China TIF committee lacks quorum at October 28 meeting

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by Mary Grow

Only two members of China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee, chairman Brent Chesley and member Jamie Pitney, attended the Oct. 28 meeting. Though no decisions could be made without a quorum, Chesley and Pitney heard reports from TIF fund recipients.

Martha Wentworth, chairman of the China Recreation Committee, was the only one in the audience hoping for action. She had applied on behalf of the committee for $12,500 in TIF funds to help install a self-service kayak and paddle board rental kiosk near the boat landing at the head of China Lake’s east basin.

Wentworth presented the idea to select board members at their Jan. 29, 2024, meeting. They asked for more information.

The company offering the service is Rent.Fun, based in Northville, Michigan. Its website shows two Maine sites, in Westbrook and Norridgewock.

Wentworth explained that the company would provide four kayaks and four paddle boards, with paddles and lifejackets, in a secure cage. People could rent the equipment. The town would pay an upfront fee; the company would assume some operating costs, including, she said, liability insurance; and she expected the town to recoup its investment within five years.

CRLA executive director steps down

China Region Lakes Alliance head Stephen Greene announced Oct. 28 that CRLA Executive Director Jessie Mae MacDougall has resigned, for personal reasons, after a few months on the job. CRLA will soon be advertising for a new person for the part-time, seasonal job.

Pitney said he will review TIF rules and let Wentworth know if contributing to the kiosk is an allowable use of TIF funds. If it is, she plans to present more information to supplement her application.

Those reporting on use of previously authorized TIF money were Pitney, speaking for the China Broadband Committee; Thomas Rumpf, for the China Four Seasons Club; Jeanette Smith, for the Thurston Park Committee; Stephen Greene, for the China Lake Association and China Region Lakes Alliance; and Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood, for the town.

— Pitney said the cooperative effort with Idaho-based Direct Communications and its Unity, Maine, subsidiary, formerly Unitel, to get grant funding for broadband expansion to underserved and unserved parts of China continues. The current path is a federal program called Broadband Equity and Diversity, or BEAD; the State of Maine has completed preliminary steps and is continuing.
— Rumpf said the Four Seasons Club has used TIF funds to bring two more of China’s ATV and snowmobile trails up to new state standards. He is seeking grants for the troublesome Bog Trail, which uses the former narrow-gauge railroad line.
— Smith reported two Thurston Park trails substantially improved and receiving praise from visitors, who are increasingly numerous. Storm damage has been almost all cleaned up; trail markers are scheduled to be put up this fall; picnic tables and benches are on order; and improving handicapped access is a priority.

On Oct. 27, Smith said, the park hosted its first fun runs, a one-mile and a three-mile. More than 20 people took part, she estimated.

— Greene reported the Courtesy Boat Inspection program, intended to keep invasive plants out of area lakes, ran all summer. The Youth Conservation Corps, whose members do shoreline erosion control projects, was less active, for lack of employees. No one had an answer to Pitney’s question: why are fewer high-school students seeking summer jobs?
— Hapgood said China’s TIF-funded summer intern, Gracie Stagnito, “did some great work” and China Community Days, partly TIF-supported, had been successful again.

Chesley and Pitney proposed Monday, Dec. 9, as the TIF Committee’s next meeting date. Chesley will see if the other members are available that evening.

Five referendum questions on China ballot (2024)

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by Mary Grow

China voters have a two-sided local ballot on Nov. 5, local elections on one side and five referendum questions on the other.

For elections, there is one contest on the ballot: five men are running for three seats on the select board, incumbents Blane Casey and Brent Chesley and Edwin Bailey, Tod Detre and Thomas Rumpf. For more information, see the recording of the Oct. 9 candidates’ forum, available on Youtube; or the summary in the Oct. 17 issue of The Town Line, p. 2.

There is one other name on the ballot, Timothy Basham for re-election to the budget committee, unopposed.

