Zayre Department Store, and the town of Vassalboro, both at the transfer station and as a school bus driver. He had a passion for fishing and hunting, and was a Maine Guide.

Surviving are two sons, Keith Lessard, of Waterville, Kristopher Lessard, of Vassalboro; three daughters, Samantha Lessard, of Winslow, Melanie Lessard, of Vassalboro, and Heather Corson, of Auburn; a sister, Patricia Lachance, of Oakland; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; as well as two nieces, a nephew and numerous cousins.

There will be a celebration of Paul’s life at The Olde Mill, in North Vassalboro, from 1–6 p.m. on April 8.

An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.

DOROTHY A. MICALOVICH

VASSALBORO––Dorothy A. (Holm) Micalovich, 79, passed away at her home on Thursday, March 16, 2017. She was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, on February 14, 1938, the daughter of Carl A. and E. Helen (Sipila) Holm.

She graduated from Gardner High School in 1956. She joined the WAF where she met and married Howard R. Wilson.

They had eight children, Julie White and husband Keith, Gerald Wilson and wife Brenda, Robert Wilson, Guy Wilson, Suzanne Dudley, Clay Wilson, Stacey Wilson and wife Renee and Lisa Emery and husband Don.

She held many positions over her life: nurses aide, stitcher, cashier, factory worker and bagger, as well as being mother and homemaker.

She enjoyed helping her children with various projects, also enjoyed fishing, boating, wood working (furniture, scroll work, doll houses) with her late husband “Jerry.” She also enjoyed dancing, eating out, traveling the state of Maine and mowing her lawn.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sister Esther Bourgeois; and her husband Jerome Micalovich.

She is survived by her sister Irene Erickson and brothers Carl A. Holm Jr. and Steven Holm; and her eight children; 20 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A celebration of life will be held on April 2, 2017, at the American Legion Post 179, South China, at 1 p.m. for close family and friends.

BEVERLY BOWDEN

WASHINGTON––Beverly Bowden, 79, of Washington, died Sunday, March 19, 2017. Born in Searsport on November 3, 1937, she was the daughter of James Pottle and Bernice Annis.

Beverly was retired from the state of Maine, employed by the former AMHI in housekeeping.

Beverly was always on the go and could be found just about anywhere. She loved going for car rides and enjoyed the scenery, bird watching and her cats. Her favorite place to go was Boothbay where she could go fishing and to drive up north in the woods to see if she could spot a moose. She was an avid doll collector and loved to display them around her home. She enjoyed spending time with her family.

She was predeceased by her life-long companion O’Neil Bechard, brother Robert and sister Leatrice Baileyß.

Beverly is survived by a son, Robert L. Bowden Jr. and his wife Kare, of whitefield; grandson Robert L. Bowden III, of Lafayette, Alabama; granddaughter, Stephanie Poulin and husband Daniel, of Lewiston; great-grandchildren Eska and Keanen Bowden, Dakota Tibbetts and Nicholas Morrissette; brother James Pottle and wife Sharon, of Chelsea; as well as several nieces and nephews.

MARY V. LEGACY

WINSLOW––Mary V. Legacy, 97,of Winslow, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2017, at Mount Saint Joseph Nursing Home, in Waterville where she was a resident. She was born on August 26, 1919, in Winslow, the daughter of Edward and Tefilia Muslawski.

She grew up in Winslow and attended local schools.

She married George J. Legacy and spent most of her life in Winslow, except for a few years in Boston, Massachusetts, during the World War II years. While living in Boston she met her dear friend, Ann Dahl, whom she enjoyed traveling with in her later years.

Mary worked most of her life in local cotton mills and later at JC Penney and Zayre from where she retired in 1981. In her retirement years, Mary enjoyed relaxing at home engaging her time knitting, crocheting and quilting. She was also an accomplished seamstress. She was a lifelong Catholic and member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Winslow.

Mary was predeceased by her husband George; her four brothers: Peter, Steve, Benny and John Muslawski; and her sister Jennie Garbarini, of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

She is survived by her son Louis Legacy and his wife Linda, of Winslow; her daughter Nancy Marcoux, of Westbrook; three grandchildren: Kathleen Wrightsman and her husband Peter, of Baldwinsville, New York; Eric Legacy, of Stratham, New Hampshire; and Leslie Crawford and her husband Shawn, of Westport, Massachusetts; as well as four great-grandchildren.

