VASSALBORO: Junkyard, marijuana licenses approved by planners

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by Mary Grow

The March 3 Vassalboro Select Board meeting began with two public hearings, followed by unanimous approval of applicants’ licenses, as recommended by Codes Officer Ryan Page.

Robert Parise, owner of Platinum Core, LLC, at 1702 Riverside Drive (formerly RAP’s Auto – see The Town Line, Feb. 10), received a junkyard license, with no discussion.

Five medical marijuana business licenses were approved for the property at 55A Old Meadows Road, for building owner Leo Barnett and growers Colin Dorsey, William Cunningham, Zeena McMullen and Jason Luce.

After the decision, audience members asked about other medical marijuana businesses in town. Page said a total of nine licenses are current, valid through Dec. 31, 2022. In the future, Barnett has planning board approval for operations on Sherwood Lane (see The Town Line, Dec. 17, 2020) and in two more Old Meadows Road buildings (see The Town Line, Nov. 19, 2020).

In other business, Page reported no change in the situation of the former church on Priest Hill Road, in North Vassalboro, currently slated for demolition.

Select board members appointed John Fortin a member of the Recreation Committee.

Town Manager Mary Sabins reported on three foreclosed properties. The town now owns them; she is trying to locate former owners or their heirs.

The next regular select board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, March 17. Like the March 3 meeting, it will start an hour earlier than usual and be followed by a budget committee meeting.

Vassalboro committee begins pre-town meeting budget talks

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Budget Committee members began their pre-town-meeting considerations at their March 3 meeting with a two-way virtual discussion with human resources consultant Laurie Bouchard, of LBouchard and Associates of Jefferson.

Bouchard explained the salary schedule she and Town Manager Mary Sabins have been working on for weeks. When select board members approved contracting with Bouchard almost a year ago, they intended to implement results of her work in the 2022-23 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2022 (see The Town Line, March 25, 2021).

Bouchard and Sabins developed a survey asking about other municipalities’ employees’ pay and benefits. Bouchard mailed the survey to 23 municipal offices; she got 11 replies. She tabulated and analyzed the answers and came up with a suggested plan intended to treat Vassalboro employees comparably with their peers.

As in the past, Vassalboro needs to play catch-up for some employees who are comparatively underpaid. After a basis is established, the plan Bouchard and Sabins developed calls for annual two percent pay increases plus annual cost of living increases. The two percent step increases would end after 17 years of employment.

Sabins estimates going ahead with the plan would add about $37,000 to the 2022-23 budget. She had already recommended a larger-than-usual six percent pay raise for town employees, because, as Bouchard commented, “compensation’s gone crazy,” with Covid, inflation and “everyone competing for a small pool of people.”

Budget committee members asked many questions clarifying the plan. They made no decision.

Select board members are leaning in favor of the salary scale, although they are waiting to see the whole budget picture, including the 2022-23 school budget request, before making a decision. Chairman Robert Browne told budget committee members $37,000 is a small piece of the total municipal budget and added, “It doesn’t make any sense to quibble about this [amount for salaries] this year.”

Budget committee members’ first action was to re-elect Rick Denico, Jr., to another term as committee chairman.

The committee is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, and Thursday, March 10, at the town office; Tuesday, March 15, at Vassalboro Community School; and Thursday, March 17, after the 6 p.m. select board meeting, at the town office.

ARPA funding topic at special meeting

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by Mary Grow

At a special meeting March 2, spokespeople for the Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD), the Vassalboro Volunteer Fire Department and the Vassalboro First Responders told select board members how they would use federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds if they got some.

Select board members made no decisions. Renewed discussion is tentatively scheduled for their March 17 meeting.

They reminded everyone that ARPA funding is probably a one-shot deal. Vassalboro has received $231,692.56, according to Town Manager Mary Sabins, or a little over half of its $461,000 appropriation. She expects the rest by early this fall.

Engineer Stephen Green spoke for the VSD, with the mostly-silent support of the entire board of trustees. Top priority, Green said, is fixing most if not all of the 72 manholes in Vassalboro streets and roads.

The manholes date from the 1980s, he said. The supporting walls are brick-and-mortar, with the mortar deteriorating so that many of the manhole covers have sunk below the pavement level. He said about one-third of the manholes have been inspected; 90 percent of those inspected need repair.

