OBITUARIES for Thursday, April 22, 2021

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ELIZABETH BURGESS

WINDSOR – Elizabeth “Betty” Burgess, 82, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Born on June 27, 1938, she was predeceased by three older brothers, Harold, Warren and Palmer “Pinky” Porter.

She is survived by sons J. Andrew and Matthew, daughters-in-law, Angela and Diane; grandchildren, Jason and Meaghen Arbour, Joshua Burgess; and eight great-grandchildren. She leaves several nieces, nephews, and cousins including nieces, Sandra Laughlin and Valerie Porter.

Betty grew up in Weymouth, Massachusetts, where she developed many lifelong friendships. She moved to Maine with her husband and children in 1972 to pursue a rural lifestyle. They built their own log home in Windsor where Betty was able to stay until her final days enjoying her pets and gardening as well as the independence that was characteristic of her personality.

Betty retired from Central Maine Power Co., in 1996, and kept very busy over the next 25 years. Soon after retirement, she became a foster parent for Kids Peace, helping several children over the years. A Certified Maine Master Gardener, Betty enjoyed gardening and was always offering plants and gardening tips to whomever stopped by the house. She volunteered as the gardener for the Windsor Historical Society and was involved in town government. Betty sat on the planning and appeals board for the town of Windsor and ended her working career as a clerk in the Town Office.

A private burial service will be held in the spring.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Road, Windsor, ME.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

CALEB J. HUTCHINSON

FAIRFIELD – Caleb Joseph Hutchison, 39, of Waterville, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2021, at Maine­General Medical Center, in Augusta, due to a traumatic brain injury. Caleb was born April 15, 1981, in Waterville to parents Paul and Mary Ellen Hutchison. His siblings are Sarah Hutchison Merrill and Matthew Hutchison.

Caleb graduated from Waterville Senior High School in 2000 and later graduated from Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, with a physical therapy assistant degree. He was employed by United Parcel Service (UPS) as a package handler for 18 years.

Caleb was an outdoor enthusiast from an early age and spent most of his free time hunting or fishing. He had an uncanny ability to retain odd science facts and random statistics which made for interesting conversations and lengthy debates.

He gave the best hugs, told the worst jokes, aspired to own a “zonkey” one day, and would have given his last dollar to anyone in need. The greatest love of his life was his eleven-year-old daughter, Nadia Hutchison, of Benton. He was so proud of her and often bragged about how intelligent, talented, and beautiful she has become. She, too, shares his love for the outdoors.

Caleb is survived by his parents, Paul and Mary Ellen Hutchison, of Waterville; maternal grandmother, Leonita Lefebvre; paternal grandmother, Marie Hutchison; a sister, Sarah Hutchison Merrill; her husband, Chris Merrill and their children, Francesca and Kennedy; a brother, Matthew Hutchison and his son, Roam; fiancée, Ashlee Larsen, dozens of aunts, uncles, cousins.

Caleb was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Lucien Lefebvre, paternal grandfather, Norman Hutchison, and special friends and brothers, Dan and Sem Hidalgo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Notre Dame Church on Silver Street, in Waterville on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at 11 a.m. Immediately following, there will be a celebration of life at the Winslow VFW at 175 Veteran Drive.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the college fund set up for his daughter Nadia http://www.gofund.me/a8a1c304

DEBORA J. JONES

WATERVILLE – Debora Jane Jones, 56, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 8, 2021. She was born on March 25, 1965, to Alfred (Bub) and Barbara Jones, in Waterville.

Debbie grew up in Vassalboro and graduated from Maine Central Institute, in Pittsfield, in 1983. As a child, Debbie was often referred to as a little mother hen. Often carrying around one of her younger sisters or a younger cousin. She would put her younger cousin, Dusty, in the basket on her bike and ride around with him.

Debbie always loved children and was thrilled to give birth to her only child, Mandy. She was equally thrilled to become a grandmother and loved spending time with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.

The family is comforted by the teachings of the Bible that “beyond the grave, the loved ones gone before are waiting to welcome us to our eternal home”.

She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Karl Larrabee and Glendora Coombs, paternal grandparents, Alfred and Madeline Jones, her mother, Barbara Mitchell, a stepsister, Lois Brown, an uncle, Karl “Sonny” Larrabee and cousin, Mark Cain.

Debbie is survived by her father, Alfred (Bub) Jones, of Brewer; daughter, Mandy Grant and her husband Matt as well as her grandchildren, Matt Jr. and Madilyn, all of Canaan; her sisters, Tina White and husband Roger, of Jefferson, Sandra Child, of Mexico, and Kimberly Nelson and husband Wayne, of Windham; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services were held on April 17, 2021, at the Quaker Hill Cemetery, on Quaker Hill Road, Unity.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan ME 04976.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a go fund me account set up by her daughter to help defray burial costs:

EDWARD R. GAY

AUBURN – Edward Ross Gay, 64, of Auburn, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 9, 2021, following a recent diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer. Eddie was born in Waterville on August 29, 1956, to Harvard Gay, Sr. and Joan Gay.

He was educated in the China school system, attended Winslow High School, and was a 1974 graduate of Erskine Academy, in South China.

