School board decides to reluctantly raise school lunch prices by 10 cents

/0 Comments/in , /by

Vassalboro Community School. (source: jmg.org)

by Mary Grow

At their May 21 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members reluctantly voted to raise the bill for a full-price school lunch from $2.75 this year to $2.85 for the 2019-2020 school year.

A food service memo requested the increase, explaining that it is required by the federal government, whose officials found almost a decade ago that schools were undercharging for paid meals.

Federal money reimburses Vassalboro $3.31 for each free lunch and 31 cents for each paid lunch. Vassalboro should charge the $3 difference, so that reimbursement for free meals no longer subsidizes paid meals. A federal calculator sets 10 cents a meal as the maximum annual increase until the $3.00 figure is reached. Failure to comply could lead to loss of federal funds.

On another topic, Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer said the board can choose to extend Title I services to all students, instead of only to those identified as needing extra academic support. The federal Title I program is intended to help disadvantaged students, those at risk of not doing well in school for any of a variety of social or individual reasons.

In the plan is approved, Curriculum Coordinator Mary Boyle said, Title I staff can work with students before they fall behind. She and Principal Megan Allen agreed staff would be working differently, not more, so there would be no cost increase.

Boyle is under contract with Vassalboro as a holdover from former AOS (Alternative Educational Structure) #92. School board members intend to review the three-year contract with the former AOS at a future meeting –probably not at the June 18 board meeting, Pfeiffer said, as shared personnel will be very busy with end-of-school work.

In other business May 21, board members accepted with regret resignations of Educational Technician Ellen Goodrich and bus driver Rosalie Woods and hired bus driver Clayton Rice.

They approved moving five first-year probationary teachers to second year; four second-year probationary teachers to third year; nine more from third-year probation to continuing contracts; and three from continuing to annual contracts.

They approved a 2019-2020 school calendar and a school board meeting schedule.

This year, school will end with a half day of classes on June 18, later than originally expected because of five snow days.

Before school is out, voters will have acted on the 2019-2020 budget twice, at the open town meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 3, at the school and again at the June 11 budget validation written-ballot vote.

The June 11 ballot includes local elections, with School Board members Jessica Clark and Kevin Levasseur unopposed for re-election. Voting will be at the town office, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A dozen residents attend public hearing on two ballot questions

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

About a dozen China residents attended the selectmen’s May 13 public hearing on two June 11 ballot questions, focusing most of their attention on the first and more expensive one.

The first question asks if voters want to authorize selectmen to spend up to $150,000 for the Hall property across Lakeview Drive from the town office and abutting the Four Seasons Club. The approximately four acres for sale include lake frontage that would provide a beach and boat landing. Funds would come from China’s lake access fund ($125,000) and TIF (Tax Increment Finance) fund ($25,000). The budget committee recommended approval on a 4-2 vote on April 9.

The second question asks if voters want to authorize selectmen to spend up to $25,000 from the town’s Undesignated Fund Balance (surplus) “to contract for the engineering and costing of a consolidated emergency services building and a community building,” based on designs for which voters appropriated up to $5,000 in November 2018. The emergency services building would house the China Village Volunteer Fire Department, China Rescue, a police office and perhaps a Delta ambulance; combining China’s three volunteer fire departments is not part of the plan. Plans for both buildings are on the town website under “News.” The budget committee unanimously recommended voters not approve the appropriation.

With Town Manager Dennis Heath absent, there was a lack of answers to many of the questions raised at the hearing. Selectboard Chairman Robert MacFarland said town officials are waiting for voter approval before making detailed plans, and if voters do approve they won’t necessarily buy the property; they just want to be able to.

Two members of the former Lake Access Committee, which proposed buying the former Candlewood property and was turned down by voters, said China still needs a place for residents who don’t own waterfront property to access the lake.

If voters approve, the current undetailed plan is to develop a beach and a boat landing, with at least one parking area partway up the hill toward Lakeview Drive.

Audience and selectboard members talked about safe separation between swimmers and boaters, or maybe having a carry-in launch area only, or having a landing that would accommodate the overflow from the state landing at the head of the lake outside China Village. The last proposal sparked another inconclusive discussion about the future of the present landing.

People asked how the town benefited from bass tournaments and about the risk of importing the invasive plant milfoil when a lot of out-of-town boats use China Lake.

Location and size of the access road were unknown; MacFarland said it would “probably” be two lanes. The number of parking spaces was not determined.

