LETTERS: Mike Ray for District 40 State Representative

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To the editor:

Mike Ray is my idea of a great neighbor. He’s a regular volunteer for the Waldo County Woodshed, has served on many local committees and is currently on the Lincolnville selectboard. Mike deeply respects our natural environment, having led camping trips as a registered Maine guide and managed a woodlot. He’s a down-to-earth, regular person.

As a selectman, Mike understands firsthand the challenge of watching out for his neighbors’ pocketbooks while providing essential services such as education, fire/emergency services and sensible development.

For those living in Appleton, Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill or Searsmont, a vote for Mike Ray for State Representative will bring locally-informed, common-sense leadership to Augusta. And he’s done his homework … sitting in on legislative committee meetings to study how the legislative process works. Mike is ready to hit the ground running!

Bob Kohl
Liberty

LETTERS: Elise Brown will listen

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To the editor:

Mainers have the luxury of meeting the people who are running for office to represent us. Getting to know candidates personally makes a difference. I have met Elise Brown several times, and I’m voting for her to be Waldo County Commissioner in District #3.

In the past six months, I have spoken with Elise at the Searsmont Town Meeting, the Searsmont Memorial Day Parade, and at Hannaford, in Belfast. She took the time to come to a Searsmont Selectmen’s meeting to ask “What do you need from your county government?” and “What issues do you have with the commissioners now?” Attending that meeting as a newspaper’s town correspondent, I was impressed with her questions. I was even more impressed when she listened to the answers.

Elise also tells you when she does not know something. And, special for a candidate, she treats you like you are the only and most important person in the room. I’m old enough to appreciate these qualities, and to have experienced very different reactions and evasions in the past from people running for local, state and federal office.

In short, I have gotten to know something about Elise Brown, the person. Call her a breath of fresh air. Or call her the Waldo County District #3 County Commissioner. Come November, that’s who I hope she will be. I ask folks from Brooks, Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Liberty, Montville, Morrill, Palermo, Searsmont, Thorndike, Troy and Unity to join me in voting for Elise.

Michael Sirota
Searsmont

OBITUARIES for Thursday, August 22, 2024

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CECILE M. TRAPNELL

WATERVILLE – Cecile Marie (Carter) Trapnell, 84, passed away at Northern Light Inland Hospital, in Waterville, on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Cecile was born November 10, 1939, in Waterville, daughter of Alfred and Mabel (Montminy) Carter.

Cecile felt teaching and working with children were two of the most meaningful achievements in her life. Upon graduation in 1958 from Marie Joseph Academy, in Biddeford, she earned a BS in education at Riviere College, in Nashua, New Hampshire. She taught fifth grade in the Winslow school system for 30 years, retiring in 2002.

Cecile loved to cook for people She read cookbooks and watched cooking shows nearly every day after retirement. She also loved playing cards with friends and travelling with her husband, Bill. She was an avid Boston sports fan, and loved watching the Red Sox and Celtics play.

Cecile was predeceased by her husband, Bill Trapnell; her parents, Alfred and Mabel; and her siblings, Richard, Donald, Jean, Dolores, Jeannine, Fernand, Patrick, Francis, Roland, and Robert.

She is survived by her daughters Cyndi Trapnell and Stephanie Trapnell; granddaughter Dora Blaisdell; niece Anne Meader; and many nieces, nephews, and their children.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Notre Dame Church, in Waterville.

Burial to be performed at a later date at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

THEODORE R. DICKEY JR.

WATERVILLE – Theodore “Teddy” R. Dickey Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Northern Light Inland Hospital, in Waterville. Born in Augusta, Teddy was a lifelong Mainer who was known for his crinkly-eyed smile and love for his family and good food.

Teddy is survived by his wife of 65 years Simone Dickey; three sons Tim, Tom and Tod; and many family members.

A small private graveside service is being planned for immediate family and close friends at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To leave a condolence for the family and to view the online obituary, please visit http://www.gibersonfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours, 116 Silver St., Waterville, ME 04901.

DESIREE L. MOSHER

VASSALBORO – Desiree L. Mosher, 32, passed on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at her home. She was born in Portland on April 27, 1992, a daughter of Wayne A. Lee, Jr. and Wendy J. (William­son) Lee. Desiree was a graduate of Erskine Academy, in South China, class of 2010.

