Vassalboro planners approve two shoreland expansions

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by Mary Grow

At their Oct. 1 meeting, Vassalboro Planning Board members unanimously approved two applications to expand buildings in shoreland zones.

Bryan Moore may make an addition to his year-round home at 152 Park Lane, in the Three Mile Pond shoreland; and James and Karyn Darby may add a new bedroom to their Webber Pond camp.

Each building is less than 50 feet from the respective lake. Neither addition will decrease the distance to the water.

Planning board members complimented both applicants on their thorough applications.

Review of Moore’s application took more time, because the building has a complicated history in relation to the town’s shoreland ordinance. He explained that he intends to remove an addition by a former owner, under different regulations, to make his proposed change meet current requirements.

The allowable expansion depends on the size of the building, and the rules for establishing the size have changed, from floor area (which includes a second-story floor) to footprint (the area of ground covered). Calculators appeared as Moore and board members subtracted and added square footage.

Board members briefly discussed trees cut to make room for the addition – more than expected, Moore said, because the arborist found rotten ones. They decided Moore does not need to replace the trees.

The Darbys’ proposal to add a room on the back of their camp was uncomplicated and took less time to gain approval.

China town staff tells selectmen of rude treatment by residents

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by Mary Grow

China selectmen reacted with indignation when Town Clerk Rebecca Hapgood and Town Manager Dennis Heath told them people are rude to counter staff in the town office.

In addition to the usual daily business, people have been calling and coming in to question, dispute or pay their taxes, and Hapgood said staff have dealt with many “ill-mannered, vulgar and threatening customers in person and over the phone.”

Ronald Breton, acting chairman at the Sept. 30 selectmen’s meeting, pointed out that staff are not responsible for the tax rate or town policies; he invited people who want to complain to talk to selectmen. He also advised counter staff to politely decline to serve rude customers. And, board member Donna Mills-Stevens added, don’t hesitate to call 911 if necessary.

Hapgood said there are two other problems: some taxpayers are so out of practice writing checks that they make them out incorrectly or forget to sign them; and others look at only the top of the two little slips on the bottom of the bill and if the cents are an odd number, pay a penny short.

For example, if a bill is for $4,000.21, the September half payment is for $2,000.11; the March 2020 half payment, on the upper of the small slips, is for $2,000.10.

Heath estimated so far about 50 taxpayers owe a penny each for this error. He and Mills-Stevens doubted it would be legal to simplify things by rounding the hypothetical bill up to $4,000.22. He said he would see if there are other options.

The manager said now that China is down to two part-time patrolling policemen, Craig Johnson from the Kennebec County sheriff’s department and Jordan Gaudet from the Hallowell police department (plus continuing administrative and logistical support from the Oakland police department), he asked Johnson to develop a cost estimate for a full-time China officer. He is not yet ready to consider making a proposal to selectmen.

Heath gave selectmen a revised schedule of proposed fees for town office services like making copies, emailing, FAXing, notarizing and using the telephone (see The Town Line, Sept. 19). Board members approved it unanimously.

Looking back to earlier decisions, Heath reported the transfer of town funds to Bar Harbor Banking and Trust is well under way; and work has started to make the town’s new portable classroom, currently in Oakland, mobile. The building will be brought to the town garage lot until a pad on the town office grounds is ready and then moved there at no additional cost (see The Town Line, Sept. 19). Heath proposes using it as police office.

Selectmen again had to postpone action on the application for a Tax Increment Finance loan for Buckshot Power Sports because they lacked final supporting documents. Heath explained that review of part of the application was delayed because a computer crash required owner Mike Rackliffe to hand-write financial information.

The next China selectmen’s meeting is moved from the usual Monday to Tuesday, Oct. 15, to avoid the renamed Indigenous People’s Day holiday. It will be preceded by 6 p.m. public hearings on Nov. 5 local ballot questions and on amendments to the General Assistance Ordinance appendices.

Vassalboro FAVOR group seeks volunteers

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Vassalboro’s F.A.V.O.R. group will be holding a Window Dressers Build from November 16th – 21st. We are looking for volunteers to assist with measuring, frame building and completing the inserts. Now is also the time to request and purchase frames for your winter insulating needs. Please call the Town Office – Debbie 207 872 2826.

