PHOTO: Lawrence High School girls soccer captains
From left to right, Bianca Wright, Ella Moynihan, Zoie Ward, Taylor Pellerin, Kylie Delile, and Zoe Hutchins. Absent from photo Hayley Woods. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)
TEAM PHOTO: Fairfield PAL senior champions
Front Row, from left to right, Jacobi Peaslee, Kayden Lachance, Hunter Lochart and Ryker Miklos. Middle row, Stella Curtis, Chase Bonney, Brock Richards, Levi Brann, Owsley Richardson, Malcolm Gilliland, Jackson Hanson, Bryce Faulkner, and Jackson Curtis. Back, coaches Peasle, Clement, Miklos and Richards. (photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)
Kennebec Valley Community College adds student lodging option
Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) is excited to announce that for the first time in its 55-year history, lodging will be available for 50 first-time, full-time students beginning in fall 2025.The KVCC student lodging will be located at the Best Western Plus Waterville Grand Hotel, a two-mile, five-minute drive from the main campus, located in Fairfield. In addition to lodging, a meal plan and shuttle bus service will be available to lodging students, and a resident director will be available, living alongside students.
Student rooms will have two queen-size beds, cable TV, mini-fridge, microwave, and a full bathroom. Lodging students will have access to the hotel’s indoor pool, fitness center, and lounge areas. Additional information is available online on the college’s website at kvcc.me.edu/life-at-kvcc/kvcc-lodging.
OBITUARIES for Thursday, November 7, 2024
ROBERT T. COBB
WATERVILLE – Robert T. Cobb, 86, of Waterville, and Horseheads, New York, passed away peacefully at home with his daughter, on Friday, October 11, 2024, from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Even while experiencing his symptoms, Bob greeted each day with cheerful exuberance. He lived his life with dignity, honesty, life-long learning, and profound love. He had the best chuckle in the world.
Born in 1938, Bob graduated from Matignon High School in 1956. He earned his B.S. in chemical engineering from Tufts University in 1960 and his MBA from Syracuse University in 1968. Bob was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, enlisting in 1961. He served as communications officer on the USS Leary (DDR 879) and later USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG 23). Aboard USS Leary in 1962, Bob took part in the Cuban missile blockade and never forgot how it felt to be so close to the end of all things. He left active duty in 1965 and was honorably discharged as a lieutenant in 1972.
Bob married the love of his life, Barbara Bigus, in 1967. They met at a singles mixer in Corning, New York, where Bob worked for Corning Glass Works and Barb was an elementary school teacher. Barb thought he had a lot of class because he brought top shelf whiskey to the party, so she agreed to take a walk with him. Later that night, Barb told her roommate she had met the man she would marry.
They settled in Horseheads, New York, where they started Cobblestone Enterprises, a computer portrait business. As they raised their family, Bob launched his own accounting and tax preparation practice, BINEX Business Services. He retired in 2019 after decades of loyal clients returning every year for his personal touch and advice.
Bob imparted many life lessons to those around him, including his passion for equality and equity. He particularly celebrated the advancement of women and people of color in fields of science and technology. In his younger days, Bob was an avid coin and stamp collector. In his adulthood, he rediscovered his childhood love of magic and became an amateur magician specializing in card tricks. His fellow magicians became some of his dearest friends. Bob loved to dazzle his audience and always abided by the magician’s oath and code.
Bob and Barb traveled to Bermuda and took cruises in the Caribbean and Alaska. They visited their children and grandchildren in Maine, California, and Washington. Bob’s favorite place in the world was the family camp on Great Pond, in the Belgrade Lakes of Maine. He spent every summer there growing up, fishing and boating, with his family, his devoted dalmatian, Queenie, and especially with “the other Bob Cobb.” Indian Island was always in his thoughts. When Barb passed from COVID in 2021, Bob accepted Amy’s offer to live with her in Maine. He spent two perfect nights on the island for his 85th birthday.
