Area Scouts hold service to camp camporee

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Camp Bomazeen (photo credit: Camp Bomazeen, BSA Maine)

On the weekend of May 17-19, 100 Scouts and leaders from across Kennebec Valley District, BSA, attended the Spring Camporee at Camp Bomazeen on the shore of Great Pond, in Belgrade. The theme of the camporee was Service to Camp. Friday evening a planning meeting was held where project assignments were handed out to each youth leader for Saturday morning. On Saturday morning, an additional 20 youth and leaders arrived. Together with the weekend campers, they put in over 400 hours of service preparing Camp Bomazeen for the summer season by cleaning up the campsites and clearing brush. Some leaders transported new tent platforms out to the campsites, while others cleared away trees felled by winter storms. Another group of adult volunteers started construction on a new staff cabin.

In the afternoon, several activities were held for the scouts as a thank you for their service. Some of the more popular events included: the Gaga Pit, a version of dodge ball; Catch the Snappah, where scouts lashed together a fishing pole to catch mouse traps, each one marked with what they caught such as an old boot, shark, or large fish; and Hula Hoop Circle, where the scouts joined hands in a circle and had to move one or more hula hoops around the circle without letting go of the hands of the others.

While the service and activities took place, about 12 new volunteer leaders completed Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills training to help them safely take youth out on future camping trips. At the Saturday evening campfire, there were songs and skits. Near the end of the program, 31 youth and leaders were recognized for being elected into the Order of the Arrow, the BSA’s national honor society.

The following units participated in the camporee for the weekend: Troops 142, 200, 207, 446, 454, 586, & 622. Crew 254. Packs 603 and 622. Troop #199 attended during the day on Saturday. Kennebec Valley District provides support to young boys and girls ages 6 to 20 in various Boy Scout programs in five Maine counties: Kennebec, Somerset, Franklin, Lincoln, & Knox. If you would like to learn more about our organization, please search for Kennebec Valley District, BSA on Facebook or go to the Pine Tree Council website: http://www.pinetreebsa.org/

Area athletes show off skills

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Jacoby Bragdon, 7, prepares to launch a ball in the longest throw competition. (photo by Beth Fisher, Central Maine Photography staff)

Gavin O’neal, 7, connects with a pitch during a tie breaker for most hits at this year’s hit-a-thon. (photo by Beth Fisher, Central Maine Photography staff)

Bryce Doyon, right, of Waterville, gets a high five from former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, during his recent visit to Waterville at a fund raiser for the Alfond Youth and Community Center. (photo by Mark Huard, owner Central Maine Photography)

Huard’s Sport Karate team member Jackson Jandreau, 6, of Clinton captured first place in fishgint and second place in forms at the KICKS USA Nationals at Gardiner High School recently. (photo by Mark Huard)

Huard’s Sport Karate team member Issa Citro, 10, of Waterville, captured first place in fighting at the Worcester Classic on May 4, and also at the KICKS USA Nationals in Gardiner recently. (photo by Mark Huard)

SCORES & OUTDOORS: It’s a bumble bee! It’s a hummingbird; no, guess again

/0 Comments/in /by

Hummingbird moth, left, taken by Pat Clark, of Palermo, and an internet photo of a hummingbird moth.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Last week I received an email from a reader, who resides in Palermo. She sent a photo and asked what kind of bumble bee it was? She had photographed it feeding on her lilacs.

At first glance, I thought it was a sphinx moth – better known as a hummingbird moth. But the more I looked at it, the less sure I was. It was a photo taken from behind, and most of its characteristic suggested hummingbird moth, but some of the coloration didn’t seem right. I began doubting myself.

I sent the photo off to Michael Parisio, forest entomologist with the Maine Forest Service, who confirmed it was a hummingbird clear wing moth. His comment was that the moth had done its job very well, fooling the photographer into thinking it was something else than what it really was.

I was right, after all.

The hummingbird clear wing moth, Hemaris thysbe, is olive green and burgundy on its back, and white or yellow and burgundy on the underside. Its wings are transparent with a reddish-brown border. It has light-colored legs, which combined with the lack of striping on the underside, is diagnostic. Beating their wings rapidly, they hover to collect nectar from a variety of flowers. The combination of its appearance and its behavior commonly leads to it being confused with a hummingbird or bumble bee. That certainly was the case with our reader.

