China Lake Association holds annual meeting

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At their annual meeting on July 28, the China Lake Association presented Scott and Katy McCormac with the LakeSmart Award. In photo, Katy, left, accepts the award from Marie Michaud. (Contributed photo)

Submitted by Scott Pierz

The China Lake Association held its annual summer meeting on Saturday, July 28, at the China Primary School, which included an excellent presentation by Dr. Whitney King, of Colby College. More than 70 people attended.

China Lake Association Director Elaine Philbrook presented awards for this year’s poster contest held for the fifth and sixth graders at the China Middle School. There were amazing posters again this year, created upon the theme of “The Year of the Buffer.” The top award winners were fifth grader Chase Larrabee and sixth grader Stephanie Kumnick.

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Whitney King, from Colby College, who presented the audience with information about the condition and treatment of East Pond. His talk was entitled, “Saving East Pond: A Cautionary Tale.” During this summer, a team of participants and scientists undertook the task of introducing alum, also known as Aluminum Sulfate, into East Pond. The project took 20 days to complete. In proper concentrations, this process is believed to reduce (“lock up”) the phosphorus concentration in the water-body thereby limiting the availability of phosphorus to produce algae blooms. Dr. King’s report also included information about the historical condition of China Lake. There were many interesting and good questions, and Dr. King was very dynamic and knowledgeable in his presentation.

Director Elaine Philbrook talked about the Invasive Plant Paddle Program she is participating in, with a scheduled Plant Paddle to take place on Tuesday August 21, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Four Seasons Club, 570 Lakeview Drive. To register and to find more information about the Invasive Plant Paddle, go to: https://www.mainevlmp.org/invasive-plant-patrol-workshops/

Director Marie Michaud updated everyone on the progress being made this summer with the China LakeSmart Program. She reported that China LakeSmart was in full swing with over a dozen new shorefront buffers already installed this summer. The work is completed by the Youth Conservation Corps operated by the China Region Lakes Alliance. More work is expected to be completed by this season’s end. People were encouraged to join her team of volunteers who assess the shoreline of China Lake property owners who would like a buffer planted. It is a free service to China Lake property owners. Anyone interested can e-mail chinalakesmart@gmail.com. Finally, Katy and Scott McCormac were recognized for achieving a LakeSmart Award, which was presented by Marie Michaud.

The Kennebec Water District was recognized for its contributions, once again donating considerable funds to support China LakeSmart projects. Also, the Kennebec Water District helps support the Courtesy Boat Inspection Program on China Lake. Inspectors can be seen at the Head of China Lake on the weekends. The Kennebec Water District’s representative, Matt Zetterman, made a presentation and reported that China Lake again, for the second year in a row, has had incredibly good water quality based on lake monitoring data.

Nate Gray of the Maine Department of Marine Resources gave an excellent update on the Alewife Restoration Initiative (ARI). He spoke on the progress being made on the ARI project, including last year’s removal of the Masse Dam, and the upcoming scheduled removal of the Lombard Dam, in Vassalboro. He commented that conceptual fish passage designs continue to be developed for the Ladd and Box Mill Dams, in North Vassalboro, along with an engineered design of a fish passage at the Outlet Dam, in East Vassalboro.

Director Bob O’Connor wrapped up with the loon count for China Lake this year, reporting a decrease in the number of loons observed: 20 adult loons but only one new loon chick seen. This loon count is conducted early in the morning the Saturday before the annual meeting for a very short period of time, and in specific locations around the lake. This is the established way in which the loon count takes place, however, other local reports set the number of observed new loon chicks to be four.

Finally, Registered Agent Jamie Pitney conducted the business of renewing some of the director’s terms and the slate of officers will remain the same for another year until the next annual meeting in 2019. These include Scott Pierz (President), David Preston (Secretary), Tim Axelson (Treasurer) and James Pitney (Registered Agent).

For additional information about the China Lake Association or for anyone interested in becoming a member go to the China Lake Association’s website at http://chinalakeassociation.org/ or check things out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/China-Lake-Association.

Selectmen approve new schedule at transfer station

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by Mary Grow

Starting this fall, the China transfer station will be open five days a week, from Tuesday through Saturday, instead of the current four days.

