COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Too many cooks spoil the soup

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by Al Althenn
China resident

When I was just a kid living in China 60 odd years ago I remember my grandmother saying, “Too many cooks spoil the soup.” My grandmother and those words keep coming to mind when I think of what has happened and is still happening with China Lake.

China Lake has become a mismanaged and polluted algae soup.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) began peddling its influence as protector of our environment in the late ‘60s. China Lake was not spared this new Crime against Nature.

The issues with China Lake began about 45 years ago due to federal legislation regarding clean water. Vassalboro was being required to treat its raw sewage that had been dumped into the lakes outlet stream at many locations along the winding streams banks.

Vassalboro didn’t want to spend the federal dollars it got to send that sewage to the Waterville Treatment Plant, there appears to be a profit motive there somewhere. The DEP allow raising China Lake five vertical feet insuring a reliable source of flushing water for The Outlet Stream where they (the DEP) located and licensed three crude sewage disposal plants dumping 72,000 gallons of wastewater per day into that stream. Using its influence, the DEP granted the licenses for the plants Vassalboro is currently forced to close due to the plants chronic and abysmal failure.

As the predictable wetlands problems associated with keeping the China Lake water level artificially high and stable through the critical spring and fall growing season became evident, the DEP started making increasingly complicated excuses for its actions. Seeing the writing on the wall the local special interests got involved protecting their very special interests in deeper water at their unique individual properties by pushing the formation of the China Lake Association to walk in a cozy lock-step with a crooked DEP and to act as propaganda artists confusing and misleading the local politicians and voters.

Now along comes interest #3 Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IFW) tinkering with the very special environment of the uniquely slow water exchange rate (every 2.5 years) of China Lake. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife allowed increased involvement of Coastal interests from the Lobster Bait Industry to take virtually all the natural lake suckers (catostomus commersoni) from China Lake in recent years. I personally observed the way IFW and the bait industry conveniently got around the regulations in place for years to accomplish another crime against nature by IFW manipulating both trapping methods and inspections.

Lake suckers, although edible and vital to the health of this slow exchange rate, are not considered a game fish and therefore not protected by a self-interest motivated IFW (IFW is not funded from the general fund and therefore is in business for itself) hence the big spending IFW did to keep the bear hunt licensed the way it is and keeping a fat cash cow for the bosses at IFW.

I now have reason to believe IFW, in cooperating with the total removal of all the lake suckers, was working with DMR (Department of Marine Resources) prepping China Lake for this next state special interest that was to follow, re-introducing alewives to our lake, not seen here for almost 200 years due to the building of the high dam in North Vassalboro, built there for the mills around the time of the American Civil War.

DMR’s interest and duty is to the Gulf of Maine where, through DMR’s mismanagement, the fisheries, including the herring fishery, collapsed. (Alewives are a sea run anadromous herring). An anadromous fish means a fish born in fresh water and spending most of its life in the sea returning to the same fresh water where it hatched, to spawn.

Getting the herring re-established is critical to the entire fishing industry in the Gulf of Maine. Due to the many disruptive dam removals and, to maximize the quickest return of the alewives, removal of any and all competition to alewives like lake suckers was needed. To do this DMR used lakes and streams that were not coveted for their great fishing otherwise, with the history for the past 45 years of China Lake and the laissez-fair hands off attitude of the residents of China, our lake was a prime target, they could tell us anything and we are ready to believe it.

DMR tried a few alewives (less than six alewives per acre of lake) to snow us. The lake never suffered so many free ranging alewives in the past as the lake had a robust natural predator system alive and well to keep the numbers of sea run alewives in check.

Alewives will out compete and eat everything left in the China Lake basin if this new one-sided self interest of DMR is allowed to go forth in China Lake. Come on selectmen, suck up your courage, research this so you understand what the issues are, and don’t allow the rest of the natural lake to be driven to the same sad extinction the game fish in China Lake have been driven during the past 45 years of DEP and other state agencies’ crimes against nature influence peddling to special interests.