They are found in a large portion of North America, with a range extending from Alaska to Oregon in the west and from Newfoundland to Florida in the east. It is a migratory species and is most common in southern Ontario and the eastern United States. They have two broods a year in the southern portion of its range, but only one in the north. The caterpillar feeds on honeysuckle, dogbane and several types of fruit trees.

As a caterpillar, it burrows into the soil to overwinter as a brown, hard-shelled pupa. In the late spring, it emerges as an adult moth. They lay green eggs on the underside of plant leaves, which hatch in about a week. Development takes four weeks, after which the caterpillar spins a cocoon at ground level. Two to four weeks later a moth emerges for a second breeding cycle before summer’s end in southern climates. It has a single mating cycle per year.

It has minimal economic impact to humans, acting neither as a crop pollinator nor as a pest. The moth is a flower pollinator, especially some species of orchids. They are not endangered nor threatened.

Due to the variable appearance of the moth, it has often been mistakenly described as multiple distinct species. It was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius, in 1775, as a Sesia thysbe. The species name is likely a reference to Thisbe, half of a pair of ill-fated lovers in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The name thus associates the blood-stained scarf of Thisbe to the reddish-brown coloration of the moth.

Hummingbird moths are members of the sphinx moth family. Their size makes them different from the actual hummingbird. The ruby-throated hummingbird can be three inches long, while the hummingbird moth is much smaller at 1-1/2 inches long.

While most sphinx moths fly at night, hummingbird moths fly during the day. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including open meadows, forest edges, and suburban gardens. They feed on flower nectar, dipping in a long thin proboscis. Both the Palermo resident and Parisio spotted hummingbird moths feeding on lilac bushes.

Adult hummingbird moths feed on nectar, so filling your garden with native nectar-bearing plants is a great way to attract hummingbird moths, as well as ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies.

Mystery solved!

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In inches, how big is the diameter of a basketball hoop?

Answer can be found here.

Alan Johnston shows special everyday courage

/0 Comments/in , /by

It is always inspiring to see how our combat-injured veterans may rise above the limitations of their permanent injuries and restore themselves to full and active lives. Alan D. Johnston, of Windsor, a former U.S. Army captain active in veterans affairs, and who is now the commander of the Maine Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, exemplifies the indomitable spirit we so admire in our injured service personnel. These veterans truly show the rest of us a special kind of everyday courage.

Although legally blind, Alan recently competed in the National Veterans Golden Age Games, for those 55 and older, divided into various categories including male and female divisions, wheelchair bound, visually-handicapped and ambulatory. As with other senior athletic competitions, entrants compete against contemporaries in five-year age blocs, and in categories matching those with similar abilities and handicaps. Any veteran over 55, handicapped or not, may compete. This year, about 750 veterans from 48 states competed in the 33rd National Veterans Golden Age Games, in Anchorage, Alaska.

Alan won in his age category of visually-impaired veterans in five events, receiving gold medals in bowling, horseshoes, and shuffle board, and bronze medals in blind disc golf and bocci. He is also a recipient of the Department of Defense Valor Award, a civilian award equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross.

Alan is very proud of his service dog Gypsy, a five-year-old Malinois. They have been together for four years having gone through a 40-week training course. The Military Order of the World Wars was established 100 years ago under the leadership of the legendary General John J. Pershing, and is open to all active and former military officers. Those interested in possibly joining the order may get more information from the National website at www.moww.org or by calling Alan at 207-549-3951.

General John J. Pershing

Central Maine Motors makes gift to art center

/0 Comments/in , /by

Paul J. Schupf Art Center in Waterville, ME. (photo credit: Colby College)

Waterville Creates!, a nonprofit supporting and promoting high-quality, accessible arts and cultural programs and institutions in Waterville, Maine, announces a gift in the amount of $25,000 from Central Maine Motors Auto Group in support of the community capital campaign for the Paul J. Schupf Art Center.

Designed to bring together under one roof some of Waterville’s most beloved arts institutions, including the Maine Film Center, Common Street Arts, and a new gallery of the Colby Museum of Art, the Paul J. Schupf Art Center will be constructed on the current site of The Center building at 93 Main Street, directly adjacent to the Waterville Opera House and City Hall building and downtown’s central green space, Castonguay Square. Waterville Creates! and Colby College are partnering on this transformative project, which will create a distinctive hub for visual arts, performing arts, arts education, and film for children and adults. In addition to enhancing Waterville’s reputation as a destination for arts and culture, this new facility will add vitality to downtown Waterville during both the daytime and evening hours and serve as an economic driver for the region.