At their Aug. 6 meeting, selectmen approved a new schedule under which the facility will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, “the long day”; and from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Station Manager Tim Grotton said the half-hour earlier Saturday opening is because on Saturdays people are often waiting at the gate well before the current 7 a.m. opening. Selectmen agreed to begin the new hours Tuesday, Sept. 4, unless something unexpected requires a delay.

Board Chairman Robert MacFarland said the station should never be closed three days in a row, for example over Thanksgiving or when Christmas or Independence Day falls on a Tuesday or Saturday. Grotton objected, saying other town employees get either three days off when appropriate or compensation.

Selectmen charged the Transfer Station Committee, whose members endorsed the new hours, with working out a holiday schedule that would avoid three-day closings.

Two controversial issues were discussed at the Aug. 6 meeting, one new and one on-going since late in 2017.

Residents John and Mary Benziger used the public comment period included on selectmen’s agendas to ask about new Town Manager Dennis Heath, in light of a weekend Central Maine newspapers article about his personal views on same-sex marriage, Islam, the role of women and other hot-button topics.

John Benziger was concerned that outsiders would see opinions that Heath expressed or endorsed on social media in the past as representative of the town. He asked MacFarland if the selectmen would have hired Heath if they had read the posts that staff writer Emily Higginbotham quoted. “Yes,” MacFarland replied. “A man’s personal beliefs are his own.”

Selectman Neil Farrington heatedly defended Heath’s right to have and express personal views. Audience member Jean Conway agreed, and said the new manager seems to have the town’s interests at heart.

Heath said Higginbotham had not reported everything he said in their conversation. He said he would never treat people differently because their beliefs and his differ. Asked by Benziger if he had ever encouraged town clerks in Oklahoma, where he previously worked, to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, he said he had not, adding, “The law [allowing same-sex marriage] is the law.”

The Neck Road fire pond was re-discussed at length. It was built in November 2017 after voters approved funds for it and, selectmen agree in hindsight, built wrong, too close to the road and with too steep sides. Selectmen had agreed that Heath would obtain an easement from landowner Tom Michaud and a release from abutter Leo Pando and would then seek bids to rebuild the pond farther from the road and with safer sides (see The Town Line, June 25, p. 6).

Heath reported he had oral approval from Michaud, but Pando refused to sign without additional stipulations that were unacceptable.

After considerable discussion of possible results of various courses and of comparative costs, board members voted 3-1 to have Heath proceed as planned without Pando’s signature. Neil Farrington voted against the motion, preferring to fill in the pond; Jeffrey LaVerdiere was absent.

On another ongoing issue, the causeway project at the head of China Lake’s east basin, Heath said a representative of the state’s boat landing division told him parking on the east side of Routes 202 and 9 would not be acceptable, for safety reasons. The Tax Increment Finance Committee that is spearheading the project to provide a new causeway bridge, an expanded boat landing and more lake access had already learned that the state would not invest in the boat landing without more parking.

The committee has been investigating buying property on the east side of the highway.

The goal, Heath said, is 10 to 15 parking spaces, each 12 feet wide by 50 feet long. In other business, Heath reported he already has two requests for local ballot questions for Nov. 6. One, presented by MacFarland, would ask voters to approve a consolidated public safety building to serve fire, rescue and police services. The other, requested by town office staff, would repeal China’s quorum ordinance, which requires about 120 voters be present for a town meeting to be held.

Office staff spend many hours before the March town business meeting twisting arms to get people to come, Heath said. Selectman Irene Belanger reminded everyone that the quorum ordinance was adopted because without it, a handful of people could and often did make decisions for the whole town.

Audience member Wayne Chadwick asked if it would be possible to make the March business meeting a written-ballot affair, so that people could vote as their schedules permitted and go home, instead of spending a Saturday morning doing town business.

The deadline to submit proposed ballot questions is Friday, Sept. 7, Heath said. Sept. 7 is also the deadline for submitting signed nomination papers for local office. To be elected this year are three selectmen; planning board members from districts 2 and 4 plus the at-large member; and budget committee members from districts 2 and 4 plus the secretary and the at-large member. Nomination papers are now available at the town office.