Eddie spent many years working for Eastland Shoe, in Freeport, and retired after a long career at Dingley Press, in Lisbon, in 2018.

He enjoyed going to the beach, playing pool, talking about his love of cars, reminiscing about the good old days and going for spontaneous rides to his old stomping grounds in China and Vassalboro and popping in for visits with family and old friends.

Ed was predeceased by his grandparents, mother Joan and his sister Melody.

Surviving are his father, Harvard Gay, Sr., of Vassalboro; brothers Harvard Gay, Jr., of Lewiston, Dean Gay, of Fairfield, Dana Gay, of Lisbon, and sister Melinda Simon, of West Gardiner, and their families.

Ed had a special place in his heart for his many nieces and nephews and could probably best be called the favorite uncle.

In keeping with Eddie’s wishes, there will be no public service. A gathering of family at a graveside burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery, in Augusta, will be held at a later date.

ALLEN L. GLIDDEN SR.

JEFFERSON – Allen L. Glidde n Sr., 61,died at Graybirch rehabilitation center on April 10, 2021, following a long hard battle with cirrhosis and diabetes. He was born February 15, 1960, in Augusta, the son of Leo and Gladys Glidden.

He lived in Jefferson all his life and was a graduate of Halldale High School. He worked for BIW as a ship fitter for 27 years until his illness forced him to be done work. Allen was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved spending time in the outdoors with his two sons AJ and Corey.

Allen also cherished time spent with his fiancée Tammy and his grandchildren. Allen was also a member of Coopers Mills Volunteer Fire Department for many years.

He is survived by his mother Gladys and father Leo; fiancée Tammy; two sons Corey and AJ and his wife Casey; two stepsons James and Michael; six grandchildren Ciara, Zac, Jemma, Lexi, Bella and bean bean; many close friends, aunts and uncles.

A graveside service was held Saturday, April 17, at the Whitefield cemetery.

Arrangements are by Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, where condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website familyfirstfuneralhomes.com

Any donations can be made to the family two sons or parents

LAURA L. A. BARTLETT

WHITEFIELD – Laura Lee Ann Bartlett, 62, of Mills Road, passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021, at her home, following an extended illness. Born in Lewiston, on December 10, 1958, Laura grew up in Augusta and is the daughter of Meylon G. Kenney and Lois M. (White) Kenney.

She was a student athlete and graduate of Cony High School, in Augusta, class of 1978, where she took and passed a class taught by her dad. She was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge, in Rockland.

Laura Lee (otherwise known as our beloved “LuLu”) was a green eyed, blond haired, perfectly manicured girl, filled with endless sunshine. She was the personal rainbow who added color to any pale sky. LuLu is the epitome of beauty, both inside and out. Constantly surrounded by many, she was often the life that filled any room, a personality that demanded attention, a best friend of too many to count, and someone who found joy in the smallest act of kindness.

An avid outdoorsman, she loved to fish and hunt, through all seasons, including but not limited to holding the family brook trout title at 4.5 pounds, as well as claiming the first family moose x 2. LuLu often enjoyed off road adventures on her Harley alongside her Mum, snowmobiling, four-wheeling or anything else with significant speed. The next time you sit by the ocean, look for her, you will see her in the shimmer that glistens off the waves. She lived a wonderful and happy life, she inspired all in her courageous and fearless battle with cancer, and she is an absolute hero.

Laura is survived by her husband, Samuel L. Bartlett, of Whitefield; her parents, of Augusta; grandmother, Grace Kenney, of Augusta; son, Zachary J. Louten, of Portland; stepdaughter, Alisha Bartlett, of Westbrook; sister Deborah M. Jarzombek, of Augusta; brother Shannon G. Kenney and his wife Sherry Kenney, of Augusta; sister Joelle G. Nelson and her husband Christopher Nelson, of Sugar Land, Texas; brother Jayson J. Kenney and his wife Stephanie Kenney, of Augusta; one grandchild, Marcus Bartlett; her sweet girl, Jocelyn Grace; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on June 11, 2021, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Western Ave., Augusta, with a reception LuLu style to follow.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Road, Rte. 32, Windsor, ME.

Condolences, photos and stories may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to MaineGeneral Health to benefit Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care. Please send your gift to: MaineGeneral HealthOffice of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903-0828.

LISA M. ROBINSON

CLINTON – Lisa Mae Robinson, 56, of Clinton, died Tuesday April 13, 2021, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, from COVID-19. She was born in Waterville September 24, 1964, the daughter of Burton and Judith (Sabins) Danforth.

She was a Lawrence high School, in Fairfield, graduate, class of 1982. Lisa married Clarence Robinson on December 3, 2016, after 26 years together – I guess you can say it was about time. Lisa worked at New Balance, in Skowhegan, for 23 years and had many friends there.

Everywhere Lisa went, she made friends. Many of her friends were lifelong. She had a big personality and a heart of gold. She was the life of the party and the glue of the family. She spent a lot of her time caring for family and doing for others. She was everyone’s biggest cheerleader. When she showed up, you knew it as she was often the loudest in the room.

