Managing lands for high quality water: Kennebec Water District’s Watershed Management

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photo by Eric W. Austin

by Robbie Bickford,
Water Quality Manager,
Kennebec Water District

The Kennebec Water District (KWD) will be hosting a public informational meeting at 5:30 p.m., on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at the KWD Water Treatment Plant, at 462 Main Street, in Vassalboro, to review the Forest Management Plan and the South Narrows Peninsula Harvest Plan. These are available for review on our website at: www.KennebecWater.org/Source.

China Lake (or “the Lake”) has been the sole source of supply for KWD since 1905. When the Lake was first used for drinking water, the land around the West Basin was heavily impacted by livestock pasturing and other agricultural activities. In 1909, seeing increasing development around China Lake, KWD began purchasing the shorefront land around the West Basin to protect the drinking water supply. Subsequently, thousands of trees were planted to reforest areas previously cleared for agricultural use.

Today, KWD owns approximately 344 acres of forested land in the China Lake watershed consisting of a nearly continuous, approximately 200-foot-wide, strip of land surrounding the West Basin and two larger plots of land known as the North and South Narrows Peninsulas.

To ensure that KWD’s watershed lands are managed to prompt the highest possible water quality in the Lake, KWD has contracted with Comprehensive Land Technologies, Inc. (CLT), of China, to assess the health of the forested land and develop a Forest Management Plan. Parts of this plan provide recommendations for improving the health of the forest through selective harvesting to prompt an uneven-aged, mixed species forest.

An uneven-aged, mixed species forest has been found to be the most effective buffer to limit erosion and to trap nutrients and contaminants in runoff as well as providing a more resilient forest to a multitude of pests and other adverse conditions.

In winter of 2021-2022 KWD anticipates conducting a selective harvest of the South Narrows Peninsula stand to promote new healthy growth and develop an uneven-aged, mixed species forest. This harvesting will have the primary goal of protecting and enhancing the water quality of the Lake as its focus and any harvesting activities will strictly adhere to industry “Best Management Practices” to minimize the impact on the land and lake water quality.

As always, KWD is committed to preserving and enhancing the water quality of China Lake and this approach to active forest management is the next step in the long line of efforts to achieve this goal. Any questions about the public informational meeting on December 1, 2021, or KWD’s efforts in the China Lake Watershed can be directed to RBickford@KennebecWater.org.

Public notice: TOWN OF FAIRFIELD NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

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Public notice

TOWN OF FAIRFIELD

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Fairfield Town Council will hold a Public Hearing in the Council Chambers ,at the Community Center, at 61 Water Street, on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at 6:30 p.m., for the purpose of hearing public comments on the following matter:

A special amusement permit for the purposes of music and dancing submitted by VFW Post 6924 located at 246 Main Street, Fairfield, Maine 04937

Copies are available at the Town Office. All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearings and will be given an opportunity to be heard at that time.

Signed: Christine Keller,
Town Clerk

Palermo Community Garden seeks seed money grant

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The Palermo Community Garden last summer. (Contributed photo)

The Palermo Community Garden supplies over 350 pounds of organic greens, veggies, fruit, and herbs each growing season to the Palermo Food Pantry, and is run by volunteers. This project is participating in the SeedMoney Challenge, a 30-day online fundraising competition, and it could really use your support. In addition to keeping the money they raise from individuals, they have a chance to win up to $1,000 from SeedMoney, based on how much they raise between November 15 and December 15.

You can find our donation page here: https://donate.seedmoney.org/5907/palermo-community-garden. Your kind donation is, of course, tax deductible, as they are a registered 501(c)3 organization. For more info, please contact Connie at 993-2294.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: A few ideas and uses

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by Debbie Walker

Good afternoon. Any snow yet? I have to ask, you know. I am on a race tonight to get this done before Tabby (cat) comes in. When she comes in at night, or whenever she comes in, she expects to be the center of attention. Laying across my keyboard tends to assure her of the attention possibilities.

I have to ask. Have you ever heard of aluminum foil balls in the dryer? The instructions say to wad up some foil into two small balls and pop in the dryer instead of dryer sheets. I plan to try this one. I’ll let you know.

In the November FIRST magazine the question was asked, “What do you do if you can’t sleep?” The responses published were: 1. Turn your digital clock away from you to help stop the anxiety of calculating your wake-up time. 2. “Get out of bed and journal or doodle. Lying there creates negative association between bed and sleep, worsening insomnia.”