Green estimated about 30 manholes are on Route 32 (Main Street) and have been “pounded the worst” by comparatively heavy traffic. They have generated many complaints to VSD officials, the town office and the select board.

Route 32 is a state highway. Green said he is waiting to hear from state officials whether the VSD can cut into the pavement to make repairs.

VSD officials are already planning the manhole work. Green’s current cost estimate is $250,000. He believes the work qualifies for ARPA money under the category of wastewater infrastructure, and said the VSD has access to some matching money.

After funding is obtained, Green expects the work to take at least six months, two to award a contract and four for construction.

VSD officials gave selectmen a list of lower-priority projects several weeks ago, and Green briefly summarized them: installing bulk tanks to hold odor control chemicals at pump stations, repairing the office building, paving access ways, adding water at the pump stations (to wash pumps) and perhaps, if there is renewed demand, extending sewer lines.

Sabins calculated the total VSD request at more than $2.2 million, far in excess of expected ARPA funds.

Fire Chief Walker Thompson’s priority is replacing Scott air packs for department members. If he were to get 20 new ones in a single year, Sabins pegged the cost at over $163,000. Thompson talked about spreading the purchases over two years and buying 16 rather than 20.

Thompson’s second priority is stipends for firefighters who continued to work through the pandemic. He recommended allocating any money on a per-call basis.

Rescue Chief Dan Mayotte said his top priority is buying 11 new AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators). The unit’s current AEDs are failing one by one, and they’re so old replacement parts are no longer available.

He would also like money for ENVO masks (reusable N95 masks) for volunteer firefighters and other town employees and volunteers who regularly interact with the public, and a $10,000 fitness test machine to go with the masks. Sabins said all town employees are considered essential workers and all deal directly with the public at least part of the time.

Training funds would also be useful, Mayotte said, and his volunteers would appreciate stipends.

Sabins had estimated the First Responders total request at almost $70,000.

Sabins suggested an electronic sign for the town office dooryard to help keep residents informed of upcoming events. She had a cost estimate of $30,000 to buy and install a sign, based on the cost of the new one at Vassalboro Community School.

At the March 3 select board meeting, member Chris French suggested using part of the second half of the ARPA money for a second sign at the Riverside Fire Station on Riverside Drive (Route 201).

Other suggestions that might be eligible for ARPA money included repairs to the China Lake outlet dam in East Vassalboro; a Zoom or similar system that would allow residents to view select board meetings from home; and a donation to Waterville-based Delta Ambu­lance.

ARPA regulations explained

The federal regulations for using ARPA funds, approved by the Secretary of the Treasury and effective on April Fools’ Day, 2022, are in a two-inch thick blue binder that Town Manager Mary Sabins brought to the select board’s March 2 discussion.

Inside are 437 pages of mostly single-spaced typing. The stated purpose is to “implement the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund” established by Congress.

The document has no table of contents, no index and no definitions section.

The introduction says that the document is supposed to explain what ARPA money can be used for and how to apply for it. It notifies people that “each eligible use category has separate and distinct standards for assessing whether a use of funds is eligible.”

Applicants need to figure out which category their intended expenditure fits into, and then decide whether the expenditure meets that category’s standards.

Furthermore, “In the case of uses to respond to the public health and negative economic impacts of the pandemic, recipients should also determine which sub-category the eligible use fits within (i.e., public health, assistance to households, assistance to small businesses, assistance to nonprofits, aid to impacted industries, or public sector capacity and workforce), then assess whether the potential use of funds meets the eligibility standard for that sub-category.”

Parts of the document describe eligible uses; other parts list restrictions on uses. Some restrictions apply only to some types of government.

Types of government are listed as “state, territory, Tribal government, county, metropolitan city, nonentitlement unit of government.” Sabins said the last category means small towns like Vassalboro.

The document says federal officials do not preapprove ARPA expenditures. Vassalboro Select Board Chairman Robert Browne has explained that Vassalboro spends the money, then submits the bill. If it is rejected, the town pays.