China questions 11 & 12 comment by TIF chairman

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by Amber McAllister, Chairman
Tax Increment Financing Committee

The November 8, 2016 local ballot contains two questions requesting appropriations based on recommendations from China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee. As Chairperson of the TIF Committee, I wanted to provide you with information about the Committee two proposed ballot questions.

In 2015 the Town of China was successful in a TIF application to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, resulting in the creation of Municipal TIF District and Development Program; the District term being 20 years with a town revenue allocation projected at $5.2 million. Projects associated with this Development Program are obligated to be connected directly to economic development.

The Select Board appointed a TIF Committee to develop prospective economic development projects and to provide guidance on those projects; to progress from original concepts through an ultimate town vote for final approval of projects. The TIF Committee is obligated to be mindful of the areas within the district and within the China municipality that are eligible for approval and funding. The TIF Committee has met over several months and has initially proposed the two following local ballot questions that the China Select Board has approved to be put on the November 8, 2016 ballot with recommendations for approval. A short reasoning statement is below each question and respective Select Board and Budget Committee recommendation.

Question 11. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $50,000 from the Development Program Fund (established through revenues received from the Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program) for the purpose of Trails Maintenance and Bridge Capital Projects/Repairs associated with the China Four Seasons Club Trails Program; said maintenance and capital projects of the Four Seasons Club to be done on the CMP Powerline in the current fiscal year.

Select Board Recommends: Yes
Budget Committee Recommends: Yes

A major focus of China’s TIF Program application included trails maintenance. The current request is directly connected with economic development and will be used to fund much needed repairs and maintenance of trails. Our trails system attracts many visitors to the area and provides outdoor recreational options to residents.

Question 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Municipal Officers/Select Board to acquire land, more specifically described as Map 63 Lot 059-A, and further to appropriate an amount up to $10,000 from the Development Program Fund, (established through revenues received from the Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program) for the purpose of acquiring the property, and further to authorize the Select Board to execute said transaction as they deem in the best interest of the Town of China.

Select Board Recommends: Yes
Budget Committee Recommends: Yes

The Causeway Road was also a specific focus of the TIF Program application and the TIF Committee chose the improvement of the area as its highest priority. The proposed purchase of this land would provide options for the town as it proposes to improve Causeway Road pedestrian and vehicular safety, to implement measures to improve and sustain water quality in China Lake along the Causeway Road such as erosion control and sedimentation processing, to improve recreational activities on the Causeway Road, and to enhance the aesthetics of the general area. There would not be any fill-in of the wetland on the property. This property would be significant in the plan for improvements on the Causeway Road. The proposed property purchase is integral to the TIF Committee plan. Please help us move forward on these initiatives.

China: Select board information relating to respective local ballot questions

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Question 1. Shall amendments to the “Town of China Solid Waste Flow Control Ordinance” be enacted?

Question 2. Shall amendments to the “Town of China Solid Waste Disposal Ordinance” be enacted?
The Select Board asked the Transfer Station Committee to review and update the town’s dated ordinances, to reflect current day realities in solid waste processing.

Question 3. Shall amendments to the “Town of China LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,” Chapter 2, LAND USE ORDINANCE and Chapter 11, DEFINITIONS be enacted?

The Planning Board reviewed the town’s respective sections of the China Land Development Code and proposed specific changes to reflect current State Law.

Question 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the municipal officers/Select Board to acquire land, more specifically described as Map 38, Lot 010-C, and further to appropriate $12,000 from the town’s

Unassigned/Unrestricted Fund Balance for the acquisition of the land and further to authorize the Select Board to execute said transaction as they deem in the best interest of the Town of China.

The town has an opportunity to purchase a parcel of land adjacent to the town office property at a reduced price, assessed value of $21,000. The property would allow the town to determine use of adjacent property. It could be incorporated in the town’s long term plan for a community center or any other centralized concept plan.

Question 5. To see if the Town will vote to accept an unconditional gift of land from Wachusett Properties, Inc., more specifically described as Map 63, Lot 008 in the town’s tax map records and located off Lakeview Drive, and further to authorize the Select Board to accept a Warranty or Quit Claim Deed on behalf of the town for said described and gifted property.