Bob was predeceased by his mother, Kay and father, Carl; his sister, Marion and her husband Jack; and his wife of 53 years, Barb.
He is survived by his daughter, Amy, son, Jeff and his wife Ellen; grandsons Henry, Oliver, and Simon; niece, Michele, nephew, Bruce; and many loving in-laws, relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes, 2282 Route 6, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, on Monday November 4, immediately followed by burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, 17 Cemetery Rd., Truro, Massachusetts.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.
In remembrance of Bob’s life, we ask that any charitable donations be made in Bob’s memory to either the Belgrade Lakes Association, https://belgradelakesassociation.org/ or to Girls Who Code, https://girlswhocode.com/.
DONNA E. COOK
AUGUSTA – Donna Elaine Scott Cook, 82, passed away peacefully at Glenridge Nursing Home, in Augusta, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. She was born May 29, 1942, in Waterville.
Donna was raised in Fairfield and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1962.
Service will be on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, in Augusta.
To read her full obituary or to share memories and condolences please go to directcremationofmaine.com.
RICHARD QUINLAN
WINSLOW – Richard Quinlan, 87, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024. He was born on November 16, 1936, in Winchester, Massachusetts, the son of Edward and Ethel Quinlan.
Richard graduated from Island Falls High School and Fresno State College, Fresno, California He taught at Oxford High School, Oakfield High School, Yarmouth High School, Warsaw Junior High School, Unity College, Unity Junior High School and, for many years, at Mount View Junior High School, in Thorndike. Mr. Quinlan enjoyed coaching sports during his 31 years of teaching, including junior and senior high school boys basketball, high school girls basketball, high school cross country and junior and senior high school track and field. He particularly enjoyed coaching girls track and field.
Richard and Elaine raised their children in Unity where they lived for nearly 40 years. For several summers in the early 1980s, he and Elaine organized and ran the very popular Twilight Track Club for 5 – to 18-year-olds. While teaching, he also worked summers at Willow Beach Camps, in China, and Saturdays at the Unity Pharmacy. Outside of work, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
In the transition to retirement, Richard and his wife spent several winters in South Carolina. From 2001 – 2017, they enjoyed an active retirement in Zephyrhills, Florida, where Richard organized a golf league and volunteered in the Betmar community, at Gulfside Hospice, and at Woodlands Elementary School. They moved back to Central Maine in early 2018 to enjoy time with family. To his last day, he enjoyed his hobbies, including playing bridge and poker, watching the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Red Sox on TV, and betting on harness racing.
He was predeceased by his wife, Elaine Quinlan, whom he married, in Fairfield, in June 1964.
He is survived by his four children, Joseph Quinlan, of Hong Kong, Dr. Kathleen M. Quinlan, of Canterbury, England, Karen Jamison, of Waterville, and Carol Wohlers, of Rochester, New Hampshire; as well as his 12 grandchildren, Emily Ackley; Dakota, Makita, Jessie, Tatonka, Jerico, Jasper, Journey and Justice Champagne; Josie Eaton; and Casey and Trevor Wohlers; nine great-grandchildren; and his brother, Edward Quinlan, of Island Falls.
An informal gathering with finger food will be held on Sunday, November 10 from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Unity Community Center, 32 School St., Unity. The family looks forward to hearing remembrances from his friends, former colleagues and former students.
Please visit Richard’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/richard-quinlan where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to a local charity such as youth sports.
JAMES E. WADE JR.
NORRIDGEWOCK – James Emery Wade, Jr., 79, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024. Jim was born on February 19, 1945, in Fall River, Massachusetts, to James Emery Wade Sr. and Mae Elizabeth (McCullough) Wade.
He grew up in Bangor attending the local schools where he enjoyed playing in the marching band as well as playing basketball and ping pong.
Jim graduated from Bangor High School where he participated in the ROTC, then attended the University of Maine for a year before joining the United States Navy. After returning home from Navy deployment in the Mediterranean he married Aleta Littlefield, and they were blessed with three sons.
