Windsor selectmen authorize road commissioner to sign heavy load limit signs

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by The Town Line staff

At their March 2 meeting, selectmen were informed that the town of Windsor has been notified that, by state law, heavy load limit road signs are to be signed by the municipal officers or their designee. The board unanimously agreed to authorize the road commissioner to sign heavy load limit posters and posted road exemption certificates on behalf of the board of selectmen as needed, and when needed, for the town of Windsor, until such time another road commissioner is appointed.

Selectmen were told that a bolt had been installed incorrectly on the 2021 Western Star truck. When the wing was raised, it hit the door resulting in a dent. H.P. Fairfield, the company that sold the truck to the town has agreed to fix it because it was their error. In other public works discussion, the selectmen seeked how many hours remained on the McGee plowing contract.

Also, Road Supervisor Keith Hall spoke to Avery Glidden regarding the concrete on the garage by the town office that is crumbling and needs to be fixed. Avery will provide the town with a quote for repairs, as well as a quote on flooring for the storage room at the back of the food bank.

At the transfer station, it was noted that two street lights are not working. Town Manager Theresa Haskell has notified Central Maine Power Co., and is awaiting a response as to when they can come out to fix them.

Discussion also continued on the sand that residents can get and how to close that area in for weather purposes. Interim Transfer Station Supervisor Sean Tekeema is going to look at Whitefield’s transfer station to see how they handle the problem.

Because of a Waste Management issue with the hydraulics on their truck, the recycling sat for an extra day until they could come to get it.

Haskell informed the selectmen that direct deposit will now be an option for employees. However, there is a process in setting that up with Kennebec Savings Bank, which the town uses. The town account needs to be set up as an Automated Clearing House (ACH) for the direct deposit to happen. The board unanimously approved for the town manager, as the town treasurer, to set up the ACH with Kennebec Savings Bank.

At this point in the meeting, Selectmen Andrew Ballantyne moved to suspend the board of selectmen meeting and reconvene as the board of assessors. There are applications before the board for abatement of property taxes presented that will be discussed at the March 16 selectmen’s meeting, and a tree growth withdrawal penalty presented for Colby D.Whynot on Map 4 Lot 22, in the amount of $1,600. The board unanimously approved the abatement to Whynot in the amount of $1,600. The board of assessors then adjourned and reconvened as the board of selectmen.

In other business, it was noted there is one position on the planning board, and one alternate position, available in 2021, and that, apparently, two residents are interested in the positions.

The first payment for the new 2021 Western Star truck is not due until the 2021/2022 budget, however, a payment was included in the 2020/2021 budget. Haskell would like to submit the payment this year so that it can be fully applied to the principal balance. The board unanimously approved the payment of $28,000 this year.

The next board of selectmen meeting was scheduled for March 16 at the Windsor Town Hall.

China broadband committee not yet committed to Axiom; discussions amicable

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by Mary Grow

China Broadband Committee (CBC) members had an amicable March 18 zoom discussion with Mark Ouellette, president of Machias-based Axiom Technologies, their currently preferred choice for improved broadband service in China.

Committee members reviewed proposals from Axiom and two other companies before deciding to talk first with Axiom. They made it clear that they are not yet committed to contracting with Axiom.

Their goal is broadband service that will serve every household and business in town, including those not currently served; that will be stronger and more reliable at all times than services now available; that will easily adapt to future technologies; and that will cover the estimated $6 to $7 million installation cost, plus maintenance, without enormous bills for either subscribers or taxpayers.

Ouellette thinks his company can deliver. He thinks reliability is more important than price, within reason: “People want to be sure they can do what they want to do 24/7.” Axiom would provide bandwidth to cover maximum use at any time, and would hire a local service representative for prompt customer service.

He also promised adaptability, “generational service that’d serve your kids and your grandkids,” and keep China attractive to businesses needing top-grade internet.

Ouellette reminded committee members that they need to strike a balance between maximum service and minimum cost. Axiom is a profit-making business, and he expects to make money in the long run.

For now, Ouellette is satisfied to work with CBC members and the rest of the town on a handshake agreement. He told CBC members, “I’ll get my payment when I start to serve [China] customers with the best internet you can get in the world.”

Committee members agreed their next step is to publicize what they are doing and why they are doing it. They began planning an education campaign to discuss with town voters the advantages of superior broadband service for residents and for the local economy.

Ouellette and committee members cited several advantages: every resident’s ability to work from home, whether required by the pandemic or not; extras for local businesspeople, like the auto mechanic who could have Axiom help him install and maintain free WiFi in his waiting room; and the potential to attract a major institution, like a research laboratory, that would provide jobs and pay taxes.

