by Mary Grow China Budget Committee members held their first meeting on the proposed 2021-22 town budget Wednesday evening, Feb. 10. Town Manager Becky Hapgood presented the selectmen’s recommendations, expecting no immediate decisions. Four topics drew brief discussion. Committee member Elizabeth Curtis queried the request for funds for a building in the China School Forest […]
by Mary Grow Vassalboro selectmen, assisted by Town Attorney Kristin Collins, of Augusta-based Preti, Flaherty, Beliveau & Pachios, put the proposed new marijuana ordinance in final form at their Feb. 18 meeting. The ordinance will be submitted to Vassalboro voters for approval or rejection at the June 7-8 annual town meeting. If voters accept it, […]
by Mary Grow Three China Planning Board members at the Feb. 9 board meeting spent another hour discussing a proposed solar ordinance and whether additional language about shoreland stabilization should be added to town regulations (see The Town Line, Feb. 4). At the suggestion of Vice-Chairman Toni Wall, acting as chairman in Randy Downer’s absence, […]
by Mary Grow Members of China’s Broadband Committee (CBC) displayed impressive technological understanding as they reviewed summaries of three bids for expanded and improved broadband service in town at their Feb. 11 meeting. Tod Detre, not hesitant about answering technical questions, admitted that “my eyes glazed over” as he tried to read some of the […]
by Mary Grow Last week’s exploration of Augusta’s Water Street Historic District talked about the designated historic buildings on the northern half of the east (river) side of the street. This article will continue south along the river. The Kresge Block at 241-249 Water Street is the newest of the Water Street buildings that rate […]
by Mary Grow Vassalboro Fire Chief Walker Thompson and semi-retired lieutenant/board of directors vice-president Michael Vashon joined town selectmen at their Feb. 4 virtual meeting to discuss a proposal to contract with Cost Recovery, a firm that seeks compensation for firefighters’ expenses from insurance companies. Vashon said the department would submit estimates of firefighters’ and […]
by Mary Grow China selectmen have made the last two decisions to put their 2021-22 budget recommendations in final form, ready for budget committee review. At a special meeting Feb. 8, board members agreed unanimously to recommend 3 percent salary increases for town employees; and to recommend a contract with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office […]
by Mary Grow China Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee members again failed to finish adjusting proposed 2021-22 expenditures at their Feb. 3 meeting, and for the second time did not have time to start discussing committee policies and procedures. They do have at least two versions of a committee mission statement circulating. Chairman Tom Michaud […]
by Mary Grow China selectmen continued budget deliberations at their Feb. 1 meeting and scheduled a budget workshop for 5 p.m. (note earlier meeting time) Monday, Feb. 8, for more discussion. The Feb. 1 meeting was by Zoom, with Selectman Irene Belanger unable to participate and Selectman Janet Preston having trouble with her computer. The […]
by Mary Grow The City of Augusta’s list of designated historic places includes four districts. The Water Street district, supplemented by recognition of individual buildings, covers a good part of the main business street that parallels the Kennebec River on the west bank. The district is described as running from the Commercial Street intersection south […]