Her greatest pride and joy were her five grandchildren, Avery, Layne, Alexa, Meyer, and Raegan. She adored her grandchildren and certainly spoiled them. Her favorite pastimes included camping, side-by-siding, playing cards, crafts, shopping, watching Hallmark movies, and just being with friends and family – it didn’t really matter what they were doing.

Lisa is survived by her husband, Clarence E. Robinson; her son, T.J. Lee and his wife Kelly, of Winslow; her daughter, Tasha Passmore and her husband Nathan, of Gorham; her mother and stepfather, Judith and George Reid, of Clinton; her sister, Tammy Auclair and her husband Jim, of Fairfield, her sister, Trudy Reid, of Clinton; her brother, Robert Reid and wife Anita, of Clinton; her sister, Jodie Reynolds and her husband John, of Fairfield; her sister, Barbi Jones; of Clinton; aunt, Nolly Dostie, of Clinton; sister-in-law, Inez Trahan, of Clinton; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Lisa was predeceased by her father, Burton Danforth II; her brother Burton (Sonny) Danforth III.

A graveside service will be held at Nobles Ferry cemetery, in Clinton, date to be determined.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 107 Main Street, Fairfield.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the funeral home website at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

FLORENCE K. PHILBRICK

SIDNEY – Florence K. Philbrick, 88, died peacefully Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at her home, following a long illness. She was born in Sidney on July 12, 1932, a daughter of the late Kenneth and Cherry (Billings) Keene.

After attending Cony High School, in Augusta, Florence followed in her mother’s footsteps working at R. P. Hazzard Co., in Augusta. Marrying in 1949, Florence then devoted her time to caring for her growing family and many interests.

She was a talented knitter, gardener and birdwatcher as well as an avid reader. Some of her favorite pastimes were watching her hummingbirds come each spring, listening to the music of Daniel O’Donnell and playing scratch tickets.

Florence will not only be remembered for her quick wit, fun humor and sparkling blue eyes, but mostly for her loving heart. She will be greatly missed.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ray E. Philbrick, Jr.; a daughter, Rae Ann Brann, son- in-law, Darrell W. Brann; stepgrandson Steven L Wright; her three brothers, Alton, Richard and Larry Keene and her two sisters, Madelyn Breton and Marylin Cummings.

Florence is survived by her son, David Philbrick (Elaine), of Duxbury, Massachusetts; three daughters, Brenda Evans (Dana), of Hallowell, Sharon Wright (Gerry), of Winslow, and Bernadette Philbrick (Don Roy), of Augusta; eight grandchildren, Jason Brann, Alyson Kornsey (James), Adrian, Sydney Philbrick, Stephanie Dupont (John), Michelle Philips (Russell) step-granddaughter Jennifer Wright; 11 great-grandchildren, Alex, Andrew and Adam Brann, Justin, Daniel, Alan, Malakhi Kornsey, Brooke and Dylan Philips, Lauryn and Logan Dupont, stepgreat-granddaughters Kassidy Wright and Evie Giroux; sister-in-law, Patricia Keene; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

At her request, there will be no public visiting hours. A celebration of her life will be held later.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sidney Fire and Rescue Department, Shepard Road, c/o Sidney Town Office, 2986 Middle Rd., Sidney, ME 04330.

BETTY M. PERRY

WINSLOW – Betty M. Perry, 100, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 15, 2021, listening to the opening of her beloved TV show, “THIS. IS. JEOPARDY!” She was born in Ogdensburg, New York, on October 30, 1920, the daughter of the late Floyd and Lu Sharlow, of Livermore Falls.

Her father moved the family to Livermore Falls, where he was employed at the International Paper Mill Company. After graduating from Livermore Falls High School, she attended beauty school in Portland but decided after two years that she wanted to attend college to become a teacher.

She received her degree in education from the University of Maine. While at college, she met the love of her life Harry J. Perry, whom she married in 1943. They lived in Rumford, where Harry owned a garage, an airport, and the Rumford Wild Animal Park and where Betty taught school for 25 years. During this time, Betty was the first woman elected to the Rumford Police Commission. She also belonged to the Rumford Teachers Association, Maine Education Association, and the National Education Association, and she served as a literacy volunteer, among many other volunteering activities.

Many summers, she and Harry would spend time together on their boat, The Gem Dandy, at Boothbay Harbor. While there, she tutored and worked at Gimbel’s during the week when Harry went back to Rumford to attend business. When they retired, they moved to Winslow to be near their two daughters. Betty taught at the Goodwill Hinckley Averill School, in Hinckley, for three years and then at Winslow High School for another two years. She loved teaching and said it was fun to go to school. She was an avid reader, sometimes reading a book a day over the weekend, and she served as a trustee of the Winslow Public Library for over 18 years. She was also a bridge fan, although she said her husband was a much better player than she. As Director of the Waterville Non-sanctioned Duplicate Bridge Club, she ran the duplicate game for many years. She loved her “Bridge Group,” always saying that everyone there was special and that they were the best people in the world.

Betty also served as president of the Waterville Auxiliary and volunteered at the Waterville Hospice. She was never at a loss for something to do. Betty loved her family.

She was predeceased by her parents Floyd and Lu Sharlow; and her husband Harry, who died in 2009. They were married for 65 years.