Wachusett Properties, Inc. intends to unconditionally gift a 38 acre parcel (13 lot subdivision) to the town. Conversations about use of the land focused on a potential future relocation of an emergency services building from the Causeway Road to this site. The remaining unused land could be sold if not useful for long term planning; the town’s cost basis would be $0.00.

Question 6. To see if the Town will vote to create a Transfer Station Capital and Equipment Account in the Town of China Reserve Fund and to appropriate the Town of Palermo’s $18,000 Annual Town Contribution for the use of the China Transfer Station for the Account; the Account established for the purpose of major capital purchases or repairs of transfer station buildings and equipment, the funds in which may be used upon a majority vote of a quorum of the Select Board; and further, said appropriation of the Town of Palermo Annual Town Contribution to the Account to continue through the length of the multiple-year agreement (initial 17 year agreement with three 5-year options) between the towns of China and Palermo for Palermo residents’ use of the China transfer station.

The Town of Palermo will contribute $18,000 annually toward the capital maintenance and capital replacement needs at the China Transfer Station. The Select Board felt it important to dedicate those annual contributions to a China Transfer Station Capital and Equipment Account that would ultimately fund capital equipment and maintenance over the long term, helping to stabilize the town’s mil rate. Palermo residents are also charged and additional per bag cost that offsets operations costs and would adjust if China’s cost of operations increases.

Question 7. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate an amount up to $3,800 from the Unassigned/Unrestricted Fund Balance to conduct a community needs assessment relating to the understanding of the challenges facing older residents as they age in China.

A recent demographic study of China indicates the general average population age to be increasing significantly. The funds requested would take a deeper dive into the needs of the China community that might allow residents to “age in place”, that is, to remain in their own homes as long as possible, or move to nearby housing in China if made available to them.

Question 8. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Municipal Officers/Select Board to appropriate an additional $5,000 from Unrestricted/Undesignated Fund Balance for police services.
The town is experiencing a significant increase in calls regarding speeding and nuisance activities. The current low budget of approximately $11,000 for policing services is not sufficient to respond appropriately. The additional funds will provide for additional policing details to augment our community policing program.

Question 9. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $100,000 from the Unassigned/Unrestricted Fund Balance for the Municipal Capital and Equipment Account of the Reserve Fund (established for the purpose of major capital repairs and purchasing and/or repairing vehicles to be used for snow plowing, grading, transfer station operations, and other public purposes), the funds in which may be used upon a majority vote of a quorum of the Select Board.

The town has significant investments in capital buildings and equipment; over $1,300,000 in emergency services equipment, winter maintenance equipment and transfer station equipment. The Municipal Capital and Equipment Account, used to do major repairs to and replace that equipment, has a low balance and would be able to accommodate most circumstances (emergencies) with this added amount to the account. It is seen as a smart long term planning step in financing. The current balance in the account would not be enough to replace one of the town’s plowing vehicles.

Question 10. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to sell to the South China Public Library a Portable Classroom owned by the town for $1.00 and costs incurred by the town associated with the moving of the portable, said portable to be used for library purposes; offer by the town to the South China Public Library to be valid for 60 days after town vote, if passed; and further to authorize the Select Board to execute the sale and transfer of the portable to the South China Public Library under such terms and conditions as the Select Board deems in the best interest of the Town of China.

The town recently acquired this Portable Classroom from RSU#18 for $1 and moving/relocation costs. The Board feels that repurposing this unit for use by the South China Library would be appropriate.

Question 11. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $50,000 from the Development Program Fund (established through revenues received from the Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program) for the purpose of Trails Maintenance and Bridge Capital Projects/Repairs associated with the China Four Seasons Club Trails Program; said maintenance and capital projects of the Four Seasons Club to be done on the CMP Powerline in the current fiscal year.

A main purpose of a Tax Increment Financing Program is economic development. A focus of China’s TIF Program application included trails maintenance. This request is directly related to economic development and will be used to repair trails.