During that time, he worked in multiple different trades. He also attended Husson College, in Bangor, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, working as an accountant / auditor for the remainder of his career. He married his second wife, Diana (Fickett) Wade in 1998, adding three stepdaughters to the family. They all often joked they were the “modern Brady Bunch”.
Jim was well known to his family and friends as having a fantastic sense of humor. His quick and dry wit was never lost in any situation and later in life was expressed through writing. His writing began as a form of self-entertainment, but it soon turned into a hobby beloved by his family and friends. He wrote many entertaining anecdotal emails, humorous short stories, and even a short book titled An Awesome Mystery.
In addition to writing, Jim was an avid reader. He loved smoking meat for annual family BBQ’s, family camping trips, and solving crossword puzzles with Diana. His sense of humor was often expressed via the exchange of playful gag gifts with family. He could be found at family parties and barbecues proudly wearing his outrageous and colorful “party shirts”.
He dabbled in home winemaking, loved having a martini on the patio at home, eating at his favorite restaurants, and going on cruises. Jim’s kind and gentle heart was likely best demonstrated in how much he loved his cats, or as he and Diana called them, their “fur babies”. He was known to dote on and spoil their cats over the years, all of which were rescues from the humane society or strays that showed up in their yard.
Jim leaves his wife of 26 years, Diana L. Wade; his three sons, David Wade with wife Lura and their children Alison and Connor; Jeffrey Wade with wife Jessica; Robert Wade with wife Jamie and their children Kassidy, Alana, Robbie, and Declan; his three stepdaughters, Heather Beckner with husband Thomas Fickett and their son Wyatt; Kimberly Beckner with husband Marcelo Silva and their children Mariah, Madison, and Marcelo Jr.; Alyssa Graham with partner Daniel Roy; and his brother, Jerry Campbell-Wade with wife Elna.
A private service will take place with Jim’s family.
Please visit Jim’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/james-wade-2024 where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Somerset Animal Shelter, 123 Middle Rd., Skowhegan, ME 04976.
EARLAND A. CULLETON
SKOWHEGAN – Earland A. Culleton, 86, passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Maine Veterans Home, in Augusta. Earl was born on July 7, 1938, in Mechanic Falls, to Thomas and Eva (Coffin) Culleton.
He attended Oxford Hills District High School and joined the U.S. Navy in 1956. He was honorably discharged in 1964. Earl was stationed at Bainbridge, Maryland, “Blimp Squadron”, in Key West, Florida, and Glynco, Georgia. He also served on the USS FDR, and at the Pentagon, in Washington, DC.
Earl was employed at Marcal Paper, in Mechanic Falls, then on to SAPPI, in Skowhegan, where he retired from in 2004. Earl proudly drove patients to appointments for the American Cancer Society. On June 5, 2010, he married Diane S. (Watts)(Turcotte) at Christ the King Parish, in Skowhegan.
He was predeceased by both his parents; previous wife, Maud Curtis Culleton, son, Dale Thomas Culleton, brothers Roger Culleton and James Culleton, sister, Lorraine Felker, brothers-in-law Charles Felker and Walter Watts Sr., sisters-in-law Maxine Leighton, Irene Culleton and T. Dale Watts.