She is survived by her children Vicki Perry (and daughter Hannah) and Bonnie-Lou Stone (and husband Ken); her brother Gerald Sharlow (and her niece and nephew Renee and Duane); her grandchildren Rocky Johnson (and wife Jennifer, with daughter Ashley); Jodie-Ann Averill (and husband Steve, with three children Ally, Jonah, and Zoe); Penny Hobby (and husband Daryl, with two children Brooke and Stone).

In keeping with Betty’s wishes, no service will be held. She will be buried at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, at 143 Blue Star Avenue (from Civic Center Drive), Augusta, Maine, Section CN, Row 34, Site 8.

Those who wish to honor her may donate to Winslow Public Library, 114 Benton Ave., Winslow, and to Muskie Community Center, at Spectrum Generations Muskie Community Center, 38 Gold St., Box 207, Waterville, ME.

Vassalboro Community Read will begin in May

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The Vassalboro Community School Librarian – Melora Norman – and the Vassalboro Public Library Director – Brian Stanley – have received a grant from the American Library Association – Libraries Transforming Communities – to do a Community Read in Vassalboro.

The Community Read will begin in May and be centered around the Alewife Restoration Initiative, in Vassalboro. The two books chosen are Swimming Home by Maine author Susan Hand Shetterly, and The Alewives’ Tale, by Barbara Brennessel. Both of these books describe similar alewife restoration efforts in Maine and New England. They will be available through checkout at the Vassalboro Puvblic Library and donated to residents of the community in the summer.

Authors of the books and some experts of the Restoration Project will share their expertise via a special series of online presentations in May. Interested individuals throughout the state are welcome to attend these programs. Please check the website for a full list of events and to register.

China considering regional trash collection system

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by Mary Grow

China Transfer Station Committee members are considering advocating for a regional trash collection system based in China, if the new owners of what was the Fiberight facility in Hampden don’t get their act together soon.

The plant, owned by Coastal Resources, closed in May 2020. On Jan. 19, 2021, the Municipal Review Committee (MRC), the group representing 115 municipalities that used the facility, announced that Pennsylvania-based Delta Thermo Energy (DTE) was buying the plant.

The MRC notice said closing the deal was expected to take up to 70 days, and after closing DTE would need four to six weeks to start operating.

At the April 13 China Transfer Station Committee meeting, Selectman and Transfer Station Committee member Irene Belanger, who represents China on the MRC, said the arrangement is not yet final, and after weeks of almost daily reports she had heard nothing for two weeks.

Transfer Station Committee Chairman Larry Sikora called MRC meetings “non-informational,” mostly in executive session (not open to public viewing). He also believes DTE “padded their resume.” A knowledgeable German friend denied DTE’s claim to have a recycling facility in Dresden, Germany, Sikora said.

Committee member Mark Davis suggested exploring whether other municipalities would be interested in a non-MRC arrangement. Or, he said, maybe China’s transfer station, which already takes Palermo’s trash, could become a regional center, adding, for example, Vassalboro, to save that town the cost of proposed transfer station improvements.

Town Manager Becky Hapgood suggested partnering with Albion instead, given the distance from northwestern and southwestern Vassalboro to Alder Park Road, in China. She wondered whether too many new users would inconvenience China residents.

Committee members left the regionalization issue to be reconsidered if the Hampden facility does not reopen.

The rest of the April 13 committee discussion focused on the local transfer station: hours, recycling and the currently closed Free for the Taking (FFT) building.

Committee member Ashley Farrington had prepared a chart of hour-by-hour Saturday attendance, showing few people came in between 6:30 and 7 a.m.; 10 to 11 a.m. was the busiest hour; and a fair number of people used the transfer station from 1 p.m. to the 3 p.m. closing.

The lack of early-morning users led Sikora and Davis to propose opening at 7 a.m. instead of 6:30 p.m. and closing at 4 p.m. instead of 3 p.m. With the change, Davis argued, people doing waste-generating Saturday projects would have another hour before they had to rush to the transfer station.

Farrington, who worked at the transfer station before moving to the town office staff, said the early-morning Saturday hours are important to most of the people who stop in then, because they’re on the way to Saturday jobs and cannot come later.

Transfer Station Manager Ronald Marois opposed staying open until 4 p.m. Whatever the closing time, he said, people come at the last minute with big loads, and he and his staff continue working well after the gates close. Since many families schedule Saturday late-afternoon celebrations, he would prefer a 3 p.m. closing.

Hapgood pointed out that use varies seasonally, leading committee members Karen Hatch and Davis to suggest different hours summer and winter. Then everyone would need to adjust to fall and spring changes, Hapgood objected.

Committee members will try to get more statistics on times of use and revisit the topic at a later meeting.

“Nothing will make everybody happy,” Farrington concluded.

Farrington had submitted China’s biennial report to the state Department of Environmental Protection. By her figures, China’s 2020 recycling rate was 52.85 percent, lower than 2019’s rate of 67.69 percent, but still, Sikora said, very good.

Robert Kurek, Palermo’s representative on the committee, pointed out that eliminating plastics numbered three through seven (due to lack of markets) had reduced recycling rates.

The FFT building has been closed due to Covid. Committee members are looking for alternative ways to share reusable items and are considering ways to reopen the building safely. They made no decisions.