“Central Maine Motors Auto Group is dedicated to supporting the community of Waterville because we are Waterville – this is where we live, work and play,” says Chris Gaunce, president of Central Maine Motors. “Supporting our community means supporting the arts, especially this new art center, which will create accessible arts opportunities for people of all ages and have a huge economic impact on the city.” Central Maine Motors’ gift was pledged in support of the $2 million community capital campaign being led by Waterville Creates! as part of the overall fundraising goal of $18 million for the project.

“The impact Central Maine Motors Auto Group has on Waterville cannot be overstated – they generously fund so many community events, like our free summer concert series, Waterville Rocks!, and support programs and organizations that bring a high level of visibility to Waterville, including the Maine International Film Festival and the Waterville Opera House.”

Obituaries for Thursday, June 27, 2019

/0 Comments/in /by

FREDERICK W. SAUCIER

GIBSONTON, FLORIDA – Frederick W. Saucier, 88, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at his residence in Gibsonton, Florida. He was born on November 30, 1930, in Waterville, the son of Lionel and Leatha (Mann) Saucier.

He grew up in Vassalboro, the older brother to three sisters, Norma, Anne “Bobbi”, and Paulette. He graduated from Waterville High School in 1947 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17. Fred married his high school sweetheart Sybil (Fitch) on September 4, 1948.

Fred proudly served 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps in active and reserve service and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines earning multiple decorations and commendations including the Bronze Star Medal “V”, and the combat action ribbon.

Sybil was the love of his life. They married at St. Bridget’s Church, in Vassalboro, and started their incredible adventure together. For 69 years they shared the love of a lifetime, a marriage filled with integrity, unwavering devotion, great joy and accomplishment.

Fred retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a lieutenant colonel in 1971 and accepted a position at Billerica High School, in Billerica, Massachusetts, serving as senior military educator and infantry officer for JROTC Leadership program. He taught for 13 years, earning a bachelor of science at New Hampshire College along the way.

In 1977, Fred and Sybil bought Green Valley Campground, on Webber Pond, in Vassalboro. He loved the outdoors and wanted to share his love of camping with others to provide the best family camping experience. He and Sybil made friends ot of strangers over the years they owned the campground and created lifelong memories for so many.

After his retirement from teaching in 1984, he and Sybil spent the summers at Green Valley and in the fall, Fred would drive their motorhome to Florida for the winter. They would stay at the FamCamp on MacDill Air Force Base where they reunited with other snow birds. They enjoyed golfing, visiting with friends, going to the local concerts and shows, and relaxing by the beach. Every May they would make the trip back to Maine to open the campground for another season.

In 2002, after 25 years, Fred and Sybil sold Green Valley to their granddaughter, Tiffany, who owns and operates it today. Fred and Sybil continued to spend the summers on Webber Pond.

Fred contributed to many charities anonymously, including PBS and the Red Cross. Fred loved life! He loved music, singing and dancing, sailing and skiing, horseshoes and horses. He was a natural athlete and worthy competitor on the tennis and racquetball court, golf course, or playing kickball in the yard. He loved playing bridge, and poker with the guys, as well as cribbage and chess.

Fred was predeceased by his wife, Sybil; his infant son, Frederick and son-in-law, David.

He is survived by his four children: Crystal, Thomas, Alecia and Jamie; his son-in-law, Jed; eight grandchildren: Jason, Tiffany, Evan, Alivia, Matthew, Phoebe, Ryan and Michael; six great-grandchildren: Samantha, Cameron, Hunter, Hailie, KC, Evan, and Sebastian; his sister, Norma and brother-in-law, Roland; sisters, Anne “Bobbi”, and Paulette; many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Fred and Sybil will be held June 21 at 1300 (1 pm) at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Road in Augusta. Reception immediately following at The Old Mill Place, 934 Main St, Vassalboro.

Memorial donations in memory of Fred can be made to: UNICEF USA, 125 Maiden Lane, New York NYE 10038; Website: www.unicefusa.org.

KAY F. TOZIER

UNITY – Kay Frances Fernald Tozier, 87, passed away in Raymond, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, June 4, 2019. Born May 21, 1932, in Troy, the daughter of Clyde and Marion Bragg Fernald, she lived in Troy for her early years including several years with her grandparents Medwin and Dora Fernald.