Earl is survived by his wife, Diane Culleton; sons Mark with wife Jill, of Waterville, Dana Culleton, of Portland, and Robin Culleton, of Canaan; stepdaughter, Nancy Turcotte-Noonan with partner James Julia, of Belgrade; grandchildren Cory Culleton, of Lewiston, Dale Culleton with wife Elaine, of Clinton, and Kayla Culleton, of Canaan; step-grandchildren Delaney with husband Sid St. Peter, of Ellsworth, and Sydney Noonan, of Orono; great-grandchildren Tori Culleton, of Bingham, Colby Culleton, of Clinton, Mackenzie Kelley, of Skowhegan, Lucas and Lila Linnell, of Clinton, Cooper Culleton, of Lewiston, and Teagyn Noonan and Todd St. Peter, of Ellsworth; siblings Sidney Culleton, of Oxford, Connie Purdy with husband Jim, of Poland, and Cheryl Grass with husband Gene, of Norridgewock; sisters-in-law Judith Libby with husband Jim, of Skowhegan, Ruth Cyr with husband Dave, of Lewiston, and Helen Smith, of Tucson, Arizona; brother-in-law Ryan Watts with wife Karen, of Heber, Arizona; as well as several nieces and nephews.
There will be no visiting hours at Earl’s request. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, November 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., located at Somerset Valley Remembrance Center, at 19 Washburn Lane, in Skowhegan. A graveside service will be scheduled in the spring at Walker Cemetery in Canaan.
Please visit Earl’s memorial page at https://svremembrancecenter.com/obituaries/earland-culleton where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Earl’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org.
JUDITH P. GOWER
WATERVILLE – Judith P. Gower, 81, formerly of Pittsfield, died on Monday, October 28, 2024, in Waterville. Judy was born on June 5, 1943, in Pittsfield, a daughter of Charles and Linnie (Whitten) O’Reilly.
She attended Maine Central Institute and retired from C.M. Almy, in Pittsfield, after 24 years of dedicated employment. She enjoyed walking, reading, putting puzzles together, and playing games on her iPad. She had a very special relationship with Shane and Erica’s Pomeranian, Krypto, who kept her company when she lived with them.
She is survived by her two sons, Scott Gower and wife Misty, of Skowhegan, and Shane Gower and wife Erica, of China; grandson, Joshua Gower, of China; brother, Dale O’Reilly and wife Ada, of Palmyra; nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Stanley Gower; her infant son, Stephen; and her infant sister, Linda.
A graveside service was held on Sunday, November 3, at the Fairview Cemetery, in Canaan, with Rev. Glenn Nichols officiating.
To leave a message of kindness or to share a memory, please visit http://www.shoreynichols.com.
Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Pittsfield.
Others Departed
BRENDA B. DOWDLE
CALIFORNIA, Maryland – Brenda Branch Dowdle, 63, of California, Maryland, formerly of Vassalboro, passed away at home on Monday, October 21, 2024.
She is the daughter of William D. and Betty Branch of Vassalboro.
She was the wife of Anthony Dowdle whom she married in July 1988.
Brenda was a retired government employee and worked as an attorney at the Naval Air Systems Command Office of General Counsel, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
Brenda is the mother of Matthew Dowdle (Theresa) of Monkton, Maryland, Nicholas Dowdle (Lilly), and Katherine Dowdle, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the sister of William I. Branch, of Vassalboro, Brian Branch (Jamie), of Madison, Wisconsin, and Ken Branch (Maria), of Nashville, Tennessee. Brenda is survived by two grandchildren; and 11 nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 8, from 11 a.m. to noon, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 22375 Three Notch Rd., Lexington Park, Maryland, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon with Father Benjamin Garcia officiating. For those unable to attend in person, livestream will be available at ihmrcc.org. Interment will be private.
Condolences may be made to the family at http://www.mgfh.com.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Symmetree fall letter: Ever wonder why trees change their leaf colors, and drop them?
by Galen Lichterfeld
We always welcome this time of year for tree work as the days begin to cool and shorten. The season’s shift is felt by trees as well as us. Have you ever wondered what it is that makes deciduous trees change colors and drop their leaves? According to the U.S. Forest Service, three primary factors determine how brilliant our leaf-peeping season will be: weather, length of night, and leaf pigmentation. As average temperatures drop and nights grow longer, deciduous trees will slow and cease production of chlorophyll, the component that makes leaves green. Trees also gradually stop the flow of fluids through their leaves, building up a thick wall of cells at the base of the leaf in preparation for winter.