One problem is that, according to Selectman Ronald Breton at the April 12 selectmen’s meeting, transfer station users are ignoring the requirement to wear masks when outside their vehicles.

Other regulations are also ignored. For example, when employees are busy non-residents without China RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags slip in and dispose illegally; and trash is left in wrong areas.

Marois said staff has worked successfully at reducing problems. People don’t like the regulations, he said; but cheating costs China taxpayers money, and, Sikora observed, “nobody likes paying taxes, either.”

Committee members scheduled their next meeting for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, according to the calendar on the Town of China website.

Vassalboro voters to decide fate of marijuana ordinance

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by Mary Grow

One issue Vassalboro voters will decide at their June town meeting is whether to approve or reject a new ordinance titled “Town of Vassalboro Marijuana Business Ordinance.”

Selectmen have scheduled a public hearing on the ordinance for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 29, in the Vassalboro Community School gymnasium. Because the vote on the ordinance will be by written ballot on Tuesday, June 8, voters will not have a chance to debate it in open session before they vote.

Town meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., Monday, June 7, in the VCS gymnasium, and continues with written-ballot voting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 8, at the Vassalboro town office.

The marijuana business ordinance repeals the town’s current ordinance and prohibits any new marijuana businesses in Vassalboro. If voters approve, the only allowable marijuana businesses in Vassalboro will be those in operation before the effective date of the ordinance (Feb. 18, 2021, the date selectmen approved it), and licensed medical marijuana caregivers and their cultivation facilities of up to 1,000 square feet.

By ordinance definitions, caregivers’ facilities cannot operate a retail store or dispensary. Pre-ordinance businesses must have town licenses, for which their owners must apply within 60 days after voters approve the ordinance.

A copy of the ordinance is on the town website, www.vassalboro.net, in the center section, below notices of 250th anniversary events and assessor Ellery Bane’s property inspections.

Ordinance provisions spell out license requirements, inspection procedures and related issues. Selectmen will set annual license fees after town meeting, if voters approve the ordinance.

Many provisions are based on issues raised by residents during planning board reviews of applications for marijuana facilities. For example:

  • Applicants must provide evidence that they have all other required state and local permits and approvals.
  • No facility can be located within 1,000 feet of a “public or private school, state-licensed daycare of any size, or occupied residence,” unless the applicant owns the residence. Pre-existing business that do not meet the requirement may continue to operate, but may not expand in any way.
  • All premises must have lockable doors and windows and an alarm system connected to the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office; interior and exterior video surveillance operating continuously; and exterior lights with motion detectors.
  • All premises must have odor control systems that ensure no detectable odors outside the “area controlled by the business.”

A marijuana business that violates town regulations can have its license suspended or revoked and can be fined.

Vassalboro school board briefed on full day, in-person classes

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro School Board members held their regular monthly meeting April 13, followed by a meeting with the budget committee to answer questions about their proposed 2021-22 budget.

Vassalboro Community School Principal Megan Allen said the second full day with classes back in person just ended, and went smoothly. The schedule called for one more full day Wednesday, April 14, followed by parent-teacher conferences taking part of the two days before vacation week, April 19 through 23.

Setting up the cafeteria had been a challenge, she said, with tables spaced at marked intervals and individual seats marked at the tables.

Total VCS enrollment is 395 students, Allen said, of whom 62 are learning fully remotely. The fourth grade has the largest proportion of remote learners, 12 out of 42; only one eighth-grader is learning on-line.

After weeks of having students coming to the building in cohorts on alternate days, “It feels really good to be able to say ‘See you tomorrow,'” Allen said.

School nurse MaryAnn Fortin continues monitoring and testing as needed, Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer added.

Pfeiffer and Assistant Principal Greg Hughes reported on two personnel shortages.

Pfeiffer said bus drivers are in short supply. Retired driver Ellie Lessard has again un-retired to help out, he said, but more drivers would be welcome.

And, Hughes said, baseball will not start unless a baseball coach appears. Sixteen boys have signed up and are waiting.

Softball has already started, Hughes said. He expects the VCS team will begin playing against other area schools in May.

In other business April 13, school board members accepted the resignation of math specialist Erica Millett; gave preliminary approval to the 2021-22 school calendar; and continued their ongoing review of school policies.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, May 18.

Vassalboro town warrant now includes school budget articles

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by Mary Grow

In addition to another review of the draft warrant for the June 7 and 8 annual town meeting, Vassalboro selectmen continued plans for the April 26, 250th anniversary celebration, and discussed two other issues at their April 15 meeting.

The town meeting warrant now includes the school budget articles. Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer said the budget committee recommended them by a vote of eight in favor, one opposed and one abstaining at an April 6 meeting.

The warrant currently has 41 articles. The first 37, dealing with budget committee elections, appropriations for 2021-22 and policies, will be decided at an open town meeting that is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., Monday, June 7, in the Vassalboro Community School gymnasium.

The remaining four articles will be decided by secret ballot Tuesday, June 8, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Vassalboro Town Office. Voters will elect municipal officers; decide whether to accept or reject a new “Town of Vassalboro Marijuana Business Ordinance”; confirm or overturn the previous evening’s school budget vote, the so-called school budget validation referendum; and decide whether to continue the budget validation referendum for another three years.