Conway, as chairman of the Comprehensive Planning Committee, asked for and received approval to contract with Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) for a maximum of $20,500 for assistance in revising China’s comprehensive plan. Selectman Irene Belanger, a KVCOG board member, abstained on the vote.

Conway and Planning Board Chairman Tom Miragliuolo said an early step in the planning process will be a visioning session, at which all interested residents will be invited to talk about China’s present and future. They hope to schedule the session in September or October.

Farrington and Heath reported progress toward reaching an agreement with Hussey Communications, in Winslow, to provide wireless service in China, starting with lakeshore residents who currently have no service (unless they spend thousands of dollars to run cable down fire roads) and expanding to other unserved and underserved areas.

Heath had asked five town departments – the town clerk, the transfer station, public works, fire and rescue and the police – to bring or send selectmen reports on current activities. He plans to include department reports on each future selectmen’s agenda, he said.

He also gave selectmen a summary financial report for July, promising one each month.

At future meetings, Heath would like board members to talk about a revised permit fee schedule he and Codes Officer Paul Mitnik are considering; China’s Land Use Ordinance; accepting a request to help manage the Heritage Tour Scholarship Fund on behalf of China Middle School; changing internal financial controls, like requiring two signatures on every check the town issues; and the town manager’s bond, which Heath believes should be higher than it is now even though a higher bond is more expensive.

The next China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, according to the town’s website.

Groundbreaking for new South China Library

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From left to right, Aiden Pettengill, Librarian Cheryl Baker, Ian Maxwell and Xavier Colfer perform a ceremonial groundbreaking on August 6 at the new location for the South China Library. (Photo by Eric Austin)

Planners OK McCormick plan at former diesel truck facility for offices, farmers & flea markets

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by Mary Grow

China Planning board members approved the only application on their July 24 agenda, giving Judith McCormack permission to re-use the former diesel truck facility at 1144 Route 3 as a residence, office space, a farmers’ market and a flea market.

McCormack said she plans to live on the second floor, which has a finished apartment. The lower floor will become office space and flea market booths; outdoor flea markets, weekends only, will occupy part of the grounds.

McCormack said she expects the marketers to sell crafts, antiques, seasonal local produce and similar portable, non-polluting items. She plans eight events this year, in September and October and again before Christmas.

She said there are about 50 parking spaces on the grounds; she sees no need for parking along Route 3.

She will provide a dumpster and, for 2018, plans to rent portable toilets for weekend events, since there is no handicapped-accessible toilet on the ground floor. Codes Office and Plumbing Inspector Paul Mitnik said portable toilets are legal for temporary use, as she plans.

Board members attached one condition to the permit: if the business succeeds and continues into 2019, McCormack must install an appropriate toilet facility by the end of 2019.

TIF committee wants more info before expanding broadband coverage

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by Mary Grow

China Selectman and Broadband Committee member Neil Farrington presented an outline of his proposal to increase tower-based broadband coverage around China Lake’s east basin to the TIF (Tax Increment Finance) Committee at its July 30 meeting. The reception was mixed.

The Broadband Committee has worked with Hussey Communications to experiment with adding height to the town office tower and installing repeaters elsewhere to increase coverage around the lake. Farrington proposes adding 50 feet to the town office tower.

Since he sees the project as promoting economic development, he plans to apply for TIF funds, initially in the research and development category.

Farrington’s committee has focused on the shore of the lake because it is the most underserved part of town, he said. Running cable down a camp road can cost thousands of dollars, so many lakeside dwellers have no service for themselves or, if they try to rent properties, for prospective tenants.

TIF Committee member H. David Cotta objected strongly to spending TIF money to benefit what he sees as a small group of people, many of them non-residents.

No one had exact figures on numbers of lakeshore people, year-round or summer.

TIF Committee members recommended Farrington get more facts and figures to support his request.

The TIF meeting began with a discussion of what officers the committee needed. Amber McAllister resigned as chairman – committee members thanked her for her work – and was succeeded by Frank Soares, with Tom Michaud as vice-chairman. Jean Conway will be secretary.

There was eventual agreement the committee does not need a treasurer or financial officer, because the town manager handles TIF finances.

Returning to discussion of the causeway project, Michaud said an application for local approval of the new bridge at the head of China Lake’s east basin will be on the Aug. 14 China Planning Board agenda.

