China select board, budget committee, town employees hold long meeting

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by Mary Grow

China select board members, joined by some budget committee members and several town employees, held a long four-part meeting Monday evening, Feb. 24.

They started at the public works garage on Alder Park Road, where Director of Public Works Shawn Reed introduced them to the large trucks, all wearing their plow gear this time of year, that live there.

Reed explained each vehicle’s advantages and disadvantages as he requested a replacement truck in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The group then viewed a smaller truck in the old town garage in the town office complex before adjourning to the town office meeting room for the bulk of the select board meeting.

Reversing a split decision Feb. 10 (see the Feb. 13 issue of The Town Line, p. 3), select board members voted 4-1, with Blane Casey still opposed, to recommend buying a new plow truck next year, at a cost expected to be slightly under $300,000. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said about that amount is now in the truck reserve fund.

Reed recommends selling one of the old trucks after the new one arrives.

Select board members’ longest discussion was with Robert O’Connor and Jamie Pitney, of the China Broadband Committee, over the proposed agreement with Unitel for expanded broadband service in China (another topic discussed at the Feb. 10 meeting).

Unitel proposes a new main line running from its Albion office through China to Palermo, to connect with the five-town Waldo Broadband Corporation. A second phase of the project would expand service to parts of China currently underserved or unserved.
Board Chairman Wayne Chadwick repeated his refusal to approve a project that involves China investing money — $370,000 in TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds – without a firm guarantee that un- and underserved China residents will be served within a reasonable time.

Pitney and O’Connor provided as much information as they could. Because some of the project funding depends on a federal grant, they, too, expressed uncertainty, about whether the grant program would exist and whether Unitel would be awarded one.

The grant is called BEAD, which stands for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. Select board members voted unanimously to sign a letter supporting Unitel’s grant application. They took no action on the draft agreement with Unitel.

In a series of unanimous votes, select board members:

— Approved rules, procedures and membership fees for the planned community garden on the Lakeview Drive lot south of the town office. The document is on the town website, chinamaine.org, under two headings: Officials, Boards, & Committees, subheading China for a Lifetime Committee; and Community, at the bottom of the list.
— Authorized the Community Forest Committee to apply for a grant from the Portland-based Libra Foundation, for $4,093, for locally made trail signs for the forest behind the China schools.
— Revised the town’s building permit fee schedule, reducing one fee and increasing two others to better reflect the codes officer’s time.
— Appointed Jane Robertson budget committee secretary.

The third part of the select board meeting was a preliminary review of part of Hapgood’s draft 2025-26 municipal budget. The manager briefly summarized proposed changes in the first five (of 12) accounts.

Highlights:

— Board members agreed unanimously the administration account will not include a suggested $11,000 to create the position of part-time recreation director. Hapgood said $10,500 was approved in the 2023-24 budget, but the town was unable to hire anyone for the position.
— By another unanimous vote, board members agreed the boards and committee budget will not include stipends for themselves.
— They deleted from the public safety account a proposed increase in the hours Kennebec County sheriff’s deputies serve the town, from eight to 10 a week. Chadwick commended the officers for their work, but considered coverage adequate.
— In the proposed solid waste budget, Hapgood said hauling costs have been reduced, because “The fabulous transfer station people make sure the loads going out are full” and therefore less numerous.
Board members favor starting a reserve fund to replace the transfer station scales, though they did not decide on an initial amount.

Preliminary consideration of the rest of the budget was postponed at 8:10 p.m., 10 minutes past Chadwick’s unofficial deadline. Board members considered holding a budget workshop later in the week, but were unable to find an evening everyone would be available. Extra budget meetings in March are likely.

The evening’s fourth and final meeting was a separate one, as select board members reconvened as the board of assessors. They unanimously accepted two recommendations from the town assessor on abatement requests, denying one and approving the other.

The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, March 10.

Community Volunteers build raised beds for China Community Garden

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Jeff Wood, Nate Dudley, Bill Powell, and Jim Hsiang assemble raised garden beds.