When chlorophyll breaks down, two previously underlying pigments will begin to appear. Carotenoids produce orange, yellow and browns of birches, poplar, oak, and aspen, while Anthocyanin paints apples, maples, and ash leaves a bright red or dark purple. Weather will determine the brightness of our fall colors: sunny days and cool nights are the perfect recipe for having fiery fall foliage. Sugar maples (Acer Saccharum), which have high concentrations of anthocyanin, often steal the show with their bright orange and red leaves.
Scouts play games at Bomazeen
Vassalboro Pack #410 Bear Cub Scouts Lux Reynolds gets rolled into the ring of the Hungry, Hungry Hippos game by Troop #410 committee member Chris Vincent. Like in the real game, Lux had to collect as many balls as possible with his clothes basket before the other three contestants scooped them up and rolled back to home with them. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)
by Chuck Mahaleris
Derek Dubois, of Skowhegan Troop #485, spent time outside McCurdy Lodge practicing outdoor cooking. He took a banana out of the peel and filled the peel with chocolate chips, apple and banana pieces, and spices and cooked it over an open fire. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)
Imagine playing your favorite board games all day. Further imagine that the games are larger than life and you play them outside at Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade, during a spectacular autumn weekend when the peak foliage reflects magically on the ripples of Great Pond. More than a hundred Scouts and leaders from across southern and western Maine didn’t have to imagine as they experienced all that and more during the Fall Camporee on the weekend of October 18-120.
“I love it all,” said Elliot Rafuse, a Scout in Vassalboro Troop #410. “Camping out was amazing but cold but also fun. I am looking forward to playing Manhunt tonight.” Scouts stayed in patrols and traveled around camp competing in some traditional Scout camp activities such as outdoor cooking and BB gun shooting but also at activity stations designed to fit with the theme of the camporee: “Got Game?”
One station was Scout Jeopardy and the next was an epic size game of Battleship and then it was off to “Deal or No Deal.” Eric Handley, of Sidney, ran the Battleship game. Two picnic tables were separated by a blue tarp. Scouts on both sides of the tarp had a large board with cups representing their battleships on an 11 x 11 grid. “Everyone seemed to have a really good time,” Handley said.
Scouts who stayed overnight with their troop also took part in a Gateway building competition and the Next Level Chef Competition. There was also a costume competition.
The next district-wide activity is the Lego Pinewood Derby which will be held at Camp Bomazeen, on Saturday, November 2, and this winter the Scouts will be heading to Lake Pemaquid for the Klondike Derby hosted by Troop #213, in Damariscotta.
CHINA: One incumbent, two newcomers elected to China select board
by Mary Grow
China Town Clerk Angela Nelson reported the following voting results early Wednesday morning, Nov. 6.
For the local select board, with five candidates for three seats, voters re-elected one incumbent and added two newcomers.
Incumbent Blane Casey was top vote-getter with 1,409 votes. Added to the board were Thomas Rumpf, with 998 votes and Edwin Bailey, with 927 votes. Incumbent Brent Chesley lost his seat, receiving 818 votes; Tod Detre got 538 votes.
Incumbent budget committee member Timothy Basham was re-elected unopposed, with 1,654 votes.
Other budget committee positions and one position on the Regional School Unit #18 board had no candidates on the ballot. Write-in winners will be declared after town office staff tabulate votes and make sure apparent winners are willing to serve.
Voters approved all five local referendum questions, as follows:
— Question 3, amending the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program, yes 1,688, no 671;
— Question 4, a revised Budget Committee Ordinance, yes 1,840, no 513;
— Question 5, adding a map of the Development District, yes 1,747, no 599;
— Question 6, amending the Land Development Code, yes 1,691, no 630; and
— Question 7, creating a moratorium on electric transmission lines, yes 1,688, no 673.
China voters’ presidential votes were as follows: Donald Trump, 1,498; Kamala Harris, 1,059; Jill Stein, 34; Chase Oliver, 19; and Cornel West 11.