Two men said the proposed $150,000 would be “a drop in the bucket” compared to the cost of developing the area for public use. Even if state funding were obtained, Wayne Chadwick pointed out that state dollars are still tax money.

At the selectmen’s meeting that followed the hearing, China Planning Board Chairman Tom Miragliuolo said the Land for Maine’s Future program where he is a Ssenior planner would be likely to approve a China application for up to half the appraised value of the property. Also, he said, the Bureau of Public Lands has a program that might contribute development funds for a boat landing.

If the waterfront were developed, people asked whether it could or would be limited to China residents; whether it would be considered public or private; whether there would be lifeguards, people to check residency or other supervisors and whether they would have to be paid. There were no answers.

Selectman Jeffrey LaVerdiere cited public beaches in nearby towns that have been closed due to unwelcome clientele, vandalism and other problems.

Whether the state Department of Environmental Protection would approve the development is unknown – Selectman Irene Belanger said they are “involved.”

“You’re asking the people to make a decision without information,” Bill Van Wickler summarized as the discussion drew to a close.

The much shorter discussion of the second question ignored the community center and focused on the proposed emergency services building. Months ago, the concept was that the China Village Volunteer Fire Department would move into a new building on the town-owned property on the east side of Lakeview Drive opposite the former Candlewood Camps. Its present building would be demolished and China Baptist Church would create a new parking lot on the site, freeing the present church parking lot for boaters’ use.

Now it appears that state officials will not continue to support the boat landing, because of lack of adjacent parking and its location, exposed to debris blown from the entire east basin. Therefore, all three China fire chiefs said at the hearing, no more parking is needed, so the China Village station doesn’t need to move, so there is no reason to waste more money planning for a new building.

China voters will decide both questions by written ballot on June 11. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the former portable classroom behind the town office.

Pfeiffer: School budget no impact on local taxes

/0 Comments/in , /by

by Mary Grow

The good news about Vassalboro’s 2019-2020 school budget, which totals more than $7.7 million, is that it is more than $26,000 lower than the current year’s budget. It will have no impact on the local tax rate, and no adverse effect on local education.

Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer said the major reason for the lower budget is the tuition account, which is lower because more Vassalboro students are graduating from high school than are entering.

Within the budget is a request for state approval for two new school buses, instead of the usual one a year, justified by the age and condition of Vassalboro’s fleet. Pfeiffer said bus repair costs are rising steadily.

Many other budget lines are flat or nearly so, Pfeiffer said. The only planned staff increase is a change from a half-time contracted social worker to a full-time employee.

The 2019-2020 school budget is in Articles 49 through 63 of the warrant for the June 3 town meeting. On June 11, voters will accept or reject the June 3 decision. The June 3 meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Vassalboro Community School (VCS); June 11 written-ballot voting will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the town office.

The good news about Vassalboro students is that they are welcome in the high schools they choose to attend after finishing eighth grade at VCS.

At the request of The Town Line, Pfeiffer queried officials at Winslow and Waterville high schools and Erskine Academy, in South China, about former VCS students. He got positive information from all three schools. Among Winslow High School’s graduating seniors from Vassalboro, several will be going on to college and will receive scholarships, to be announced on Class Night, according to Guidance Counselor Tom McNeil. Another senior earned her Emergency Medical Technician license through Mid-Maine Technical Center and the state; and another has a long-term internship at Vassalboro’s Duratherm Window Corporation.

“We truly value our relationship with VCS and relish the involvement of all 40 plus Vassalboro residents who attend WHS,” McNeil added.

From Waterville Senior High School, Principal Brian Laramee reported that two of the top ten students in the graduating class, including the valedictorian, attended VCS. They and five other Vassalboro students are heading for college in the fall.

Erskine Academy Headmaster Mike McQuarrie reported that four of the 32 Erskine students in a graduating class of 144 are in the top ten academically. Vassalboro students have a 100 percent graduation rate, with 30 of the 32 going on to some type of higher education and the other two enlisted in the military.

“A great contingent of young people from Vassalboro!” McQuarrie commented.

The school has received other commendations from outside its walls. In April, the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce honored Jobs for Maine Graduates head Victor Esposito as Outstanding Professional at its annual awards ceremony recognizing businesses and individuals for community service.

The good news about the Vassalboro School Board is that members are not resting on these successes, but continue looking for ways to help students even more. At their May 21 board meeting, they discussed tentative plans for a strategic planning workshop to look at goals for the next five years.

Possible topics include programs, textbooks, keeping up with technology and physical plant needs – Pfeiffer often praises building maintenance, but points out that VCS is now 27 years old.

