China transfer committee updated on reopening of waste facility

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by Mary Grow

China transfer station committee members spent their July 11 meeting mostly on updates – the latest news locally and from the former trash-to-energy facility in Hampden to which China used to send waste and may again.

The news from Hampden is that the Municipal Review Committee, which represents China and 114 other Maine municipalities, has found a new owner for the facility.

Tom Maraggio, China’s transfer station manager, said the plant is expected to reopen in about a year and a half as an anaerobic digester that will produce methane gas from waste.

Palermo committee member Robert Kurek called the sale “moving in the right direction.”

Locally, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood reviewed the contract that allows Albion residents to bring some of their waste items to China for disposal (see the June 29 issue of The Town Line, p. 3). Maraggio said he has issued 10 or so passes to Albion residents already.

The news from Hampden is that the Municipal Review Committee, which represents China and 114 other Maine municipalities, has found a new owner for the facility.

With a pass, which costs $5, an Albion resident may bring in some of the things not included in Albion’s curbside pick-up program. China collects fees on all Albion items; Hapgood said the fees are designed to cover staff time and disposal costs, and are higher than those charged China and Palermo residents. They can be adjusted without notice if China’s disposal costs go up.

The contract runs only through the end of 2023. It can be ended by either party on two weeks’ notice.

Hapgood is working on a new policy for China and Palermo residents that will add to the existing RFID (radio frequency identification) tags annual stickers with vehicle license plates numbers on them (see the June 15 issue of The Town Line, p. 3). The goal is to minimize illicit use of the station by people who borrow residents’ RFID tags or who keep their tags after they move out of town.

The draft policy would charge $10 for each new RFID tag, to cover costs of buying and distributing the tags. However, the contract between China and Palermo prohibits new fees for Palermo residents, so they would be exempt, an inequity Hapgood has not yet figured a way to avoid.

Maraggio said things are generally going well at the transfer station. The exception, which committee members discussed at length, is the misbehavior of a few users. Without naming names, they talked about people who disobeyed rules and were rude to staff members when caught, and those whose driving caused damage. Apparently many people have trouble driving in reverse.

Cameras at the facility are useful in tracking down offenders. Hapgood and Kurek both act as needed to remind their respective residents of their responsibilities, and Hapgood said the Kennebec Sheriff’s Office provides back-up when needed.

The next transfer station committee meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, July 13, 2023

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To submit a photo for this section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@townline.org!

FULL BLOOM: Laura Jones, of Vassalboro, snapped these tulips in full bloom.

MAGNIFICENT: Jayne Winters, of China, photographed this magnificent male bald eagle.

EAVES DROPPING: Emily Poulin, of South China, caught these chickadees gossiping at her feeder, with a third eaves dropping.

Pirates visit the China Village library to celebrate summer reading

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Pirates interact with local children at the ACB Library, in China Village. (contributed photos)

by Carla Gade

It was a quiet Monday morning, June 26 it was, when a pair of pirates descended on the China Village Library. Children and their parents and grandparents gathered to see if rumor was true, or was it mere hearsay? Would pirates really come to the village? By way of China Lake? Rumor had it that their ship was hidden in a cove somewhere, but to what end? In haste they ap­peared like an apparition before the group of young Bookaneers. Of those present, some donned pirate attire suitable for the occasion. Even the Librarians were costumed. One took her stance with books and a writing quill, armed with knowledge, you see.

(contributed photos)

Alas, it became known that Captain Scruffhook O’Tinkle and Miss Ruby Kidd had come bearing peaceful tidings. In fact, they had come to entertain! Captain O’Tinkle, Tink for short, regaled the crowd with true-ish stories of fabled pirates, Sam Bellamy, Black Beard, young John King, and the notorious female pirate, Zheng Yi Sao. Ruby Kidd delighted them all with stories from the book of Piratology. She also proved to be a master teller of riddles which the youngsters were quick as a whip to answer. The young Bookaneers each received a unique pirate name, learned of pirate ways (true and myth), handled a genuine compass and a leather treasure map. The generous pirates shared plentiful pirate booty from their treasure chest with all!

The pirates, O’Tinkle, aka Shana Tinkle, and Ruby Kidd, aka Annabelle Lisa, are pirate reenactors who came courtesy of Back and Forth Tours, of Belfast. Dressed in full pirate regalia, they enthralled the library visitors to help launch the library’s Family Summer Reading Adventure upon the frigate S.S. A.C. Brown. Children and youth ages 4 – 17 and/or family members interested in embarking on the reading adventure can join any time through the end of July.

The program runs through August 19 and prizes will be awarded at a pirate rendezvous at the end of August. This year, in addition to ice cream from The Landing, the Masonic Dirigo Lodge will provide “Bikes for Books” to several participants as a reward for their reading efforts. A treasure map of reading suggestions, activities, and a log to track the reader’s adventures. All family members are encouraged to participate. The idea is to make reading fun and to keep reading throughout the summer. Children of all age groups receive a pirate coin, prizes, and a raffle ticket for the bike drawing. The adult raffle prize is a coupon for bookstore. Participants should have a library card and new patrons are welcome to join.