One suggestion was to prepare a question-and-answer document to cover anticipated questions about services, costs and anything else they can think of. Another was to hold a series of community meetings, in person if conditions permit. Ouellette is willing to help, including joining committee members in an informational work session with the selectboard if one is scheduled.

CBC members also intend to draft a letter of intent or similar document with Axiom, an agreement that gives both parties increased certainty, though either party can withdraw if negotiations fail.

The next CBC meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 25, and the one after that for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 1. Ouellette is unable to zoom in on March 25 but is expected again on April 1.

Vassalboro school leaders give cautious, optimistic report

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

At their March 16 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members heard cautious optimism from three administrators. All three expect a gradual return to something closer to normalcy before the end of the school year.

For Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer, the state emphasis on vaccinating school staff is “a game-changer.” For Principal Megan Allen, the revised national CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guideline allowing students’ desks to be three feet apart, instead of six feet apart, will allow more in-school instruction.

Saying Vassalboro Community School (VCS) will “reopen” is the wrong wording, Pfeiffer said, because the school hasn’t closed completely, except for a few brief intervals. However, more students will spend more time in the same room with their classmates and teachers.

The CDC requires students and adults to be masked. The new rule does not apply where masking is impossible, as in lunchrooms, where six-foot separation is still required; and adults are expected to continue to stay six feet apart.

Allen said how many students return for how long will depend on class and classroom sizes. About 55 students have chosen to learn fully remotely, she said, and one of her goals is to make sure they do not lose out as classroom education is re-emphasized. She hopes there will be space for them to rejoin their classmates for the last few days of the school year, if they want to.

Assistant Principal Greg Hughes said winter sports, basketball and cheerleading, will continue through March. He expects to start baseball and softball indoors with students remaining in their cohorts, to mingle groups when play moves outdoors and perhaps to resume games against other schools.

Pfeiffer will not be surprised if there are more federal and state policy changes before the semester ends.

The superintendent expects more than $500,000 in new stimulus funds. Part of the money will be used for “learning recovery,” additional time and additional staff to help students make up for what they were unable to learn under pandemic conditions.

Looking to the 2021-22 school year, Allen said if there is enough interest, a second pre-kindergarten class will be added. The class would need a teacher and an aide, increasing personnel costs; but, Finance Director Paula Pooler added, the state subsidy would also increase.

School board members reviewed the regular education section of the proposed 2021-22 school budget, which is projected to increase as it does every year with salary increases, new equipment and program adjustments. They did not review the proposed special education budget. Because their budget review was unfinished, the planned March 23 meeting with the town budget committee was canceled.

The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, a second Tuesday rather than the usual third Tuesday to avoid meeting during school vacation week.

Vassalboro budget committee focuses on transfer station, public works

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by Mary Grow

Meeting on March 18 right after that evening’s selectmen’s meeting, Vassalboro Budget Committee members focused on the transfer station and the public works department.

A majority of the selectmen had just agreed on two transfer station priorities, replacing the aging compactor and upgrading the electrical system. Budget committee members talked about other elements of engineer Al Hodsdon’s recommendations, which include adjusting the compactor site to make room for a second one and to make the traffic pattern safer, roofing disposal containers and building a second driveway off Lombard Dam Road.

Their reactions ranged widely. William Browne asked, “Why fix it if nothing’s wrong?” Committee Chairman Rick Denico asked if someone should direct traffic during peak hours; Michael Poulin advised consulting the town attorney about liability if the suggestion was adopted. Douglas Phillips thinks that, “The selectmen ought to look long-range.”

Selectmen chimed in on the argument over whether the current traffic pattern, which requires backing up to disposal containers, is dangerous. Board Chairman John Melrose said station Manager George Hamar could talk about close calls and damaged cars. Rob Browne retorted that no rearrangement would be 100 percent safe, because “You can’t eliminate danger with people involved.”

Many of the questions budget committee members prepared in advance of the March 18 meeting dealt with public works, and Town Manager Mary Sabins shared information from Road Foreman Eugene Field.

Field’s budget for asphalt for summer road work is based on an expected price of $70 to $80 per ton of paving material, but he fears the estimate could be low. He and China Public Works Director Shawn Reed intend to seek bids for both towns together, as they have done in past years, Sabins said.

In reply to a specific question about “the road ruts in the Lombard Dam Road,” Field intends to repave it, with a shim coat to fill in the low places and a layer of asphalt, but not to tear it up and rebuild it.

Given the two major culvert replacements required recently, there was a question about bridges and culverts. Sabins said Field and state employees inspect them regularly, but no formal risk assessment is done. Phillips recommended an inventory.