Palermo resident presented with Quilt of Valor

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From left to right, Clayton York, commander of American Legion Post #163, of Palermo, George and Beverly McKenney, and Mary Haskell, treasurer for American Legion Post #163 Ladies Auxiliary. (Contributed photo)

On September 29, a Quilt of Valor was presented to George McKenney, 89, of Palermo, by Clayton York, commander of American Legion Post #163, of Palermo, and Mary Haskell, treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary to Post #163.

Darleen Potter made the quilt and Charlene Mosher volunteered to “long arm quilt” the finished quilt.

Several weeks ago, Bryan and Darleen Potter contacted Mary Haskell and asked if she could choose someone from Palermo to deciate a Quilt of Valor. She immediately thought of McKenney, and the work began.

The quilt is dedicated to McKenney as a thank you for his service during the Korean War. Many family members, legion and auxiliary members attended.

The Quilt of Valor Foundation is an organization that began in 2003. The purpose of which is to award quilts to veterans in the United States. These quilts are to say “thank you for their service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation in combat.”

The quilts presented to veterans during this month of September is 1,250; and the total number of quilts awarded to date is 228,767 nationwide.

McKenney’s quilt is the first awarded by Post #163.

Visit the QOVF.org website for more information. McKenney’s quilt is registered with the foundation.

Contributed photo

Area roads not affected by questionable pavement sealant

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by Roland D. Hallee

Recent awareness of several motor vehicle crashes on Route 225, in Rome, has prompted the Maine Department of Transportation to suspend the use of an asphalt sealant that has been used. The investigation will focus on the mixture used in the sealant and whether that is the cause of the slippery road conditions. It has been described as resembling the effects of black ice. It is not exclusive to Maine, but has occurred throughout the United States.

“Fogging,” as it is called, is an inexpensive way of slowing the break down of pavement that is commonly used on certain spots or stretches of road.

The material and its use is normally a light application of a diluted asphalt that gets its name from the way it is applied.

The next step in the investigation will be to see if the sealant was properly applied. The company that did the work is Down East Emulsions LLC and applied by SHOem Roadway Services LLC, under the direction of the MDOT.

Locally, it was noticed this past summer that some sort of sealant was applied along the breakdown lanes on Route 3, as it passes through China, because of its shiny, wet-looking surface during dry conditions.

China Town Manager Dennis Heath said, “I do not believe the sealant is part of the process for our roads.” The town contracted for hot-mix asphalt shim and overlay. Heath continued, “As I understand it, the sealant at issue is ‘fogged’ onto the road surface as a low-cost separate application to extend the life of a road’s pavement until it can be repaved.”

Heath also interjected, “Our friends in Ireland can attest to why it is important to slow down on wet roads. The water alone presents the possibility of lost traction, but when mixed with the build-up of oil and tire residue, you have the makings of an oil slick that is treacherous.”

Vassalboro Town Manager Mary Sabins stated, “I am not aware of this sealant problem in our area. I only became aware of it when I saw the story on the news.”

Fairfield Town Manager Michelle Flewelling confirmed that “nothing like this product has been applied by the town of Fairfield in the town of Fairfield.”

However, MDOT has a project on Rte. 201 that starts in Fairfield and goes to Skowhegan. This project was contracted to Pike Industries. The breakdown lanes do appear to have had a similar application.

Flewelling then added, “My public works director did mention that he spun a bit when he attempted to leave the Good Will-Hinckley campus this morning to go back onto Rte. 201.”

According to the three town managers, the sealant in question has not been used on town roads by their respective road crews.

It seems that only state roads have had the sealant applied in various locations.

An email sent to the Maine Department of Transportation was not returned by press time.

Give Us Your Best Shot! Thursday, October 10, 2019

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

RARE SIGHT: Logan Parker, of Palermo, spotted this unique crow in Augusta.

REMINDER: Emily T. Poulin, of South China, captured this snowflake in flight last winter. Just a reminder of what is coming.