She had been employed by MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta, for several years as a CNA and other roles. She previously worked at the Oak Grove Center, in Waterville, but her favorite career was being a mom to her son, Ryker.

Desiree enjoyed being outdoors exploring new hiking trails, working in the garden, or just hanging in the backyard relishing the sun. In the springtime, she would be happy going out foraging for fiddleheads, in summer it was picking blueberries. She was more than pleased to just sit and share a pint of raspberries with her son – her husband was lucky to get one. Desiree loved to go to concerts and sit and listen to live music. She was always grateful when she had time to spend with her father, even if it was just to sit while he watched his westerns. Desiree loved her dogs Odin and Lilly.

She always had been a caring person, that’s what drove her to the path of CNA. She showed her caring far beyond her work into her social life. She did not know how far her reach was and how many people’s lives she had touched. She will be missed greatly by friends, family, and the many people she worked with through the years.

Desiree is survived by her husband, Zebadiah H. Mosher, of Vassalboro; her son, Ryker L. Mosher, of Vassalboro; her parents Wayne A. Lee, Jr. and Wendy J. Lee, of South China; two brothers, her twin Dustin W. Lee and Jeremy D. Lee, both of Clinton; her grandmother, Mary E. Williamson, of Waterville; and the many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and one great-niece; her father-in-law, Scott Mosher, of China; sister-in-law, Molly Ward, of Winslow; and Jacqueline and Fallyn Soucy.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 31, at 11 a.m., at Plummer Funeral Home, Windsor Chapel, 983 Ridge Rd., Route 32, Windsor.

Burial will be at family convenience. There will be a gathering after the service for those who wish to attend at the American Legion Hall, 79 Legion Memorial Dr., South China.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared through the funeral home website at: http://www.plummerfh.com.

The family request that donations in Desiree’s memory may be made to NAMI Maine, 52 Water St., Hallowell, ME 04347.

ALBERT H. LANGUET III

BELGRADE – Albert H. “Joe” Languet Jr., 51, of Belgrade, passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Despite his enduring struggle with mental health, Joe was known for his profound kindness, humility, and love for life’s simple pleasures. Joe was always guided by an enduring love for nature, his family, and his cherished dogs.

A proud veteran with distinction in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps, Joe served his country with honor and dedication.

Though his journey was marked by struggle, his rough exterior belied a profound kindness. He was known for his selflessness, often going out of his way to help others, and would have given the shirt off his back to those in need. His love for the outdoors was a source of great solace and joy, and he found peace and fulfillment in nature’s beauty.

His passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Coakley Languet; his children India Languet and Chance Languet; and a host of friends and family who remember him for his generous spirit and his unwavering love.

Joe will be remembered not only for the challenges he faced but also for his capacity to touch the lives of those around him with his generosity, humor, and affection.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity supporting mental health or veterans in his honor, http://www.maineveteransproject.org.

CECILE A. DeLISLE

BENTON – Cecile A. DeLisle, 99, passed passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Cecile, the oldest of nine children in the LeClair family, had a good life. Oh, the stories she would tell of her upbringing, and how she would look after all her siblings. There were fun times and some very hard times, but she was such a trooper, handling any challenge that came her way.

In 1944, Cecile married Richard DeLisle and life became an adventure. Traveling some, while Richard was in the service, then settling back in Waterville and starting a family. They created a wonderful life together and their three children.

They spent many days at their camp on Snow Pond and enjoyed camping trips to Moosehead Lake with friends. Once Richard purchased the farm on the Bangor Road, in Benton, they worked very hard remodeling, and making that a home that many people will remember as “The Red Barn Farm.” Cecile enjoyed being a homemaker, and always had a wonderful meal on the table morning, noon and night. She worked side by side with Richard in their chicken business, growing and selling some of the finest corn on the family roadside stand, and tending to their small farm.

Cecile was still making her famous homemade bread at 90 years old, until she had to go into an assisted living home following several fractures from osteoporosis. Otherwise very healthy, she stayed very busy and was remarkable in every way.

Cecile was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, Richard DeLisle; her parents Felix and Juliette LeClair; brothers Gaston and Donald; and sisters Pat and Priscilla.

She is survived by three daughters, Sandra and Robert Bucknam, of Clinton, Diane and Marshall Demott,of Naples, Florida, and Rebecca and Rodney Therrien, of Clinton; sisters Beverly and Joanne; brothers Roger and Richard LeClair; grandchildren Angela, Jennifer, Jacob, Jevon and Rick; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren as well.