Melrose informed budget committee members of minor adjustments in the selectmen’s draft 2021-22 budget since the two group last met.

Budget committee and school board members had planned a March 23 joint meeting, but it was cancelled because the school budget is not ready. Budget committee members left the question of a March 25 meeting unresolved, after Phillips said he wanted to see the school budget before making decisions on the municipal budget.

A chart Melrose prepared for the March 4 budget committee meeting shows that 80 percent of 2021-22 property taxes are projected to go to the school budget. The municipal budget uses 12 percent and the Kennebec County budget the remaining eight percent.

VASSALBORO: Advisor assures selectmen investments are in good shape

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen heard a report on town finances and continued town meeting plans at their March 18 meeting.

Investment advisor Matt Weaver, senior vice-president at First National Wealth Management’s Damariscotta branch, assured board members their investments are in good shape. The portfolio’s value continued to increase over the past year, he said, and he is moderately optimistic about the future, despite continuing uncertainty.

Weaver recommended no changes in Vassalboro’s investment policy. Selectmen unanimously renewed the policy.

Selectmen continued to make final adjustments to their budget recommendations and to the warrant for the annual town meeting.

Main topics March 18 were a decision on hiring a wage consultant and continued discussion of proposed changes at the transfer station.

Town Manager Mary Sabins sought approval to contract with LBouchard and Associates, Human Resources Consultants, based in Jefferson, to develop a wage and salary plan for town employees. Company owner Laurie Bouchard was recommended by two unrelated sources, she said.

Sabins wanted to have Bouchard develop a plan to be implemented in the coming fiscal year. She proposed a town meeting warrant article authorizing up to $3,800 from surplus for Bouchard’s work, plus a to-be-determined figure to increase wages in fiscal year 2021-22, if needed. She plans no pay decreases, even if Bouchard finds that some Vassalboro employees earn more than their peers in similar towns.

Selectmen voted unanimously to authorize Sabins to contract with Bouchard, to have the study done in the fall of 2021 and to implement results in fiscal year 2022-23, funding the process as part of the administration budget.

Additional consideration of the much-discussed transfer station project led to a consensus that at a minimum, two things should be done promptly: the electrical system needs a complete upgrade, and Vassalboro needs either a new compactor or major repairs to the current one.

Other components of the plan developed by Al Hodsdon, of A. E. Hodsdon Engineers, of Waterville, include siting a new compactor at an angle, to allow adding a second compactor and to improve the traffic pattern; putting trash containers under cover so the town will no longer pay to have rainwater hauled with its trash; and adding a second transfer station driveway off Lombard Dam Road.

Selectboard members Robert Browne and Barbara Redmond leaned toward a new compactor and an electrical upgrade for the coming year, with the possibility of a second phase of improvements later. Browne thinks a roof to keep the rain out is a good investment

Board Chairman John Melrose proposed Sabins ask Hodsdon for an estimated price for a new compactor and an adequate electrical system.

Selectmen have limited time to agree on what they want done if they are to ask town meeting voters to fund the work in 2021-22.

In other business March 18:

  • Sabins said China has offered to let Vassalboro share its April 24 on-site paper shredding program, for $100. Selectmen did not object. On April 24, Vassalboro residents may bring confidential documents that should be shredded to the China transfer station between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Selectmen authorized Road Foreman Eugene Field to buy a new generator for the town garage from Augusta Fuel for $11,050, installed. Funds will come from appropriations voters approved in March 2019 and March 2020.
  • Melrose reported briefly on on-going discussions about a land swap with the Kennebec Water District.
  • Sabins said she has been asked to rejoin the Maine Municipal Association Board of Directors, to fill the past president position after the incumbent resigned, and wanted to make sure selectmen did not object. They did not.

The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 1, at Vassalboro Community School.

Town meeting set for June 7

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro’s 2021 town meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 7, at 6:30 p.m. It will be in person at the Vassalboro Community School gymnasium, as it was last year.

On Tuesday, June 8, polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the school for written-ballot voting: annual municipal elections and decisions on three referendum questions.

To be elected this year for three-year terms are one selectman (John Melrose’s term ends) and one school board member (Jolene Clark Gamage’s term ends).

Candidates must submit nomination papers signed by at least 25 registered Vassalboro voters to the town office by noon Friday, April 9, to have their names on the ballot. As of the morning of Monday, March 22, Town Clerk Cathy Coyne said the following people were circulating nomination papers: for the Board of Selectmen, Michael C. Poulin; and for the School Board, Chris French, incumbent Gamage and Poulin.