On Saturday, February 8, a group of dedicated volunteers came together to build 36 raised garden beds for the China Community Garden. Hosted at the home of Marie and Tom Michaud, the workday was filled with teamwork and camaraderie as Emme Brown, Nate Dudley, Bill Powell, and Jeff Wood joined James and Jude Hsiang to construct the beds – under the watchful eye of one-year-old Edie Dudley, who provided moral support.

Bill Powell next to a row of completed beds.

By noon, the group had completed the project and celebrated with a well-earned meal, featuring James’ homemade chili, pizzas generously donated by China Lake Provisions, and Marie’s famous brownies.

With the garden beds now ready, reservations for the 2025 growing season are open. Residents can secure a bed at the China Town Office through April 15, 2025. The cost is $25 per bed or $15 for seniors over 60, and custom beds for those with mobility challenges will be built upon request.

The project still welcomes donations of money, materials, and volunteer labor. Those interested in supporting the garden can contact chinaforalifetime@gmail.com. All contributions will be gratefully and publicly acknowledged.

With strong community support, the China Community Garden is growing into a space for connection, sustainability, and fresh local produce.

Shoes major topic of China transfer station committee meeting

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by Mary Grow

Shoes were a major topic at the China Transfer Station Committee’s Feb. 11 meeting.

Committee member Rachel Anderson, one of the volunteers at the free for the taking building, explained that many people donate used shoes, and many of the shoes are wearable – if the right person with the right size feet comes along quickly.

Shoes not promptly claimed are apt to end up on the floor, separated and getting stepped on and grubby. A volunteer can sometimes reunite and clean up a few pairs; too many end up discarded.

Committee members proposed protective measures, like zip-tying pairs to keep them together. They suggested alternative places for donating used shoes, including Goodwill, in Waterville, and perhaps the Palermo Christian Church – they knew the church accepted donated clothing, but were not sure about shoes (see box).

More volunteers to keep the building organized would also help, they said. Transfer Station Manager Thomas Maraggio commended the Palermo resident who volunteers an hour every morning.

An inquiry to the Palermo Christian Church brought the reply that “our Exchange Shop does accept new or gently used shoes.”

The church is located at 322 Branch Mills Road, in Palermo. Its website is www.palermochristianchurch.org; telephone number is (207) 993-2636; email address is office@palermochristianchurch.org. The church also has a Facebook page.

Two broader issues discussed Feb. 11 were revisions to the draft transfer station mission statement and the preliminary 2025-26 budget.

The mission statement emphasizes recycling. Committee members talked again about the money saved on disposal costs, and sometimes earned when the price of recyclables is up, and about ways to promote and publicize these benefits to taxpayers.

(In a Jan. 23 email, Town Clerk Angela Nelson copied an invoice showing China was paid $1,741.68 for a shipment of cardboard. Accompanying comments from Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood added that China did not pay for the trucking, and 43,542 pounds, or almost 22 tons, had been taken out of the waste stream, for which the town pays trucking and disposal costs.)

Two suggestions in the draft statement are to develop alternative energy at, and for, the transfer station and to install automatic gates that would allow off-hours dumping.

Palermo representative Bob Kurek said alternative energy suggestions include solar power or an incinerator. Hapgood said a consultant had advised that the covered-over waste pile north of the station is not suitable for solar, although there might be other alternatives.

Off-hours access is forbidden by the state, so committee chairman J. Christopher Baumann deleted the proposal. Hapgood said the town office does not get a lot of complaints about operating hours.

The first draft 2025-26 transfer station budget shows a decrease, mostly because one employee who works there and in public works will be moved to the public works budget.

Committee members briefly discussed the transfer station scales. Director of Public Services Shawn Reed said load sensors and the steel support beams need replacement. Maraggio added that an inspector said the scales have been well maintained and should last another 15 to 20 years. The draft budget includes $12,000 for a scale reserve fund.