There are three declared write-in candidates for China local offices, as of Oct. 21. Melissa Cowing and John Soifer are write ins for the Regional School Unit #18 board of directors, and Jo Orlando is a write-in candidate for one of three budget committee vacancies.

The referendum questions are as follows:

The first question asks if voters want to amend the town’s TIF (Tax Increment Financing District) Ordinance. Proposed changes would eliminate some originally-listed uses for TIF money that have been appropriated once or never; add funding for an extension of the causeway work at the head of China Lake’s east basin, the first local TIF project to be finished; and rearrange other allocations.

The second question proposes amendments to China’s Budget Committee Ordinance. The main substantive change would eliminate the districts from which four of the seven committee members are now elected, and eliminate elections in favor of appointment by the select board.

The third question asks voters to add a Development District map to the land use map. Wording describing the district is in Appendix A of the Land Development Code; if voters approve, the map will be added.

The fourth question asks approval of amendments to sections of the Land Development Code prepared primarily by planning board members. A copy of the ordinance, with changes in red, is on the town website, chinamaine.org, under Planning Board, under Officials, Boards and Committees.

Board chairman Toni Wall and codes officer Nicholas French have described almost all the changes as non-substantive, aimed at updating and clarifying the ordinance language, including incorporating revised state requirements.

One change shortens the ordinance, by eliminating a section on regulating timber harvesting in shoreland, resource protection and stream protection districts. With voter approval, regulatory authority will be transferred from town officials to the Maine Forest Service.

The final question, presented by citizens’ petition, asks approval of a 180-day moratorium on any new power lines through China. A response to the proposed north-south line to bring power from Aroostook County windmills to this area, the moratorium is intended to give local officials time to develop appropriate ordinances to regulate such development.

China’s Nov. 5 voting will be in the former portable building behind the town office, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vehicle access will be from Alder Park Road, south of the town office complex; the driveway off Lakeview Drive will be closed for the day.

The China town office will be closed all day Nov. 5.

Central Maine historical societies gather

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Vassalboro Historical Society

by Eric W. Austin

On Saturday, October 26, representatives from historical societies across Central Maine met at the Vassalboro Historical Society, united by a shared goal: to preserve and celebrate Maine’s rich history. About two dozen history enthusiasts and society members gathered to share updates, discuss challenges, and brainstorm solutions to common issues.

Each society had a unique story to tell, with updates ranging from the restoration of historic buildings to engaging community programs. For example, the China Historical Society spoke about their recent presentation on the town’s almost forgotten narrow gauge railway system.

Despite the successes, the societies also discussed a variety of shared challenges, such as the need to grow their membership, the constant problem of limited funds, not enough volunteer support, and the often-daunting task of digitizing historic records.

“We’re constantly juggling the need to catalog items and preserve them while also making history accessible to the community,” said one attendee, a sentiment that was echoed by others.

Many societies expressed hope in drawing younger members to the cause, with some already seeing promising signs of interest from new generations. The Vassalboro Historical Society even mentioned their new TikTok channel, where short, engaging clips are helping to spark interest among younger audiences.

Each historical society had a wish list that included more storage space, financial support, or equipment like climate-controlled rooms and scanners. As one attendee put it, “We may be small, but we’re doing everything we can to preserve our local history for future generations.”

Residents interested in history and community service are encouraged to get involved with their nearest historical society. Whether you have time, expertise, or just a love for the past, there’s a way for you to contribute!

Socktober at China Middle School

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by Emma Wooley
China Middle School
JMG student

This month the JMG China Middle School program is collecting unused socks for their annual Socktober initiative to support those in need of clean, warm, and cozy socks. Socktober is a month-long community outreach collaboration with “Socks For Remy” and JMG to spread kindness to all through socks. “Socks For Remy,” was established in loving memory of Remy Pettengill, a former student at China Middle School, who passed away unexpectedly in 2022 as a result of a car crash. Remy was best known for wearing fun, crazy socks which helped brighten anyone’s day. The JMG China Middle School program has their collection box located within the lobby of the school for anyone to willingly donate. Help us help those in need by making this Sockotober our best one yet!