The June 8 referendum questions ask voters if they want to:

  • Adopt the new “Town of Vassalboro Marijuana Business Ordinance,” which would replace the 2017 “Ordinance Prohibiting Retail Marijuana Establishments”;
  • Affirm the 2021-2022 school budget approved the previous evening; and
  • Continue the school budget validation referendum process for three more years.

China selectmen move quickly through short meeting

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by Mary Grow

At a short March 15 meeting, China selectmen:

  • Elected Wayne Chadwick acting chairman in Ronald Breton’s absence;
  • Held a public hearing, which drew comments only from board members, on the proposed Ordinance Restricting Vehicle Weight on Posted Ways, modeled on the state ordinance;
  • Adopted the ordinance, which applies while roads are posted in the spring; and
  • Appointed Alaina Murray to the Recreation Committee.

Town Manager Becky Hapgood delivered monthly reports from town departments, including her notice that the audit report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2020, is available and will be posted on the town website, china.govoffice.com.

Hapgood issued reminders from Town Clerk Angela Nelson that the second half payment of local taxes is due by the close of business Friday, March 26; and from assessor’s assistant Kelly Grotton that applications for legally-allowed tax exemptions must be filed before April 1.

She reported that Central Church, on Route 3, has offered to welcome meetings, like the board of selectmen’s, in its meeting room when more space is needed. The town office and the church will cooperate on an Easter egg drive-through at the town office the morning of Friday, March 27, she said.

The next regular China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 29.

China broadband committee narrows list to one

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by Mary Grow

China Broadband Committee members have narrowed to one the list of companies they will negotiate with, for now, about offering expanded and improved broadband service town-wide.

At their March 11 meeting, they unanimously asked consultant Mark Van Loan, of Mission Broadband, to invite representatives of Machias-based Axiom Technologies to meet with them virtually at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18.

They also asked Van Loan to notify Sertex Broadband Solutions that they are starting with Axiom, but would appreciate Sertex remaining available in case they and Axiom cannot reach agreement.

A week earlier they asked Van Loan to send a similar message to Spectrum Community Solutions. Van Loan reported the Spectrum representative with whom he spoke said the company would renew discussions if invited.

Spectrum, the company that provides service to many China residents, fell off the list first because of a legal issue. Their proposal includes the town issuing a bond to contribute to costs of expanding and upgrading service, but they would retain ownership of the network. Committee member Jamie Pitney, a lawyer, thinks state law does not allow a municipality to issue a bond to finance something it will not own.

Axiom and Sertex both propose they or a subcontractor will build the broadband network; they or a subcontractor will be the Internet Service Provider (ISP) that runs it; and they or a subcontractor will maintain it. The town will own it.

To committee members town ownership offers many advantages. Chairman Robert O’Connor opened the March 11 meeting with a short Institute for Local Self-Reliance video listing them, including local control, local jobs and cost savings.

Pitney expressed a preference for negotiating first with Axiom because he found that company’s proposal and its representatives’ answers to committee questions better organized and more understandable than Sertex’s.

Costs, as estimated at this early stage, are comparable between Axiom and Sertex: better town-wide service will cost between six and seven million dollars.

Committee members divide costs into construction, which will be repaid within a fixed number of years, and on-going operations. They have made no recommendations on dividing the payment obligation among user fees, local taxes and possible other sources, like grants.

Committee members prepared a list of questions they asked Van Loan to send to Axiom in preparation for the March 18 meeting.

China emergency preparedness group meets monthly

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by Mary Grow

China Emergency Preparation Committee members are holding monthly meetings, with assignments in between, as they update China’s Emergency Action Plan. The most recent meeting was March 11; the next meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, April 15.

The draft Emergency Checklist Plan, including some of the updates, is on the town website, china.govoffice.com, under the Emergency Preparedness Committee tab.

The version committee members are reviewing has statistics from the 2010 census. They discussed waiting until 2020 census data are available to complete the final draft, so they will not need to update figures within a year.

Discussion at the March 11 meeting began with plans for an emergency in a town building. That section is nearly final.

It includes designation of people in charge at the town office complex, the transfer station and the public works building; a list of alternates in case the designee is on vacation, on the road or otherwise unavailable; each person’s duties; designated gathering places if one or more buildings need to be evacuated; and other aspects of a plan to avoid chaos.

Turning to the plan intended to be town-wide, committee members briefly summarized information on available resources each had collected since the previous meeting. They talked about two communications issues: how to send out a town-wide emergency notice so that all residents get it promptly, and how to share notifications and information among neighboring towns so they can help each other in emergencies.