Question 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Municipal Officers/Select Board to acquire land, more specifically described as Map 63 Lot 059-A, and further to appropriate an amount up to $10,000 from the Development Program Fund, (established through revenues received from the Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program) for the purpose of acquiring the property, and further to authorize the Select Board to execute said transaction as they deem in the best interest of the Town of China.

The town is considering economic development opportunities on the Causeway Road and this property would provide better options for the town. The improvements would positively affect pedestrian safety, lake water quality, and recreational activities and also improve the aesthetics in the local area. The property to be purchased would be integral to a comprehensive Causeway Road improvement and is a high priority of the TIF Committee.

China News: Commercial event center application denied

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members apparently denied the more controversial permit application on their Oct. 25 agenda, from Parris and Catherine Varney. They approved the less controversial one from Michael Marois, and for the second time discussed the Howe property on Dirigo Road.

The Varneys’ application to operate a commercial events center in their barn at 701 Neck Road again drew a sizable audience with most members opposed to the plan, citing noise, traffic and other disruptive effects in what they described as an agricultural and residential neighborhood. The Varneys had modified their plan, proposing to operate only Fridays through Sundays from June through September, with no more than four events per month, and to shut down amplified music at 9 p.m. Their original request was to operate any day of the week until 11 p.m.

China’s Land Use Ordinance requires an applicant to meet all of 15 criteria in order to receive a permit. The fifth criterion on the list requires the applicant to prove that the proposed use will not have “a significant detrimental effect on the use and peaceful enjoyment of abutting property as a result of noise, vibrations, fumes, odor, dust, glare or other cause.”

Board member Milton Dudley’s motion that the criterion had been met received only his vote. Chairman Frank Soares and board members Toni Wall and Tom Miragliuolo did not support it. The chairman did not make it clear whether they were opposed or abstaining, but Dudley said later the vote was one in favor to three against.

Board member Jim Wilkens, an abutter to the Varney property, at the beginning of the meeting recused himself from the discussion and votes.

Despite the failure to meet the fifth criterion, Soares continued through the rest of the list. The only other question was about the septic system requirement. Codes Officer Paul Mitnik said state regulations do not allow the planned portable toilets for a commercial use; the Varneys would need to have their septic system evaluated and perhaps expanded.

Board members voted 3-1 with Miragliuolo opposed the criterion would be met if the septic system complied with state codes. After the list was finished, Soares asked the Varneys if they could provide more information if the application were carried over to the planning board’s Nov. 22 meeting. When the Varneys questioned what more they could do, Miragliuolo moved that the 15 criteria had not been met.

The vote on Miragliuolo’s motion that would have had the effect of denying the permit was a 2-2 tie, with Soares and Miragliuolo in the affirmative and Dudley and Wall opposed.

After some inconclusive parliamentary discussion, Mitnik said the Varneys could either appeal or submit a new application. An Oct. 27 email from Mitnik indicated they plan to file an appeal.

Marois, owner of MJEK Enterprises and operator of a seafood eatery at 237 and 239 Lakeview Drive, applied to build a 20-by-30-foot addition to allow indoor seating in addition to outdoor seating and take-out. Planning board members again went through the 15 criteria and unanimously approved the project.

In March, Maoris received approval to run the business year-round instead of seasonally and to extend operating hours to 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Board members again talked about Ralph and Linda Howe’s property because of odor from the waste lagoons, which Dudley described as sometimes non-existent and sometimes “gut-wrenching,” depending on weather and wind conditions. Mitnik advised Soares to review the issue with Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux.

Because Nov. 8 is election day and because Soares will not be available, the next planning board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 22.

China TIF ballot questions explained by committee chairman

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by Dan L’Heureux
China Town Manager

The November 8, 2016, local ballot contains two questions requesting appropriations based on recommendations from China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee. As chairman of the TIF Committee, I wanted to provide you with information about the TIF committee and the resulting two proposed local ballot questions.