She also enjoyed time with her grandparents Oscar and Katie Bragg, her auntie Eula Bragg Knowlton, , and the Judson family. She graduated from Unity High School in 1949 and from Farmington State Teachers College in 1953.

Kay and Kenneth Elwood Tozier, Jr., were married June 26, 1954, and lived nearly all their married life in Unity. Kay was a teacher in Rockland, Scarborough, and for many years at Troy School where the library at the new school was dedicated to her.

She was a long-time member of Unity Union Church and the Noel Club, of Unity. She was a life-long learner and enjoyed reading, gardening, and travel. She traveled with the Farmington Alumni group for many years visiting some 30 countries. She was known for her compassion, generosity, patience, and subtle wit.

She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth “Babe” Tozier, Jr.

She is survived by her three children, Susan Tozier, of Raymond, New Hampshire. Joel Tozier and wife Nancy, of Sidney, and Deirdre Nash and husband Daniel, of Auburn, New Hampshire; and grandchildren Shelby Tozier, Ben Tozier, Amelia Nash and significant other Michael Gross and Meredith Nash Laliberte and husband Nick; brothers, James Fernald and wife Sally, nd Stephen Fernald and wife Barrie; sister-in-law Marilyn Tozier Owen and long-time companion Kenneth Phelps, of Largo, Florida; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Unity United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 29, 2019, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow at the Unity College Performing Arts Center, in Unity.

Donations in memory of Kay may be made to: Unity United Methodist Church, 13 Depot Street, Unity ME 04988.

MARYELLEN JENNEY

OAKLAND – MaryEllen Jenney, 69, of Oakland, passed away following a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, June 9, 2019, at Oak Grove Center in Waterville. She was born in Biddeford on April 17, 1950, the daughter of the late Joseph C. and Florence A. (McKay) Michaud.

MaryEllen attended the University of Maine and obtained a degree in history. She enjoyed traveling, baking cakes, and spending time with her family.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her son, Christopher John Couture.

MaryEllen will be sadly missed by her husband, Lawrence Chase Jenney; her son, Joseph William Couture and his wife, Virginia; her three grandchildren, Joseph Couture II, Barbie Lynn Couture, and Tobby Bragdon; her brother, John Michaud; and two nieces and one nephew.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland.

In lieu of flowers, donations in MaryEllen’s memory may be made to: Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 828, Waterville ME 04903.

FRANCES N. BRANN

WINDSOR – Frances N. Brann, 78, passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, at the Alfond Center for Health. She was born on February 11, 1941, the daughter of the late Leland and Doris James, of Chelsea. She was one of 16 siblings, with only five now surviving.

Mrs. Brann was a graduate of Erskine Academy and was a homemaker for most of her life.

She was predeceased by a son, Mark E. Brann, Sr.

Frances will be remembered by her husband of 51 years, Clarence Brann; a son, Roland Dyer Jr. his wife, Tracy, and family of Wiscasset; her daughter, Joyce Gilbert and husband, Ralph and sons, of Chelsea; and son, Pat Brann and his wife, Kim and family, of Vassalboro; siblings Janice Sirois, of Connecticut, Donald James, Sr. and Jean Cunningham and husband, Ronald, of Pittston, David James and companion, Hope Plummer, of Windsor, 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

At her request, there will be a private family graveside service at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, Windsor Chapel, 983 Ridge Road, Route 32, Windsor ME 04363.

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

TAMMY R. JONES

FAIRFIELD – Tammy R. Jones, 48, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2019, at Central Maine Medical Center, in Lewiston. She was born January 8, 1971, in Lewiston, the daughter of Elizabeth R. Jones.

She graduated from Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, in 1990. She was a member of the Loving Caring Hands food Pantry. She started at the food pantry when it first opened in 2008. Tammy liked going to the powwow and dancing with her Native American family and had been going for 13 years. She liked making Native American jewelry, cooking, working with her computer, watching TV, going for walks and spending time with family and friends.