Town Manager Becky Hapgood said her predecessor, Dennis Heath, tried to set up a hyperlink notification system, but not enough residents signed up. Some towns have sirens, whistles, horns or other old-fashioned systems, committee member Stephen Nichols said.

Another option, Nichols said, would be to have fire department members drive fire trucks around town delivering loudspeaker notices.

China’s three volunteer fire departments have mutual aid agreements with departments in neighboring towns, so that a major fire in one town brings firefighters from miles around. Committee members do not know whether town governments could make similar arrangements.

While considering communications, committee members agreed the directory of FAX machines could be deleted from the plan, because few FAX machines remain in use.

China planners continue work toward solar ordinance

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by Mary Grow

At their March 9 meeting, China Planning Board members continued working toward a new solar ordinance to be added to the Land Use Ordinance. When completed and approved by voters, it will give board members definitions, rules and standards to review applications for solar installations in town, both commercial and private.

The board has approved three commercial solar installations in China, adapting other sections of the ordinance to carry out its review. Both commercial projects and installation of solar panels for individual homes need town approval.

Codes Officer Jaime Hanson explained in an email after the meeting that pending a town ordinance, he is authorized by the 2015 International Residential Code to review residential solar projects, issue an accessory-structure permit when he is satisfied with the plans and charge permit fees based on the size of the installation.

The focus of the March 9 discussion was a 2015 ordinance from the Town of Washington, Maine. Board members found concepts and paragraphs in that ordinance that they asked Hanson to add to their draft.

Board members are working on another proposed ordinance addition that would govern shoreland stabilization projects. Chairman Randy Downer said a Colby College faculty member, who is also a trustee of the Kennebec Water District, will help with that ordinance; he expects her to join the board’s next meeting.

The Kennebec Water District draws the water supply for Waterville, Winslow, Fairfield, Vassalboro and Benton, and for wholesaling to Maine Water Company, in Oakland, from China Lake’s west basin.

Board members hope to present one or both ordinances to China voters in November 2021.

The next China Planning Board meeting was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 23.

Vassalboro committee discusses transfer station renovations

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Budget Committee members met March 11 to decide what questions they need to ask town selectmen when the two groups meet March 18.

On March 18, selectmen are scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. in the Vassalboro Community School gymnasium. The budget committee is to join them at 7 p.m.

The selectmen’s agenda includes two items that budget committee members talked about: plans to renovate the transfer station, and town employees’ wages and salaries.

Selectmen are scheduled to discuss whether to contract with a wage consultant. Budget Committee members have questions about town wage and salary policies.

Selectmen have been discussing plans for improvements at the transfer station with Waterville engineer Al Hodsdon, of A. E. Hodsdon Engineers. Some of the budget committee members have a suggestion for funding the project.

The March 18 selectmen’s agenda further includes the annual investment report from Matt Weaver, senior vice-president at First National Wealth Management’s Damariscotta branch, and review of the Vassalboro investment policy; discussion of a land agreement with Kennebec Water District; scheduling a public hearing on the proposed new town marijuana ordinance, a substantial revision of the current document; and continuing preparations for the June 7 and 8 town meeting.

Budget committee member Michael Poulin, who regularly listens to selectmen’s meetings, said selectmen have a cost estimate of more than $300,000 for transfer station updates and are talking of spreading the work over several years.

Committee member Douglas Phillips recommended advising selectmen to issue a short-term – five or six year – bond and get the improvements done quickly. He said the compactor has broken down frequently; the open-top trash containers fill with snow and rainwater that the town pays to have hauled away with the trash; and the traffic pattern, which requires backing up to disposal containers, invites accidents.

Several other committee members supported the bond idea. The committee did not vote on it.

The public works budget also raised questions to be discussed at future meetings, as did Vassalboro’s use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

Poulin said selectmen have allocated TIF money almost entirely to two projects, extension of the Vassalboro Sanitary District’s sewer to connect to Winslow, and the Alewife Restoration Project (ARI) that involves removing or modifying dams on Outlet Stream. He would like to see the town’s TIF document amended to spread funds more widely.

His comments sparked discussion of where to draw the line between budget and policy. Policy is the selectmen’s responsibility, not the budget committee’s, members agreed.

Poulin asked whether the committee’s goal is to hold the tax rate down, or to advise selectmen on needed expenditures. The answer from other committee members was, “Both.”

After the March 18 meeting, budget committee members are scheduled to discuss the 2021-22 school budget with the school board on Tuesday, March 23 and to meet with selectmen on Thursday, April 1. Both meetings will be at Vassalboro Community School at 7 p.m. The school board will meet at 6 p.m. March 23 and the selectboard at 6 p.m. April 1.