Palermo & Montville: Voters weigh-in on state referendum questions

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The unofficial results of the November 7 state referendum questions for both the Town of Palermo and the Town of Montville, as reported by town clerk Sandi Devaney.

Statewide Referendum Election Results

Town of Palermo

Question #1:

Yes – 56
No – 299

Question #2:

Yes – 163
No – 190

Question #3:

Yes – 255
No – 128

Question #4:

Yes – 203
No – 142

Town of Montville

Question #1:

Yes – 26
No – 221

Question #2:

Yes – 160
No – 89

Question #3:

Yes – 166
No – 73

Question #4:

Yes – 147
No – 86

BBBS seek volunteers in mid-Maine

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine (BBBSMM) is looking for volunteers in Kennebec Valley to serve as coordinators at its School-Based mentoring programs. Coordinators are adults from the community who can dedicate 1½ hours one day each week from October through May (except school vacation weeks) to be at the match meetings of high school “Bigs” and elementary school “Littles.” The meetings take place after the school day.

Every school mentoring location has 1-2 coordinators who attend each week to oversee and supervise the weekly match meetings to ensure match quality and child safety.  School-based coordinators are interviewed, screened and trained and receive ongoing support and training from BBBS staff throughout the year. Continuing education credits are also provided.

Successful coordinators are responsible, dedicated, enjoy working with and coaching youth of all ages and backgrounds, have great listening skills, are willing to learn, love to play, have patience, flexibility and a sense of humor. Coordinators arrive early to greet the matches, help set up and clean up meeting supplies and snacks, facilitate group match activities if appropriate and coach “Bigs” as they navigate their relationships with their “Littles.” Coordinators have regular weekly contact with BBBSMM staff to discuss match meeting and site logistics, attendance, successes, issues and concerns.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine has immediate need for School-Based Coordinators at the following local sites for the 2017-18 school year:

Hussey Elementary (Augusta): Mondays, 3 – 4 p.m.
Gardiner Area Boys and Girls Club (Gardiner): Thursdays, 4 – 5 p.m.
Alfond Youth Center (Waterville): Mondays, Wednesday, or Thursdays 2:45 – 4:15 p.m.

​ To learn more about becoming a volunteer School-Based Coordinator in the Kennebec Valley region, please contact Lindsey May, School-Based Manager, at (207) 592-4606 or email lindsey@bbbsmidmaine.org.

Vassalboro: Melrose wins three-way race for vacant seat

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro voters have chosen John Melrose to fill out the remainder of the late Philip Haines’ term on the Board of Selectmen.

In a three-way race, Melrose received 517 votes, Larisa Batchelder received 320 and Lewis Devoe received 169, according to Town Clerk Cathy Coyne.

Melrose, 66, chairs the Vassalboro Budget Committee and has extensive experience working with municipal issues on the regional and state level.

CHINA: Belanger, MacFarland, Mills-Stevens win seats

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by Mary Grow

China voters re-elected one of two incumbent selectmen, re-elected a former selectman and added a newcomer to the board in a Nov. 7 contest that featured eight candidates for three seats.

Irene Belanger and former Selectman Robert MacFarland were elected to serve two-year terms, with 595 and 490 votes respectively. Incumbent Ronald Breton received 402 votes and Frederick Glidden 370.

For a one-year position to fill out Joann Clark Austin’s term, Donna Mills-Stevens was elected with 401 votes. Wayne Chadwick got 347 votes, Ralph Howe 125 and Randall Downer 124.

In the only other contest on the ballot, Kevin Michaud defeated Stephen Hadsell for the District 1 Planning Board position, by a vote of 625 to 269. Michaud succeeds James Wilkens, who, like Austin, is retiring. Three local referendum questions were approved, as follows:

  • Authorization to spend up to $8,500 for a fire pond on Neck Road, 784 yes, 335 no.
  • A requirement that nonprofit organizations applying for town funds submit financial statements, 921 yes, 197 no.
  • Authorization to lease space on the town telecommunications tower behind the town office, 957 yes, 160 no.

Budget Committee Chairman Robert Batteese and District 1 representative Kevin Maroon were re-elected without opposition. Town Clerk Rebecca Hapgood will announce results of write-in votes for Planning Board District 3, Planning Board alternate member and Budget Committee District 3 soon.

China Town employees get a new health plan

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by Mary Grow

Their meeting twice rescheduled due to lack of power, China selectmen finally connected with two health insurance experts at a Nov. 1 meeting that was also attended by town employees.

China employees, like those in many other Maine towns and cities, are insured by the Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust, a nonprofit affiliate of the Maine Municipal Association. According to Director of Health Trust Services Anne Wright, they have the best of the five insurance plans offered.

At the instigation of board member Jeffrey LaVerdiere, selectmen invited a representative of F. A. Peabody Company, an insurance broker, to talk about private insurance plans.