Spectrum Generations, Capital Area New Mainers Project will help deliver services to underserved in central Maine

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Spectrum Generations, Central Maine’s Agency on Aging, has entered into a contract with Capital Area New Mainers Project to expand equity of access to Older Americans Act services to New Mainers in central Maine. This partnership will provide New Mainers who are caregivers or who are over 60 with culturally competent delivery of services including information and referral services, benefits enrollment, caregiver support and respite, and meals on wheels.

“This has been a priority initiative for Spectrum Generations,” said Gerard Queally, President & CEO of Spectrum Generations. “As a community-based organization, we need to ensure all persons living in Maine have equal access to services and must be proactive in removing barriers that may not be obvious to native Mainers. Spectrum Generations looks forward to working with the Capital Area New Mainers Project this year and into the future. From benefits screening and enrollment to services supporting care partners, this will help ensure all have an opportunity to age in place and remain independent.”

“When immigrants and refugees arrive here, they have many obstacles to overcome in order to integrate into our community and thrive,” said Chris Myers Asch of Capital Area New Mainers Project. “This partnership helps us connect New Mainers who are aging or are a care partner to someone aging or living with disabilities with the resources all older adults should be afforded. We look forward to this partnership.”

Area scouts take part in Klondike Derby

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The sled. Scouts from China and Winslow show how they were the dogs in the dog team sled pulling. Part of the challenge was to build the sled so it can withstand the event while trying to keep it light. Scouts were also told some items were required to be on the sled for safety, and they could put other items they thought they would need. Some Scouts, who had packed too much, were “dog”-tired by the end of the Klondike Derby. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris

Camp Bomazeen, on Great Pond, in Belgrade, saw several inches of new snow, temperatures hovering between 0 and 10 degrees, and a camp full of eager Scouts hunting for gold during the annual Klondike Derby winter activity on Saturday, February 26.

Scouts and Cubs from across Franklin, Somerset, Kennebec and Lincoln counties re-enacted the historic Klondike gold rush on sleds filled with gear and supplies and they were their own sled dog team. They competed as a team at different stations and earned “gold” nuggets by demonstrating teamwork, Scout spirit, and mastery of the skills that are needed to stay alive in the woods in winter.

“Our Scouts have been learning at troop meetings not only how to dress and pack for winter camping but also how to survive in the wilderness,” said Klondike Derby chairman Julie McKenney. “At the Klondike Derby, they put all that training to work at stations such as orienteering, shelter building, fire starting, first aid, fishing, and rescue.”

There were also Scout favorites including rifle shooting, tomahawk throwing and an obstacle course. Cub Scouts had fun with stations for their younger age group including sling shots, big foot walk, and the cardboard sled race. The Winslow Cub pack raced a cardboard box made to look like a dragon.

Skowhegan Troop #485 was one of three troops that earned 158 gold nuggets by the end of the day. Sam Bass­elett lives in Chelsea but is a member of Man­chester Troop #622 and enjoyed the shooting sports range.

Scott Adams of Troop #479, in China, ran the fire-starting station where Scouts had to build and light a fire in the snow and then boil water. Afterwards, they had to properly dispose of their fire area.

Albion Scout Caught his Trap: Trevor Pellerin, of Albion, shows off the mouse trap he caught in the “fishing pond” which was really a challenge to lash a sturdy fishing pole. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

John and his son Ian Martin, of Augusta Troop #603, show that scouting is a great program for families. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

STUDENT WRITERS: To Recycle or Not to Recycle

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The Town Line presents the STUDENT WRITERS PROGRAM
This week featuring: ERSKINE ACADEMY

The following is a Summary Response Essay, written by Erskine Academy senior Mackenzie Roderick of China. Mackenzie is enrolled in KVCC College Composition at Erskine as well as UMF Creative Writing; both early college opportunities offered and supported by The Aspirations Program. Funded by the Maine Legislature and taxpayers and administered by the Maine Department of Education, this initiative allows qualifying Maine students to earn college credit while still in high school. The following essay requires writers to read and summarize a current news article or opinion piece, then respond using various rhetorical devices while incorporating at least one outside source with attention to structure, word choice, and idea development.