Maraggio’s list of 2025-26 projects includes creating a state-required impervious surface under the brush pile; doing additional paving; changing drainage around the recycling building; and replacing the recycling center roof.

The next China Transfer Station Committee meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 11.

China codes officer alerts residents about change in insulation rules

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by Mary Grow

At the China Planning Board’s Feb. 11 meeting, Codes Enforcement Officer Nicholas French issued a warning to residents planning to build this spring: get your building permit before April 7, unless you want to pay a few thousand dollars more for insulation.

New state standards taking effect April 7 require more insulation than is currently required, French said. For permits issued before April 7, current standards remain in effect.

The second announcement at the Feb. 11 meeting was from District 1 representative Michael Brown, who said he is resigning from the board because he has too many other obligations (see the Feb. 13 issue of The Town Line, p. 1).

Upcoming changes to energy code

by Nick French
Town of China CEO/LPI

I want to draw everyone’s attention to the upcoming changes to the Energy Code that Maine will implement starting Monday, April 7. In this time of elevated costs of construction materials, labor, and housing in general, the state has elected to adopt a more stringent prescriptive path for insulation in wood-framed walls than is required by the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code.

The 2021 IECC itself only had one change in the prescriptive path for Energy Efficiency in Climate Zone 6, going from an R-49 in the ceiling up to an R-60. Maine will, as of April 7, require wood-framed walls to be insulated by one of 4 methods:

⁃ R-30 in the wall cavity between the studs (10” thick exterior wall)
⁃ R-20 cavity (6” wall) with R-10 continuous insulation (2” of foam board insulation)
⁃ R-13 cavity (4” wall) with R-15 continuous insulation (3” of foam board insulation)
⁃ R-20 continuous insulation (typically achieved through spray foam)

I want to be perfectly clear; this is state-wide. Many communities in the surrounding area fall below the 4,000 resident threshold to enforce these provisions, but builders are still required to comply with these rules unless they go with a performance-based outcome. For more information on that approach, head to: energycodes.gov/rescheck

This only applies to permits taken out starting April 7, and while I’m not looking forward to a sudden influx of permits, I urge everyone to get those applications in as soon as possible.

The select board is responsible for appointing Brown’s successor, who may live anywhere in town. Since voters amended China’s Planning Board Ordinance in June 2024, board members are appointed, not elected, and districts have been abolished.

The bulk of the Feb. 11 meeting was spent reviewing and approving board chairman Toni Wall’s recommended ordinance amendments that will delete references to timber harvesting, as requested by state Forest Service officials. In November 2024, voters approved another amendment transferring authority to regulate timber harvesting in shoreland, stream protection and resource protection districts to the state.

Wall intends to send the recommended deletions to the select board for approval and to hold a public hearing before changes are presented to voters at the June 10 annual town business meeting.

Board members briefly discussed future amendments, including revising the subdivision ordinance and adding provisions allowing cluster housing in China. Wall’s goal is to have wording ready to submit to voters in November.

The next regular China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Feb. 25.

Local couple celebrates 63rd anniversary at Sweetheart Breakfast

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The Willettes observed their 63rd wedding anniversary at the South China Committee Church’s Sweetheart Breakfast, on February 8. (photo by Jayne Winters)

by Jayne Winters

The South China Community Church (SCCC) held its first Blessed Breakfast in July 2023. Well-known for its turkey pie suppers, the Council decided to try something new because of the rising cost of turkey pies and declining attendance during the cold, dark winter months. What started as a “test run” has become a consistent, well-received fundraiser, and perhaps more importantly, a place for folks to meet with old friends and make new ones, often lingering over a second or third cup of coffee.

Forty-three people attended our “Sweetheart Breakfast” on February 8 and everyone was surprised to learn that one couple, the Willettes, were celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary! Hopefully, the music provided by SCCC’s Mary Matteson, as well as the chocolates and carnations, helped make their anniversary just a little more special.

