Tuminaro to run for the Legislature

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Jennifer Tuminaro

China mother, wife and small businesswoman, Jennifer Tuminaro has announced she is running for the Legislature in District #62 (China, Palermo, Somerville, Hibberts Gore, and Windsor). Tuminaro was encouraged to seek office by current Rep­re­sentative Tim Theriault (R-China), who is term-limited. A longtime resident of China, she is concerned with the long-term health of Maine and the need for greater citizen input in decisions that affect their everyday life and local control.

“Maine needs to ensure that everyday citizens already overburdened by high fuel, food and energy costs, are not required to foot the bill when the federal money runs out,” said Tuminaro. “The billions of dollars in pandemic relief that Maine has received will not be there in future years. So it’s important that we focus on making Maine more affordable for the average family rather than creating new programs that require additional taxes. As for our children, it is essential that financial literacy becomes a staple in their education, that greater parental involvement in the classroom is promoted, and that our children are well-equipped to achieve rather than just survive, to become leaders rather than victims.”

Jen Tuminaro has extensive experience in the field of banking and bookkeeping. She is currently a finance manager for the Maine Center for Disease Control. Jen and her husband Michael manage two small, family-owned businesses, and are raising four children. Her experience includes work as a home educator and substitute teacher at Erskine Academy.

Jen has a BA from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Maine.

China transfer station committee waits for more info

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by Mary Grow

Members of China’s Transfer Station Committee continued discussion of several issues, but still lack information to make decisions.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood told them residents continue to respond to the survey she distributed that asked, among other things, the days and hours on which they use the transfer station. Survey results will be part of decisions on changing transfer station and town office hours.

Palermo representative Robert Kurek asked about information on future costs for the trash bags Palermo residents use as part of the agreement that lets them share China’s transfer station. Bag costs are expected to rise, and the committee therefore plans to recommend an increase in the price Palermo residents pay for them.

There is not yet firm information on future costs.

Transfer Station Manager Ronald Marois said he has had no replies to inquiries about ways to cover the container beside the disposal building and hopper.

Committee member Mark Davis is looking into possibilities for an on-site incinerator, but he has nothing to report yet.

The incinerator could be used either for waste disposal only or for a trash-to-energy plan, Davis said. Kurek said it would make sense if its costs – paying down the initial cost and labor and fuel to run it – were lower than costs of out-of-town disposal.

Committee member Karen Hatch said the free for the taking building, also called the swap shop, has run out of room. She reminded residents who continue to bring donations that volunteers welcome only useful, attractive, like-new things someone else is likely to take away promptly.

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

China building committee continues review of information

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by Mary Grow

China Municipal Building Committee members met Jan. 13 and continued review of information they have and information they need as they plan additional storage for town records.

Main tentative conclusions were:

  • They should focus on planning a free-standing building, not a room attached to the present office building.
  • The southeast or east side of the existing building might be a better site than the south side initially considered.
  • Contractor and select board member Blane Casey, who built part of the existing building, is among local people likely to have useful information about the structure, location of underground connections and other essential considerations.

Committee members intend to invite Casey to their next meeting, and postponed scheduling it until they know when he is available.

The only new information available Jan. 13 was a cost estimate committee Chairman Sheldon Goodine presented. It is for a 21-by-48-foot building – committee members have not agreed on a size yet – with a corridor to connect it to the existing building. The figures are between $205,800 and $235,800.

The non-firm estimate will be additionally affected by multiple future decisions, like whether to hire an architect or have the contractor who wins the contract design and build; what materials to use; and whether the town public works crew could do some of the work.

Codes Officer and committee member Jaime Hanson said because the structure is a municipal building, review by the state fire marshal is required. He and Goodine agreed the review is a good idea.

Resident Ed Bailey attended the meeting and offered suggestions, and was immediately invited to ask select board members to appoint him to the committee.

CHINA: Town attorney has doubts about expanding unbuilt solar farm

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by Mary Grow

At their Jan. 11 meeting, China Planning Board members were willing to hear an application to enlarge the approved, unbuilt solar farm on Route 3, until Codes Officer Jaime Hanson told them the town attorney has doubts.