When I was in real estate I stumbled across this suggestion: As your days are busy start a list of things you want to remember for the next day. Cross off the items on your list as the day goes by. At the end of the day go over your list and make changes as appropriate. When you go to bed that night you don’t have to be worried about forgetting to do anything the next day. It’s all written down and you can relax. You won’t forget anything. This worked well for me, so much so I still do it.

Do you know how to tell if your mascara is old? It is important to know because of possible eye infections. Too much air in the chamber makes for breeding ground for bacteria. When you pull the wand out, listen for popping sound. If you don’t hear it, trash it.

Have you gotten out your winter coat yet? Any problem with the zipper? How well is it working? I found rubbing liquid soap back and forth over the zipper. Then work the zipper up and down. You should see a difference. It worked well for me.

What do you do about your cat and plants? Cats dislike citrus. Soak a cotton ball in lemon juice and rub around the rim of the planter. It should keep Kitty away.

Do you have trouble organizing your linens? Put the pieces together with a dryer sheet into a paper bag and label, then put in closet. You will know which ones they are, and all the pieces will be together. I put mine inside one of the pillowcases. It saves time and aggravation.

I have made wind chimes in the past and I use fishing line to hang the items. After reading a short hack today I will be using dental floss next. The wax will protect the cord and isn’t as stiff as fishing line. The dental floss isn’t as stiff as fishing line, but it is strong enough to hold the items I hang.

Ever have a leaky faucet and the noise is driving you crazy? Try this: Tie a long piece of dental floss around the end of the faucet and place the other end into the drain. The leaking water will travel down the cord and into the drain. Peace at last.

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Winter poetry

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Winter poetry

Christina Rossetti

As winter’s balmy freeze approaches with increasingly grim ur­gency and inevitability for the next six to seven months, some brief depictions of the ice cold season are offered.

Poet Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) gives a slightly humorous perspective in the following lines from Winter: My Secret:

“Today’s a nipping day, a biting day;
In which one wants a shawl,
A veil, a cloak, and other wraps:
I cannot open to everyone who taps,
And let the draughts come whistling through my hall.”

Edwin A. Robinson

Gardiner’s native son Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869-1935) conveyed the following contrasting images in his 1923 poem, New England:

“Here where the wind is always north-north-east
And children learn to walk on frozen toes,
Wonder begets an envy of all those
Who boil elsewhere with such a lyric yeast”

Robinson’s slightly younger contemporary Robert Frost (1875-1963) pulled the following long evening of November in his ironically titled Desert Places:

“Snow falling and night falling fast, oh, fast
In a field I looked into going past,
And the ground almost covered smooth in snow,
But a few weeds and stubble showing last.”

John Crowe Ransom

Southern poet John Crowe Ransom (1888-1974) wrote in his Winter Remembered of the loss of a once true love, preferring the less painful numbness of the outdoor frostbite:

“Better to walk forth in the frozen air
And wash my wound in the snows; that would be healing;
Because my heart would throb less painful there,
Being caked with cold, and past the smart of feeling.”

Will Rogers

Will Rogers (1879-1935) succinctly commented, “I was just thinking, if it really is religion with these nudist colonies, they sure must turn atheist in the wintertime.”

The footage of the Russian wilderness during winter in the 1965 film Doctor Zhivago has, for me, never been surpassed, although the Coen brothers 1997 film Fargo comes awfully close.

My favorite portion of Antonio Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons has always been Winter and numerous performances of it abound on YouTube.

CLA to present 10-year runoff plan

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China Lake

A 10-year plan to restore water quality in China Lake will be the focus of an online, interactive public meeting sponsored by the China Lake Association on Thursday, December 2, at 6 pm. The meeting will provide an overview of the proposed measures needed to minimize stormwater runoff into the lake, address internal phosphorus loading from lake sediments, and ultimately prevent annual algal blooms that have been occurring in China Lake over the last 40 years. The China Lake Association and their partners urge China, Vassalboro, and Albion residents, lake users, public drinking water customers, and all interested parties to participate in this free program. The public’s participation will help experts protect this valuable resource through the sharing of knowledge and by helping to shape the plan.