The marijuana ordinance is available for review on the Vassalboro website. Selectmen have scheduled a public hearing on the ordinance for 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 29, at Vassalboro Community School.

They plan to sign the final town meeting warrant at their April 29 meeting, which will follow the hearing. As of April 15, they were still revising one article and waiting for the annual Kennebec County budget request.

The Monday, April 26, anniversary observance is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., at Monument Park, on Main Street (Route 32), in East Vassalboro, between the Historical Society building that was formerly the East Vassalboro School and the China Lake boat landing. Speakers will provide histories of the town, the park and the Civil War veterans commemorated by the monument.

Attendance is limited to 100 people, and masks are required.

As of April 15, Selectboard Chairman John Melrose, main organizer of the celebration, was still looking for a battery-powered speaker system. He has arranged to have a tent big enough to shelter the speakers in case of rain.

Selectmen made a decision on only one of the other two issues, unanimously authorizing Town Manager Mary Sabins to sign an agreement with Kennebec Water District to extend the Town Forest Trail across the western part of KWD’s land between East and North Vassalboro.

The trail extension, which Melrose suggested naming Red Brook Trail, will be about 1.1 miles long, running along Red Brook part of the way. The agreement calls it a hiking trail and limits uses to “walking, cycling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.”

Prohibited uses include “night use, camping, loud activities, motorized use, open fires, hunting, and trapping.” However, the agreement specifically does not prohibit KWD from approving “traditional use…by local snowmobile groups.”

The town is allowed to build and maintain the trail with KWD approval of plans and use of equipment. The town will maintain it, oversee its use, build an informational kiosk and make and post regulations.

The agreement runs for one year, beginning June 1. Parties are to meet annually to renew it, with amendments if needed. KWD has the right to close all or part of the trail, and to terminate the agreement, at any time.

Selectmen took no action after Melrose reported on his discussions with the state Department of Transportation about improvements to sidewalks in North Vassalboro. Melrose had explored several types of curbing, looked into MDOT programs and gotten cost estimates.

His concern is that after MDOT repaves Route 32, nothing more will be done for years. The 2021 MDOT work plan includes repaving 0.73 miles of Route 32, in Vassalboro, beginning 1.14 miles north of Gray Road (which intersects Route 32 between East and North Vassalboro, south of the town office).

Melrose said MDOT installed the sidewalks and if the road were rebuilt would be responsible for re-installing them. Maintaining the sidewalks, he said, is a town responsibility, although Road Foreman Eugene Field told him MDOT workers sweep them each spring.

Vassalboro kicks off sestercentennial celebration with rededication of Civil War monument on April 26

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Vassalboro’s Civil War monument located at the East Vassalboro boat landing. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

by Lauchlin W. Titus

Have you ever looked at this monument, as I have, and wondered, “Who were these people? Did they all die? If so, how and where did they die? What units did they serve in?” I thought of some of these questions every time I studied the monument over a period of something like thirty years. Then, a couple of years ago I decided to see if I can answer any of these questions. Oh MY! There is SO MUCH information. I started with a Google search and that resulted in all sorts of different rabbit paths to run down. I ended up at the Maine State Archives and that is a treasure trove of information on each of the individuals listed on the monument….and every man who served in the Civil War from Maine.

The Vassalboro Civil War Monument has 63 names on it. The panels that face the West, the South, and the North have 47 names of Vassalboro men who died in the Civil War. The panel that faces East, towards China Lake, displays the names of 16 men who served and survived the war.

So, how did those 47 men die? Sgt. Doe, at the top of the list on the panel facing the West was killed by a falling tree as he and his men were cutting wood for fuel and winter shelter. Seventeen were killed in action or subsequently died of their wounds…..make it eighteen if you will join me in including John Estes who is known to have been wounded in the leg at Gettysburg and was subsequently listed as missing and no record found on him beyond that date. Twenty-three men succumbed to various illnesses and diseases and this matches most accounts of deaths in the Civil War….that death from disease was more likely than death in battle. The Battle at Gettysburg resulted in the names of five Vassalboro men on this monument, making it the most deadly battle of the war for Vassalboro.

The 63 men named on this monument served in 19 different units but more than half served in just three units. Some of them served in two or more units over the course of the war. The largest number, 17, served in the 21st Maine Infantry Regiment and most of them were in Company D. This was a nine-month enlistment unit that saw service in Florida and Louisiana. Charles Tarbell was the only one of this unit from Vassalboro killed in action and that was at Port Hudson, Louisiana. Six of the 16 survivors listed on the east side of our monument were in this unit. Two from the 21st re-enlisted in other units and were subsequently killed in action. Eight men of the 21st died of disease. The 16th Maine Infantry Regiment has 10 Vassalboro men represented, most of them being in Company E. Nine of the deceased are from the 16th. The 16th played a pivotal role on the first day at Gettysburg and was essentially sacrificed so the rest of the Union line could position itself safely. The 3rd Maine Regiment had 9 Vassalboro men scattered in numerous companies of that Regiment. Seven of these nine men died in the war.