YUMMY!: Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, snapped this loon enjoying dinner.

Erskine students think globally to establish a United Nations Girl Up club

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Members of the Erskine Academy Girl Up program. (Contributed photo)

by Jeanne Marquis

During the summer before her junior year at Erskine Academy, in South China, Madyx Kennedy searched online for a new school organization. She was already active in the clubs Erskine offered, but she was looking for a club that could make a difference in the world and better matched her passions for her own future. Madyx came across an organization founded in 2010 by the United Nations called Girl Up.

Girl Up supports programs globally to provide adolescent girls an equal chance for education, health, social and economic opportunities, and a life free from violence. Why Girls? When girls are empowered by education, it raises their families and community out of poverty. One in seven girls in developing countries marry before age 15. When marriage is delayed and a girl has the opportunity to attend school, her income potential rises 10-20 percent for each year of schooling.

“What it boils down to is simple: If we want to drive progress in the world, we need to put girls in the driver’s seat.” – Kathy Calvin, CEO and President, UN Foundation.

Erskine student and local Girl Up chapter founder Madyx Kennedy. (photo by Jeanne Marquis)

Madyx, the Erskine Girl Up club founder, was inspired when she came across the Girls Up website. This organization’s mission aligned with what she envisions for her own future. She plans to go on to law school after her undergraduate degree and be a legal advocate for gender equality.

Madyx did her homework over the summer, so to speak, and learned what it took to establish a Girl Up club at Erskine. Headmaster Michael McQuarrie was highly supportive. Madyx compiled a list of potential teacher advisors for the club and prepared to go to each one to promote her idea. Ms. Beth Lawrence, her Spanish teacher, was the first one on that list and told her without any hesitation she wanted to be their advisor. When she had the school administration on board, the lingering question was ‘would there be enough support from her fellow students?’

Madyx was asked to speak about the club at an assembly in September. At the end of her presentation, she asked those who were interested to meet her by the stage. She expected two or three other students, instead to her amazement, she found nearly 30 other enthusiastic students, including a few males.

Nate Farrar learned at the first meeting the impact the club could make around the world. Nate says, “You don’t have to be a female to help out a great cause for today’s society involving women, step up men.”

After only two meetings, Erskine’s newly-formed Girl Up club has projects underway. The club’s first major project is to raise money to purchase bikes for girls to get to school. The lack of transportation can be a major barrier to getting an education in developing nations, especially for girls. SchoolCycle, one of the initiatives of the Girl Up organization, has raised funds for 1,550 bikes for girls in Malawi and 250 bikes for girls in Guatemala. In Malawi, less that 25 percent of girls finish primary school. In both these countries, families live many miles to the closest school, putting girls in risk of violence or harassment during their commute.

The Girl Up club at Erskine Academy is already implementing a fundraising campaign to raise money for more bicycles—including letters to local business, a booth at the Erskine AFS craft fair on December 14, and a fundraising page at gofundme.com/school-cycle.

While seeking to make an impact globally, the Erskine students realize there is work to be done locally to help close the gender gap in our country. They envision, in the club’s future, hosting local workshops for middle school girls to build confidence and self-esteem. Madyx wants to pass along the spirit to younger girls that all things are possible.

“Madyx has always been raised to believe that she can do anything she sets her mind to and nothing isn’t possible, especially not because of her gender,” explains Alysia Farrington, Madyx’s mother. “I think Madyx has chosen law as her career path because she feels a strong need to make women’s voices heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.”

Week of October 3, 2019

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FOR YOUR HEALTH: Summertime Living is Easy with Plant-Based Butter-ed Foods

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(NAPSI)—From blueberry pies with flaky buttery crusts to grilled buttered corn on the cob, summer is filled with delicious foods that bring people together. Now summertime eating is getting a makeover by swapping that pat, dab or dollop of regular dairy butter with dairy-free Plant Butter.

The trend toward plant-based eating has become a full-fledged food movement! With prominent foodies—chefs, celebrities, and authors—sharing their personal stories of switching to plant-based diets for taste, health, and better-for-the-environment reasons, more and more consumers are embracing delicious, nutritious foods derived from plants.

