by Mary Grow

CHINA, ME — Three China Planning Board members took a field trip to Three Level Farm community solar farm on Route 32 (Vassalboro Road) before their May 24 meeting, and were pleased with what they saw.

The visit was part of board members’ preparation to write a solar ordinance to submit to China voters in November. The solar farm was approved several years ago, under the current land use ordinance; provisions intended for buildings were adapted to regulate solar panels.

“This one sets the standard,” board member Walter Bennett said of Three Level Farm. He and others agreed a new solar-specific ordinance should include as requirements many of the things done at the South China site.

Specifically, they liked:

• The limited impact on the natural environment. Only a few trees were cut; an existing wetland and drainage into it seem not to have been affected; minimal changes were made to the terrain.
• The fact that the solar panels are almost invisible from the road. Board members pointed out that not all sites would be naturally screened, suggesting the need for a screening requirement.
• The footings for the panels, three-inch diameter augurs that should be easy to remove when the solar farm is decommissioned.
• The elevated panels – Codes Officer Jaime Hanson estimated the lower edges are about four feet from the ground and the top edges 10 feet – and the generous spacing, allowing a luxuriant growth of grass and clover.

With the minimal disruption to the site, it should return to its natural state soon after the facility is decommissioned, Bennett said.

Natale Tripodi said he had had reservation about solar farms, but after the visit is more enthusiastic.

The only concern discussed was how to allow wildlife into a fenced-off solar farm without also letting people in. Fencing and signage are essential, board members agreed, both to inform people that the area is private property and to avoid possible injury to trespassers.

The May 24 agenda called for discussion of the draft solar ordinance and proposed amendments to the Land Use Ordinance, the latter mostly to incorporate changes required by the state Department of Environmental Protection. With only three members present, acting board chairman James Wilkens postponed both topics.

Hanson said state officials are reviewing currently protected areas along lakes, streams and wetlands. Residents who question whether their property near any protected area is correctly zoned are invited to contact him; he will request a state review.

Wilkens thanked Hanson and Planning Board Secretary Dawn Kilgore for their work. He told Kilgore her diligence is appreciated (board members almost never suggest even a minor change in her detailed meeting minutes). And he told Hanson that he appears to have gained residents’ respect and to be managing codes enforcement smoothly.

Two days after the meeting, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood reported that Hanson is resigning to accept a position with Kennebec County. China is advertising for a new codes officer.

Because the next regular planning board meeting would have fallen on Election Day, June 14, members agreed they will skip it and meet Tuesday evening, June 28, unless a special meeting is needed earlier.

by Mary Grow

CHINA, ME — After a long discussion at their May 23 meeting, China Select Board members unanimously voted to buy a new Volvo loader from Chadwick-BaRoss, Inc., of Westbrook.

Director of Public Services Shawn Reed urged them to make an immediate decision. Prices are rising weekly, he said; if board members put off action until their June 6 meeting, he would need to ask for new bids.

The proposed price, $154,300, was the lowest of five bids received, and the Volvo was one of two loaders Reed recommended. Select board members authorized Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood to negotiate for a lower price.

Hapgood said the balance in the equipment reserve fund is just under $370,000.

The bids included, separately, prices for a snow pusher and a grapple. These auxiliary pieces can be attached to the loader in place of the bucket. Reed recommended buying the attachments, eventually: the snow pusher, he said, would save time cleaning up after storms, and the grapple would make piling brush more efficient.

Select board members expect Reed to continue investigating the attachments, for example evaluating new versus used (if available), and seeing if he can obtain one or both, with connecting links compatible with the Volvo, at a lower price from another dealer.

Board members discussed several options before their decision, including keeping the town’s 25-year-old loader a few more years, or leasing instead of buying a new machine.

Hapgood had asked board member Wayne Chadwick, who is familiar with heavy machinery, to try the loader. His comment: “It’s startin’ to show its age, more so than I thought it was before I drove it.”

William Terry, a representative of one of the unsuccessful bidders, warned of expensive repairs and extensive down time if China tried to keep so old a machine operating. Local resident Brent Chesley, another man with expertise, said leasing a loader would cost taxpayers more than buying one.

The other unanimous decision made May 23 was to adopt a resolution approving the Kennebec County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Kennebec County Emergency Management Agency Director Sean Goodwin explained that the document is updated every five years, based on information towns supply. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already approved the current draft, he said; municipal approvals are the final step.

Goodwin said the major advantage of adopting the plan is that it speeds relief funding in case there is a disaster in town. Towns are not required to deal with every listed risk, like a culvert that is likely to wash out; local officials are free to act according to their priorities and budgets.

The plan, dated 2021, is on the Town of China website, china.govoffice.com, the final item under the Emergencies tab at the left-hand side of the home page.

Sections of the document cover four types of potential hazards: floods, severe winter storms, wildfires and severe summer storms. The plan provides historical information and evaluates risks for each town.

For example, in China there are no areas known to be at risk for wildfires. Albion, Belgrade, Benton and Chelsea are among towns in which wooded areas, especially those with houses among the trees, are considered at risk. Clinton, Monmouth, Oakland and Readfield officials consider areas along railroad tracks as at risk.

Hapgood reminded those present that the town office will be closed Saturday, May 28, and Monday, May 30, for the Memorial Day holiday. The town office will also be closed Tuesday, June 14, because staff will be at polls in the portable building, and Monday, June 20, for the new Juneteenth federal holiday.

Absentee ballots for local, Regional School Unit 18 and state voting are now available, and the ballot return box is outside the town office building.