Entries by Mary Grow

CHINA: Money theme of selectmen’s meeting

by Mary Grow  Money was the theme for many of the topics at the China selectmen’s Aug. 2 meeting – quite a lot of money, much of it potentially outgoing. The China Broadband Committee’s planned request for a bond issue of around $6 million is the biggest proposed expenditure. CBC members did not have all […]

Brownies and Broadband draws small audience: but lively discussion

by Mary Grow The China Broadband Committee’s (CBC) second public informational session, held July 29 and publicized as Brownies and Broadband, drew a small audience and a lively discussion, just like the first one (see The Town Line, July 15, p. 3). There were indeed brownies, and other desserts, and CBC Chairman Robert O’Connor brought […]

Planners continue shoreland zoning discussions

by Mary Grow The three China Planning Board members available to attend the July 27 meeting continued discussion of planned amendments to shoreland zoning regulations, but postponed a decision. The main stumbling block is the lot coverage question (see The Town Line, July 22, p. 2). As board members pointed out, many of the old […]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Coburn Classical Institute

by Mary Grow The school that in 1883 became Coburn Classical Institute started in 1821 as the first of what later became four (according to Ernest Cummings Marriner) or five (according to an anonymous website author) college preparatory schools (also called grammar schools, academies, or institutes) associated with what is now Colby College (see box […]

CHINA: Half dozen questions may be on November ballot

by Mary Grow If relevant town committees’ plans work out, China selectmen will be asked in early August to approve half a dozen Nov. 2 local ballot questions. China’s elections for selectboard, planning board, budget committee and Regional School Unit #18 board will also be held Nov. 2. — The planning board is working on […]