What’s a plant-based diet? It’s focused on foods mostly made from plants—not just vegetables and fruits, but also nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes and beans. Plant-based diets also tend to be healthier because they are rich in fiber, good fats and added nutritionals, like vitamins.

Plant-based foods are showing-up in grocery stores across the country—including the dairy aisle. Like Country Crock® Plant Butter—a dairy-free, plant-based butter that tastes like dairy butter. It’s made from plant-based oils and features avocado oil, olive oil, or almond oil in sticks and tubs. It’s gluten-free, kosher, and is suitable for vegan diets as it’s stamped “Certified Plant Based” through the Plant Based Foods Association.

So what about a dessert to round out that summer BBQ? A berry swirl butter cake made with Country Crock® Plant Butter is easy to make and delicious. It is sure to stir up some talk when folks find out it’s made with Country Crock’s dairy-free Plant Butter! Try more recipes on www.countrycrock.com.

Berry Swirl Butter Cake

Makes: 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

1 cup (2 sticks) Country Crock® Plant Butter, softened (you can use Country Crock® Plant Butter with Olive Oil, Avocado Oil or Almond Oil)
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
¼ cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ cup seedless raspberry jam

1.) Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 9-inch square baking pan and line with parchment allowing extra to hang over the sides. Grease parchment.

2.) Beat Country Crock® Plant Butter with sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

3.) Beat in eggs, one at a time, then milk and vanilla. Add flour and baking powder and beat on low speed just until blended. Pour batter into prepared pan.

4.) Stir jam until smooth. (If jam is thick, microwave 20 seconds then stir until smooth). Drop dollops of jam all over the top of cake and use a knife to swirl the jam through the surface.

5.) Bake 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Let cool for 20 minutes before lifting cake out of the pan to cool completely.

Learn More

For more facts, tips and recipes, go to www.countrycrock.com.

Legal notices for Thursday, October 3, 2019

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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 September 26, 2019

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-A MRSA 3-804.

2019-286 – Estate of JOSEPH G.L. QUIRION, late of Canaan, Me deceased. Cynthia M. Daigle, 28 Towne Road, Madison, Me 04950 and Brandi A. Smith, 511 East Madison Road, Madison, Me 04950 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2019-288 – Estate of LAURA LOUISE HAMMOND, late of Wilton, Me deceased. Tammi Lynn Becker, PO Box 66, East Dixfield, Me 04227 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-289 – Estate of LAWRENCE N. LEE, late of Weld, Me deceased. Craig Hutchinson, 22 Ridgecrest Drive, Wilton, Me 04294 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-290 – Estate of BEATRICE A. KARLON, late of Rangeley, Me deceased. Claire Halley 41 Hampton Meadows, Hampton, NH 03842 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-292 – Estate of RAELYNN LAUREN BELL, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Charity Chillington, 30 Mechanic Street, Skowhegan, ME 04976 and Michael Bell, 426 Libby Hill Road, Palmyra, ME 04965 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2019-294 – Estate of KATHY M. COUSINEAU, late of Madison, Me deceased. Jean Pascucci, 35 Paul Road, Holliston, MA 01746 and Edmund Seeley, 23 Jones Street, Madison, ME 04950 appointed Co-Personal Representative.