In 2015 the town of China was successful in a TIF application to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, resulting in the creation of Municipal TIF District and Development Program; the District term being 20 years with a town revenue allocation projected at $5.2 million.

Projects associated with this development program are obligated to be connected directly to economic development.

The select board appointed a TIF committee to develop prospective economic development projects and to provide guidance on those projects from an original concept through an ultimate town vote for final approval of project costs. The TIF committee is obligated to be mindful of the areas within the district and within the China municipality that are eligible for approval and funding. The TIF committee has met over several months and has initially proposed the two following local ballot questions that the China Select Board has approved to be put on the November 8, 2016 ballot. A short reasoning statement is below each question and respective Select Board and Budget Committee recommendation.

Question 11. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $50,000 from the Development Program Fund (established through revenues received from the Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program) for the purpose of Trails Maintenance and Bridge Capital Projects/Repairs associated with the China Four Seasons Club Trails Program; said maintenance and capital projects of the Four Seasons Club to be done on the CMP Powerline in the current fiscal year.

Select Board Recommends: Yes
Budget Committee Recommends: Yes

A major focus of China’s TIF Program application included trails maintenance. The current request is directly connected with economic development and will be used to fund much needed repairs and maintenance of trails. Our trails system attracts many visitors to the area and provides outdoor recreational options to residents.

Question 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Municipal Officers/Select Board to acquire land, more specifically described as Map 63 Lot 059-A, and further to appropriate an amount up to $10,000 from the Development Program Fund, (established through revenues received from the Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program) for the purpose of acquiring the property, and further to authorize the select board to execute said transaction as they deem in the best interest of the Town of China.

Select Board Recommends: Yes
Budget Committee Recommends: Yes

The Causeway Road was also a specific focus of the TIF Program application and the TIF committee chose the improvement of the area as its highest priority. The proposed purchase of this land would provide options for the town as it proposes to improve Causeway Road pedestrian safety, to implement measures to improve and sustain water quality in China Lake along the Causeway Road such as erosion control and sedimentation processing, to improve recreational activities on the Causeway Road, and to enhance the aesthetics of the general area. The proposed property purchase is integral to the TIF committee plan.

Voting Guide – China: Ballot questions explained to about two dozen residents

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by Mary Grow

Around two dozen residents attended China’s Oct. 17 public hearing intended to explain the dozen local ballot questions, with as many opinions as questions.

On Nov. 8, China voters will have local elections, with seven candidates for three seats on the board of selectmen and no other contests, and 12 local issues to resolve.

Voting will be in the former portable classroom beside the town office on Lakeview Drive, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are available in advance.

Proposed amendments to the Land Development Code (question #3 on the ballot) generated most discussion at the hearing. The planning board proposed the changes, most of them bringing the town ordinance into conformity with state guidelines.

Former Codes Officer Scott Pierz argued that many of the changes affecting properties around China Lake would have the effect of weakening standards and reversing 25 years of comparatively stringent regulation aimed at restoring the lake’s water quality.

Emphasizing that he was not telling anyone else how to vote, Pierz said he will vote against the changes.

Two other proposed ordinance amendments, questions 1 and 2, deal with solid waste. The major change, according to Transfer Station Committee Chairman Frank Soares, is in transfer station days: if voters approve the amended Solid Waste Disposal Ordinance (question 2), the transfer station will be open Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday instead of the current Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The purpose is to eliminate the long space between Saturday and Wednesday when Monday is a holiday.

Three ballot questions propose land acquisitions. Question 4 asks voters to spend up to $12,000 for a parcel of land at the head of China Lake’s east basin; question 5 asks voters to accept as a gift the subdivided Wachusetts property on the east side of Lakeview Drive opposite the former Candlewood Camps; and question 12 asks voters to take up to $10,000 from the Tax Increment Financing fund to buy a lot adjoining the town office land.

Members of the selectboard endorsed all three proposals. The $12,000 would buy the land currently used for parking at the boat landing, so that it could be improved as a parking area, they said. Selectmen Joann Austin and Ronald Breton emphasized that the town would not fill in any of the wetland on the property. The plan for development in the area, which Austin said is related to, but not dependent on, acquiring the parking area, includes installing runoff control measures.