The men listed on this monument that died in the war ranged in ages, at the time of their enlistments, from 18-51. There were three men over 40, seven who were 30-40 years of age, 16 were 21-30, and 19 of them were 18-21 years old.

There are a lot of puzzling things about the names on the monument … and the names not on the monument. One interesting quirk is that John F. Irving’s name is spelled as Erving on the monument, yet all the names are listed in alphabetical order and his name is where it should be for the correct spelling. Then I viewed a source listing 11 names of Vassalboro men who died in the war, with just four of those appearing on the monument. In other research I have found five more names of Vassalboro men who died in the war who are not listed on the monument.

There are detailed records showing Vassalboro sent close to 250 men to serve in the war. The Vassalboro Selectmen in 1868 submitted a list of 207 names of men sent to the war but 23 of the names on the monument are not on the selectmen’s 1868 list. Closer inspection shows the selectmen’s list was of men sent from 1862-1865 when the town paid bounties and/or aid to families of men serving. So units that mustered in prior to 1862, such as the 21st Maine, do not show up on this list. Company D of the 21st had around 50 men from Vassalboro with, as stated earlier, 17 of their names memorialized here on our monument.

Of the list of 207 names the selectmen submitted in 1868, several are not from Vassalboro and a couple of them were even from New Brunswick! This was because men from elsewhere could accept a towns’ bounty, or goas a replacement for a resident. Three of the names on the monument show up there because they were born in Vassalboro, but they actually enlisted someplace else (Ashland, Litchfield, and Orono).

The biggest question for me is how and why were the 16 names selected that are on the monument of men who did not die in the Civil War. One was our only Navy veteran, three were discharged due to disability, one had been a Prisoner of War, William T. Taber was a second lieutenant in the 21st, and the other 10 are simply listed as mustered out, honorable discharge. George Phillips was still alive at the time the monument was erected (he died April 8, 1911, at home in Waterville). He served in the 11th Maine Infantry from August 1863 until February 1866 rising through the ranks from private to corporal to sergeant. Why aren’t Vassalboro’ s higher ranking officers listed, such as Lt. Col. Nathan Stanley, or First Lieutenant Thomas Maxfield, both of the 21st, or Second Lieutenant Bradford W. Smart, of the 3rd, who was taken prisoner at Manassas?

I have a theory as to why there may be some discrepancies. Primarily, I believe it is easier and faster now to verify details from 1861-1865 than it was in 1904 when this monument was being created. Forty years after the war there were still survivors and family members of deceased men whose partial accounts of facts and events were probably not questioned. A more distant view of events now show that an individual may have been born in Vassalboro, enlisted elsewhere, subsequently died and thus their name made it on this monument. All of the card details on each individual who served can now be found on microfiche at the Maine State Archives. My investigation took many hours. Similar work in 1904 looking through tens of thousands of paper cards would have taken days or weeks of work. Online records now available make it possible to look at many sources from many places with a few clicks.

There is a lot more to learn! For instance, I get frequently asked about how many men from Vassalboro were in the 20th Maine, the famous Maine regiment credited with saving the Union line on the second day of the Gettysburg battle. Of the 50 or so Vassalboro men who were present at the Battle at Gettysburg, none were members of the 20th Maine. Vassalboro provided one individual, Preston Jones, to the 20th Maine in August 1864 and presumably he would have been present to witness the Surrender of Lee’s Army at Appomattox Courthouse on April 12, 1865.

Vassalboro Sestercentennial Scavenger Hunt Item number 1:

A postmark cancellation from any Vassalboro Post Office dated April 26, 2021.

Visit www.vassalboro.net for details.

CORRECTION: Previously this article stated there were 61 names listed on the monument. There are actually 63. The article has been updated.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Being 55+ Has Its Advantages

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New wireless phone plans mean money savings and include Netflix.

(NAPSI) — The 55-plus crowd is more active than ever, continuing to stay in the workforce longer, growing in numbers—to the tune of 73 million and counting—and exerting an even greater economic impact. In fact, 55+ers are responsible for over half of U.S. consumer spending, according to AARP, contributing to the huge upsurge in online spending during the pandemic.

If you are one of these lucky ones—as in 55 or older—you may not realize that you are actually the envy of many. People in this age group can save thousands of dollars a year on everyday goods and services so make sure you know about ALL of the discounts available to you.

Whether planning for long-term savings for retirement or for short-term expenses like a post-pandemic vacation, saving money is front and center in today’s world. The good news is that there are so many great discounts created just for you that it makes it easy to save tons by paying attention to where you’re spending your money each month.

Here are some “55 and over” discounts to be on the lookout for — that you might not know about:

• Auto insurance: Insurance companies sometimes offer discounts for good drivers over a certain age.
• Travel: It’s almost time to travel again so be sure to check for age-related discounts with major airlines, hotel chains, and rental car companies.
• Restaurants: Over 55? Ask about special days, nights or menu items at your favorite fast-food or fancy restaurant—even if it’s takeout.
• Wireless plans: Make sure you are on a discounted 55+ plan — a failsafe way to save money each month.