Now they want more information before they make a decision.

New Hampshire-based SunRaise Investments plans the solar farm on a lot leased from Daniel Ouellette on the south side of Route 3, near the China Area Wash and Dry. It was originally approved May 19, 2020.

The permit was extended for a year in May 2021, to give SunRaise more time to reach agreement with Central Maine Power Company, whose lines are supposed to transmit the power from the solar panels.

At the Jan. 11 meeting, SunRaise spokesman Scott Anderson said the company had wanted a slightly larger solar farm, but was limited by China’s lot-coverage requirement. China’s ordinance says that in a rural zone, structures cannot cover more than 20 percent of the lot area; and, unlike other ordinances, China’s counts a solar panel as a structure.

Now, Anderson said, SunRaise has the opportunity to lease enough adjoining land south of the present lot to make a larger array possible within lot coverage limits, if the new leased area were counted as combined with the currently-leased area. The lease would provide that no other structure would be allowed on the newly-leased land.

Before investing in the lease, SunRaise wanted an indication that the planning board would approve an expanded solar farm, characterized as Phase Two of the development. If the board were ready to agree, SunRaise would obtain the lease and file a Phase Two application, perhaps as soon as Jan. 25.

Hanson said town attorney Amanda Meader found a Maine case from 2013 that she thought made it illegal to use two separate pieces of property as though they were one. Board members therefore asked Anderson to talk with Meader before they continue considering SunRaise’s request.

The other case on the Jan. 11 agenda was approval of a transfer of ownership of Little Learners Child Development Center, at 166 Tyler Road. After comparing the prior owner’s application, the current application and ordinance requirements, board members approved with three conditions. New owner Alicia Drever needs to measure water usage for 14 months to make sure the septic system capacity is adequate, and she needs letters from the local fire chief saying the property has access for emergency vehicles and adequate water for fire protection.

Board members postponed discussion of proposed ordinance amendments, after a lively argument about their next step.

In mid-summer 2021 they submitted three proposed changes to the China Select Board, expecting the changes to appear on the November ballot. Nothing happened.

They now know that select board members were not satisfied with the material as presented. Planning board Chairman Scott Rollins said the select board wants the original ordinances, the marked-up draft and the recommended final wording.

Board member Toni Wall said she could assemble the three versions and forward them to Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood to share with select board members.

No, Rollins said, planning board members need to review them first. He proposed a discussion at the Jan. 25 meeting.

Board member James Wilkens objected strongly. The planning board approved the amendments last spring, and he did not want “to go back to something the planning board already voted on.” If select board members ask for changes, then planning board members can consider the request(s).

Wall agreed with Wilkens. As the matter was left, Wall will forward the ordinances in their current forms to the select board, and planning board members will look at them again Jan. 25.

At issue are changes to two sections of the Land Use Ordinance and addition of a new section that would regulate future applications for solar energy systems. All require voter approval.

Erskine Parent/Teacher conferences slated for Jan. 19

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(photo credit: Erskine Academy)

Erskine Academy has scheduled Parent/Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, January 19, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. (snow date will be Thursday, January 20). No appointments are necessary as teachers will be available to speak with parents in their respective classrooms. Please note that this is a masked event – masks are required for all who plan to attend.

Please feel free to contact the Guidance Office at 445-2964 with any questions or concerns regarding this information.

China Broadband Committee (CBC): seven possible sources for expanded service

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by Mary Grow

China Broadband Committee (CBC) members have a list of seven possible sources for expanded and improved broadband service to all town residents.

At their Jan. 6 meeting, committee members discussed what they know about the different companies; what additional information they need; what federal and state funding might be available, once distribution rules are developed; and possibilities of combining technologies from more than one company.

To help them collect and analyze the information they need, they agreed to ask again for money from China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) fund. The draft fund request had two pieces: $10,000 for consultant services and $30,000 to start work. If they are not ready to spend any of the $30,000 in the 2022-23 fiscal year, they expect it to carry forward for future use.