A graveside celebration of Cecile’s life will be held on Friday, August 23, at 11 a.m., at Benton Falls Cemetery, in Benton. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at the MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW Post #8835, in Winslow.

Online condolences and memories can be shared at http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers, 8 Elm St., Waterville.

CHINA: New tax rate to bring in more TIF money than previously anticipated

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by Mary Grow

Members of China’s Tax Increment Financing Committee were pleased to learn that the new China tax rate will bring the TIF program over $44,000 more in 2024-25 revenue than they had anticipated.

After discussion at their Aug. 19 meeting, they decided to start setting aside money for a new project, improving parking at the causeway outside China Village for boaters and other users of China Lake.

Committee members are working on a third draft of China’s TIF plan. They approved the bulk of it at their Aug. 5 meeting (see the Aug. 8 issue of The Town Line, p. 2), but needed final financial information.

An incomplete draft is on the town website, chinamaine.org, under the TIF Committee, the last committee listed under Officials, Boards & Committees.

Committee member Jamie Pitney, who has been updating the document, planned to incorporate the parking proposal in time for review by China select board members at their Aug. 26 meeting. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said items for the Nov. 5 local ballot, including the updated TIF document, need to be ready by then.

The causeway and adjacent boat landing were rebuilt with TIF funds early in the 10-year-old program. The revision approved Aug. 5 includes extending a sidewalk and adding more dock space for fishing and swimming.

The Aug. 19 proposal is to work with Pastor Ronald Morrell, of the China Baptist Church, on improving the large parking lot west of the causeway that belongs to the church but is often occupied by lake users’ vehicles, including boat trailers.

TIF funds come from taxes Central Maine Power Company pays on its power line through China and its South China substation. The money is spent as authorized by local voters, with approval from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. TIF Committee members oversee expenditures.

The committee currently consists of five members, two having resigned at the beginning of the current fiscal year. New volunteers are welcome; interested residents are invited to contact the town office, or any committee member: Brent Chesley, Lucas Adams, Karen Morin, Jamie Pitney or Benjamin Weymouth.

Committee members scheduled their next regular meeting for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.

China transfer station committee continues improvement talks

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by Mary Grow

Members of China’s Transfer Station Committee and station manager Thomas Maraggio discussed plans for continued improvements at their Aug. 13 meeting.

An ongoing issue is items for which the station charges a fee, because it costs the town extra to get rid of them. The list (which is on the town website, chinamaine.org) includes furniture; refrigerators and other appliances that contain freon; computers and other electronics; lamps; and brush.

Users leave some of these items at the free for the taking building, and are annoyed when they are asked to pay the appropriate fee anyway. Maraggio said if someone takes the item while the prior owner is still there, the fee is refunded.

But, he said, not all items are in demand; and, building volunteer and committee member Rachel Anderson added, space is limited. Maraggio said staff clean up the area twice a week; obviously unusable items go immediately to the appropriate disposal area, doubtful ones are left for two weeks to find a new owner.

Anderson did not think a larger building was a solution; it would only attract more junk. She suggested outside display shelves or tables from spring through fall.

Anderson and others recommend people consider donating large items to Goodwill, or putting them on front lawns with a “Free” sign.

Committee chairman J. Christopher Baumann recommended more signage closer to the entrance, and better publicity through the China Connected newsletter and other sources, telling people what they need to pay for, and why, before or as they arrive.

Committee member Benjamin Weymouth suggested an informational handout distributed with annual transfer station stickers. Maraggio and Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said there are existing handouts.

Maraggio plans a building near the entrance for the sand that China residents are allowed in winter storms; he suggested informational signs on the building. (The town website says China residents may take two five-gallon buckets of sand per storm. Palermo residents get sand from their sand/salt shed on North Palermo Road.)

Reporting on recent developments, Maraggio said the three days staff checked access passes at the gate found general compliance, did not lead to delays and annoyed only a few people. Staff plan spot checks in the future.

The lighting at the free for the taking building, and the new concrete compost pad, are installed, Maraggio said. The compost policy has been revised: compost will still be free, but, due to potential liability, staff cannot help China and Palermo residents load it.

Hapgood and Palermo committee member Robert Kurek said they are “making progress” on a revised agreement to let Palermo residents continue to use China’s facility. A draft revision is almost ready for review by the two towns’ attorneys.