The Blessed Breakfasts are held the second Saturday of every month from 8 – 10 a.m. The menu includes scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, tater tots, pancakes with local Maine maple syrup, biscuits with sausage gravy, fruit, a variety of homemade pastries, and of course, coffee, tea, orange juice, and hot chocolate. Needless to say, no one ever leaves hungry!

Many thanks to everyone who continue to help make these breakfasts such a success: those who donate and prepare food, set up tables, help in the kitchen, clean up and especially our “regulars” who come faithfully every month. We’re truly blessed to be able to serve such a wonderful community and look forward to having you join us!

China select board discourages two residents asking for town expenditures

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by Mary Grow

At their Feb. 10 meeting, China select board members discouraged two residents recommending town expenditures.

Director of Public Services Shawn Reed, who made a second pitch for a new town truck, was rejected, on a split vote.

Board chairman Wayne Chadwick told Broadband Committee chairman Robert O’Connor and member Jamie Pitney he would oppose a broadband expansion proposal unless it met his criteria.

Reed repeated points he made two weeks earlier about the age of town plow trucks and the difficulty of keeping roads clear when a truck is out of service, as happens almost every storm (see the Jan. 30 issue of The Town Line, p. 3). He expects truck prices will continue to increase, perhaps in part because of the Trump administration’s tariffs on steel.

Asked about the $297,676 price he had two weeks ago from O’Connor Motors, in Augusta, Reed said he was not sure it was still good; nor could he guarantee that signing a purchase agreement would hold a price.

Reed and Chadwick discussed types of undercoating that might extend truck life. Frequent washings help, Reed said; one more bay on the town garage would provide an indoor space, so his crew would not have to work outdoors, wearing creepers to avoid falling as the washwater froze on the driveway.

After a 15-minute discussion, board members voted not to buy a new town truck in 2025. Only Edwin Bailey and Jeanne Marquis were in favor; Chadwick, Blane Casey and Thomas Rumpf voted no.

O’Connor had sent board members a proposed contract with Unitel, the Albion-based Direct Communications subsidiary with which China’s Broadband Committee has been working. The town committee’s goal is to expand and improve broadband service in China, starting with unserved and underserved areas.

The plan O’Connor explained involves China contributing $370,000 in already-approved TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds toward expansion. Pitney said the estimated total cost is around $2 million.

The project has two parts: a new main line running from Albion through China to connect with Palermo, a member of the five-town group that also works with Unitel; plus expansion of service to un- and underserved parts of China.

This project depends on a successful grant application. O’Connor urged select board members to send a letter supporting the grant. Without grant funding, Pitney said, only the main line would be built.

Chadwick considers the main line a benefit to Unitel, not China, and if China pays, he wants to be sure China benefits. Unless he is guaranteed the project will include expanded service in China, he will vote against it, he said. Marquis voiced a similar concern.

No action was taken.

In other business, board members unanimously accepted the lowest of three bids to replace a heater in the town garage, $4,813.99 from M. A. Haskell Fuel Company, of Palermo.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood summarized changes in speed limits in the Weeks Mills Village area that were recently approved by the state Department of Transportation.

The manager reported the following items from town departments:

— A reminder that all proposed questions for the June 10 town business meeting need to be reviewed by select board members in March, to meet the April 11 deadline for a final meeting warrant. March select board meetings are scheduled for the evenings of Monday, March 10, and Monday, March 24.
— Notice that the transfer station is now accepting number 1 plastic for recycling.

Schedules of events for China Ice Days, Feb. 14 through Feb. 16, are on the China Four Seasons Club website and in the recently mailed Feb. 7 issue of China Connected. Hapgood and board members briefly considered potential effects of the snowstorm forecast for Sunday, Feb. 16.

All town services will be closed Monday, Feb. 17, for the Presidents’ Day holiday, Hapgood said.