During the summer, an inhouse treasure hunt will be an ongoing activity for all visitors who would like to participate. The China Village Library (ACBM Library) is located at 37 Main Street in China Village, ME. Facebook @chinalibrary, website: chinalibrary.org, email: chinalibraryacb@gmail.com.

How will new mooring ordinance impact recreation on Palermo waters?

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Margaret and Gary Mazoki, of Palermo, enjoy their pontoon boat during the annual July 4 boat parade on Sheepscot Lake. (contributed photo by Janet West)

Submitted by Pam McKenney,
Sheepscot Lake Association Board

In March 2023, Palermo residents voted to approve a mooring ordinance for lakes and ponds in Palermo. The ordinance and its impact on Palermo waters, including Sheepscot Lake, will be the focus of the Sheepscot Lake Association’s upcoming Annual Meeting on Thursday, July 20, 6 p.m,. at the Fish and Game Clubhouse, on Rte 3.

The guest speaker this year will be Shawn R. Hebert, Harbor Master/ Chief of the Marine Safety Division, Naples. For a combined 32 years of service, he has been involved in Public Safety and Emergency as well as the training and certifying Harbor Masters statewide. At our annual meeting, Shawn will help us to further understand the role of a Harbor Master on Maine lakes and ponds and to examine the impact of the new mooring ordinance approved by Palermo residents in March.

The new ordinance will manage the placement of moorings and houseboats on waters within the town. The purpose is to provide for safe navigation, to protect the rights of shorefront property owners, and to preserve the health of inland water ecosystems. This was necessary since the State of Maine does not regulate the placement of moorings nor the anchoring of houseboats on Maine lakes, great ponds, and streams within the Water Safety Zone. This zone is defined as the first 200 feet from the high-water mark of any shore or ⅓ distance to the opposite shore, whichever is less.

Before Palermo voters accepted the ordinance, the placement of moorings and anchoring of houseboats inside the Water Safety Zone was left up to the discretion of individuals. Municipalities have little to gain and much to lose if moorings and houseboats are abandoned or seep sewage or sink. Therefore, a committee of stakeholders, including SLA board members, examined ordinances from other Maine towns and developed standards for mooring and anchoring suited to Palermo. These standards ensure that mooring installation, use, and maintenance as well as overnight anchoring does not:

  • impair the public’s health, safety and welfare;
  • result in degraded water quality, loss of aquatic habitat, or interference with navigation;
  • infringe on the rights of shore land property owners.

Beyond human use and enjoyment, Maine waters sustain ecosystems vital to the health and identity of our state. Find out more at the Sheepscot Lake annual meeting and see the Town of Palermo website for a copy of the adopted ordinance which takes effect in 2024. Also, please consider supporting the Sheepscot Lake Association with your membership and attendance at the annual meeting. The meeting starts with a dessert potluck at 6 p.m.

Issue for July 6, 2023

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FOR YOUR HEALTH: Finding Health Insurance Coverage For Your New College Graduate

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Many families may be surprised at how much young adults need health insurance—and how easy it can be for them to get it.

(NAPSI)—As you and your child look to the future, many questions may arise. One often lost in these planning discussions is what are the graduate’s health insurance needs.

While it might be the last thing you ask yourself, it can be one of the most significant. Adults ages 19 to 34 have the highest uninsured rates of any age group in the United States—and that may put them at risk. One unexpected accident or illness could have long-lasting health and financial impacts.

“Choosing the right health coverage may seem difficult to young people, as many have never shopped for their own health insurance,” said Dan Garrison, president of HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. “Fortunately, there is a wide range of coverage options available to a family working to meet a graduate’s unique care needs and financial situation.”

And now is the time to start. While some graduates may have secured jobs that offer health benefits, some may not have access to these benefits immediately, while others may need to look at other options.

Here are some tips for getting started:

Know where to go for support. You and your graduate can find helpful information through healthcare marketplaces, insurance carriers, insurance brokers and other licensed agents. For example, GetCovered, powered by HealthMarkets, is a free service that provides guidance for graduates in need of healthcare coverage—by phone at 877-270-0029 or online at getcovered.com/graduate.

Have answers to these kick-off questions.

•When does the graduate’s current coverage end, if it is through the university or college?
•Is coverage possible under the family’s plan? Under the “Age 26 Rule,” parents or guardians may maintain or add children to their health plans until the young person’s 26th birthday or later, depending on the state.
•What benefits does the graduate need or want?
•What portion of the graduate’s monthly budget can go to health insurance?

Understand your options

If coverage under the “Age 26” rule is not an option, consider:

•Medicaid/Medicare—While Medicare coverage is primarily available to individuals over age 65, Medicaid eligibility is based on income, disability, and other circumstances.