For United States Senator, incumbent Independent Angus King edged out Republican challenger Demi Kouzounas, 1,218 votes to 1,112 votes. David Allen Costello got 175 votes, Jason Cherry 86.
For United States Representative from Maine’s First District, China voters gave Republican Ronald Russell 1,355 votes, incumbent Democrat Chellie Pingree 1,062 votes and Ethan Alcorn 134 votes.
For state Senate District #15, Republican Richard Bradstreet, of Vassalboro, got 1,480 China votes to 1,042 for Democrat Raegan LaRochelle, of Augusta. For state House District #62, incumbent Republican Katrina Smith got 1,537 votes to 961 for Democratic challenger Pamela Jo Swift.
Elizabeth Mitchell, of Vassalboro, running unopposed for re-election as Kennebec Judge of Probate, got 1,778 votes.
China votes on five state-wide questions were as follows:
— #1 (citizen initiative to limit political contributions): yes, 1,849; no, 666.
— #2 (bond issue for technology): yes, 1,211; no, 1,294.
— #3 (bond issue for historic preservation): yes, 1,178; no, 1,338.
— #4 (bond issue for trails): yes, 1,327; no, 1,176.
— #5 (changing the state flag): yes, 840; no, 1,714.
EVENTS: Palermo planning board to meet November 13, 2024
The Palermo Planning Board will meet at the Palermo Town Office, at 6 p.m., on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, to review the preliminary documentation for a proposed subdivision on Hostile Valley Rd. The property is shown on Palermo Tax map R-11, lot 27C.Vassalboro voters approve two of three local referendum questions
by Mary Grow
Vassalboro voters approved two of three local referendum questions at the polls on Nov. 5, according to Town Clerk Cathy Coyne. All three decisions were by narrow margins.
Question 1 asked voters’ approval to spend up to $360,000 from existing funds as matching money for a grant to cover the cost of replacing the Dunlap Bridge on Mill Hill Road. The vote was 1,383 yes to 1,169 no.
Question 2 asked voters to amend Vassalboro’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) document to add environmental improvement projects to authorized uses of TIF money. Voters said no, by a vote to 1,200 in favor to 1,338 opposed.
Question 3 asked approval of amendments to the Vassalboro Sanitary District’s charter. Voters accepted the amendments by a vote to 1,283 yes to 1,092 no.
For president of the United States, Vassalboro voters gave Donald Trump 1,496 votes and Kamala Harris 1,110 votes.
For United States Senator, incumbent Independent Angus King got 1,294 votes, Republican Demi Kouzounas 1,109, David Allen Costello 185 and Jason Cherry 69.
For United States Representative from District One, Republican Ronald Russell outpolled incumbent Democrat Chellie Pingree, 1,387 to 1,133.
In the only contested Kennebec County race on the ballot, for register of probate, Democrat Abigail Elizabeth St. Valle, of Augusta, got 1,075 Vassalboro votes to 1,437 for Republican Ronda C. Snyder, of Sidney. Results in uncontested races were as follows: for judge of probate, Elizabeth Mitchell, 2,042; for sheriff, L. Kenneth Mason, III, 2,217; and for county commissioner, Patsy Crockett, 1,958.
In elections for state legislators, Vassalboro votes were as follows:
— For state Senate District #15, Republican Richard Bradstreet, of Vassalboro, 1,575; Democrat Raegan LaRochelle, of Augusta, 1,026.
— For state House District #61, Republican Alicia Collins, of Sidney, 1,339; Democrat Laura Jones, of Vassalboro, 1,230.
Vassalboro voters approved two of five state-wide questions – a citizen initiative, three bond issues and a referendum. Vote totals were as follows:
— #1 (citizen initiative to limit political contributions) yes, 1,840; no, 770.
— #2 (bond issue for technology), yes, 1,218; no, 1,388.