Select board members did not discuss the draft 2025-26 budget at their Feb. 2 meeting, deciding 8 p.m. was time to adjourn. They plan to start their Feb. 24 meeting at 5:30 p.m., half an hour earlier than usual, to leave more time for budget review.

China Ice Fishing events – February 14-16, 2025

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ICE EVENTS

Friday, February 14

Bean supper, 6 – 8 p.m., Masonic Lodge.
Silent Disco, China Middle School, 7 – 9 p.m.
Snowmobile Ride, after bean supper at Masonic Lodge.
Owl Prowl, Thurston Park, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 15

Pancake Breakfast, Dirigo Masonic Lodge, Weeks Mills, 8 – 10 a.m.
Snowshoeing/Hiking, China School Forest 1:30 p.m.
Cornhole Tournament, China Middle School, 10 a.m. Pre-registration required.
Derby Ticket Sales, China Village Volunteer Fire Department.
Radar Run, Darrell and CFSC, registration begins at 9 a.m., runs are from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ice Skating and S’mores, China Lake Association, 5 – 7 p.m., China Ice Rink by the red barn near the town office.

Sunday, February 16

6th annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

Fireworks to follow at 6:30 p.m. at the north end of the lake.

Variety store in China Village celebrates grand opening

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Plenty of selection at the China Lake Provisions.
Photo courtesy of the C.L.P. store webpage: (https://chinalakeprovisions.com/.Info@chinalakeprovisions.com.)

by Gillian Lalime

China’s newest specialty store & deli, China Lake Provisions, is hosting its official grand opening this weekend. Located in China Village near the Post Office, the store is having a ribbon cutting ceremony this Friday, February 14th at 3:30pm. The celebration coincides with the China Lake Fishing Derby and all community members are invited to join the festivities and explore the new store’s offerings! They plan to be open for business at 7:30am on Derby Day.

* * * *

Nellie’s Deli, at the new China Lake Provisions. (photo by Galen Neal)

Like many small town businesses, China Lake Provisions began as a dream rooted in childhood memories. Michael Brown is a third-generation farmer at Meadowbrook Farm who’d always envisioned an off-farm outlet to expand sales. When the old China General Store came up for purchase, Brown saw an opportunity to restore it as a local hub for quality goods and community connection.

Back when Brown was a kid, the China General Store was a local hub. One could stop in for gas and food, and you’d inevitably run into a neighbor or friend and have a chance to catch up on local happenings. It’s these community gathering spots – sometimes referred to as Third Spaces – whose presence make a town a home; that brings quality of life to a place.

James Malinky is Mike’s business partner, longtime family friend, and has worked for the family farm for years. His is the friendly face most likely to greet you walking into China Lake Provisions. Malinky notes that the store’s concept evolved over time, informing me that what folks experience when they step through the doors today is a fourth or fifth edition of the original vision. For the renovation, timbers were harvested from Meadowbrook Farm’s woods, mere miles from the storefront. Those timbers can be easily seen at the counter, coffee bar, and other areas throughout the building.

“When we were in the initial planning stages, it was very clear we were going to have a deli kitchen and coolers with meat from the farm,” says Malinky. “With the way the store is set up, the kitchen is in the back. There was all of this empty floor space and we thought…so what do we do with that?”

Inside you’ll find rows of shelving that feature a wide variety of Maine & New England-made products from over 50 vendors. The store’s mission is clear: to support local farmers and makers while promoting sustainable farming and fostering community bonds.

Co-manager Carissa Stein, demonstrates how she closely reviews each product for ingredient quality. “We’re working here every day and eating the food from here,” she says. Whether it comes off of the shelves or out of the cafe oven, “The post-digestion is just as important as the taste, and a measure of the quality of ingredients used.” This philosophy extends beyond the shelves to the deli, where they prioritize whole ingredients, avoiding pre-shredded cheeses that contain anti-caking agents.

The menu at China Lake Provisions is built around local ingredients. Meadowbrook Farm beef is featured prominently in pizzas and sandwiches, while other meats are sourced locally, either from Joseph’s Meat Market or North Country Bacon.