Poverty and trauma make demands on every school, Pfeiffer observed, and “Money will always be a problem.”

Gladys Benner presented with Boston Post Cane in Fairfield

/0 Comments/in , /by

Ms. Gladys E. Benner, 97, recently received the Town of Fairfield’s Boston Cane for the oldest resident. (contributed photo)

The Town of Fairfield has presented its Boston Post Cane to Ms. Gladys E. Benner, who recently reached the age of 97 years. The Town of Fairfield continues the time-honored tradition of presenting the Boston Post Cane to its eldest permanent resident. The tradition of the Boston Post Cane dates to 1909 for the oldest living man, and in 1930 the tradition was expanded to include both men and women. The previous holder of the town’s Boston Post Cane was Ms. Vivian R. Field, who recently passed at the age of 99. State Senator Scott Cyrway, left, additionally bestowed legislative sentiments.

Vassalboro senior fair provided much-needed information

/0 Comments/in , /by

Lynn Kidd, left, from Search, reviews literature with an attendee at the Vassalboro Senior Fair. (photo by Jeanne Marquis)

by Jeanne Marquis

As the caregiver for my 94-year old father, it didn’t take me long to realize I didn’t have all the answers. I did manage to stay one step ahead of his needs by purchasing a walker well in advance and stowing it away in the hall closet. Yet, there have been issues that haven’t had such obvious answers. On May 22, the FAVOR (Friends Advocating for Vassalboro’s Older Residents) committee hosted a Senior Fair at the St. Bridget’s Center, 864 Main Street, Vassalboro, bringing area agencies together to provide information to seniors and their families.

Spectrum Generations provides services for elders and adults with disabilities to stay in their homes. Bridges homes services, a division of Spectrum Generations, offers adult day services and outings into the community. The family caregiver support program at Spectrum Generations offers educational opportunities. Spectrum Generations makes it clear that’s it ok for caregivers to ask for help by providing a helpline, 1-800-639-8703. More information can be found at spectrumgenerations.org.

Maine-ly Elder Care provides senior care on a fee basis including in-home care, home modification and seasonal property clean up. More information is available on Maine-lyeldercare.com .

Debbie Johnson-Nixon, chairman of the Friends Advocating for Vassalboro’s Older Residents (FAVOR). (photo by Jeanne Marquis)

Direct Community Care partners with the Veterans Administration providing case management and in-home support services. Their mission is to increase independence and integration into the community. Direct Community Care can be reached at 207-512-2424.

SEARCH is a free support service sponsored by Catholic Charities. Lynn Kidd, from SEARCH, explained that she carefully matches trained volunteers with the needs of seniors, from all faiths. The success of their program comes from the supportive relationship that grows between volunteers and the seniors. Their goal is to enable vulnerable seniors to remain in their homes with services that range from an hour of conversation to weekly running errands. More information can be found at ccmain.org/SEARCH .

Vassalboro Food Station Pantry provides food for 101 local seniors who are faced with the harsh reality of rising costs of medications and utility costs. The pantry is located at 679 Main Street in Vassalboro, open Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon.

Vassalboro’s Senior Fair also included organizations who feed the minds and artistic souls of seniors and their families. Common Street Arts of Waterville held a painting workshop providing a sampling of the many classes they offer the public of all ages. A calendar of events for Common Street Arts can be found at Watervillecreates.org .

Vassalboro Historical Society provided a display of what their organization offered and a listing of their bi-monthly programs. The Schoolhouse Museum, 327 Main Street, will be open with regular hours from June through Oct., 2nd and 4th Sundays, 1-4 pm.

The Senior College offered by the University Maine at Augusta was represented at the Senior Fair. Fair attendee, Priscilla Doel said these courses are “the best kept secret” and spoke highly of the art she has taken through this program. For more information, check out UMASC.org.

As a caregiver, I left the Vassalboro Senior Fair with a folder full of much-needed information to help me care for my father, but more surprisingly I found plenty of inspiration for myself, as a recently turned senior who wishes to stay active.