Committee Chairman Robert O’Connor and member Jamie Pitney intended to submit the request to TIF Committee members at the Jan. 10 TIF Committee meeting.

The next CBC meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18 (not the usual Thursday afternoon). A discussion with representatives of Consolidated Communications, one of the seven potential providers, is tentatively on the agenda.

CHINA: Hapgood: with budget time coming, short meetings have come to an end

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by Mary Grow

With work on the 2022-23 budget not quite ready to start, China Select Board members had another short meeting with a varied agenda on Jan. 3.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood reminded them their brief meetings are about to end. She has tentatively scheduled a joint meeting with the budget committee for Monday evening, Jan. 24, and is likely to recommend weekly select board meetings in February.

At the Jan. 3 meeting, board members expressed their approval of the survey Hapgood is circulating. Available on the town website and Facebook page, and on paper at the town office, it is designed to get residents’ views on town office and transfer station hours and similar service-related issues.

Hapgood is collecting opinions to find out how residents’ use of town services has changed with the pandemic, and to seek their preferences on how to reduce hours at the office and the transfer station, if selectmen decide to do so.

In other business, board members unanimously approved spending $21,590 from the China Rescue Unit (CRU) reserve fund to buy a replacement 12 Lead electrocardiogram machine.

Rescue spokesman Thomas Alfieri explained that the current machine is so old it is unusable; that the equipment is essential, both as a requirement for CRU’s state license and to save lives; and that he and his fellow CRU members want to act now, not in the next budget year, especially because of the pandemic.

The $21,590, lowest of three bids he presented, was from Master Medical Equipment (MME) in Jackson, Tennessee. Alfieri said MME is also equipment supplier for Delta Ambulance; China’s unit will match Delta’s, making for a smooth transfer for a patient.

By other unanimous votes, select board members:

  • Gave owners of four properties on which the town has foreclosed for unpaid taxes another 60 days to pay in full; and
  • Formally dissolved the town police department, which has already been replaced by an agreement with the Kennebec Sheriff’s Office (KSO). The vote was requested by the assistant director of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, which oversees training of local police forces.

Board member Wayne Chadwick told KSO Deputy Ivano Stefanizzi that he, for one, is entirely satisfied with KSO coverage. When Board Chairman Ronald Breton asked if the 2022-23 budget should provide funding for more than the current 10 hours a week (in addition to China’s share of service as a Kennebec County town), Chadwick and fellow board member Blane Casey said no.

Because Monday, Jan. 17, is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the town office will be closed and the next select board meeting is postponed to Tuesday, Jan. 18. Hapgood said one agenda item will be the town personnel policy, which has been reviewed and revised by town attorney Amanda Meader.

China resident looks to fill a need for women veterans

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Below left, left to right: Sooz R., Holly L., Rachel P., U.S. Navy Quilt of Valor recipient, and Kristin S., during Quilt of Valor Ceremony on November 6, 2021. (contributed photo)

by Eric W. Austin

Nichole Jordan

“Women veterans in general are so overlooked and underappreciated,” says China resident and U.S. Army veteran Nichole Jordan. “Women are truly the invisible aspect of after-service to our country.”

While many excellent veterans organizations exist, like the American Legion and VFW, historically the focus of these organizations has been on male veterans and the support they need. With men making up about nine-in-ten of all U.S. military veterans, this makes sense, but Nichole Jordan saw a need for more supportive activities aimed at women veterans. To this end, she started Women Veteran’s Glamping in 2019.

“Glamping” is a portmanteau of the words “glamorous” and “camping” and aims to provide participants with modern amenities while enjoying the Great Outdoors.

At the first Women Veteran’s Glamping event Jordan heard from many of the attendees who said they only knew one other woman veteran in the state. “Being a woman veteran, that really hurt to hear,” she says.

The WVG logo designed by Got Vinyl?, in Vassalboro.