Tammy is survived by her significant other of 30 years, Alan Sabins, of Fairfield; sister-in-law Barbara Meservie, of Fairfield; brother-in-law Jim Sabins, of Skowhegan; sister Nikki Cahill, of Madison; brother Tommy Jones, of Madison; five nieces, Barbara Berry, Star Sabins and Jayme Sabins, all of Skowhegan, Ashley Corossan, of Madison, Tricia Corossan; two nephews, Walter Meservie, Aaron Corossan; five great-nieces; seven great-nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 5, 2019, at 10 a.m., at the Shawmut Chapel, 57 Bray Avenue, Shawmut.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Tammy’s memory to CMH Development Office, 300 Main Street, Lewiston, ME 04240 or email giving@cmhc.org.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

Vassalboro board puzzles over lunch program finances

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

Vassalboro School Board members puzzled over lunch program finances at their June 18 meeting, after Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer recommended they reallocate $30,000 to start covering the program’s debt even though it doesn’t owe any money to anybody.

Pfeiffer explained that the “debt,” about $130,000, is on the books because the program spends more than the state reimbursement. Having red ink on the books displeases the auditor, and the board should deal with it.

However, in the real world the school department pays what it owes from other accounts and grants.

The main reason for the debt, Curriculum Coordinator Mary Boyle said, is that students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals do not apply to use the program. Therefore the state does not reimburse the school department.

Re-elected Board Chairman Kevin Levasseur said less than $2,000 of the debt is due to families who owe lunch money to the school – “a drop in the bucket.” He said 53 percent of Vassalboro Community School (VCS) students don’t eat school meals, bringing their own.

Board members talked about making the meal program more inviting and about the need for more information about the free and reduced-price program. Pfeiffer said parents can apply at any time, not just when the application form comes home as school opens in the fall. Board member Jessica Clark suggested putting the application form on the website.

No decisions were made; the meal program will be on a future agenda.

The decision that was made, after continued discussion from the May meeting (see The Town Line, May 30), was to expand the VCS Title I program from a small group of students identified as falling behind academically to the entire school.

Boyle said the current program, staffed by three educational technicians and a literacy specialist, targets students with difficulty in English. A school-wide program would continue to assist these students; add students on the borderline of falling behind the rest of their class, who get no service under the targeted Title I; let Title I staff work in the regular classrooms; and perhaps allow adding help in math.

Board members unanimously approved the change. Levasseur commented that he expects it will “benefit more kids and not have to jump through so many [bureaucratic] hoops.”

Pfeiffer and Levasseur expect two new buses to arrive later in the year. Transportation coordinator Lisa Gadway explained that she will analyze needs, talk with drivers about their preferences, consider quality and longevity and seek price quotes before ordering buses tailored for Vassalboro.

“It’s not just, ‘Hey, send me a bus.’” You have to know what you want,” she said. Boyle and Gadway work out of the former office of AOS (Alternative Organizational Structure) #92 in Waterville, serving one or more of the three ex-AOS member towns (Vassalboro, Waterville and Winslow) under contract.

In other business June 18, board members unanimously hired Tabitha Sagner as full-time social worker at VCS. She previously was a half-time contract worker at the school; Pfeiffer said she had a good record and both she and personnel with whom she has worked are pleased to have her as a full-time staff member.

Board members accepted the resignations of special education teacher Deborah Spiller and third-grade teacher Lynn Wells, both of whom have moved to other jobs, Pfeiffer said. The positions are being advertised.

Board members gave preliminary approval to a minor change in the 2019-2020 school calendar: changing the name of the October 14 holiday from Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day, following new state legislation.

They discussed scheduling a strategic planning workshop, probably in August, to look ahead for the next five years. Continuing their policy of taking a July break, they scheduled the next regular board meeting for Tuesday evening, Aug. 20.

CHINA: Decisions on new excavator, Saturday hours postponed

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

China selectmen made several decisions at their June 24 meeting, the last in the current fiscal year, but postponed action on the two longest-discussed questions, whether to buy an excavator and whether to eliminate Saturday town office hours.

At their June 10 meeting, Board members re-reviewed bids for equipment for summer road work and voted to rent an excavator, as needed, from local contractor Wayne Chadwick. Public Works Manager Shawn Reed encouraged them to consider buying an excavator instead, saying it would save money and make scheduling jobs easier. (See The Town Line, June 6 and June 13.)

Reed and Board members discussed the topic again June 24. Reed said he had done “a ton of negotiating” with seven dealers and recommended a 119-horsepower Volvo from Chadwick-BaRoss, a dealer with offices in Westbrook, Bangor and Caribou.

Town Manager Dennis Heath calculated savings at $85,000, counting paying for the machine, over 10 years and more than $300,000 over 20 years. Reed said several of the town crew are qualified to run an excavator, though probably not as skillfully as Chadwick or Robin Tobey, another local contractor.