Week of May 23, 2019

/by

Week of May 23, 2019

Celebrating 31 years of local news

Construction begins for alewives restoration at Ladd Dam in North Vassalboro

The Ladd Dam will soon have a technical fishway installed to allow alewives to move past it to their spawning ground. It’s not the final step in the overall project, but a critical one, and scheduled to start this summer following plans developed by the Department of Marine Resources, and US Fish and Wildlife Service, working with local engineers and dam owner Ray Breton…

Your Local News

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: China selectmen explain their position on the fire department stipend controversy

CHINA — At issue is the interpretation of the laws governing the payment of volunteer stipends and whether the town can require the fire and rescue services provide how the volunteer stipends are calculated before funds are disbursed to them…

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: “The way I see it” from a 60-year firefighter and former chief

CHINA — The way I see it, it’s not the money or how it is spent that is the problem for the selectboard. The selectboard just wants to have total power and control…

China residents gather to discuss comprehensive plan

CHINA — Approximately 25 residents of China gathered in the cafeteria at Erskine Academy on Saturday, May 18, to discuss the town’s comprehensive plan, which is formulated every ten years to help guide the direction of town policy…

Speed limits, transfer station redesign topics of selectmen’s meeting

VASSALBORO — At their May 16 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen talked again about the speed limit on South Stanley Hill Road and about redesigning the transfer station, coming to no conclusion on either issue…

Take our weekly survey!

[democracy id=”142″]

Successful food drive

CHINA — The volunteers at the China Food Pantry show their thanks to all who generously donated to the annual United States Postal Service food drive (photo)…

Game warden visits China classroom

CHINA — Game warden David Ross visits with eighth grade students at China Middle School to share about his career path and Safari in a Box, a traveling classroom full of native Maine wild animals pelts and skeletons (photo)…

Memorial Day parades in central Maine

Information for parades in Madison, Palermo, Skowhegan and Waterville.

Town Meeting schedule for 2019

Check here to see when your town has scheduled their 2019 town meeting. Current listings for Vassalboro and Windsor. To have your town listed, send an email to townline@fairpoint.net.

School News

McGlauflin named to Emerson College dean’s list

SIDNEY — Paige McGlauflin, a resident of Sidney, has been named to the Emerson College dean’s list for the Fall 2018 semester, in Boston, Massachusetts. McGlauflin, who is majoring in Journalism, is a member of the class of 2019…

Oakland student recognized as RA

SIDNEY — Chelsea Perry, of Oakland, a member of the class of 2021 majoring in business administration, is one of 25 Resident Assistants being recognized and thanked for outstanding work supporting all students, developing communities based on individual responsibility and respect for others, and providing opportunities for student learning…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WATERVILLE: Waterville Community Garden Club will hold a plant sale on Saturday, June 1, from 7:30 – 11 a.m., rain or shine, at the corner of Main St. and Eustis Parkway. There will be perennials, herbs, seedlings, lettuce bowls and more…

Obituaries

OAKLAND–On December 7, 2018, Larry Young, passed away following a lengthy illness, at the Maine Veterans Home, in Augusta. Larry was born in Concord, to Florence (Garland) and the late Denman Young… and remembering 7 others…

Common Ground – Round 5: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Friday, June 20, 2019

Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Retail Therapy boutique, 11 KMD Plaza, Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville, next to the Dairy Queen!* Email your answer to townline@fairpoint.net or through our Contact page.

You may also mail your answer to The Town Line, PO Box 89, South China, ME 04358. (To be eligible for the drawing, you must email or snail mail your answer to us.)

* Should there be more than one correct answer, a random drawing will be held to determine the winner.

Previous winner: Diana Gardner, Windsor

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | An end to flu seasons altogether may not be far off. Several research teams are working on the first “universal vaccine,” capable of fighting multiple strains of the virus. Such a treatment could effectively wipe out the disease…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | Ida Czernecka is well-known there as a pianist and teacher but much below the radar elsewhere. This CD is my introduction to her uniquely exquisite and powerful artistry…

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | “Someday” is finally here! Guess what. You know how the clothes dryer tends to steal socks? I know you must have noticed. We are always left with that one sock. You don’t have to throw that lonely sock away…

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | More news from beyond: The New Portland Community Library is holding its annual Chinese Auction at the Happy Horseshow Campground, in Lexington, on May 25…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI)—About 40.7 million Americans have some kind of disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If you or someone you care about has a disability, you may wonder what it means for employment…

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Support For People With Disabilities On The Journey To Work

/0 Comments/in /by

(NAPSI)—About 40.7 million Americans have some kind of disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If you or someone you care about has a disability, you may wonder what it means for employment. You may be encouraged to know that there are supports and services available that can help you or your loved ones pursue work and reach your goals through Social Security’s Ticket to Work (Ticket) program.

Ticket To Work Program

The Ticket program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work. This program is free and voluntary. Program participants select a service provider to help them prepare for, and find, a job. The provider may be a State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency or an Employment Network (EN)—a public or private organization that has an agreement with Social Security—to offer:

  • Career planning
  • Job placement assistance
  • Ongoing employment support.