With some amazing sponsors and support, Women Veteran’s Glamping was born. Local graphic design experts from Got Vinyl? Ink & Printing, in Vassalboro, helped design their logo featuring a dragonfly, which represents dedication, beauty, honor, courage, love and selflessness. The goal of Women Veteran’s Glamping is to provide a safe and supportive environment for women veterans to relax and connect with other veterans while enjoying the best of Maine’s natural scenery.

At each event, a Quilt of Valor is presented to a deserving veteran to honor their service and sacrifice to the country. “The quilt equals healing,” says Jordan. “The warmth of the wrap and love that is put into it comforts one’s soul on a day when all seems lost or forgotten. Focus is on those most in need of comfort and healing first; those who need to know their sacrifice is acknowledged, those who need the affirmation of a hug, and those who never heard the words ‘Welcome home.’”

Left to right: Vicki B. US Navy, Nichole J. US Army, Jannene B. US Army & US NAVY, Sheryl M. US Navy, Dawn O. US Navy, during a Quilt of Valor Ceremony on October 30, 2021. (contributed photos)

Women Veteran’s Glamping has partnered with two local businesses, Maine Forest Yurts, in Durham, and House in the Woods, in Lee, Maine, to host their weekend retreats. During the first two years they served mostly women veterans in Maine, but in September of 2021, they became an official nonprofit and expanded their events to include women veterans in all 50 states.

Women Veteran’s Glamping has held three previous events with 16 women veterans attending each. This year, they are stepping up their game with seven events planned throughout the year. So far, 152 women have signed up. The trips start on Friday and run through Sunday. Five of the events are scheduled at Maine Forest Yurts, in Durham, with two additional weekends taking place at House in the Woods, in Lee, Maine. Jordan hopes to extend the weekend trips to week-long getaways in 2023.

Interior view of a Maine Forest Yurt, in Durham, ME. (contributed photo)

“Our five-year plan is finding 50 to 100 acres for our own retreat center that will be open year round,” Jordan says. “We will continue to keep Women Veteran’s Glamping in Maine and hope we can secure the land and buildings needed for this down the road. The U.S. has 300,000 women veterans, not including active duty women. There is a calling and a need for this. One step at a time. With God and Country behind us all things are possible.”

Currently, cost for participants is $250 and includes lodging, food, all activities and required supplies, but Jordan is busy fundraising, hoping to cover expenses for most participants in the future.

Outer view of a Maine Forest Yurt in Durham, ME. (contributed photo)

On Saturday, January 15, Women Veteran’s Glamping will hold a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m., at St. Bridget Center, in Vassalboro. Then, on Friday, January 28, there is a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the Auburn VFW Post #1603, 588 Minot Ave. (To-go boxes will be available if pandemic restrictions require either of the events to be take-out only.) They have an on-going quilt raffle as well, with the winner announced live on their Facebook page on February 19 at noon. T-shirts, printed by Got Vinyl? Ink & Printing, in Vassalboro, will be available for a suggested donation of $20 each. They have also connected with local redemption centers throughout Maine and set up accounts to collect funds, so check with the business where you drop off bottles and cans if you’d like to donate them to the cause.

“This year alone we need over $65,000 in fundraising,” she says. “It grows as time goes on. We still have to purchase 25 sleeping bags; a large, flat top grill with 30-pound propane tanks; and we are fundraising for a 7×16-foot trailer to haul all our event gear in.”

Jordan says fundraising has been difficult because many companies are already giving to veteran organizations with a male focus. “Men get $8,000 hunting trips given to them, yet women veterans do bottle-and-can redemption collections, meal fundraising and quilt raffles to cover the lodging, food and activities for women veterans,” she says. “We have sent out 350 donation request letters to the top companies in Maine, New Hampshire and across the country. We get back lots of rejection letters. Some say they don’t want to donate because we are so new, some say they can’t donate because they already support other, predominately male veteran programs in the state of Maine. We offer an opportunity for recreation and the camaraderie of shared experiences in a safe environment. We will continue to hope that companies and others will want to help honor Women Veteran’s Glamping.”