2019-295 – Estate of NOME L. KAUPIN, late of Enfield, Hartford County, CT deceased. Chase C. Kaupin, PO Box 496, Biddeford, ME 04005 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-296 – Estate of COLLEEN J. MORRIS, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. Debra Hitchcock, 137 Martin Stream Road, Fairfield, ME 04937 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-298 – Estate of PETER JOHN MAGINNIS, late of Madison, Me deceased. William G. Maginnis, 61 Creamer Road, Embden, Me 04958 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-299 – Estate of REXFORD B. ST. LEDGER, late of Pompano Beach Florida. Chase C. Kaupin, PO Box 496 Biddeford, Me 04005 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-302 – Estate of PHYLLIS A. CORSON, late of Madison, Me deceased. Daniel J. Corson, 451 White Schoolhouse Road, Madison, Me 04950 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-304 – Estate of CHERYL McAFEE, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. John L. McAfee, 30 Silver Street, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-309 – Estate of EDWARD H. LEEMAN, late of Madison, Me deceased. Scott A. Leeman, 1019 Five Islands Road, Georgetown, Me 04548 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-310 – Estate of CAROL I. BEAL, late of St. Albans, Me deceased. Charles W. Cox, 175 Exchange Street, Suite 200, Bangor, Me 04401 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-311 – Estate of BARRY K. MORRISS, late of Madison, Me deceased. Marion Morriss, 1 Dore Lane, Madison, ME 04950 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-312 – Estate of MARILYN J. HEGARTY, late of Jackman, Me deceased. James J. Hegarty, PO Box 269, Jackman, ME 04945 appointed Personal Representative.

2019-329 – Estate of RANDY L. RAYE, late of Palmyra, Me deceased. Audrey L. Raye, 6 Prentiss Street, Bangor, Me 04401 appointed Personal Representative.

To be published on September 26, 2019 & October 3, 2019.
Dated: September 23, 2019
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(10/3)

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. These matters will be heard at 10 a.m. or as soon thereafter as they may be October 9, 2019. The requested appointments may be made on or after the hearing date if no sufficient objection be heard. This notice complies with the requirements of 18-A MRSA §3-403 and Probate Rule 4.

2019-287 – Estate of RAEGAN MARIE STEWARD, minor of Fairfield, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Minor) filed by Katlyn Kylea Robb, PO Box 244, Shawmut, Me 04975 requesting minor’s name be changed to Raegan Marie Robb for reasons set forth therein.

2019-291 – Estate of MEGAN ELIZABETH CROWE, adult of Norridgewock, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Megan Elizabeth Crowe, 86 Waterville Road, Norridgewock, Me 0957 requesting her name be changed to Megan Elizabeth Pinkham for reasons set forth therein.

2019-300 – Estate of PAISLEY RAE BATHGATE, minor of Skowhegan, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Minor) filed by Jaclyn Spencer, 2 Mitchell Street, Apt 2, Skowhegan, Me 04976 requesting minor’s name be changed to Paisley Rae Spencer for reasons set forth therein.

2019-301 – Estate of ATHENA ELIZABETH COLE, minor of Skowhegan, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Minor) filed by Hilarie J. Cole, 19 Cedar Ridge Drive, Skowhegan, Maine 04976 and Roger E. Foster, III., 15 Glenn Harris Road, New Sharon, Maine 04955 requesting her name be changed to Hannah Elizabeth Cole for reasons set forth therein.

2019-305 – Estate of NANCIE BREAU McLEOD, adult of Pittsfield, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Nancie Breau McLeod, 144 Washington Street, Pittsfield, Me 04967 requesting her name be changed to Nancie Jean Breau for reasons set forth therein.

2019-306 – Estate of CURTIS WILLIAM McLEOD, adult of Pittsfield, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Curtis William McLeod of 144 Washington Street, Pittsfield, Me 04967 requesting his name be changed to Curtis William Breau for reasons set forth therein.

2019-307 – Estate of ADALYN RAE COLLINS, minor of Skowhegan, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Minor) filed by Brooke Collins, 43 French Street, Skowhegan, Maine 04976 and Dustin Lancaster, 8 Hinckley Road, Clinton, Maine 04927 requesting her name be changed to Brooke Rae Lancaster, for reason set forth therein.

2019-313 – Estate of JESSICA LYNN THIBODEAU. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Jessica Lynn Thibodeau, 5 Corson Road, Mercer, Me 04957 requesting her name be changed to Jessica Lynn Smith for reasons set forth therein.

2019-322 – Estate of TAYLOR ELIZABETH-ROSE YOUNG, adult of Pittsfield, Me. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Taylor Elizabeth-Rose Young of 1239 Main Street, Pittsfield, ME 04967 requesting her name be changed to Ryder Avery Young for reasons set forth therein.

Dated: September 23, 2019
/s/ Victoria Hatch
Registrar of Probate
(10/3)