Hapgood sent Palermo the required year’s notice of intent to dissolve the current agreement last fall, after a series of problems with Palermo residents, mostly their refusal to buy and use the required blue bags.

She and Kurek, and the respective town office staff members and transfer station staff, continue to spend time tracking down offenders, but the situation has improved. Committee members briefly discussed ways to deal with repeat offenders, agreeing that in most cases, fines were preferable to denying access to the facility.

Transfer station committee members scheduled their next meeting for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Windsor resident begins discussion about local pits; County Commissioner Crockett gives background report

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by The Town Line staff

At the July 16, 2024, meeting of the Windsor Select Board, the board authorized Town Manager Theresa Haskell to purchase the 40-yard open top container for the transfer station. Haskell had reported the unit cost $11,600 in 2022, however, the price dropped to $11,000 this year.

The board also voted 3-0 to move forward with the dangerous building recommendation, sent by the town attorney, for 762 Ridge Road.

Resident Tom Reed started a discussion about the town pit ordinance. There was much discussion about the sizes of the pits. The select board has had talks on sending out the Codes Enforcement Officer to deliver the town pit ordinance to local pit owners to make them aware of the ordinance. Assistant Codes Enforcement Officer Greg Feltis has been working on a questionnaire to send out to pit owners.

In other business:

– There have been two applicants for the vacant part-time transfer station attendant position, and one application for the vacant transfer station supervisor position.
– The board approved the appointment of Daniel Findley as an alternate member of the planning board.
Board members present at the meeting were William Appel Jr., Thomas McNaughton and Allison Whynot. Absent were Andrew Ballantyne and Chester D. Barnes Jr.

* * * * * *

At the July 30, 2024, meeting of the Windsor Select Board, Patsy Crockett (Kennebec County Commissioner) introduced herself and gave a background report to the members and the audience.

The new OSHA standards were heavily discussed knowing it will bring an enormous impact on the smaller towns. Kevin Ready and other members of the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department also gave information on this. William Appel Jr. said the original proposed budget increase for the county at 44.1 percent was extremely high, and asked, besides knowing the items you have no control over is one thing but the ones that you can have control over, are so high.

Knowing there are three commissioners, William Appel Jr. suggested the administrator should have produced a plan to space it out rather than all in one year. Patsy Crockett said they have unions to work with, and the negotiating was a 14 percent increase at the jail. Theresa had asked to have the county commissioners to publish the expenses/revenues budgets quarterly and the select board agreed.

William Appel Jr. expressed his displeasure with the county administrator on how he treated Windsor’s Town Manager during a budget meeting and wanted the commissioners to know that Theresa Haskell has been on the County Budget Committee for many years and is very thorough on how budgets work and was truly asking very detailed questions that should have been answered in an appropriate manner and wasn’t.

Angela Molino (EMA Director) wanted to introduce herself and said she also wrote on the public comment section regarding the new proposed OSHA standards to support the firefighters and communities, and how this would affect the smaller towns. The public hearing is now set for November 12, 2024. Currently it looks like towns and cities will have to comply within a two-year period. Angela also mentioned there are preparedness programs and HSGP grants available and if the town is interested, she would help us with them to see if the town qualifies.

Patsy Crockett said she would like to end on a happy note and wanted to present to Theresa Haskell with the Spirit of America 2023 award serving as the town manager, founder of Windsor Days, coaching Windsor sports and being a Girl Scout leader.

In other business, John Deeds spoke of his displeasure with the way the traffic flows within the town, especially by his house on Route 105 heading towards Somerville, which the speed limit is set at 35 mph, and wanted to see if the town could get more patrol in the area for these concerns. He also indicated how fast they travel on Route 32 at this intersection, and, in his opinion, someone is going to get hurt. It was asked to see if the sheriff could be invited to a future select board’s meeting.

On the other hand, Ray Chavarie would like to give credit to the Sherrif’s Department and State Police for their service and helping during rescue calls while their assistance is needed.

Kevin Ready, of the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, gave more information on the OSHA Standards and what the town will be looking at if this passes, and that it will have a huge affect on the budget. He indicated the fire department will be prepared to present new expenses when this gets approved, but it will all depend on the time frame when everything goes into effect.