Selectmen have no specific plans for the other pieces of land. The Wachusetts property could be home to a new China Village fire station, or the town could sell it, or, board Chairman Robert MacFarland suggested, it could accommodate a small business park. The parcel by the town office is envisioned as providing room for expanding the town office complex by additional central facilities, like the food pantry should it need to relocate or more ball fields.

Other ballot questions generated little discussion, with the exception of Question 9, asking approval to transfer $100,000 from China’s unassigned fund balance (once known as surplus) to the equipment reserve fund.

Budget Committee Chairman Robert Batteese said a majority of his committee recommended rejecting the proposal, because they believe it would reduce surplus too much. Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux strongly supported the transfer; China has more than $500,000 in municipal equipment, he said, and replacing just one piece could cost up to $200,000.

The short selectmen’s meeting that followed the public hearing was, like the hearing, focused mainly on the future. Board members said:

  • On Monday, Oct. 31, MacFarland and others will again run a Halloween Trunk or Treat in the town office parking lot.
  • Because of Halloween, the next regular selectmen’s meeting is rescheduled from the evening of Oct. 31 to 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2.
  • Austin and fellow board member Irene Belanger are working on developing a survey of local transportation needs to be distributed at the polls Nov. 8.

China News: Seven vie for three selectmen’s seats

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by Mary Grow

The Town Line sent the seven candidates for the China Board of Selectmen a short questionnaire. Responses were received from six of the seven and are reprinted below, with minor editing. They appear in the order in which candidates’ names are listed on the ballot.

Joann Austin, Neil Farrington and Robert MacFarland are currently on the Board of Selectmen.

None of the other four has previously been a China selectman.

China polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the former portable classroom beside the town office on Lakeview Drive.

ALBERT ALTHENN did not reply to the questionnaire. Althenn, age 71, lives on Lakeview Drive and has been a candidate for selectman annually since 2010.

JOANN AUSTIN, 77, works full-time running Austin Law Office, in South China, focusing on elder law, real estate and financial advising. She summered in China from childhood and became a permanent resident 36 years ago.

She has been a selectman for the majority of her years in China and sees great value in offering a historical perspective on issues that come before the board.

Three currently important issues, she said, are keeping as much rural ambience as possible as the town grows; creating opportunities for residents to work together and know each other (thus her support for such ideas as a town beach, a central library and perhaps someday a community center); and making it easier for aging residents to stay in their homes or home town. As a selectman, she is working with Vassalboro on possible public transportation for the two towns and studying opportunities for affordable local senior housing.

WAYNE CHADWICK, 50, lives on Dirigo Road and is self-employed as an excavation contractor. He has lived in China 31 years and wrote that he would like to be a selectman in order to “have some input on how our tax dollars are being spent.”

To Chadwick, the major issue facing the town is keeping spending under control so long-time residents can afford to pay their property taxes without being forced to sell family property.

NEIL FARRINGTON, 66, lives on Weeks Mills Road and is a personal care attendant. A China native, he served in the Navy for more than 20 years and returned to China in 1997. Living off Neck Road until his house burned and now in the south end of town where he was born, he feels that he knows “the diverse demographics” of both parts of town.

Farrington would like to continue on the selectboard to use his common sense and support the common good, especially when spending the new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

The major town priority Farrington cited is providing services, like transportation and health care, to enable older residents to stay in their homes. With younger generations moving out of Maine for better jobs, elders are left alone, and therefore, “The Town needs to help and be their family,” he wrote.

JEFFREY LAVERDIERE, 55, who lives on Fire Road 19, is another China native. He owns LaVerdiere’s General Store just north of China Village and also sells sand, gravel and loam.
He is a candidate for selectman because he believes “it is time for some new members who have experience in other areas and can share our knowledge.” If elected, he wrote, “I will always do what is in the best interest of my fellow China residents.”