CAMPAIGN 2024: Candidates address issues concerning Maine voters (Part 3)

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Weeks Mills residents seek reduced speed limits

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by Mary Grow

Weeks Mills residents Marilyn Reed, Dwaine Drummond and Kyle Pierce attended the Oct. 21 China select board meeting to ask board members to try to get the speed limit reduced through their village in southeastern China.

The Maine Department of Transportation sets speed limits. Town officials can request an MDOT review, and select board members voted unanimously to do so.

Their request will focus on Deer Hill and Weeks Mills roads. The former comes into the village from the east and meets the latter, which continues west.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said the part of the road through the village, where a bridge crosses the west branch of the Sheepscot River, used to be posted at 25 miles an hour. That was an error, she said, and the section is now unmarked, which means, as a rural road, the speed limit is 45 miles an hour.

Pierce, who contacted Hapgood, said school buses and large, heavily loaded trucks travel dangerously fast for a narrow, hilly road. She is especially concerned about safety on the bridge, which is a center for recreational anglers.

Drummond added that vehicles going down the steep hills easily exceed the 45-mile-an-hour limit. Drivers routinely ignore stop signs, he said. He urged more enforcement, as well as a lower speed limit.

Hapgood could not predict whether MDOT personnel will limit their review to the roads town officials request, or what action they will take.

In other business Oct. 21, Hapgood reported Palermo voters had approved the revised transfer station agreement with China at an Oct. 17 special town meeting, by a vote of 48 to 15. Consequently, she said, she rescinded the November 2023 letter canceling the inter-town agreement; Palermo residents will continue to share China’s transfer station.

The manager had no new information about the planned records storage vault at the town office (see the Oct. 10 issue of The Town Line, p. 3). The Municipal Building Committee is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24, in the town office, to review the plan and proposed implementation.

Hapgood had contacted Delta Ambulance directors about the organization’s finances, as select board members consider whether to pay their entire 2025 Delta bill in advance, for a discount (see the previously cited Oct. 10 article). Only two directors had responded, she said.

Because board chairman Wayne Chadwick was late getting to the Oct. 21 meeting, Blane Casey acted as chairman. Other board members praised his handling of the meeting.

The manager announced that the town office will host a Halloween celebration, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 31.

The next regular select board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, local and state voting will be in the former portable building behind the town office, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

CHINA: Work begins on updating town’s subdivision ordinance

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members and Codes Officer Nicholas French began work on updating the town’s subdivision ordinance, which is Chapter 3 of the Land Development Code, at their Oct. 8 meeting.

Board Chairman Toni Wall said the subdivision ordinance has not been amended in years, as far as she knows. The copy on China’s website, under Ordinances, Policies and Orders, refers to two 1985 documents. Wall added that in her 14 years on the board, she has reviewed two subdivision applications.

French proposed two reasons for bringing the ordinance into the 21st century. With housing in short supply, he said, some of China’s large landowners might be thinking about developing residential subdivisions. And he recommends eliminating the current ordinance’s prohibition on cluster housing.

Cluster housing, also called open space subdivision, allows houses to be grouped on part of a piece of land, leaving the rest as public open space, providing buffers and recreational areas. French considers cluster housing compatible with China’s rural nature, and a more efficient use of space, since fewer streets and driveways are needed.

Board members used the Oct. 8 meeting to go through the ordinance, which is 28 pages long on China’s website, chinamaine.org. They proposed minor changes, like updating the references to 1985 documents; discussed wording that could be clarified; and planned areas to be reviewed more intensively.

The next China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Oct. 22.

CHINA – Five vie for three select board seats: five questions on Nov. 5 ballot

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by Mary Grow

China voters have a two-sided local ballot on Nov. 5, local elections on one side and five referendum questions on the other.

For elections, there is one contest on the ballot: five men are running for three seats on the select board, incumbents Blane Casey and Brent Chesley, and Edwin Bailey, Tod Detre and Thomas Rumpf. For more information, see the recording of the Oct. 9 candidates’ forum, available on the library’s Youtube channel; or the summary in the Oct. 17 issue of The Town Line, p. 2.