Register for this webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3916372725825/WN_ksBioidNQ6Weqo1KCBWsWg

Don Plourde named CMGC’s 2021 Developer of the Year

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Don Plourde

Central Maine Growth Council is pleased to present its annual 2021 Developer of the Year award to Don Plourde, broker and co-owner of Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate, in Waterville. The award was presented at Central Maine Growth Council’s Annual Meeting, sponsored by Central Maine Motors, Kennebec Savings Bank, MaineGeneral Health, New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, and Huhtamaki.

Don’s passion for developing central Maine through commercial real estate has been exemplified by his commitment to growing businesses and supporting economic and community development throughout the region. Beyond Don’s day-to-day real estate operations, his investments within the region, along Robert LaFleur Airport Business Park, and, most recently, acquiring two flagship buildings in downtown Waterville – 36 Main Street and 70 Main Street – have all made significant contributions to the local economy and will support further investment and new business development opportunities during an exciting period of redevelopment within the municipality.

“The city of Waterville is poised to continue its trend of revitalization and renaissance due to key private sector stakeholders like Don. Similarly, his commitment to regional betterment extends beyond development and associated business expansion and growth initiatives, but is equally reflected in community projects and the innumerable volume of new families and young professionals that have been welcomed into the area housing market, including throughout COVID-19, where Don has transitioned new rural remote workers and Maine ‘boomerangers’ across the country into our local economy,” stated Garvan Donegan, director of planning, innovation, and economic development for Central Maine Growth Council. “Don is a champion of the region and has pursued his projects in a dedicated fashion, encouraging a bright future for central Maine and its residents.”

The Winslow native opened Coldwell Banker Plourde in 1989, growing from a staff of two to more than 20 and counting in its 30 years of operation. Don serves on the Maine Real Estate Commission, where he previously served as the organization’s board chairman. His work in real estate development has laid the groundwork for welcoming new businesses and families to central Maine while contributing to a renewed quality of place throughout mid-Maine and beyond.

Don has served on several boards throughout central Maine, including Waterville Development Corp., Maine State Housing, Winslow Capital Planning Committee, and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, where he served as the organization’s chairman in 1998. Acknowledging Plourde’s many years of community betterment and service, Don and Irene were recognized as the 2016 Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Community Service winners.

“I am humbled to receive such an honor from the Growth Council,” said Don. “Having the ability to contribute to the vitality and success of the region has been my life’s work, and I could not have done it without the support from the community and my family.”

LEGAL NOTICES for Thursday, November 25, 2021

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STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
COURT ST.,
SKOWHEGAN, ME
SOMERSET, ss
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
18-A MRSA sec. 3-801

The following Personal Representatives have been appointed in the estates noted. The first publication date of this notice November 18, 2021. If you are a creditor of an estate listed below, you must present your claim within four months of the first publication date of this Notice to Creditors by filing a written statement of your claim on a proper form with the Register of Probate of this Court or by delivering or mailing to the Personal Representative listed below at the address published by his name, a written statement of the claim indicating the basis therefore, the name and address of the claimant and the amount claimed or in such other manner as the law may provide. See 18-C M.R.S.A. §3-80.

2021-283 – Estate of CHRISTOPHER P. ALLEN, late of Madison, Me deceased. Shannon M. Rollins-Allen, 237 Preble Avenue, Madison, Me 04950 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-285 – Estate of NORBERT F. POULLIOT, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. Jodi J. Leclair, 17 Valley Farms Road, Fairfield, ME 04937 and Jeffrey J. Poulliot, 604 Oakland Road, Belgrade, Me 04917 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2021-286 – Estate of GARY A. HANSON, late of Ripley, Me deceased. Brenda J. Hanson, 172 North Road, Ripley, Maine 04930 appointed Personal Represen­tative.

2021-288 – Estate of THEODORE E. SEELEY, late of Madison, Me deceased. Jessica Roderick, 155 Lower Mills Road, Madison, Me 04950 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-291 – Estate of ROBERT C. MACARTHUR, JR, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. Robert C. MacArthur, III., 39 Hardwood Lane, Fairfield, Me 04937 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-297 – Estate of RONALD P WILLS, late of Anson, Me deceased. Christine M. Wills, PO Box 114, North Anson, Me 04958 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-298 – Estate of BARBARA HARVIE-WILLS, late of Anson, Me deceased. Christine M. Wills, PO Box 114, North Anson, Me 04958 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-300 – Estate of ALVIN JOSEPH WALKER, late of Hartland, Me deceased. Rebekah Lynn Thibodaux, 514 S. 6th St., LaPorte, TX 77571 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-301 – Estate of SANDRA J. EVERETT, late of Jackman, Me deceased. Herbert I. Everett, PO Box 541, Jackman, Me 04945 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-303 – Estate of BRUCE A. SHEAFF, late of Norridgewock, Me deceased. Pamela J. Berry, 19 Free Street, Skowhegan, Me appointed Personal Representative.