Committee members again reviewed tentative plans for acquiring additional parking for the nearby boat landing. They are considering trying to buy at least three parcels; Town Manager Dennis Heath said he had asked Tom Linscott, who supervises boat landings for the state, to let him know how many of the three the state would deem acceptable for parking areas.

Committee members set their meetings for the last Monday evening of the month, at least until the selectmen, who meet every other Monday, conflict with their schedule. The next TIF Committee meeting was set for Aug. 27.

China town manager presents several proposals to selectmen

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Image Credit: chinalakeassociation.org

by Mary Grow

China selectmen spent much of their July 23 meeting discussing the Tax Increment Finance Committee’s causeway project, which consists of replacing the bridge at the head of China Lake’s east basin and, as phase two, improving the boat landing and access to the lake.

Additional parking is a prerequisite for state improvements to the boat landing. Selectmen approved committee members’ plans to have a state Department of Environmental Protection staff member inspect Susan Bailey’s property to assess its suitability for parking, to ask other nearby landowners if they are interested in selling and to discuss an easement for use of part of the China Baptist Church parking area.

The Bailey property is on the market for $120,000.

In other business, new Town Manager Dennis Heath presented several proposals, none ready for immediate action.

He and transfer station employees are discussing ways to have the facility open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, without additional expense. The Transfer Station Committee was expected to continue the discussion at its July 25 meeting.

Heath and veteran road employee Gary Cummings talked about a long-term road repaving plan, which Heath said could create an eight-year cycle. That issue he intends to discuss next with China’s Road Committee.

A third issue, on which Heath said he spent most of his first three weeks in office, was town finances. The manager had a summary of revenue and expenses beginning in fiscal year 2015 which, among other things, illustrated the difference between accounting on a cash basis, as done by the town office system, and on an accrual basis, as used by the auditors.

Heath’s preliminary conclusion is that the annual tax rate has been slightly higher than necessary to cover annual expenses, resulting in a healthy surplus.

The China website says the next China selectmen’s meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6.

China company retains contract for bridge replacement at the head of China lake

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by Mary Grow

The bid for the China Lake causeway bridge replacement is still awarded to Comprehensive Land Technologies, of South China, after a last-minute discussion almost led to reconsideration.

At the rescheduled China Tax Increment Finance Committee meeting held July 19, members of the subcommittee overseeing the project objected that China selectmen had awarded the contract without their recommendation.

Selectmen reviewed four bids at their July 9 meeting and unanimously awarded the contract to Jason Tyler’s Comprehensive Land Technologies, the lowest and only local bidder (see The Town Line, July 12, p. 3). (ep)

Tyler’s bid was $493,750. The next lowest bid, $529,000, was from T. Buck Construction Inc., of Auburn.

Engineer Joe McLean, of Wright-Pierce, the town’s consultant on the project, said T. Buck had more experience with bridges, but did not argue against Comprehensive Land Technologies. Selectmen had favorable recommendations from similar jobs Tyler has done, and they pointed out that the China project is not exactly a bridge, but a large precast concrete culvert.

Tyler asked for a prompt notice of the award, saying he had to order the culvert right away to have it by October.

At the July 19 TIF meeting, new Town Manager Dennis Heath said he was unsure that the four bids should have gone directly to the selectboard, rather than to the TIF subcommittee and the full TIF Committee.

Several TIF Committee members wanted to review the bids, even if doing so meant rescinding the notice of award and delaying the project.

Committee member Frank Soares blamed the TIF group for being disorganized and feared the town would incur financial penalties if selectmen changed the award.

Consequently, the TIF subcommittee on the bridge project – Soares, Tom Michaud, and Jim Wilkens – met with Tyler before the July 23 selectmen’s meeting. Michaud presented the meeting as a chance to get acquainted with Tyler and a “pre-construction chat,” and there was no discussion of rescinding the award.

Tyler said Comprehensive Land Technologies started in 1995 as a logging business. Clearing land led to construction, construction became increasingly technical – he and his more than two dozen employees have built a boat landing and worked on Central Maine Power Company substations, among other things.

His largest single job was a $12 million project, he said. He likes to maintain a local presence, too, so he’ll cut down a resident’s unhealthy or unwanted tree for a few hundred dollars.