There is one other name on the ballot, Timothy Basham for re-election to the budget committee, unopposed.

For the Regional School Unit #18 board of directors, Melissa Cowing has declared herself a write-in candidate. As of Oct. 20, Town Clerk Angela Nelson was unaware of any other write-in candidates.

The referendum questions are as follows.

The first question asks if voters want to amend the town’s TIF (Tax Increment Financing District) Ordinance. Proposed changes would eliminate some originally-listed uses for TIF money that have been appropriated once or never; add funding for an extension of the causeway work at the head of China Lake’s east basin, the first local TIF project to be finished; and rearrange other allocations.

The second question proposes amendments to China’s Budget Committee Ordinance. The main substantive change would eliminate the districts from which four of the seven committee members are now elected, and eliminate elections in favor of appointment by the select board.

The third question asks voters to add a Development District map to the land use map. Wording describing the district is in Appendix A of the Land Development Code; if voters approve, the map will be added.

The fourth question asks approval of amendments to sections of the Land Development Code prepared primarily by planning board members. A copy of the ordinance, with changes in red, is on the town website, chinamaine.org, under Planning Board, under Officials, Boards & Committees.

Board chairman Toni Wall and codes officer Nicholas French have described almost all the changes as non-substantive, aimed at updating and clarifying the ordinance language, including incorporating revised state requirements.

One change shortens the ordinance, by eliminating a section on regulating timber harvesting in shoreland, resource protection and stream protection districts. With voter approval, regulatory authority will be transferred from town officials to the Maine Forest Service.

The final question, presented by citizens’ petition, asks approval of a 180-day moratorium on any new power lines through China. A response to the proposed north-south line to bring power from Aroostook County windmills to this area, the moratorium is intended to give local officials time to develop appropriate ordinances to regulate such development.

China’s Nov. 5 voting will be in the former portable building behind the town office, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Vehicle access will be from Alder Park Road, south of the town office complex; the driveway off Lakeview Drive will be closed for the day.

The China town office will be closed all day Nov. 5.

China transfer station manager: Things are going smoothly

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by Mary Grow

China Transfer Station Committee members held a short and cheerful meeting the morning of Oct. 8. Transfer station manager Thomas Maraggio and committee member Rachel Anderson, who volunteers at the free for the taking building, both said things are going smoothly.

The one major pending issue is the revised agreement between China and Palermo allowing Palermo residents to use China’s transfer station. It has been approved by China’s select board members, but in Palermo needs approval by town meeting voters.

Palermo officials have scheduled a public hearing and special town meeting for 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, at Palermo Consolidated School, to act on the revised agreement. The Palermo website says copies of the agreement are posted under Transfer Station and are available at the town office.

China Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said if Palermo residents reject the amended agreement, the November 2023 letter giving the required year’s notice to end the intertown arrangement will take effect on Nov. 13.

Maraggio reported the water filters designed to eliminate PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from the facility’s water supply were installed, and the water no longer smells. The filters are to be inspected every six months and changed when needed, he said, with the length of their useful life depending on the amount of use.

Hapgood said China got 50 percent state reimbursement for the filters. She will find out whether the state contributes to inspection and replacement costs.

The pad for the new building by the gate where China residents can pick up buckets of winter sand is down, Maraggio said. When the building is finished, he intends to put signs on it explaining where different kinds of recyclables and trash go.

Committee chairman J. Christopher Baumann reported on plans to invite teachers to bring classes to tour the transfer station and learn about recycling.

Hapgood and committee members praised the Halloween decorations at the facility, and the flowers that have been planted. Maraggio said his wife is the flower-tender, assisted by a small annual grant from a Waterville garden organization.

Baumann expressed the committee’s thanks to all involved.

The next transfer station committee meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12. The agenda is likely to include renewed discussion of the facility’s five-year plan, in preparation for 2024-25 budget planning.