Max Lynds, vice president for Life and Benefits in Peabody’s Houlton office, said up front he could not duplicate the current policy with no deductible and low co-pays. However, LaVerdiere said, if a different policy cost employees more the town could reimburse them and still save enough on premiums to come out ahead.

An hour-long blizzard of facts and figures followed – co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, health reimbursement accounts, health savings accounts, drug benefits, diagnostic benefits, primary care providers, specialists, in-network, out-of-network, individual rates, couples rates, family rates. After the presentations and questions, selectmen considered town employees’ health insurance in an executive session. After that, Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux reported, they voted to switch to the Health Trust’s POS (Point of Service) 200 plan. L’Heureux estimated future savings to taxpayers at about $23,000 a year. Asked the effect on taxes on a $100,000 house, he replied the homeowner would save about $5.

There is a general expectation that rates will increase in 2018. L’Heureux said during the discussion that Health Trust rates are likely to increase from two to six percent, private group plans from 15 to 18 percent and individual rates by even more. Neither Lynds nor Wright contradicted his figures. The next regular China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, Nov. 13. L’Heureux said the agenda includes a review with China’s emergency service providers of the stipends voters approved at the March town business meeting.

ARI to hold informational walk at Masse Sawmill

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The Masse Sawmill site on Rte. 32, in East Vassalboro. Contributed photo

The Alewife Restoration Initiative has announced the successful completion of the first of six dam projects on China Lake Outlet Stream. To celebrate, they welcome the public to an informational nature walk at the Masse Sawmill site, in Vassalboro. Please join them for a short afternoon stroll along the restored section of Outlet Stream, while learning about the many ecological processes that are beginning to return the stream to natural habitat.

They will start the walk at 1 p.m., on Saturday, November 11, and expect it to last around an hour. The following experts in fields related to the project will give informal presentations and answer questions:

  • Nate Gray is a fisheries biologist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources and a longtime advocate for restoration of alewives in the Sebasticook River watershed. Nate will discuss alewives, eels, mussels, and many other aquatic critters that will benefit from the improved connectivity of Outlet Stream.
  • Brandon Kulik is a Senior Fisheries Scientist at Kleinschmidt Associates and a board member with the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust. Brandon will discuss the re-establishment of a healthy stream channel, and how this creates habitat for fish, aquatic insects, and the whole community of organisms that live in Maine streams and rivers.
  • Daniel Hill is a wildlife technician and natural resource manager for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and a board member with the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust. Dan will discuss native plant species that will re-populate the former impoundment, how they benefit birds and animals living along the stream corridor, and the importance of controlling invasive plants.

The event will take place on Saturday, November 11, beginning at 1 p.m., at the Masse Sawmille, 373 Main St., Vassalboro. Dress for the weather, and for easy trail walking. The distance covered will be short (1/4 mile to 1/2 mile), and the walking easy, but there will be no indoor shelter or bathrooms available. Prepare to be outdoors for an hour or so. Event will be held rain or shine, barring very severe weather.

For more information, email or call Matt Streeter, mstreeter212@gmail.com, 207-337-2611.

Planning board continues review of definitions

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members continued reviewing the definitions section of the land use ordinance at their Oct. 24 meeting, going through the third and fourth letters of the alphabet.

Retiring Chairman James Wilkens again shared definitions from four other Maine town for comparison. Fairfield, Readfield, Windham and Winthrop all list definitions that are not in the China ordinance – “communications tower” and “demolition,” for example; and China’s ordinance includes definitions not found in the other four ordinances, like “condominium” and “conversion.”

“Campground” generated considerable discussion, with board members distinguishing among public campgrounds that charge a fee, private campgrounds where landowners let visiting friends and relatives park recreational vehicles and storage areas where people keep their campers when they’re not in use.

Board members found most of the definitions satisfactory. A few need to be updated or perhaps revised after board members look more closely at where the terms are used in the ordinance.

Resident Linda O’Connor proposed they reconsider their two-weeks’-ago discussion of whether a definition of “Airbandb” should be added, since to her the term means a marketing or advertising system, not a physical property. Board members agreed with her view.

At the end of the meeting, the other board members thanked Wilkens for his 13 years of service on the board. Wilkens thanked them for making the job pleasant and secretary Tracy Cunningham for her excellent minutes.

The next planning board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Nov. 14. On November 7, China will voters will choose between two candidates for the District 1 Planning Board seat that Wilkens is leaving, Steven Hadsell and Kevin Michaud.

There are no names on the ballot for the District 3 seat currently held by Milton Dudley or the alternate position elected from the town at large and currently held by Ralph Howe. Dudley has said he is running as a write-in candidate. Howe is on the ballot as a candidate for the one-year term on the Board of Selectmen.