2021-304 – Estate of JOHN P. COTE, late of Long Pond Township, Me deceased. Michael J. Cote, PO Box 142, Shapleigh, Me 04076 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-305 – Estate of GERTRUDE OHAK, late of Canaan, Me deceased. Esther J. Geoffroy, PO Box 340, Canaan, Me 04924 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-306 – Estate of JOHN C. STUDT, late of Hartland, Me deceased. Elyse P. Wilson, 227 Studt Road, Hartland, Me 04943 appointed Personal Representa­tive.

2021-308 – Estate of DARREN L. FRIEND, JR., late of Anson, Me deceased. Darren L. Friend, Sr., 194 Hilton Hill Road, Anson, ME 04911 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-309 – Estate of LORRAINE L. NUNN, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Dale E. Nunn, 335 Middle Road, Skowhegan, Me 04976 and Timothy A. Nunn, 22 Dawes Aves., Auburn, Me 04310 appointed Co-Personal Repre­senta­tives.

2021-310 – Estate of RODERICK F. STEELE, late of Solon, Me deceased. Brenda J. MacKenzie, 118 Partridge Road, Billerica, MA 01821 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-311 – Estate of JAMES R. LANGLEY, late of Solon, Me deceased. Joseph T. Adams, 34 Wrong Turn Lane, Warren, Me 04864 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-314 – Estate of STANLEY EDWIN WATSON, late of Madison Me deceased. Stanley Elden Watson, 4 Meadowview Road, Georgetown, MA 01833 appointed Personal Represen­tative.

2021-315 – Estate of DOROTHY E. CAYFORD, late of Cornville, Me deceased. Rebecca A. Cayford, PO Box 827, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Represen­tative.

2021-260 – Estate of SANDRA J. SHARPE, late of Norridgewock, Me deceased. Roberta Jean Jolicoeur, 127 Middle Road, Oakland, Me 04963 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-209 – Estate of MARGUERITE A. MROWKA, late of Norridgewock, Me deceased. Richard A. Mrowka, 206 Fredericks Corner Road, Norridgewock, Me 04957 appointed Personal Represent­ative.

2021-320 – Estate of DARRIN CARL MOORE, late of Anson, Me deceased. Torrey Lee Moore, Sr., P.O. Box 7, Anson, Maine 04911 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-321 – Estate of WILLIAM E. GLENCROSS, late of Pittsfield, Me deceased. Reita G. Abbott, 876 Snakeroot Road, Pittsfield, Me 04967.

2021-326 – Estate of DIANE A. COURTEMANCHE, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Phillip R. Courtemanche, 35 French Street, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-327 – Estate of LORETA P. ANDREWS, late of Bingham, Me deceased. Timothy D. Andrews, 12 Somerset Lane, Bingham, Me 04920 appointed Personal Representative.

2021-329 – Estate of BARBARA A. NELSON, late of Canaan, Me deceased. Tara A. Nelson, 331 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, Maine 04976 and Corey N. Nelson, 800 Main Street, Canaan, Mane 04924 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2021-328 – Estate of JOYCE M. KENNEY late of Anson, Me deceased. David P. Kenney, PO Box 6, Athens, Me 04912 appointed Personal Repre­sent­ative.

To be published on November 18 & 24, 2021.
Dated November 15, 2021 /s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(11/25)

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
41 COURT ST.
SOMERSET, ss
SKOWHEGAN, ME
PROBATE NOTICES

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE ESTATES LISTED BELOW

Notice is hereby given by the respective petitioners that they have filed petitions for appointment of personal representatives in the following estates or change of name. These matters will be heard at 1 p.m. or as soon thereafter as they may be on December 1, 2021. The requested appointments or name changes may be made on or after the hearing date if no sufficient objection be heard. This notice complies with the requirements of 18-C MRSA §3-403 and Probate Rule 4.

2021-271 – Estate of JESSE JAMES GAUDETTE, II, minor of Skowhegan, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Minor) filed by Bethanie M. Gordon, PO Box 2093, Skowhegan, Me 04976 requesting minor’s name be changed to Jesse James Gordon for reasons set forth therein.