William Appel Jr. asked how the “Take it or Leave it” went and Kevin replied it went well. He does not have a final total with him. Theresa Haskell said the amount that was raised would be great to know as townspeople would need to realize without this fundraiser, more money would need to be raised to fund the WVFD.

Town Manager’s Items – Theresa L. Haskell reported the following:

– Haskell handed out the 12-Month Budget figures for 2023/2024. The total actual budget spent was around 89.46 percent with receiving approximately 119.47 percent in revenue.
– KRT Appraisal is looking for a 30-day extension on the revaluation. Within their contract it indicates they could have a 30-day extension with the select board’s approval. KRT indicated the delay was not attributed to any one or two things but across all their 2024 towns where they are doing a revaluation they had a large volume of callbacks on the interior appointments which has caused a bottleneck in their ability to get the information keyed into the system. Windsor alone had an additional week of callbacks as many calls came in after the deadline. Thomas McNaughton motioned to approve a 30-day extension with hopes that it will be completed sooner than that as the tax bills will need to be sent out, seconded by Chester D. Barnes Jr., and approved 4-0-0.
– The following appointments were presented for the select board’s approval: as Andrew Ballantyne and William Appel Jr. as Transfer Station Committee, Nancy Fish,
Chester D. Barnes Jr. and Thomas McNaughton as Conservation Committee members, Allison Whynot as Windsor Educational Foundation and Reed Fund Member, and as General Assistance Deputy, Andrew Ballantyne and Chester D. Barnes Jr. as Cemetery Committee members, Allison Whynot and William Appel Jr. as planning board members. They were approved 4-0-0.
– Haskell said the town normally closes the transfer station on Saturday during the Windsor Fair, at noon, because of the traffic that goes along with the fair. This year the Windsor Fair will be open for two Saturday’s and wanted to know if the select board wanted to approve closing at noon for both Saturdays (August 24 and August 31. The board approved the motion.
– Tomas McNaughton said he attended the planning board meeting in which they have been discussing the possibility of a new Mineral Extraction Ordinance with working with a small group on the needs of the town and the concerns from the community. This would be a welcome working group, and they will be waiting for the planning board to give approval for a group meeting.

Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, August 22, 2024

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

RED-BELLIED: Joan Chaffee, of Clinton, snapped this photo of a red-bellied woodpecker.

HEADING SOUTH?: Amy Boyer captured these Canada Geese resting on the lake.

CORRECTION: Lindy Sklover, of Vassalboro, photographed these peonies at Fieldstone Gardens, in Vassalboro. The photo was misidentified in last week’s issue. It was an editing error.

Waterville troop scout earns Eagle rank

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Sarah Harriet Benn, Isaac’s mom, affixes the Eagle Scout medal on her son’s uniform. This medal was first presented to Isaac’s father when he made Eagle in 1987 in Troop #436. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Isaac Benn, of Westbrook, son of Shawn and Sarah Benn, reached the highest peak in Scouting – the Eagle Scout rank – during a Troop #436 court of honor held Sunday, June 2, at the Waterville Lodge #33 A.F. & A.M. The ceremony was led by Colby College Professor Bruce Rueger who was Scoutmaster of the same Troop in 1987 when Isaac’s father received his Eagle Scout award.

“I am super proud of Isaac,” Shawn Benn said after administering the Eagle Scout Charge and watching as his wife pinned Isaac with the same Eagle Scout medal Shawn received in 1987.

Rueger explained that the distance between Waterville and Westbrook was a challenge but much of his time in the troop took place during Covid-19 and the troop held virtual meetings anyway. “During camping trips we would all meet at the place we were going so it all worked out,” he said. Shawn Benn said, “I am so very glad we came back to Troop #436 during Covid so my boys can see what Scouting was like for me.”

According to Rueger, each Eagle Scout must complete a significant project to better their community. “Isaac’s project was the restoration of the Johnson Cemetery on County Road in Westbrook. He led a team that made a new sign, raked and pruned and cleaned up the grounds, and washed headstones so the names of those buried could be more easily read.” His mother, Sarah, pointed out they even found a forgotten child’s headstone under a pile of decaying leaves. This effort has received praise from the Westbrook Historical Society.

Isaac has turned 18 but completed all requirements prior to his 18th birthday. He is registered as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop #436 and will be going into his sophmore year at the University of Southern Maine, in September.