China’s polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 7 in the portable classroom behind the town office on Lakeview Drive.

Three Easy Ways To Improve Your Life

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For Your Health

(NAPSI)—Your health, wealth and happiness may be improved if you heed these three helpful hints to ease and enhance your life:

1. Studies show money effectively motivates weight loss. So many individuals, couples, friends, families and employee groups turn to HealthyWage.com—the leading provider of money-driven diet challenges. It provides cash prizes, social and expert support, tools, resources, and goal-setting and tracking technologies. Over 200,000 participants have collectively lost over 10 million pounds, earning over $5 million in cash prizes for their pound-shedding success.

2. Those ready to retire can avoid financial strife with the Amazon.com-listed book “20 Retirement Decisions You Need to Make Right Now.” It covers key financial decisions for the critical period transitioning from work to retirement. These decisions—many permanent—will affect your financial security for decades.

3. Excessive sweating—a serious medical condition called hyperhidrosis—affects approximately 4.8 percent of the population and can lead to serious practical, social and emotional consequences. The International Hyperhidrosis Society provides support, resources and expert perspective to those struggling with this condition and others who hate to sweat. Its website, www.SweatHelp.org, offers education; treatment, insurance, and clinical trial information; a physician finder; a useful award-winning blog; and sweat-management product discounts.

Legal Notices, Week of November 2, 2017

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STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
COURT ST.,
SKOWHEGAN, ME
SOMERSET, ss
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
18-A MRSA sec. 3-801

The following Personal Representatives have been appointed in the estates noted. The first publication date of this notice is November 2, 2017.

If you are a creditor of an estate listed below, you must present your claim within four months of the first publication date of this Notice to Creditors by filing a written statement of your claim on a proper form with the Register of Probate of this Court or by delivering or mailing to the Personal Representative listed below at the address published by his name, a written statement of the claim indicating the basis therefore, the name and address of the claimant and the amount claimed or in such other manner as the law may provide. See 18-A MRSA 3-804.

2017-348-1 – Estate of JOSEPH CHARLES MITCHELL, late of Madison, Me deceased. Stephen R. Knox, 119 Walnut Street, #9, Montclair, NJ 07042 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-147 – Estate of JOSEPH G. VARRICCHIO, late of Palmyra, Me deceased. Joseph A. Varricchio, 55 Main Street, St. Albans, Me 04971 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-287 – Estate of VIOLA M. COOKSON, late of Cambridge, Me deceased. Frances Murray, 10 Dean Road, Clinton, Maine 04927 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-288 – Estate of MAXINE SHIRLEY PETERS, late of Solon, Me deceased. Mickey C. Furbush, PO Box 492, Oakland, Me 04963 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-259 – Estate of MARLENE F. AUSTIN, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Marion A. Rexford, PO Box 173, Whitefield, NH 03598 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-292 – Estate of JAMEY SCOTT SANBORN, late Skowhegan, Me deceased. Valerie Sanborn, 155 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, Me 04572 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-293 – Estate of SPENCER R. GAGNON, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. Iris J. Gagnon, 26 Winter Street, Fairfield, Me 04937 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-296 – Estate of PETER H. O’MEARA, late of Athens, Me deceased. Karla Bailey, PO Box 77, Athens, Me 04912 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-298 – Estate of JUDITH M. DELFRANCO, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. Lori DelFranco, 101 Main Street, #2, Fairfield, Maine 04937 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-254 – Estate of DANA ALBERT CLARK, late of Palmyra, Me deceased. Amy Beth Clark, 13730 Chauny Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224 and P.O. Box 251, Palmyra, Maine 04965 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-299 – Estate of FRANKLIN C. McIVER, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. Linda J. McIver, PO Box 174, Shawmut, Me 04975 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-300 – Estate of HILMA M. WILBER, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Cynthia W. chase, 339 Bigelow Hill Road, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-301 – Estate of JUDITH M. BACON, late of Pittsfield, Me deceased. Sara M. Goodridge, 273 Hamilton Terrace, Pittsfield, Me 04967 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-302 – Estate of ROBERT LAWRENCE LIBBY, late of Hartland, Me deceased. Diane L. Libby, P.O. Box 25, Hartland, Maine 04943 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-304 – Estate of BERNARD F. DOZIER, JR., late of Cambridge, Me deceased. Patricia S. Dowse, 946 Dexter Road, Cambridge, Me 04923 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-306 – Estate of EARLENE F. WAUGH, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Sharon C. Adams, 1691 Industry Road, Industry, Me 04938 appointed Personal Representative.