Given that 55+ consumers are spending 30 percent more time on mobile devices than they did a year ago, having an affordable wireless plan that provides unlimited text, talk and data with additional valuable perks is huge. Take a look at T-Mobile’s 55+ plans that it offers to customers across the United States. Verizon and AT&T, on the other hand, only offer 55+ plans for customers who live in Florida (even though 92 percent of people in the United States who are 55 and older live outside of Florida). And T-Mobile recently announced that customers on a Magenta 55+ or Magenta MAX 55+ plan can have up to four voice lines on their account.
Always pay attention to details when considering your choice in wireless plans.

T-Mobile’s Magenta 55+ and Magenta MAX 55+ plans offer unlimited text, talk and data combined with:

• A guaranteed monthly rate that includes taxes and fees in the plan price—your price stays the same each month.
• Netflix on Us — Magenta 55+ plan includes Netflix on Us for families and its Magenta MAX 55+ plan includes Netflix Basic with one line or Netflix Standard with two lines.
• Scam Shield that helps protect people from phone scams, hacks and robocalls.
• Free stuff and discounts every Tuesday with T-Mobile Tuesdays.
• Unlimited texting and 2G data without roaming charges in 210+ countries & destinations.
• America’s largest and fastest 5G network—which is like having WiFi on the road to send pics and stay connected.

Added bonus: the MAX tier includes unlimited premium data, so you can’t be slowed down no matter how much data you use.

It’s important to highlight that T-Mobile’s 55+ plans include Scam Shield because recently scammers have become even more aggressive, targeting people with phony COVID-19 vaccine information. Scam Shield protects its users against phone scams and robocalls—and it’s free for T-Mobile customers.

Learn More

For more information about the plans, visit www.t-mobile.com/55.

SOLON & BEYOND: A little knitting news

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

I’m going to start out with one of these 40 tips for a Better Life-2008.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. From time to time, I will use some of these suggestions to keep you happy in these troubling times. As you can see, I used this bit of news back in 2008, but I feel it is worth repeating. Number 2 is sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

Now for what little recent news I have received for this week… The Embden Community Thrift Shop will be open April 17, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Masks required. No donations will be accepted that day.

The only other e-mail I received to share with you is one that starts, Local Yarn Store (LYS) Day is coming up on April 17! This day was originally established so folks could show support for their local shops, but at Happyknits we’d like to show our gratitude to you for the support you provide us all year long. We’ll be giving away a $50 gift certificate to one lucky person who makes a purchase between Saturday, April 10 and Saturday, April 17. And Berroco Yarns is throwing their hat into the ring with an offer of a free 7-pattern ebook with the purchase of any of their yarns from our shop on LYSDay.

This week, I’m going back in time, again, this time in a bit of news I had written ( it doesn’t say what paper I was writing for at that time; but it starts like this: “Mary has been cleaning in her nursery school getting ready to open it again and when she took an old linoleum in a closet, underneath was an old Independent Reporter, dated July 21, 1921. In this old paper there was one article I had written entitled, “We All Have It”(this was written 62 years ago!). Then add on all the years since that paper came out.)

At that time, I wrote “We All Have It” and it goes on to say, We mean, of course , the speed mania, wish I could print it all but it rather lengthy – written by an editor who took a drive of 180 miles to observe the speed mania on the highways. It starts out like this …..”We all have it! We mean of course, the speed mania! No one can drive the public highways without being impressed that every man and woman and many children are afflicted with speed mania. It is a dire and dangerous disease . It is just as sure to lead to death as a cannon ball. This speeding is a disease just as truly as small pox is an affliction.

It ends with…”What’s the remedy?There is but one! That is for a law prohibiting the manufacturing of cars beyond a medium speed limit. The ordinary car one meets on a highway has a speed limit of 30 to 40 miles and many of them can tear along at the death-inviting rate of 60-70 miles per hour! We hold life so cheaply that unless these high speed cars are prohibited by law, not only hundreds but thousands of our people will die upon the public highways. Mangled and bleeding amidst the sand and dirt of the earth without an opportunity to arrange one’s business or say goodbye!

That was the end of that story, and I’m sorry to say it didn’t tell who had written the story that I copied there. It goes on to tell about the following: There was a headline that said, “Officers Capture Alleged Moonshiners In Woods South of Madison.”

Now here is Percy’s memoir written by John Greenleaf Whittier: from the Eternal Goodness: I know not what the future hath Of marvel or surprise, Assured alone that life and death, His mercy underlies: And so beside the Silent Sea I wait the muffled oar; No harm from Him can come to me on ocean or on shore. I know not where His Islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care.

TOWN OF FAIRFIELD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

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PUBLIC NOTICE

Town of Fairfield

TOWN OF FAIRFIELD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Fairfield Town Council will hold a Public Hearing via Zoom in the Council Chambers, at the Community Center, at 61 Water Street, on Wednesday April 28, 2021, at 6:30 p.m., for the purpose of hearing public comments on the following matter:

Proposed amendments to the Land Use Ordinance; 9.20 Marijuana Business (M.R.S.A. Title 28-B & Title 22), and Land Use Map amendment extending the commercial use zone along U.S. Route 201. Draft available at fairfieldme.com.

Copies are available at the Town Office. All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearings and will be given an opportunity to be heard at that time.

Signed: Christine Keller, Town Clerk