Issue for August 15, 2024

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Issue for August 15, 2024

Celebrating 36 years of local news

Palermo community foundation nets $1,970 at fundraiser barbecue

The August 3 Community Cookout wasn’t just delicious, it was great fun! Anthony Semenovich played his violin and guitar, inspiring some to dance along in the grass, as people finished their desserts and relaxed under the canopies and in the grape arbor. “I saw people scooping up the last crumbs of cornbread from the giant pan,” laughed Phil White Hawk as he helped himself to more pulled pork…

Town News

Town receives good news of $200,000 grant for Mill Hill bridge replacement

VASSALBORO – Vassalboro select board members began their Aug. 8 meeting with the good news of a $200,000 grant toward the Mill Hill bridge replacement project…

Planners hear request to amend subdivision

VASSALBORO – The three leaders of Augusta’s All Season Home Improvements company met with Vassalboro Planning Board members on Aug. 6 to talk about amending a nine-year-old subdivision…

Select board sets tax rate at 11.7 mils

CHINA – China select board members set the 2024-25 tax rate (in their role as town assessors) and lined up several local referendum questions for Nov. 5 at a busy Aug. 12 meeting…

LETTERS: Let’s all support Laura Jones!

from Amy Davidoff (Vassalboro) – I am excited and fully support Laura Jones’ candidacy for House of Representatives for our district (i.e., Vassalboro and Sidney)…

LETTERS: Elise Brown is dedicated to our community

from Jean Wakem (Liberty) – When Elise Brown told me she was running for Waldo County Commissioner in District #3, I went online to learn what a County Commissioner does. Much of our quality of life here in Waldo County is affected by county government…

LETTERS: Elise Brown for Waldo County Commissioner

from Bob Kohl (Liberty) – We who live in Liberty are fortunate to witness Elise in action – as our long-time Director of Emergency Management and for many years as budget committee chairman. But what personally impresses me the most is her thoughtful presence at selectboard and annual town meetings…

Name that film!

Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to The Maine Film Center, in Waterville: “Be the ball, Danny.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is September 5, 2024.

Webber’s Pond comic

Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by a local central Maine resident (click on the thumbnail to enlarge)…

Madison Auxiliary to tend booth during Madison/Anson Days

MADISON – American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison, will have a booth on Saturday, August 24, near the Skowhegan Savings Bank, in Madison, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., during Madison/Anson Days celebration. They will be selling RADA cutlery, American Pride bracelets, collecting school supplies for students in MSAD #59 and RSU #74, handing out information pamphlets regarding the American Legion Auxiliary…

PHOTO: Beautiful flowers, beautiful day

VASSALBORO – Lindy Sklover, of Vassalboro, snapped these peonies at Fieldstone Gardens, in Vassalboro…

POEM: Ode to Albion

ALBION – Kristin Frangoulis was honored when asked to write a poem to celebrate Albion’s 200th birthday. This is what she authored…

PHOTOS: Winslow has strong showing at USATF track and field trials

WINSLOW/AUGUSTA – The USATF Youth Track and Field Championships took place at Cony High School on Saturday August 10. Over 1,000 youth track & competitors from all around the state of Maine were in attendance for a great day!… by Mark Huard

Western New England University names local students to president’s list

SIDNEY – Western New England University (WNE), in Springfield, Massachusetts, recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of two area students named to the president’s list for the Spring 2024 semester. They are, Kasen Sirois, of Sidney, who is working toward a BA in communication/media & journalism, and Andrew Mayo, also of Sidney, who is working toward a BSE in civil engineering.

Local student earns degrees

BENTON – Amber Chesley, of Benton, graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, in Greeley, Colorado, with a master of arts degree in rehabilitation counseling.

Maia Macek named to Hamilton College dean’s list

MADISON – Maia Macek, of Madison, has been named to the dean’s list at Hamilton College, in Clinton, New York, for the spring 2024 semester.

Local happenings

EVENTS: Erskine Academy to host new student orientation

CHINA – All incoming freshmen or new students and their parents are invited to attend the Erskine Academy New Student Orientation, on Tuesday, August 27, at 6:30 p.m., in the gym…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Bluegrass festival in Palermo

PALERMO – Family and Friends Bluegrass Festival will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 16 – 18, at 2640 North Palermo Road, in North Palermo. There will be live music, food truck, children’s activities, free rough camping, and a Bluegrass jam. Admission is free but donations are appreciated… and many other local events!