•Individual exchange/marketplace plans—These ACA plans are available through federal or state enrollment sites. Based on income, your graduate may be eligible for plan subsidies—making one of these plans more affordable. Graduation would be a “qualifying life event” to enroll in an ACA plan outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period.

•Short-term plans—Short-term limited duration insurance plans offer different levels of coverage than ACA plans. These plans provide temporary coverage to bridge the gap between longer-term insurance coverage, such as health benefits offered by an employer.

“Health coverage decisions can be made simpler—and there are resources to help,” Garrison said. “Whether your family chooses to do its own research and enrollment, or engage outside services, determining what your graduate may need and can afford will help you find health coverage that ensures your child has access to care now.”

Local residents named to Clark University’s spring dean’s list

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The following local residents were named to Clark University’s Spring 2023 Dean’s List, in Worcester, Massachusetts:

Brexton E. Getchell, of Unity, was named to second honors.

Anna Pellerin, of Winslow, was named to first honors.

Caleb J. Sacks, of Palermo, was named to second honors.

Eastern student Olivia Bourque makes spring 2023 dean’s list

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Eastern Connecticut State University, in Willimantic, Connecticut, recently released its dean’s list for the spring 2023 semester, in which nearly 1,300 students were recognized for maintaining high GPAs.

Among them is full-time student Olivia Bourque, of Vassalboro, a sophomore who majors in Psychology.

Gavin Murphy named to University of Rhode Island spring 2023 dean’s list

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The University of Rhode Island, in Kingston, Rhode Island, has announced that Gavin Murphy, of Winslow, has been named to the Spring 2023 dean’s list.

THE BEST VIEW: Crocs, bandanas & “Ranch Dressing”

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by Norma Best Boucher

Listen up! You are the first to know. I am “officially” eccentric. I can see the raised eyebrows of the people who do not know me and the rolling of the eyes of the people who do know me. For the new people, just how eccentric am I? For my friends, I have crossed the line from oddity to eccentricity—there is no stopping me now.

The oddity stage started when I was a little girl living on a street with all boys. I thought I was a pretty normal tomboy, but in later years I met an older woman whose family had lived on my street who told me that her husband used to refer to me as “the character.” At first, I was insulted, but then I took the name as being my own person, which is evidently still true to this day.

Most of my family members were eventually involved in the business world, actually owning various businesses. I was the English major with a vivid imagination always writing or telling stories. We were all encouraged to be what we wanted to be, not what anyone else expected us to be. What freedom —to be accepted for what we were. I remember doing something that a non-family member thought odd, but my cousins stood up for me and responded with understanding, “Oh, that’s just Norma.”
Acceptance felt good.

Let’s see, now, eccentricity. I have discovered Crocs, the shoes not the reptile. Although there are many new stylish choices, I enjoy the original round-toed, holey clogs. I was at an appointment the other day with a young lady taking my blood pressure. She saw my Crocs (I was wearing my bright pink Crocs at the time.) and mentioned that there were many new styles.

“I know,” I said, “but I like the ugly ones.”

From the expression on her face, I could tell that she didn’t appreciate eccentricity.

I own many colorful pairs of Crocs, purchased at sale prices at a local discount clothing store. I like to choose shockingly bright colors that might ordinarily clash with my outfit, but by being eccentric, the colors merely stand out in total eccentricity.

About 20 years ago I discovered elasticized waist bands. Although my weight didn’t seem to change, my actual figure did, hence the elasticized waist bands. I discovered well-known national brand-named jeans with elasticized waist bands and was happy for many years. As the years progressed, I did have to hunt for those jeans. I went from one national department store to a different national department store until finally the last national department store closed all of its stores near me. I was forced to search online but to no avail.

I never gave up searching, though, and finally I found my jeans in not only dark blue denim but also in my beloved light blue denim and on sale. I just kept clicking on the links until I was into a company that only had stores in the northwest of the US of A. Then I noticed the name of the store. Let’s just say that the word “farm” was in the store name. I have nothing against farming. I have had my share of gardens and enjoyed them, but to buy my well-known national brand-named jeans from a farm supply store? That did it. Either I could be insulted, or I could be eccentric. I chose to be eccentric. I was nearly there anyway, so why not?

I was sulking about the “farm” thing and finally shared with my friends my dilemma.

“Go for it,” they all said. “Wear your wildest colored Crocs and add a bandana as an accessory.”

That sounded reasonable, maybe even stylish. No one had to know the store had the word “farm” in its name. I began to rationalize the situation. Farm stores sell animal feed. Horses eat feed, and horses live on ranches. I’ll just substitute the word “ranch” for “farm.” I went right online and ordered two pairs of “ranch” jeans, one in each color.

I am in my 70s now, but as I walk out my front door dressed in my bright red Crocs, my paisley-designed red bandana in my right pants pocket with just a hint of color showing from the corner of the bandana, and my new dark navy “ranch” jeans, I am the 10-year-old “character” of my youth going out to play with my cousins.

“Oh, that’s just Norma,” I hear them say.

Yes.

Acceptance feels good.