2020 was a difficult year for everyone with the pandemic going on, but it was a particularly painful one for Nichole Jordan. That year, just before Mothers Day, she received the news that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Within three weeks, she had part of her right lung removed. While recovering, she moved back with her folks who had recently bought a house in China. “I am here for when they need me as they age and as I heal from my lung cancer,” she says. “If God lets me live to see 50 years old this year, I promised I would be giving back for my next 50 years to Women Veteran’s Glamping.”

Previously, Jordan lived with her family in Vassalboro from 2010-2012. Her son graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, before attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and then enlisting for active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Her daughter graduated from China Middle School before moving to Texas for high school. Nichole Jordan currently lives in China with her parents and her loyal black lab, Willow Grace.

To find out more about Women Veteran’s Glamping or sign up for a weekend retreat, please visit their website at www.WomenVeteransGlamping.org. To contact Nichole Jordan or to find out more about donating to the cause of women veterans, call 456-6114 or email WomenVeteransGlamping@gmail.com.

Longtime Boy Scout leader steps down

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Scott, left, and his wife Priscilla. After 32 years as Scoutmaster of Troop #479, he is now serving as the Troop’s Committee Chairman and as the Treasurer of the Bomazeen Old Timers as he tries to save the Scout camp he loves. (photos courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

As 2021 is now in the rear view mirror, we can not let the year pass without recognizing one milestone that took place. Scott Adams stepped down as Scoutmaster of Scout Troop #479 in China, a position he held since August 29, 1989.

When Scott Adams became Scoutmaster of Troop #479, there were only four Scouts including his son Matthew. Thirty-two years later, Troop #479 remains one of the healthiest Scout Troops in Kennebec Valley District and can boast having seen 44 Scouts from their troop earn their Eagle Scout rank. Adams is remaining active as the Committee Chairman of Troop #479 and as the Treasurer of the Bomazeen Old Timers which is working to prevent the camp from being sold.

Scott Adams and Greenbar Bill. (contributed photo)

Adams has recently received his 60-year Scouting Veteran pin. He was a Scout in Troop #479 in 1966 under Scoutmaster Preston Mosher. “I joined because that was the thing to do,” Adams recalled. “The Scouting program was much larger back then. My two best friends were in the troop so I joined, too. I was into sports so cooking and camping were all new to me. I enjoyed Scouting but didn’t stay with it as a youth,” he said. But rejoined the program in 1984 as a member of the Pack Committee for Albion Pack #410. The next year, his son Matthew joined the Cub Scout program and Scott has not left it since. When the family moved to China, Scott and Matthew joined Pack #479 which was struggling and being reorganized. Scott and other adults stepped up and the “Pack took off.” Scott served as Den Leader and then Webelos Leader. When Matthew crossed over into Boy Scouts, Scott went with him. Three other Scouts crossed over as well and they made up the entirety of the troop at that time as it had been inactive for most of the year. Scott became Scoutmaster, received training for the position, and focused the program on the youth and getting them into the outdoors each month. “Our first camping trip was to my hunting camp in Unity,” Scott said. “The Scouts slept in tents but there was a cabin with running water if we needed it. We had a latrine but they learned how to dig their own, anyway. Scouting is about getting the kids into the outdoors. If you get them outside and show them that they can enjoy themselves out there, they will stay with the program. The longer they stay in the program the more they will learn about Citizenship, Character, Fitness and Leadership Development. We’re teaching life-long skills but doing it in a way that they enjoy it.”

Christian Hunter, who earned Eagle under Scoutmaster Adams, became the troop’s new Scoutmaster in February. “Looking back it is hard to believe all that Mr. Adams did as Scout­mast­er,” Hunter said. “Mr. Adams planned at least one campout and service project for the troop every month to keep the troop active and to help every scout in have the opportunity to advance in rank. At outings, Mr. Adams always kept the troop on tight time schedule to make sure we could get the most done in a day as possible, but still have some time to have some fun. Also at every outing we had delicious food and plenty of it. Scouts learned to cook in the outdoors. Mr. Adams was an excellent teacher, as Scoutmaster, and taught me and all the other Scouts in our troop many important lessons. Mr. Adams taught us how to plan outings, how to do everything in the Scout Handbook, and how to support and take care of our community. If you had a question about anything, Mr. Adams always had the answer, and would explain it to you so that you would understand. He always made sure to test us on the skills he had taught us, to make sure they would stay with us and help us as adults.”