Obituaries

SOUTH CHINA – Diana M. Bickford, 43, died unexpectedly Saturday, August 3, 2024. She was born in Augusta on June 18, 1981, the daughter of Mark M. and Dorothy A. (Reynolds) Bickford…

Celebrating Maine history

Click here for all of our recent stories about the local history of Maine!

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Sidney early settlers: the Faught family (new)

SIDNEY HISTORY — The Faughts were another early Sidney family. The first Faught your writer came across was Marlborough Packard Faught, a name that sounded refreshingly unusual; but she soon found that the Faughts, like the Bacons, enjoyed repeating more common names – Frederick, Jacob, Samuel – through generations… by Mary Grow

Up and down the Kennebec Valley – Bacon families: Sidney early settlers

SIDNEY HISTORY — Among early settlers in Sidney against whose lives your writer brushed while trying unsuccessfully to learn why someone chose to name the town after a long-dead Englishman were the Bacon, Faught, Lovejoy, Marsh and Snow families… by Mary Grow

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Sidney

SIDNEY HISTORY — The town on the west bank of the Kennebec River south of Waterville that is now Sidney began as part of Vassalboro, the town on the east bank… by Mary Grow

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Waterville

WATERVILLE HISTORY — Waterville, now a city, started as the part of Winslow on the west bank of the Kennebec River. In the 1902 centennial history, editor and writer Edwin Carey Whittemore traced Winslow/ Waterville’s origin from Native American settlements onward… by Mary Grow

Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Wednesday, August 15, 2024

Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Hannaford Supermarket! Email your answer to townline@townline.org or through our Contact page. Include your name and address with your answer. Use “Common Ground” in the subject!

Previous winner: Nancy Marston, Weeks Mills

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | With the increasing number of wolf sightings reported to me, I found it necessary to revisit the subject. Thanks to John Glowa, of the Maine Wolf Coalition, I will share with you the contents of an email he submitted to The Town Line…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

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GROWING YOUR BUSINESS: Your ideal customer to grow your business

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Growing your businessby Dan Beaulieu
Business consultant

One of the most important aspects of growing a successful business is to have a complete understanding of who your customers are. You need to know everything possible about the people you are selling your products and services to.

Look, chances are you started a business because you saw a need, a need that had to be met. Most business start that way. But the next thing you have to know is who has that need for your product and service, and why do they need it?

It’s your job as a business owner to develop a complete “Ideal Customer Profile” of who your customers are, what they look for in the type of business you have and what makes them prefer one company over another.

This means you have to study your current customers to discover why they are your customers, what pleases them and what doesn’t, and that will help you create the idea customer profile.

Let’s say, for example, you specialize in landscaping, especially stonework landscaping. To develop your ideal customer profile study, your past and current customers and ask these questions:

• What do they have in common?
• What types of projects are the most popular?
• Stone walls?
• Pool surrounds?
• Retaining walls?
• Patios?
• Flower beds?
• What projects are the most profitable?
• What are your customers demographics?
• Age?
• Income?
• Neighborhood?
• Type of home?
• Ask yourself what kind of customers do you like dealing with?
• Which value what you do?
• Which know what they want?
• Which trust you enough to take your suggestions?
• Which are you most successful with?
• Which appreciate and value what you do?
• Which are customers for life calling you year after year with new projects?

Once you have accumulated all of this data, you can compile it and have a very good profile of your ideal customer, and an even better idea of how to market to that ideal customer, including knowing:

• What kind of advertising you should be doing?
• Local newspapers?
• Which do they read?
• Television or radio?
• What do they watch or listen to?
• Websites and social media
• Are they online?
• Do they use Google?
• Door to door flyers?
• Will word of mouth work?
• Customer referrals?
• Direct mailing or emailing?
• Are they analog or digital when it comes to getting messages?

All of these things matter when you are trying to gain new customers. You have to create your ideal customer profile and use it for your marketing, to make sure you are targeting the right customers. For example, if you are selling landscaping or stone scaping you are wasting your time trying to sell to people who live in town houses or retirement communities. On the other hand, you might find out who has just had a pool put in and contact them about landscaping around that pool. Or find you might find who just bought a house in town; or had one built and contact them. Both of these are a matter of public record so it’s not that difficult to find these customers.

But whatever you do if you want to be successful you have to do your homework. Develop your ideal customer profile and then market to potential customers that fit that profile and you’ll always be growing your business.