To share condolences, memories and tributes with Mary’s family, please visit: www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

GILDA E. ANTHONY

ALBION––Gilda Eileen Anthony, 70, of Albion, passed away Monday, March 20, 2017, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, in Bangor. She was born October 6, 1946, in Old Town, the daughter of Wallace and Dorothy (Bartlett) Pooler.

She attended high school in Old Town.

Gilda worked as a CNA in several hospitals, nursing homes and Catholic Brothers Home. Her proudest job was working as a psychiatric technician at Jessup State Prison, in Maryland, where she received Psych Tech of the Month and Quarter several times and was even awarded Psych Tech of the Year.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Harvey Anthony; her children, Harvey Anthony Jr. and his wife Cheryl, of Benton, Steven Anthony, of Albion, and Dorothy Anthony-Carter and her husband David Brennan, of Oakland; grandchildren, Andra Anthony, Courtney Anthony, Chauntelle Anthony, Wade Carter and Steven Anthony; great-grandchildren Kassidy, Wyatt and Zachary; siblings, Bonnie Rossignol, Wallace Pooler Jr. and wife Nancy, Trudy Dorval and husband Alan and Rose Pinette and husband Ken; and several nieces and nephews.

An online guestbook may be signed and condolences expressed at www.gallantfh.com.

Memorial donations may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough ME 04074.

PALERMO NEWS: “Merchants of Doubt” exposed on Friday

PALERMO — On Friday, March 31, the Palermo Community Center will host another monthly potluck Dinner-and-a-Movie event, starting at 6 p.m. This one comes from the director of Food, Inc. Merchants of Doubt takes audiences on a satirically comedic , yet illuminating, ride into the heart of the conjuring world of spin doctors. Filmmaker Robert Kenner reveals a secretive group of highly-charismatic, silver-tongued pundits-for-hire who present themselves in the media as scientific authorities – yet have the aim of spreading maximum confusion about well-studied public threats from toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals to climate change.

Bring a dish to share with friends and neighbors, or a donation to the Food Pantry. The event is free and open to all. The Community Center is just off Turner Ridge Rd., across from the ball field. For more information, please contact Connie at 993-2294.

VASSALBORO NEWS: Selectmen postpone vote on mowing contracts

by Mary Grow

VASSALBORO — At a short meeting March 23, Vassalboro selectmen reviewed four bids for mowing town cemeteries and postponed action until they review references.

Town Manager Mary Sabins reported that the Maine Municipal Association told her the Vassalboro School Board broke no laws by appointing a new member without advertising the vacancy.

Earlier in March, resident Douglas Phillips asked Sabins to seek a legal opinion. In December 2016 the school board promptly appointed Lori Fowle to the seat from which Elizabeth Mitchell resigned after being elected judge of probate.

Lauchlin Titus, chairman of the board of selectmen, commented that he saw no harm in telling the school board that selectmen “are not happy” with the procedure.

In other Vassalboro news, Town Clerk Cathy Coyne has posted notice that nomination papers are available for June local elections. Positions to be filled are one seat on the Board of Selectmen, three seats on the School Board and two seats on the Sanitary District Board of Trustees. Signed papers are due at the town office by 4 p.m. Monday, May 1, for candidates’ names to appear on the local ballot.

The next regular selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, April 6.

Five-hour town meeting focused on TIF, land development, first responders

Town meeting quorum was met when over 150 residents were present for the beginning of the annual meeting.
Photo courtesy of Dan L’Heureux

by Mary Grow

CHINA — China voters had three major issues to deal with at their annual town business meeting March 25: seven articles about the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) program, 10 articles about Land Development Code amendments and a new proposal to recompense emergency services volunteers.

They approved everything except one of the proposed Land Development Code changes. The meeting lasted five hours, and the by the end only about 50 of the 150 voters assembled early in the meeting were still there.

Voters rearranged the agenda to discuss the Land Development Code articles before the TIF questions. The articles were aimed at bringing China’s local ordinance into conformity with new state standards, with the focus on shoreland uses.