— #3 (bond issue for historic preservation), yes, 1,199; no, 1,428.
— #4 (bond issue for trails), yes, 1,371; no, 1,243.
— #5 (changing the state flag), yes, 817; no, 1,819.
Vassalboro select board brings back workshops, hoping to revive tradition
by Mary Grow
Vassalboro select board members held a workshop meeting on Oct. 30, hoping to revive the annual tradition after several years’ break. The purpose is to begin prioritizing issues they plan to address in the next few years.
The Oct. 30 meeting (changed from the usual Thursday evening to avoid Halloween) lasted about an hour and a quarter and covered a long list of topics. Some have been discussed at past meetings, some were new proposals.
Board member Chris French’s suggestions included two that would require voters’ approval:
— Consider either a town charter, or a comprehensive plan that would update Vassalboro’s 20-year-old strategic plan; and
— Consider expanding the select board from three to five members.
He also offered a suggestion that the other two board members and Town Manager Aaron Miller adopted on the spot: better publicize the process of nominating candidates for the annual Spirit of America awards for volunteerism.
Board chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., had a list that included a suggestion from earlier meetings to amend Vassalboro’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program to make an affordable housing development in town eligible for TIF funds.
Affordable housing needs two circumstances for success, Miller said: a suitable location and a willing developer.
The discussion started as a possible way to add more Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD) customers to share costs. The high cost of VSD’s service to about 200 East and North Vassalboro households has been an issue for more than a year.
To achieve that goal, board chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico pointed out, the new housing would have to be adjacent to the presently-served areas, on what are now back lots.
Board members and Miller will consider appointing a committee to explore this idea, maybe in the first quarter of calendar year 2025. Since an amended TIF plan would require voter approval preceded by a public hearing, they considered scheduling a TIF discussion in January 2025, although by then they will be busy with the 2025-26 budget.
The town personnel policy, and related standards for volunteers on town boards and committees, were a major topic. Board members began discussing revisions to the personnel policy months ago, and have previously mentioned guidance for volunteers.
They decided to devote half an hour of each of their Dec. 12 and Dec. 26, 2024, and Jan. 9, 2025, meetings to those subjects.
License fees for marijuana growers in Vassalboro need quicker action; they are scheduled for review at the Nov. 14 board meeting. Miller has been gathering information on other Maine towns’ fees.
The transfer station was discussed in terms of French’s work with a local committee and an engineer. One possibility is using part of the foreclosed property adjoining the Lombard Dam Road facility for an expansion; the process of surveying and appraising the property is under way.
French recommended new cement pads for items like white goods that currently sit in mud and snow. He asked whether it is time to replace the transfer station’s backhoe, leading to a brief discussion of reviving the town’s capital improvement plan.
Denico said the plan was developed in 2013 and looked ahead 20 years. There have been many changes since, he said, agreeing that it was time for an update.
An even more ancient issue that French raised is the former quarry on the east side of Riverside Drive where Statler Tissue dumped contaminated sludge in, Denico said, the 1960s. Denico said the site originally provided rock used to rebuild Route 201; later the quarry filled with water and became a local swimming hole.
Taxes have not been paid for years, but the town has not taken over the site because of the waste. Now, French said, state funding for clean-up costs is a possibility; perhaps the town should review the situation.
Miller would like board members to consider more town employees. He reminded them they discussed hiring a fifth public works employee last year and did not include the position in the current budget. Since Vassalboro is accepting applications for a new public works director, he suggested waiting for that person’s input.
Another town office employee able to do multiple tasks would be useful when one of the regulars is out, or merely to fill in at the counter during lunch breaks, Miller said.
The transfer station is well staffed, Miller thinks. Select board member Michael Poulin concurred: “The two of them [manager Adam Daoust and assistant Nicholas Curtis] are doing a wonderful job.”
The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, Nov. 14. Board members plan only one November meeting, because their second one would fall on Thanksgiving Day.