To LaVerdiere, the town’s biggest problem is “the topic of spending money around the lake,” an issue on which residents have many opinions. China people “are quite sensitive when it comes to decisions that affect our lake,” he observed.

ROBERT MACFARLAND, 55, the current chairman of the board of selectmen, has been a resident of China for about 10 years and lives on Alder Park Road. He is a self-employed building contractor and does lawn and garden sales.

MacFarland said he is running for re-election because, “I feel it’s important to give back to my community in ways that I feel I can best serve them.” If re-elected, he said, he will continue to do so; if not chosen, he expressed gratitude for being allowed to serve. He also apologized for missing the March town meeting, explaining that he had been ill.

MacFarland agrees with others that providing services for the elderly is important, and also mentioned the need for local services for children, to minimize travel costs for everyone. Therefore, he said, “We need to allow a responsible business community to grow along with us.”
He added, “We also have a lake water quality issue and I have an interesting idea for that too, but it’s too long and early to discuss here.”

RAYMOND ROBERT, 43, has lived on Fire Road 34 for three years. He wrote he has “always worked in the private sector” and described himself as having “a business mindset.” He currently works as a safety professional; he explained that means he works, “to keep employees safe from workplace hazards pertaining to OSHA.”

Robert listed town spending as his major concern: he wants to ensure tax dollars are spent responsibly and thinks the town “in the past has spent excessively on projects that do not benefit all tax payers.” He wrote that any surplus money should go back to taxpayers and not be spent on needless projects.

If elected, he said, “I will do my best to eliminate wasteful spending.” He offered his Twitterfeed, @rrobert7771, for anyone with questions for him.

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: A closer look at question 3 on China ballot

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by Paul Mitnik
Codes Enforcement Officer
Town of China

Question 3: Shall amendments to the Town of China Land Development Code, Chapter 2, Land Use Ordinance and Chapter 11 Definitions be enacted?

This following article is written so that residents of China may better understand the amendments that they will be voting on in the third ballot question. The amendments can broadly be divided into three major categories. The first of these pertains to the signs. China enacted language in their Land Use Ordinance in 2010 to regulate the size and amount of signs on their property and other issues pertaining to signs. However the new language did not grandfather existing signs and, in fact, had a sunset provision which required property owners to comply with the new regulations within ninety (90) days. The sunset provision was never enforced, and as a result most of the existing commercial businesses do not comply with Ordinance requirements. The proposed ordinance changes add grandfathering to all signs that existed in 2010 except operational items such as lighting and hold time for changing digital signs. If this is not enacted, many commercial signs in China will have to be removed or reduced in size, some of which have been in existence for decades.

The second item pertains to seasonal conversions. Some camps in the shoreland zone are only permitted to be occupied for seven months of the year based upon whether or not they were occupied year round from 1977 to 1981. Seasonal conversion permits must be obtained to occupy seasonal camps year round for those camps that were seasonal during this period. The state law for obtaining this permit requires the property to have full septic systems containing a tank and disposal bed adequately sized and functioning properly that meet setbacks to the lake high water mark, wells, and property line and buildings. China has a provision in their Ordinance which also requires both the lot to meet minimum lot size and the camp to meet the 100 foot water setback in order to obtain this permit. The amendment proposes to repeal these provisions in China’s Ordinance, since once the camps are built the septic system is really the main issue for water quality protection of the lake. If a property has an adequate septic system, staying in the camp another five months annually should not have any additional impact to lake water quality. The proposed changes will not affect when a property owner can visit their seasonal camp since the state rules do not require that the seven months be consecutive.

The third amendment is the adoption of the updated DEP requirements for 2015. This includes changes to expansions of non-conforming structures; adoption of the statewide timber harvesting standards; and new sections giving guidelines to hazard, storm damaged, or dead tree removal; revegetation requirements for properties in violation of clearing standards; and exemption to clearing standards. The expansion provision of these changes may be the most controversial and difficult to understand. The new standards use footprint of a building rather than the formerly used standards of volume and floor area. Floor area is a sum of the footprint of all stories.