Adams always kept the program flexible to accommodate the busy schedules of the Scouts. “We had a camping trip scheduled,” he recalled. “But only four Scouts signed up. When I asked, I found out that there was a dance they all wanted to go to on Friday night. No problem, we left for the camping trip early Saturday morning instead of on Friday night. Instead of four Scouts, we had 16 take part.”

There were two events he stressed that all of the Scouts take part in each year: Scout Sunday service at China Baptist Church and Memorial Day services. Adams explained that Pastor Ron Morrell would let the Scouts lead many aspects of the service on Scout Sunday. “One year we had 26 Scouts in the church choir on Scout Sunday,” he said. He also, over the years, brought the Scouts of Troop #479 to camporees both local and all over the nation, and to two that were held in Canada.

Scott Adams. (contributed photo)

Bomazeen Camp Director Bruce Rueger had nothing but praise for Adams’ dedication and appreciates his work with the Bomazeen Old Timers. “Scott is the most passionate and effective Scout Leader I have worked with in the program,” Rueger said. The Old Timers raise funds throughout the year to provide camperships for youth in the area to attend Camp Bomazeen and to purchase building material and supplies for the camp. “I can’t even begin to imagine where the camp would be without all of his work.” Now Rueger and Adams are working together to keep the camp from being sold so that Scouts from Waterville, Skowhegan and Augusta areas will continue to be able to use it for decades to come. “Bomazeen to me is what Scouting is all about,” Scott Adams said. “I will challenge anyone to come up with a waterfront and camp that is better than at Bomazeen. People do not realize the treasure that they have. It is simply outdoor camping at its best.”

Kennebec Valley District Chairman Joe Shelton was recruited by Scott. “Scott has been a steadfast member of his community through Scouting, Masons, Fire Dept. and Community support,” Shelton said. “I’ve known Scott since 2010 and he will help anyone who asks. If he can’t help he will find someone or someway to help. In the end Scott will do whatever he can for anyone who asks! I’ve never seen him turn anyone away that deserved his insight, guidance or assistance.”

Adams’ advice after more than three decades as Scoutmaster to others in the Scouting program: “I like to think that we had a program run by the Scouts. We always tried to make every kid feel welcome and give them an opportunity to succeed. Having a strong outdoor program made all the difference.” He said that sometimes life sent challenges to his Scouts. “I had a Scout who told me he had to quit. I asked why and he said that he was failing in school and needed to quit. I told him that he did need to focus on his school work but when he was ready, Scouting would be waiting to welcome him back whether that was in two weeks, two months or two years. He could pick up where he left off.”

Scott’s wife Priscilla has joined Scott on his Scouting journey. “He is always willing to help everyone,” she said in December 2021 during a regional Scouting leaders’ meeting where Scott was drawing the winning tickets for the latest Bomazeen Old Timers’ raffle. “He has always put just as much time and energy into the family as he has put into Scouting.”

Scoutmaster Hunter said, “Taking over as scoutmaster of Troop #479 is a huge undertaking because Mr. Adams was an excellent leader. There is no way I’ll ever be a Scoutmaster like Mr. Adams, but with the skills he taught me I will do my best to fill his shoes.”

China planners settle three issues

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members settled all three issues on their Dec. 14 meeting agenda.

They approved a revised subdivision plan for Fire Road 19, updating records to show a relocated road.

They agreed the former subdivision on the Lakeview Drive lot that Brent Chesley recently bought from the Town of China had expired before the town sold the land, and the town is therefore responsible for notifying the Registry of Deeds that the land is no longer subdivided.

They voted that the new owner of Little Learners Child Development Center, 166 Tyler Road, needs to file a new application to continue the business, even though she plans no changes.

The next China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28.