These career development services and supports are unique to each individual. Participants work with their service providers to develop a customized plan and identify the supports they need to reach their work goals.

Finding A Path To Financial Independence

The road to financial independence looks different for everyone. Whether joining the workforce for the first time or returning after a difficult diagnosis, there are challenges that each person must navigate. Working with a Benefits Counselor and Ticket to Work service provider can help you remove some of the obstacles and learn more about the resources available to you.

This could include Social Security Work Incentives, which are designed to help you transition to the workplace. A Benefits Counselor can help you learn more about Work Incentives, including which ones you qualify for, and discuss how working will affect your benefits.

If you connect with an EN, the EN can help you find answers to questions, whether they’re about reporting your wages to Social Security, requesting job accommodations, or even how you can advance your career to earn even more money.

With the knowledge, support and services of a Ticket to Work service provider, you may find yourself on the path to success and financial independence through work.

Learn More

For more information about the Ticket program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday.

SOLON & BEYOND: News from beyond, yarn trail, and a letter from a 13-year-old

/0 Comments/in /by
Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Good morning, my friends. Don’t worry, be Happy!

More news from beyond: The New Portland Community Library is holding its annual Chinese Auction at the Happy Horseshow Campground, in Lexington, on May 25. Tickets are $1 per ticket or 5 for $5; bidding opens at 10 a.m. and winning tickets will be announced starting at 11 a.m. This is a fun way to get something you’ve always wanted for a small price and to benefit the library at the fundraiser. On Saturday, June 1, the library is holding its annual plant, bake and book sale from 9 a.m. to noon at the library. Get some great munchies for your table, plants to spruce up your gardening spot, and books to read on a lazy summer day.

Now for more beyond news: “More yarn fun is to be had by joining the Maine Yarn Cruise. Twenty-one yarn shops from across Maine are hosting a summer-long shop-hop beginning on Friday, May 24, and running all the way until Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2019.

“Please join other fiber enthusiasts from across Maine (and beyond) for the Maine Yarn Cruise, a 20-plus yarn hop spanning the state of Maine. You’ll have all summer to “cruise” around, visiting as amany or as few shops as you like. Each shop will be awarding prizes every month to a lucky participant.

“To get started, pick up your passport (plus a tote bag and some other goodies) here at Happyknits, then have your passport stamped at each shop along the way.” This e-mail was sent by owners, Sarah, Karla and Mart Lou.

As you all know by now, I was born in Flagstaff, Maine, and lived there until we were all flooded out by Central Maine Power …. and so I probably feel stronger about their proposed CMP Corridor than some of you. ……….I thank all of you who have written letters to the editor against this project. The one that touched my heart the strongest was published in the Irregular weekly paper, of Kingfield, by a 13-year-old boy! These are the words of one of our youths: “No to the CMP corridor. I think CMP shouldn’t be able to cut down trees to make more power lines. The only way it would be okay is if this money were going to a fund to save the Earth and replace the trees.

“CMP will make millions of dollars off of this operation, and maybe more if they sell the trees. If they can do that, I would be angry because they would be taking jobs from smaller logging companies. CMP already makes a lot of money. They don’t need to take away jobs from other people.

“They already have a lot of power lines. If they need more, they should be able to do it in an area where they don’t need to cut so many trees.

“In looking at their history, like what they did in Flagstaff, it may be a lot of work and no gain.”

To think that a young boy would take the time to write a letter like that about our Maine wilderness, that means so much to him. But…..those last words in his letter really choked me up!

Sorry, I have not left enough room for Percy’s memoir, but I’m sure he forgives me.

McGlauflin named to Emerson College dean’s list

/0 Comments/in , /by

Paige McGlauflin, a resident of Sidney, has been named to the Emerson College dean’s list for the Fall 2018 semester, in Boston, Massachusetts. McGlauflin, who is majoring in Journalism, is a member of the class of 2019. The requirement to make Emerson’s Dean’s List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher.

Oakland student recognized as RA

/0 Comments/in , /by

Colby-Sawyer College President Susan D. Stuebner has declared Resident Assistant Appreciation Day at Colby-Sawyer, in New London, New Hampshire. Chelsea Perry, of Oakland, a member of the class of 2021 majoring in business administration, is one of 25 Resident Assistants being recognized and thanked for outstanding work supporting all students, developing communities based on individual responsibility and respect for others, and providing opportunities for student learning.