Mackenzie plans to attend Worcester State University next year to major in Biology.

by Mackenzie Roderick
Erskine Academy

In “America Finally Admits Recycling Doesn’t Work” published in 2019 by Foundation for Economic Education, author Jon Miltimore delves into the reality behind recycling in America. Due to a regulatory decision in China to stop accepting recycled materials from the United States, Miltimore has brought this issue to light. Miltimore focuses on the fact that most of the items intended for recycling end up in landfills anyway and acknowledges that some other countries have done away with recycling already. Miltimore continues by arguing that American legislation has little power in fixing the problem, and the author also emphasizes the cost of recycling to introduce the debatable question: is recycling worth it? By examining the cost and effect of recycling, Miltimore suggests readers should evaluate the economic benefits of recycling, in order to make an informed decision.

Miltimore claims that recycling has been a hoax for years and is just a giant placebo to make society feel better about themselves. Overall, I disagree with Miltimore’s claim that recycling is a waste. I believe that there are downsides to recycling, however it is better to recycle than not. Miltimore acknowledges that China has created a global issue by not collecting recycled materials anymore which has put a kink in the recycling business. However, even though recycling does cost money, when done properly, recycling can be cost effective. Also, recycling is very crucial in saving energy, which in turn helps the environment.

One of Miltimore’s claims is that the United States has had trouble with recycling due to the fact that “China, perhaps the largest buyer of US recyclables, stopped accepting them in 2018.” Put simply, in 2018 China became aware that other countries viewed them as the “trash pile” country because they would take everyone’s trash. Of course, the Chinese government did not want to be globally viewed in that manner, so they stopped accepting almost all trash and recyclable imports from other countries. That completely backfired on a handful of nations, including the United States. There are multiple different types of recycled materials, but the easiest and cheapest type to recycle is categorized as “pure” materials. This is what the United States had originally kept to recycle themselves, and the rest of the materials that were expensive and more complex to recycle, were previously shipped to China. Now faced with a new challenge, the United States has found it difficult to recycle all of their materials in a cost effective manner.

Following the money trail is pretty simple. Recycling businesses pay to break down the recycled materials into small pebbles, which they then resell to producer companies. Those companies then use the materials to make their products. Unfortunately, because it is so expensive to break down the “non-pure” materials, recycling businesses discovered that if they raise the prices of the broken down materials, the producer companies will never buy them. However, if they don’t raise the prices, the recycling businesses won’t be making any money. Private recycling companies are faced with two options. They can either pay more to recycle the “non-pure” materials, or they can throw it all away. Many politicians and private recycling business owners have found that the decision is a one-way street. For example, Judie Milner, the city manager of Franklin, New Hampshire says, “We are doing our best to be environmentally responsible, but we can’t afford it.” Before China declared they wouldn’t accept our materials, recycling programs had encouraged citizens to recycle all the possible materials like paper, metal, and plastic. Now, recycling programs have had to throw all of these recyclable materials away, where they will end up in landfills. This issue has continued to be a problem since 2018 and is a large reason for the recycling debate. Fortunately, there are ways to combat this issue that are both good for the environment and the economy.

Because Miltimore focuses on the cost of recycling, he overlooks a cost effective solution. I disagree with Miltimore’s claim that recycling’s cost outweighs the benefits. Crucial steps can be made in order for recycling to become, once again, a profitable industry. Miltimore emphasizes that cost is the main reason why recycling is not effective. However, the cost effectiveness that comes from recycling is, in large part, due to the energy that it saves. That is because it takes less energy for the production of items using recycled materials, than it does to produce them from raw materials. The cost effectiveness also falls into the hands of the public. Something Miltimore doesn’t mention are the ways people can combat the recycling issue. A simple way to make recycling more cost effective is to be mindful of what we recycle. For instance, paper should be dry and not crinkled, food cans should be thoroughly rinsed out, and oily cardboards like pizza boxes should just be thrown out. According to Waste Management, the leading provider of comprehensive waste management systems, “recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a television for two to three hours.” This is where the money comes in. In everything we as consumers do, or don’t do, there is money tied to it. It costs money to break down materials, and it costs money to make materials. By using recycled materials for products, in the end you are also saving money. Less energy used, equals more money saved. Miltimore makes a valid point that some recycling businesses are losing money, however, Miltimore fails to emphasize that production companies are making money from recycled materials. There is money lost, and there is money gained.