Malinky smiles when I ask him about the pizza. “Renovating the store we had to bring some structural changes through the Town Planning Board. It was after these meetings about 95% of people would come up to us and ask, ’So, are you guys gonna have pizza?’.”

A collaborative approach to decision making is at the core of this business. Major decisions are decided upon by all co-managers: MIke, Jim, Carissa, and the Kitchen Manager, Olivia. Input from the store’s team members and customers is crucial! In Malinky’s eyes it’s been this sort of community input that shapes the store. “We want feedback from you guys. We are always looking for community input and want to know what you want!”

Looking ahead, China Lake Provisions plans to expand its bakery offerings with fresh bagels and other baked goods, while continuing to emphasize locally and ethically sourced staple food items such as: dairy, eggs, grains, spices, and of course meat. Patrons have multiple company offerings of local maple syrup, honey, ice cream, bread, and beverages. New and seasonal products will continue to make appearances on the shelves and in the coolers at China Lake Provisions. Leading up to their Grand Opening, the store has distributed coupons to nearby schools and businesses and is thrilled to help sponsor this weekend’s fishing derby.

Stop in for hot coffee, delicious pizza, a sandwich, or to see their wide array of local and seasonal products. Check out their Menu and more at : https://chinalakeprovisions.com/.

FMI contact: Info@chinalakeprovisions.com

NOTE: This article has been updated from it’s original print version.

China trails are open

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Contributed photo

As of Monday evening, February 3, China snowmobile trails are open. Riders should use them at risk of damaging their machine. The China Four Seasons Club volunteers are grooming to build firm bases, and the forecast of more snow is encouraging.

China select board hears manager’s initial budget draft

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by Mary Grow

All six China Budget Committee members and four of the five Select Board members watched Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood’s Feb. 3 on-screen presentation of the initial draft 2025-26 town budget. Each went home with a binder containing an inch of paper detailing past, present and proposed finances.

The introductory page shows Hapgood’s proposed budget, totaling $4,996,148. This figure is $191,752 higher than the current year’s budget.

Major recommended increases include more than $70,000 for public works; more than $60,000 for public services; and more than $54,000 for emergency services. The manager proposes decreases from the current year in five accounts; the largest is $18,500 from the transfer station, mainly achieved by moving a part-time employee to the public works payroll.

This person will continue to work in both departments as needed, Hapgood said.

Her presentation summarized some of the budget highlights. New expenditures she proposes include adding a part-time Community Program Director, at an anticipated cost of $11,000; and creating a new reserve fund for replacement scales at the transfer station, starting with $12,000.

The manager is recommending a 3.5 percent cost of living pay increase for town employees. The figure matches the CPI (Consumer Price Index) increase for northern New England, she said.

After review by the budget committee and select board and approval by the latter, the budget will be presented to voters at the June 10 annual town budget meeting. The 2025-26 fiscal year begins July 1.

Hapgood pointed out that not all the almost $5 million will come from property taxes; excise taxes and state revenue sharing are important contributors. And, she said, new homes and new businesses have increased the tax base.

A major concern that surfaced repeatedly in Hapgood’s presentation is emergency services. How will 911 calls be answered in the future? she wondered.

Delta Ambulance is one aspect. The Waterville-based service essential to transport sick or injured residents is charging towns it serves $25 per resident this year and will increase the fee to $35 in 2025-26. This year China was billed $110,200; next year’s bill will be $154,280.

Hapgood proposes paying for 10 hours a week coverage by Kennebec County deputy sheriffs, instead of the current eight hours, increasing that budget line from $36,000 this year to $44,200 next.

And she worried about the decline in volunteers for China’s three fire departments and China Rescue. Members are aging out, and not enough younger members are replacing them, she said.

Hapgood urged select board and budget committee members to review the information in their budget books and send her any questions, preferably well before the Feb. 10 select board meeting.