Wright-Pierce will be overseeing the bridge replacement on behalf of the town. Tyler will report to them; they will report to Heath; Heath will report to selectmen and TIF Committee members. Tyler emphasized that as construction proceeds, there might be changes in plans requiring local consideration.

The other major topic at the July 19 TIF meeting was acquisition of land for parking near the head of the lake. Soares said without better parking, the state will not enlarge or improve the boat landing.

Susan Bailey’s property, including the small lot now used unofficially for boat landing parking plus a larger parcel across Routes 202 and 9, is on the market for $120,000. Committee members said much of the lot is designated as wetland or resource protection; Michaud said he had arranged with Mark McCluskey, of A. E. Hodsdon Engineers, also assisting the town, to talk with state environmental officials.

Michaud moved that the town be authorized to make a deposit on the land pending environmental review, so Bailey would know the town’s offer is serious. Committee members could not think of a source of funds, and Michaud withdrew his motion.

At the committee’s June 18 meeting, Soares proposed that he, Michaud and Wilkens talk with other landowners across the highway about possible sales. No one had followed up as of July 19.

In November 2016 China voters authorized spending up to $10,000 for the smaller piece of Bailey’s property. She is unable to separate the two pieces. Voters have not been asked to approve spending $120,000 for the entire lot.

Most of the other business at the July 19 TIF meeting was procedural, including updates on preparing application forms for TIF funds and for the revolving loan fund the committee is establishing.

Heath said committee member Amber McAllister is resigning as chairman; someone else needs to be chosen to prepare agendas and run meetings.

The July 19 meeting had been scheduled for July 16, but no one sent reminders or an agenda and several members did not know of the meeting or had conflicts, so it was canceled that afternoon. Committee member Ronald Breton, unaware of the change, drove 113 miles from his summer camp. At the July 23 selectmen’s meeting, selectmen reimbursed him at the town’s mileage rate for his 226-mile round trip.

TIF Committee members scheduled their next meeting for 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 30.

Bog Brook culvert replacement set to begin in August

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The detour you’ll need to take during the construction.

The Bog Brook culvert replacement schedule has been released by the town of China. The 25-day project is expected to begin on Monday, August 13, and continue until Friday, September 21. During that period of time, through traffic will be detoured around the project, and only local traffic will be permitted in the area.

Preliminary work will begin on Tuesday, August 14 with site demolition scheduled for Monday, September 3. The new culvert will be installed from Monday, September 10 through Friday, September 14. Road work and paving should take place from Monday, September 17 until Wednesday, September 19. Restoration and clean up will then take place around Thursday, September 20, and continue for about four days.

For the duration of the project, the Hanson Road from the Cross Road to the Bog Brook Road, where the project is taking place, will be closed to through traffic and open only to local traffic, as well as the end of the Bog Brook Road to Pleasant View Ridge Road. Please see the map for more information. Feel free to contact the town office at 445-2014 or info@chinamaine.org with any questions or concerns.

Invasive plant patrol workshop on China Lake

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China Lake Association has announced it will be hosting an Invasive Plant Paddle this year on China Lake. The Four Seasons Club has offered us the use of their facilities for this event. The training will be taught by members from Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) formally know as Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP).

This is a free three-hour workshop that takes place on the shore and on the lake. It is a great way to learn about Maine’s native aquatic plants and the invasive aquatic plants that threaten the beautiful lakes. Participants will each receive a free ”Quick Key to Ruling Out Maine’s Eleven Most Unwanted Invasive Aquatic Plants,” and will practice skills needed to spot suspicious plants while on the water.

The Plant Paddle will take place on Tuesday August 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Four Seasons Club, 570 Lakeview Drive, South China, Maine. To register and to find more information about the Invasive Plant Paddle go to : https://www.mainevlmp.org/invasive-plant-patrol-workshops/

Please register by August 14. There is a limited number of spaces but we also need at least 12 people to have the training. If you have questions message China Lake Association on Facebook or email Elaine Philbrook at esphibrook@gmail.com

Can you tell the Maine native waterweed from the invasive waterweed? Come to the Invasive Plant Paddle to learn the difference. Help keep Maine lakes safe from invasive aquatic species.