Miltimore continues the discussion by arguing that the United States Legislation has little to no power to fix the recycling crisis. I disagree since many countries have been successful in creating laws to combat the recycling issue. Take Germany, for example, who has implemented the Green Dot System. The Green Dot system is a recycling system that specifically targets the waste of packaging materials. According to GD-Europe.com, “The Green Dot System has achieved great success as a European model: 20 countries have adopted it as a system for collection, sorting and recycling household packaging waste which makes up 25-30% of waste in European landfills…packaging marked with the Green Dot are on the market all over the world.” I often live by the phrase, “If they can do it, why can’t we?” This is a great example of why that phrase is important. If 20 countries have found this system to be a sufficient system for recycling, the United States legislators should adopt these ideas and implement them in our country. Doing this would allow us to initiate more laws for recycling, while also being backed up by evidence that it is successful in Europe. What is stopping it from being successful here in the United States? Only the limitations we put on ourselves as both a stubborn government and unenlightened society.

In the article “America Finally Admits Recycling Doesn’t Work,” Miltimore voices many points about recycling and why he believes that the country as a whole should abolish it. Recycling has become a global issue, but Miltimore’s argument fails to encompass the bigger picture. That being; recycling can be cost effective when done correctly and with consideration of energy savings, and there are viable systems used in Europe that could be successful in the United States. Statistics provided by the UN Environment Report of 2018 claim that even with recycling, 55% of plastics end up in landfills. Compare that to the 100% of plastic that would end up in landfills if Miltimore’s opinion to stop recycling completely was to be carried out. Clearly 45% of plastic saved from dumping is better than 0% saved. Do we as a nation take steps towards recycling responsibly in order to stop half of the plastics from collecting on our earth? Or do we give up and let all of the trash we make everyday end up in our backyards?

Issue for March 3, 2022

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ICE OUT 2022? Take a guess. Win a prize!

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SEND US YOUR BEST ICE OUT GUESS FOR 2022

Write down your best guess (one per person) and send it to The Town Line, PO Box 89, South China, ME 04358, or email us at townline@townline.org with the subject “ICE OUT 2022“. If more than one person guesses the correct date, a drawing will be held to determine the winner. Get your guess to The Town Line office by noon, Friday, March 18, 2022.

Email: townline@townline.org. Or use our Contact Us page!

PRIZE: To be determined

The records below, of ice out dates on China Lake, were provided by China residents Bill Foster, Captain James Allen and Theresa Plaisted.

Bill Foster brought in the ice out dates from 1874 to 1883. They came from a 215-page log/diary. In the log/diary are recorded the comings and goings from 1870 to 1883 of the F. O. Brainard Store, as well as personal notations of special and everyday events.

Captain James Allen brought in the ice out dates from 1901 to 1948. They had been recorded on the outhouse wall of the old Farnsworth house, also located in China Village.

Theresa Plaisted brought in the ice out dates from 1949 to 1991. She explained to us that a friend and neighbor, Ben Dillenbeck, had kept the record on his cellarway wall until his death on December 12, 1987.

Theresa transcribed Mr. Dillenbeck’s record and has kept the record up to date ever since.

This year, we will be checking China Lake to determine the official date for “Ice Out” in 2020. We will not be looking in hard-to-access areas for that very last crystal to melt, so the definition of “Ice Out,” for the purpose of this contest, is: “When, to the best judgment of the assigned viewer, the surface of the lake appears to be free of ice.” The judge’s decision is final.

Can you guess the day The Town Line declares China Lake free of ice?

Ice Out dates for the last 148 years!