To be published on November 2, 2017 and November 9, 2017.
Dated: October 30, 2017 /s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(11/9)

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
41 COURT ST.
SOMERSET, ss
SKOWHEGAN, ME
PROBATE NOTICES

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE ESTATES LISTED BELOW

Notice is hereby given by the respective petitioners that they have filed petitions for appointment of personal representatives in the following estates. These matters will be heard at 10 a.m. or as soon thereafter as they may be, on November 15, 2017. The requested appointments may be made on or after the hearing date if no sufficient objection be heard. This notice complies with the requirements of 18-A MRSA §3-403 and Probate Rule 4.

2017-303 – Estate of KELLIE LYNN MELLOWS. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Kellie Lynn Mellows, 335 Green Road, Fairfield, Me 04937 requesting her name be changed to Blake Lynn Nye for reasons set forth therein.

2017-305 – Estate of CHARLES JOSEPH KAVANAGH. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Charles Joseph Kavanagh, 650 Old Ferry Road, Hartland, Me 04943 requesting his name be changed to Cathal Joseph Kavanagh for reasons set for therein.

IN ADDITION: The following Estate was filed in the Franklin County Probate Court, 140 Main Street-Suite 6, Farmington, Me 04938 – Hearing scheduled for November 17, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

Docket No. 2017-0189 – Estate of GEORGE H. TAYLOR, late of Fairfield, Me. Petition for Formal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative. George A. Taylor, 171 Back Road, Skowhegan, Me 04976

Dated: October 30, 2017 /s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(11/9)

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
SOMERSET, SS
NOTICE TO HEIRS of the Estate of
Estate of JUDITH M. BACON
DOCKET NO. 2017-301

It appearing that the following heirs of JUDITH M. BACON, as listed in an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative is of unknown address as listed below:

Camilla O’Brien
Tyrone Roy

THEREFORE, notice is hereby given as heir of the above named estate, pursuant to Maine Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 4(d) (1) (a), and Rule 4 (e) a.

This notice shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in The Town Line, with the first publication date to be November 2, 2017.

Names and address of Personal Representative: Sara M. Goodridge, 273 Hamilton Terrace, Pittsfield, Me 04967.

Dated: October 30, 2017
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(11/9)

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
SOMERSET, SS
NOTICE TO HEIRS
Estate of
Estate of PETER H. O’MEARA
DOCKET NO. 2017-296

It appearing that the following heir of PETER H. O’MEARA, as listed in an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative is of unknown address as listed below:

Kimberly O’Meara Schmidt

THEREFORE, notice is hereby given as heir of the above named estate, pursuant to Maine Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 4(d) (1) (a), and Rule 4 (e) a.

This notice shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in The Town Line, with the first publication date to be November 2, 2017 & November 9, 2017.

Names and address of Personal Representative: Karla Bailey, PO Box 77, Athens, Me 04912.

Dated: October 30, 2017
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(11/9)(11/9)

I’m Just Curious: Would you be interested?

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by Debbie Walker

You already know I buy strange books and magazines to read and sometimes share info with you. Today is one of those days. The information that follows is from a 2002 Almanac that I found. The info I am sharing should be useful, even now in 2017!

$$Ways to Save Money

Put a freeze on impulse purchases:

They mean business; literally put your credit card in an empty ice cream carton. First put in some ice cubes, then the card/cards, then put in more cubes. Doing this puts the cards a little deeper than just an ice cube tray! Makes you have to wait longer to thaw to get your hands on the card.

Organize your receipts for taxes:

Don’t buy a file cabinet. Get a 12-bottle (or two six-bottle) wine box from a liquor store (you can always decorate!). Label each of the 12 holes, for its month. Ta Da!

To keep furniture looking good:

You can protect the finish of your furniture with tiles you may have used in your house or a friend’s home. You can also find tiles at The Home Depot, in Waterville, (and I hope you meet Chris, the best customer service I have had in years!) Pick out your tiles and glue felt on bottom to protect furniture.

Drape to distraction:

If you want to paint your room, change the color, but one wall may need some repairs you can’t afford right now. It might be an idea to make a long curtain from ceiling height to floor. You could make the curtain from marked down fabric (at Wal-Mart, in Waterville!). If you need a long curtain rod you can try a long dowel (from Chris at The Home Depot!! We got one as wide as our bedroom).

Express your appreciation:

If you really like a product write to the manufacturer. Explain why you like their product. You may receive a reply and a bunch of coupons. It might save you money on something you like to buy.

Find pencils and pens in a flash!:

Can’t find something to write with in a hurry? This article’s idea is to get a cheap flashlight that has a magnet on it. Take the top, the bulb housing and the batteries; put them away in a drawer where you will find them another day. Then hang the body of the empty flashlight on the ‘fridge and add your pencils and pens.

This all came from an article printed in Yankee magazine and shortened for the Almanac and then I saw it, it has traveled well!

So was the information of use to you? I hope at least one note was. I’m just curious what tips you have to share. Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com . Thanks for reading and don’t forget our website!