2021-273 – Estate of LEAH NICOLE ALLEN, adult of Madison, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Leah N. Allen, 113 Whittier Farm Road, Madison, Me 04950 requesting her name be changed to Chance Logan Allen for reasons set forth therein.

2021-276 – Estate of ALISON ROSE-MARY THEBERGE, adult of Madison, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Alison Rose-Mary Theberge, 20 Glendale Street, Madison, Me 04950 requesting her name be changed to Molly Rose Darling for reasons set forth therein.

Dated: November 15, 2021
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(11/25)

Vassalboro school heads ask for more early release days

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

The liveliest discussion at the Nov. 16 Vassalboro School Board meeting was over the administration’s request for additional early release days, when students are sent home for the afternoon so teachers can work together.

Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer and Assistant Principal Greg Hughes explained that teachers at Vassalboro Community School (VCS), dealing with Covid-related changes and requirements in addition to their pre-Covid responsibilities, need more group time. They use it to plan dealing with issues like curriculum adjustments and implementing new Department of Education directives; to share information on common problems and useful techniques; and to provide mutual support.

The 2021-22 calendar approved in 2020 included three early release days. One has been used; the other two are scheduled in January and May 2022, Pfeiffer said.

He and Hughes recommended two early release days each month, starting in December 2021.

School board members reacted immediately: sending kids home that often will be really hard on parents.

Audience members, mostly parents, replied promptly: we can take care of our kids, give teachers the time they need.

Some suggested changing proposed dates from Wednesdays – chosen to break up the week, Pfeiffer said – to Fridays, when some people might find it easier to leave work early, if teachers were okay with Fridays.

Using a whole day, instead of an afternoon, wouldn’t be possible, Pfeiffer said, because the state requires 175 “seat days” a year, and half-days count as seat days.

School board members unanimously approved two early release days a month beginning in December, with dates to be considered again at the Dec. 21 board meeting.

As at previous meetings this fall, several of the dozen audience members had questions about pandemic-related procedures. Answers from Pfeiffer, school nurse MaryAnn Fortin or both, included:

  • There are no plans to host a vaccination clinic at VCS, because parents have enough other options.
  • There have been positive results from some of the pool testing, and yes, classmates outside a pool in which at least one student tested positive do need to be quarantined.

One parent expressed support for the testing, masking and distancing measures being taken to prioritize health and safety at VCS and thanked board members, administrators, staff and students for their efforts to make it possible for students to stay in school.

Board and audience members heard presentations from three staff members, School Counselor Meg Swanson, Social Worker Tabitha Sagner and new Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (JMG) Master Specialist Delaney Wood.

Swanson’s and Sagner’s main jobs are to assist students with social, emotional, behavioral and other non-academic difficulties that can affect their academic performance. Both spoke – but did not complain – about how much more difficult Covid has made this type of work, not just at VCS but state-wide and probably nation-wide.

More students experience stress, anxiety and uncertainty. Many express their insecurity through disruptive behavior in the classroom. More than the usual number need extra counseling, in small groups or individually.

Teachers, too, are stressed and overwhelmed. A shortage of staff makes their situation more difficult. The staff shortage is not just in schools, Swanson added; the outside agencies on which teachers have relied are also short-staffed and putting would-be clients on waiting lists.

Swanson sees no quick fix for the interrelated problems. Despite ongoing efforts to adapt and despite increased federal funding for multiple aspects of education, she expects the impact on “student response, learning and behavior” will last “at least a decade.”

Wood’s presentation on JMG was more upbeat. A graduate of Winslow High School and Wesleyan University, she is in her first year of full-time teaching, following Victor Esposito, “Mr. E,” who retired at the end of last year.

JMG’s website says it is a nonprofit corporation that partners with Maine schools, from middle school through college or university, to give students “the guidance, skills and opportunities they need to succeed in their careers.”

The emphasis is on hands-on, adventure-based learning, Wood said – for example, the garden Mr. E started. Students told her they would like to go on local field trips, like a visit to the fire station. To raise money for use of a bus, they plan a wreath sale, Wood said.

In other business Nov. 16, Assistant Principal Hughes said he was pleased by the number of parents who came to VCS for parent-teacher conferences. He thanked the PTO for the refreshments members supplied.