The footprint is a more scientific way from a water quality perspective, since it is the footprint or the amount of impervious area that produces runoff which could potentially pollute the lake. The new expansion standards should level the playing field, since expansions for large structures will become more stringent but expansions for small structures less stringent. Currently what is allowed for expansions for large structures with multiple stories can be enormous, while the single story small structure is very limited in its size for expansions.

The Town’s TIF committee is planning a project on the causeway which addresses safety issues and runoff treatment. A fishing platform, wood plank trail, and phosphorus infiltration treatment system is planned for this area. A minor change was made to the ordinance to clarify that Town owned fishing platforms are a functionally water dependent use and are exempted from water setback requirements which is consistent with state law. Currently many people fish from the causeway on China Lake. Safety from automobile and boating traffic is an issue. The phosphorus treatment system will intercept sediment runoff that is currently entering the lake below the causeway and into the wetland above the causeway.

China: Many residents oppose event center proposal

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by Mary Grow

The China Planning Board has postponed action on Parris and Catherine Varney’s application to host commercial events in the barn on their Neck Road property to the Oct. 25 board meeting.

A public hearing on the application at the board’s Oct. 11 meeting drew more than two dozen people, mostly residents of Neck Road and fire roads off it. The majority of those who spoke opposed the application. Planning Board Chairman Frank Soares began the hearing by inviting the Varneys to respond to questions a neighbor submitted in advance. The Varneys said:

• They plan to host events like weddings, wedding and baby showers, birthday parties and conferences. They foresee a maximum of four events a month, mostly from May through November and mostly on weekends.
• Most events would last from four to six hours, after a day or two of preparations. They plan an 11 p.m. closing time for all events.
• The only thing outside the barn, besides the portable toilets they intend to provide, might be a tent, for example if a couple wanted to exchange vows outdoors. They plan no outdoor music and no fireworks, hayrides or other features that would extend beyond their property.
• They expect those attending to park in the grassy field behind the barn, not along the road.
• They would be willing to notify neighbors in advance of each event.

Most of the 20 or so people who spoke at the hearing expressed concerns about adverse effects on the neighborhood, including noise, erosion of the parking area, traffic congestion and the lack of local law enforcement to deal with problems that might arise. The project, they argued, did not belong in a residential and agricultural area on a narrow dead-end road.

Because the Varneys intend to allow liquor at their events, several neighbors fear guests who overindulge will drive recklessly or trespass on neighbors’ properties. Two of the three people supportive of the application asked if the applicants and the neighbors could work out a compromise to allow the business without undue disturbance.

After half an hour of testimony, Soares closed the hearing and board members voted to table the issue until Oct. 25, to give themselves time to consider issues raised and the Varneys time to consider modifying their plan.

Codes Officer Paul Mitnik presented a second, unrelated issue involving discomfort in a rural area, saying he had received numerous complaints about odors from Ralph and Linda Howe’s Dirigo Road property. He and former Codes Officer Scott Pierz said after the China Planning Board rejected the Howes’ application for a biodiesel plant on Dirigo Road in 2005, they received a permit for the plant in Oakland, and are storing waste from the Oakland facility in the barn on their China property. Soares asked Mitnik to seek legal advice on what, if any, authority the town has over the waste lagoons.

Planning Board members unanimously approved the only other application on their Oct. 11 agenda, giving Dylan Fortin a permit for an auto repair business at his home at 427 Pleasant View Ridge Road. The permit is conditional on a letter from China Village Fire Chief Timothy Theriault saying Fortin’s property has adequate access for emergency vehicles; Fortin said Theriault gave him a verbal assurance.

China Library Association plans annual meeting

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by Mary Grow

The China Library Association holds its annual meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library on Main Street in China Village. A business meeting including election of officers, amendments to the association bylaws and adoption of a budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year will be followed by discussion with Neil Farrington of plans for the 2018 celebration of the 200th anniversary of the creation of the Town Of China.

All residents interested in China’s local history are cordially invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.