Former codes officer and current China Lake Association President Scott Pierz objected to most of the changes, calling the new proposals less protective of water quality and “a step backward” for China Lake. He repeatedly asked whether the planning board had considered other alternatives, rather than a simple choice between current rules and state rules, and whether there had been an independent legal review of the proposed changes.

Current codes officer Paul Mitnik offered explanations as requested. Sheri Wilkens feared the changes would create more work than Mitnik can handle in his part-time position. Her later amendment to add $20,000 to the town administrative budget for additional codes enforcement was defeated.

Voters rejected one proposed change, on a 31-41 vote with many abstentions. China’s rules will not change for measuring a non-conforming structure (one that fails to meet current requirements) in the shoreland when reviewing an application to enlarge it. After two hours’ discussion of land use, voters returned to the TIF articles, one amending China’s TIF program and six authorizing TIF expenditures. The amendment article needed an amendment: as written, it authorized selectmen to approve credit enhancement agreements anywhere in town, but they should be allowed only in TIF districts.

Meeting moderator Richard Thompson ruled the change permissible, because the document is a resolve, not an ordinance, and voters approved the amended amendment. Selectmen held a special meeting March 27 to make the change before forwarding the revisions to the state for expected approval. The revised TIF program incorporates the new Central Maine Power Company substation off Route 3 as a second revenue service. Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux told voters the original source, the expanded CMP power line, pays about $270,000 annually and the revised estimate for the substation is $80,000 a year.

The longest discussion about TIF expenditures was over the proposed causeway project, aimed at expanding boating and fishing opportunities at the head of China Lake’s east basin. Many details remain to be worked out, because, TIF Committee Chairman Amber McAllister explained, committee members did not want to spend time and money on detailed plans before voters authorized the $750,000 requested over three years.

The proposal to set aside $40,000 from China’s surplus account to compensate fire and rescue personnel for time and service got about 10 minutes’ debate before being approved by a large majority. South China Fire Chief Richard Morse repeated his department’s position that rescue personnel but not firefighters should get stipends; China Village Chief Timothy Theriault repeated his department’s position in favor of the proposal and said he has collected ideas for implementing it from neighboring departments.

Annual municipal expenditures were approved with minimal discussion. Afterward, Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux said roads to be repaved out of the $741,473 highway appropriation include Parmenter Terrace, Bog Road, Hanson Road, part of Parmenter Road and maybe part of Dirigo Road.

Miscellaneous pieces of information from town meeting discussion include:

  • L’Heureux said China got about $15,000 in income from FirstPark this year, in return for almost $38,000 as its assessment for the park. The 2017-18 assessment of slightly over $38,000 will come from the TIF fund, as did the current year’s assessment.
  • The recent decision of Oakland Police Department members to unionize will not affect the contract between China and the five members of that department who are China’s police force.
  • During the current year, L’Heureux said, selectmen used money from their $45,000 contingency fund to improve handicapped access to the former classroom behind the town office so the building could be used for November 2016 voting. The contingency request was increased to $55,000 for next year – and approved – because it has not increased for about 10 years.
  • China has no debt and no plans to incur any, the manager said. Voters applauded. • Transfer Station Committee Chairman Frank Soares said the amendments to two solid waste ordinances that voters approved in no way move toward a pay-per-bag system.
  • L’Heureux said the refund voters authorized accepting from the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company as the town transfers to the new Fiberight facility amounts to more than $17,000, with more refunds likely in 2018.

In addition to making decisions, voters heard short presentations from their state legislators, Sen. Roger Katz and Rep. Timothy Theriault; the Thurston Park II and TIF Committees; and Selectman Irene Belanger on behalf of FirstPark. They recognized China’s volunteer firefighters, rescue personnel, committee members and police force. They applauded the volunteers running China’s LakeSmart program, recipients of the Spirit of America award; Town Clerk Rebecca Hapgood after Belanger announced that the town report Hapgood and the rest of the office staff prepared earned a superior rating from the Maine Municipal Association; and Debbie Dinsmore, in absentia, for the flowers she sent to decorate the meeting room.