Hughes said the homework club has started and the drama club and explorers club are scheduled to start in December. With construction work nearly finished, classroom rearrangements are under way.

Construction work was responsible for the unplanned early dismissal on Nov. 3, Superintendent Pfeiffer said. A workman accidentally cut a cable, activating the fire alarm system, and no one could make it turn off.

Finance Director Paula Pooler reported the budget is still on track, including the school lunch budget that has lost money in past years. She again reminded parents to fill out the application form for free lunch, even though it is free anyway, so that VCS can get the state subsidies to which it is entitled.

A link to the form is on the front page of the school’s website, vcsvikings.org.

The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21.

Vassalboro select board looks at issues that could turn into 2022-23 budget requests

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by Mary Grow

At their Nov. 18 meeting, Vassalboro select board members agreed on a variety of issues that are likely to turn into 2022-23 budget requests and recommendations.

Town Manager Mary Sabins had organized and categorized the goals they discussed at an October special meeting (see The Town Line, Nov. 4, p. 9). Board members set as priorities:

  • Reinvigorating the town recreation program, perhaps by asking voters to approve adding a town office staff member whose responsibilities would include acting as recreation director.
  • Recreating a version of the capital improvement plan developed in the past, to provide a tentative schedule of upcoming major expenditures. (Fire Chief Walker Thompson assured Board Chairman Robert Browne he does not foresee an immediate need for a new fire truck.)
  • Improving town planning – they even mentioned “the z word,” zoning, which was not popular with Vassalboro residents – so they won’t need to rely on one-at-a-time ordinances to prevent unwelcome effects of development.

A specific development topic was the proliferation of solar arrays in town, currently reviewed by the planning board under the town’s Site Review Ordinance. Select Board members Chris French and Barbara Redmond thought an ordinance specific to solar projects would be valuable. Sabins suggested reviving Vassalboro’s Solar Committee.

Sabins presented again her request that board members approve a wage study to see how town employees’ pay compares to other towns’ pay scales. The $3,800 cost is included in the current year’s administration budget, she said. Board members approved.

Resident Thomas Richards urged select board members to do something about the Cushnoc Road bridge, which is state-owned, weight-limited to 20 tons and, Road Foreman Eugene Field said, likely to be increasingly restricted and ultimately closed.

Richards said it is already closed to most fire trucks and all but the smallest town plow truck, requiring detours. “What’s a person’s life worth?” when emergency vehicles are delayed, Richards demanded.

And, he asked, “How is Bill Green [of WH Green & Sons, Inc., a construction company at 180 Cushnoc Road, south of the bridge] gonna get his cranes out?” The turn north on Riverside Drive (Route 202) from the south end of Cushnoc Road is awkward for a large vehicle.

The town could take over the bridge and replace it, people suggested. Field and board members estimated a new bridge would cost at least a million dollars, more money than Browne is willing to consider borrowing.

Members of the Vassalboro Conservation Commission presented a plan for creating a new park on town-owned land along Route 32 and Outlet Stream, north of East Vassalboro village. Holly Weidner explained that in the first two years, they hope to provide a small parking area, a path to the stream, picnic tables and a seasonal porta potty.

The project would include landscaping and plantings. Commission members envision mowing the area twice a year and putting up signs.

Select board members expressed approval and said they will include a funding request for the park – they estimated $2,000 – in their suggested 2022-23 budget.

Former board member John Melrose sent an email from the Trails Committee asking if the current board members wanted the committee to develop draft rules for use of the Town Forest and Red Brook trails. They said yes.

Melrose also asked for $250 to make Vassalboro a municipal member of the Kennebec Land Trust. The answer was again yes.

In other business, select board members:

  • Appointed Marianne Stevens, currently the alternate member of the planning board, as a full member to succeed Sally Butler, who resigned; and appointed Paul Mitnik as planning board alternate, effective in January when he plans to hand over codes enforcement duties to Ryan Page.
  • Gave preliminary approval to Sabins’ proposed budget preparation time-line in advance of the 2022 annual town meeting, which is currently scheduled for Monday evening, June 6, 2022, with municipal elections Tuesday, June 14.
  • Scheduled their next meeting for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.
  • Scheduled their second December meeting for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 22, so that the town office can close at 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 23, instead of the usual 6:30 p.m. Thursday closing. Over Browne’s mild objection, they did not extend staff members’ hours on Dec. 22 to make up for shorter Thursday hours.