1874 – April 22
1875 – May 6
1876 – April 30
1877 – April 16
1878 – April 12
1879 – May 3
1880 – April 21
1881 – April 19
1883 – April 29
1901 – March 27
1921 – March 28
1932 – April 27
1933 – April 20
1934 – April 19
1935 – April 25
1936 – April 4
1937 – April 20
1938 – April 20
1939 – May 4
1941 – April 16
1945 – April 2
1947 – April 12
1948 – April 8
1949 – April 6
1950 – April 14
1951 – April 9
1952 – April 19
1953 – March 19
1954 – April 19
1955 – April 13
1956 – April 27
1957 – April 10
1958 – April 16
1959 – April 22
1960 – April 21
1961 – April 30
1962 – April 20
1963 – April 22
1964 – April 21
1965 – April 18
1966 – April 18
1967 – April 29
1968 – April 13
1969 – April 23
1970 – April 23
1971 – April 30
1972 – May 1
1973 – April 8
1974 – April 2
1975 – April 23
1976 – April 11
1977 – April 18
1978 – April 21
1979 – April 12
1980 – April 10
1981 – March 18
1982 – April 22
1983 – April 1
1984 – April 17
1985 – April 6
1986 – April 8
1987 – April 6
1988 – April 6
1989 – April 22
1990 – April 11
1991 – April 8
1992 – April 15
1993 – April 21
1994 – April 20
1995 – April 9
1996 – April 5
1997 – April 23
1998 – April 9
1999 – April 2
2000 – April 4
2001 – April 27
2002 – April 6
2003 – April 21
2004 – April 14
2005 – April 16
2006 – March 26
2007 – April 23
2008 – April 17
2009 – April 11
2010 – March 19
2011 – April 17
2012 – March 21
2013 – April 6
2014 – April 19
2015 – April 22
2016 – March 15
2017 – April 17
2018 – April 23
2019 – April 12
2020 – March 27
2021 – March 30
2022 – ?????

Spaghetti supper and no talent show

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photo by jeffreyw: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffreyww/

The Madison American Legion will be hosting a spaghetti dinner and “No Talent” Show, on Saturday, April 2, 5 – 6:30 p.m., at Madison American Legion Hall, 20 S. Maple Street. A Fun Night of Laughter, “No Talent” Show, at 7 p.m., with special guest: Gary Crocker, a Maine humorist, Vietnam veteran, public speaker who feels laughter is the key to a well-balanced life. Also in the lineup are Kenny Rogers and Dolly Pardon, Sunny & Cher, Miss Piggy and more.

Following the “No talent” Show, Karaoke/Dance with Randy & Lisa Michaud will continue to entertain until 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person for members and $15 per person for non-members. Limited tickets will be sold. Tickets must be purchased by March 14 so get your tickets now! Tickets are available at the American Legion Hall, in Madison, ask a member or call Pauline 207-680-6362, Diane 314-5135, Val 634-3329, Harriet 635-2051. FMI: call Pauline 207-680-6362.

Winslow High School senior wrestler crowned state champion

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Referee Shawn Guest, from Bath, presenting State Champion Sam Schmitt with his award. (photo by Jason Gendron)

by Mark Huard

Winslow High School Senior, Sam Schmitt, captured Maine’s Class B State Wrestling Championship at 138 pounds on Saturday, February 19, at Morse High School, in Bath, continuing a family tradition of state champion titles.

Schmitt overcame a very tough finals opponent from Wells with an impressive eight takedowns to finish at 17-10 for the win, a highlight contest that also earned him the coveted Wally LaFountain and John Smith Outstanding Wrestler Award for the State Champ­ionship meet. Sev­eral weeks prior, he won the KVAC Championship at 138 pounds and celebrated his 100th high school career win earlier this season.

Sam comes from a long line of wrestling family members with uncles, cousins and even two sisters that have all competed in the sport for Winslow. He is the fourth of the clan to win a Maine State Championship, joining his grandfather Randall Fredette (1961), cousin Ryan Fredette (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) and cousin Alex Demers (2020) as a title holder. This is Sam’s 12th year of wrestling, having started in the Pee Wee program as a kindergartner and later winning the Maine State Pee Wee Championship as a second grader. He was no stranger to the high school state finals, having placed fourth his freshman year at 106 pounds, third his sophomore year at 120 pounds, and like many other Maine school athletes, did not have a junior season due to COVID restrictions.

In addition to excelling as a student-athlete, Schmitt is a member of the National Honor Society and was recently chosen as Winslow High School’s Student of the Month by faculty and staff. He plans to pursue a degree in business marketing, has been accepted at several colleges already. Sam is the son of Tara and Mike Fredericks, of Winslow, and Rob and Lisa Schmitt, of Waterville.