Selectmen again postponed action.

They also postponed a decision on whether and if so how to change town office hours, specifically by eliminating the three hours on Saturday and extending hours one or more other days.

Heath shared results of the survey run from May 31 through June 21 asking people questions like whether they used the town office on Saturday and if so, why; and if office hours were to be extended to 6 p.m. at least one day a week, which day would be most convenient.

The manager said as far as he knows, China’s 45.5 hours a week are the longest in the area, and no other nearby office is open Saturdays.

Staff member Kelly Grotton said she and three of her four colleagues take turns working Saturday mornings; Town Clerk Becky Hapgood is not included in the rotation. No one minds swapping a week-day for a Saturday, she said, but there are two disadvantages. When someone is off on a week-day, the office may be short-staffed, so that everyone is at the counter or on the telephone and putting off other work, like Grotton’s assessing assignments; and on Saturdays state offices, necessary for many tasks from motor vehicle registrations to various license renewals, are closed.

Reed said if a town office staff member is working with him on an ongoing issue, he has to remember which day she’ll not be available.

Almost everything except registering a new vehicle can be done on line, Grotton said. Survey results showed about 30 percent of respondents were not aware of that option.

Chadwick, arguing from the audience for keeping Saturday hours, said some older residents neither used a computer nor drove a car, perhaps leaving Saturday morning when someone was free to offer a ride as their only chance to do town office business.

Decisions selectmen did make included:

  • Authorizing Heath to spend $2,950 to buy and install the previously-approved generator at the transfer station, including a propane tank, necessary piping and other auxiliary items.
  • Voting to give money for safety vests to the Roadside Team, the group originally started by Richard Dillenbeck to pick up roadside litter. Funds will come from returnable bottles donated to the transfer station. Selectmen were also willing to let the transfer station crew pick up bags of collected litter if necessary; Board member Irene Belanger said the team has nine volunteers and she has offered the use of her truck, so maybe they can do the pick-up themselves.
  • Approving Chadwick’s $24,300 bid for about half a mile of trail work for the China Four Seasons Club. Heath said Chadwick was the only bidder. Bids for work on another trail section are due July 8, he said. In other business, Transfer Station Manager Tim Grotton said the town received a $10,500 state grant for an electronic pass system (called RFID, radio-frequency identification). Grotton said China did not receive a larger grant to locate four recycling trailers around town (see The Town Line, April 25).

Later in the meeting, Selectman Ronald Breton said “the public generally” does not like having the transfer station close at 3 p.m. four of the five days it’s open and does not care that it opens at 7 a.m. Tuesday through Friday and 6:30 a.m. Saturdays. He proposed returning to the 5 p.m. closing.

Tim Grotton said he has a lot of business early in the morning, including people waiting at 6 a.m. on Saturdays and people in their office clothes dropping off trash weekdays. Comparatively few people come in between 3 and 5 p.m. Thursdays. He expects the RFID system will provide useful information for the selectmen and the Transfer Station Committee.

Reed reported the newly-hired public works driver/mechanic won’t start until July 1, but has already looked over the garage and equipment and suggested things he can do.

Belanger said volunteers are needed for the Aug. 2-4 China Community Days celebration; those interested should call Kelly Grotton at the town office.

Heath added that the China Village volunteer fire department holds its annual chicken barbecue Saturday, July 6, starting at 11:30 a.m. at the fire station.

The next regular selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, July 8.

China receives DEP second round of grants for recycling and organics management initiatives

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recently announced the second round of grant award recipients for recycling and organics management projects. These projects are targeted to divert waste from disposal by expanding composting and recycling opportunities across Maine. DEP received 14 proposals requesting $347,486 and will award $212,790 to fund 13 of these projects. Maine DEP is providing these grants to help businesses, institutions and municipalities address solid waste management challenges.

Reducing the amount of materials consumers buy and use, reusing items, and recycling products and packaging are all actions that significantly reduce our environmental impacts and help to enhance sustainability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut costs.

Among other communities, China was awarded $10,500 for recycling and composting. China proposes to establish a radio frequency identification (RFID) system to gather data on the use of the various components of waste management services (swap shop, recycling stations, disposal) by town of origin. This data will be used to assess expansion of recycling operations to serve residents of neighboring towns, to design operational efficiencies, and to improve education and outreach on recycling.