Week of April 26, 2018

Celebrating 30 years of local news

How local officials are making our schools safe again

“Nothing’s foolproof,” Augusta Deputy Chief Jared Mills told me at the beginning of our meeting on the issue of school safety. “The best laid plans are not going to prevent this from happening.”

What is ‘this’? Take your pick. Terrorists and school shooters. Bomb threats and bullying. Our students and teachers have a lot to deal with these days […]

Your Local News

China selectmen approve MJEK liquor license; adds a police officer for day work

CHINA —  The April 18 China selectmen’s meeting was preceded by a public hearing on a liquor license application for MJEK, Michael Marois’ seafood restaurant on Lakeview Drive … Also, selectmen added another China police officer, appointing former Clinton Police Chief Craig Johnson, who will be able to patrol during the day and work on special details when needed […]

Vassalboro selectmen work to finalize warrant for town meeting

VASSALBORO — Vassalboro selectmen have moved their first meeting in May from the usual Thursday evening to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, in the town office meeting room … However, selectmen ended their April 19 meeting and the budget committee meeting that followed with nothing resembling a finished warrant. There were three problems […]

Agenda for China TIF committee meeting

CHINA —  The China Tax Increment Finance Committee will hold its regular meeting on Monday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m., in the China Town Office. The public information session will be a review of progress on the following current initiatives […]

Retired educators to hold meeting

AUGUSTA — Hundreds of retired educators and guests are expected to attend MEA-Retired’s 66th annual meeting and convention at the Augusta Civic Center on Thursday, May 3, where Bill Green, of Portland, will be keynote speaker […]

BBBS registering teams for Bowl for Kids’ Sake

KENNEBEC VALLEY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine invites local businesses, organizations and individuals to sign up to Bowl For Kids’ Sake 2018, presented by Hannaford Supermarkets, Camden National Bank and United Insurance. Local bowling events in Kennebec Valley will be held May 2 – 10 in Augusta, Hallowell and Skowhegan […]

Dr. Barnhart speaks at ACB Library

CHINA — On April 22, the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, in China Village, hosted Dr. Louisa Barnhart who spoke to a full room of participants and showed pictures and videos of her three month trip to Southeast Asia with her husband, Michael Klein. Their travels included Bhutan, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam […]

Spring book sales at the Kennebec Historical Society

AUGUSTA — Hallowell bookseller John Merrill is downsizing and moving to 110 Water Street in Hallowell. He has generously donated books to the Kennebec Historical Society’s annual Spring Book Sale. However, as the donation filled more than 65 boxes, there will be three sales in the garage at the Society headquarters […]

Ice out … boats in!

CHINA — It’s official! Ice is finally out on China Lake, following what seemed an endless winter. The Town Line’s judge ruled ice went out on the lake on Monday, April 23, 2018. With her dead-on correct guess of April 23, Maggie Hanigan, of North Vassalboro, is the winner of the 2018 ice out contest […]

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TOWN OF CHINA
Town Manager

The Town of China, Maine, is currently searching for qualified candidates for the position of Town Manager. China is located near the state capital on beautiful China Lake. China has a population of 4,328. China operates under a town meeting, select board and town manager form of government. The select board is seeking candidates with management experience and demonstrated proactive leadership abilities while working in the best interest of the Town of China.

Skills in financial management and budgeting with an open, collaborative and transparent management style and excellent communication skills are desired. Salary is based on experience and training. Benefits offered include health and dental insurance, holiday, sick, vacation and personal time and retirement plan.

Please send resume and cover letter with salary requirements to:

Town Manager Search    
TOWN OF CHINA    
571 Lakeview Drive    
China, ME 04358    

* Deadline for submission is April 30, 2018 *

School News

Winslow girls receive legislative sentiment

WINSLOW — The Winslow High School’s girls basketball team visited the State House, in Augusta, on April 13, to be cited by the Legislature with a legislative sentiment recognizing their Class B state championship victory […]

Local students compete at robotics tournament

CENTRAL ME — Students from SAD #49 , in Fairfield, and RSU #18, from Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, participated with many students from all over New England in designs programs motivating more than 450,000 young students from in 88 countries to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math skills […]

Letters to the Editor

from BOB BENNETT — The variety of garbage was incredible. We got broken bottles (almost exclusively Bud Light), crushed cans, cardboard, cigarette packs, plastic bags, styrofoam packing “peanuts” and food containers, milk jugs, “nip” bottles and interestingly, an exposed roll of 35 mm film; I wonder how long that had been there? […]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MADISON –  The Madison Farmers Market will open for the season on Saturday, May 12, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Main St. Park, rain or shine. The market will run from May 12 through October 20. To raise additional funds for the market, they will be holding a talent show on Sun., May 27, from 5 – 8 p.m., at the East Madison Grange […]

Obituaries – week of April 26, 2018

PALERMO – Charles R. Merrithew, 93 of Palermo, passed away on Saturday April 7, 2018. He was born in 1924, the son of Willie and Mary Merrithew of Palermo… and remembering 5 others…

SCHEDULE OF LOCAL TOWN MEETINGS FOR 2018 <-- click here!

Check this page to find out when your town meeting is. We’ll be updating this page as more meetings are scheduled. If you don’t see your town listed, send us an email at townline@fairpoint.net or visit our contact page!

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Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | Porcupines. Nuisance, or ecological necessity? It all depends with whom you talk. I know some people who are overrun by the animals to the point where they are raiding the gardens, and having to deal with their dogs being injured by porcupine quills due mostly to their own curiosity. While others find a use for them […]

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates |  Like her compatriot, the great tenor Nicolai Gedda (1925-2017), Swedish-born soprano Elisabeth Soderstrom sang in several languages, and possessed one of the most beautiful, disciplined voices to be found anywhere […]

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | My apologies that the bottle drive that was held last weekend at the Solon Fire Station was submitted too late for publihsing. I have to receive news by Sunday to get it in on Thursdays paper. I thank Aryke Coombs, very much. This is the second time I have received news from her, and I can’t begin to state how much that means to me […]

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | This is a test for us ‘old kids’! The answers will be printed next week, just in case you need them […]

FOR YOUR HEALTH

For a growing number of American women, knowing their numbers may just save their life. The problem is heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, it kills one woman about every 80 seconds […]

Know your risk of heart disease