China planners OK after-the-fact subdivision

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China Town Officeby Mary Grow

In a half-hour meeting Nov. 25, China’s three remaining planning board members gave after-the-fact approval to a subdivision amendment and continued, briefly, discussion of China ordinances that need updating.

Hilda Gay explained that a year ago, her late son, David, divided one of the four lots in the Gay subdivision on Deer Hill Road into two lots. Family members recently learned the division needed planning board approval, but the town was not notified.

Planning board members found both lots met size requirements and unanimously approved the amendment. They told Hilda Gay that to finish the process, she needs to present a large mylar plan, with the surveyor’s seal, for them to sign.

The ordinance board members discussed is the 1993 Phosphorus Control Ordinance. Board chairman Toni Wall said the major updates needed are in references to outside documents (state Department of Environmental Protection standards, for instance) that have changed titles.

Since China voters adopted a revised Planning Board Ordinance in June 2024, select board members appoint planning board members (who used to be elected). The town’s Planning Board Ordinance says the board consists of five members plus an alternate.

The terms of the last two elected members expired Nov. 4. Members Natale Tripodi and Elaine Mather declined to continue to serve, leaving the board with a bare quorum: Wall, Dwaine Drummond and Milton Dudley.

Any resident interested in becoming a planning board member is invited to call or email the town office. The current ordinance eliminates the previous planning board districts, so members can live anywhere in town.

The ordinance directs board members to choose a chairman and a secretary at the first meeting of each calendar year. Wall continued as chairman Nov. 25, without objection.

The next China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9. The second December meeting would have been Dec. 23; board members cancelled it.

China committee named for emergency services

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China Town Officeby Mary Grow

The China select board’s promised discussion of the town’s emergency services brought more than a dozen fire and rescue personnel to the Dec. 1 board meeting and led to the creation of a committee to collect information and make recommendations.

Committee members will include the town’s three fire chiefs, Joel Nelson, in China Village, Richard Morse, in South China and William Van Wickler, in Weeks Mills; rescue chief Benjamin Loubier; and select board members Edwin Bailey and Blane Casey.

Other residents are welcome to join the committee; those interested should contact the town office. Select board members plan to formally appoint committee members at their Jan. 12, 2026, meeting and to schedule the first committee meeting soon thereafter.

Morse said in his opinion, changing to a municipal department would be more expensive – no one disagreed – and is not necessary: the existing system works. Furthermore, the town’s geography makes having three separate fire stations desirable for rapid responses.

China Village department member William Rancourt commented that vehicles are aging – the China Village department has been trying for several years to find grant or other money to replace a 1990 tanker – and members are aging.

Select board chairman Brent Chesley asked how long the existing system will continue to work, as China’s population increases. Bailey pointed out that agreeing on and implementing any change will take several years, and said he considers it “irresponsible not to start thinking about it.”

The group discussed advantages and disadvantages of the present system; potential grants and other funding sources; whether to employ a consultant to help with the deliberations; and more issues. They left decisions to the new committee.

In other business, the usually-routine process of paying bills was not routine Dec. 1: board members unanimously refused to approve $2,000 to renew the contract with TextMyGov for another year.

Hapgood explained that China contracted with the Utah-based company three years ago. Its purpose is twofold, to let town officials send notices to people who sign up and to let residents notify town officials 24 hours a day, for example of a road problem.

Some residents do report to the town, Hapgood said. Due to town office staff changes, there has been little outgoing communication. When she told the company she intended to drop the service instead of paying the 2026 bill, she learned there is a required 60-day notice (in small print at the bottom of a page, she said).

After discussion, board members decided they would refuse payment and see what happens. They unanimously approved a two-weeks’ expenditure total of $90,898.04, $2,000 less than the original request.

Board members approved the manager’s recommended updates to several town policies. They raised two new issues:

— Chesley, with Bailey and Casey in agreement, questioned continuing the $2 fee for windshield stickers allowing admission to the transfer station. They claimed residents object. Hapgood said the fee “barely” covers the cost of the stickers, and staff selling them seldom hear complaints.
— Bailey said two residents had asked about having the “Yield” sign at the intersection of Dutton Pond and Pleasantview Ridge roads replaced with a “Stop” sign, citing near-accidents as speeding drivers failed to yield. Hapgood will find out whether the decision is the town’s or the state’s.

Hapgood’s reports included:

— 2026 transfer station stickers are available at the China town office, and batches were to be delivered to the transfer station and the Palermo town office on Dec. 2 to be sold at those locations.
— The work on Town Landing Road, in South China, was finished; there had already been slight damage to the improved boat-launch area.
— The town trucks had their plows and sanders on, and the road crew had been out dealing with slippery roads at 2 a.m. on Dec. 1.
— For the Christmas holiday, all town departments will close at noon Wednesday, Dec. 24, and be closed all day Dec. 25. For new year’s, departments will close at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31, and remain closed Jan. 1, 2026.

The December select board meetings are scheduled for Monday evenings, Dec. 15 and Dec. 29.

China manager, committee look beyond budget preparations for transfer station

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by Mary Grow

China Transfer Station Committee members and Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood spent part of the committee’s Nov. 18 meeting talking about future expenses, looking toward and beyond 2025-26 budget preparations.

Hapgood summarized the next several years’ capital expenditure plans, with station manager Thomas Maraggio nodding agreement. Meanwhile, Maraggio hopes operating expenses will increase, when he finds the additional part-time employee he needs to have the facility fully staffed.

Committee member Rachel Anderson said the free for the taking building continues to be busy. Popular items include canning jars and other glassware and wearable clothing. Worn-out clothing should go into the white cloth-recycling containers.

Bob Kurek, one of Palermo’s two representatives on the committee, led discussion of problems with Palermo residents who do not consistently use the required blue disposal bags. Maraggio said most are cooperative about paying the four-dollar penalty, but talking with them to collect is an unnecessary extra task for staff.

He suggested increasing the penalty, to encourage Palermo people to save money by buying and using blue bags. Blue bags are sold at the Palermo town office and at Tobey’s Grocery.

Committee chairman Benjamin Weymouth praised the Halloween decorations at the transfer station and said he looks forward to future holidays.

Maraggio said after Christmas, Christmas trees that have not been sprayed can be left at no charge. Gift wrap cannot be recycled. He and Hapgood plan to include post-Christmas information in the December issue of the monthly China Connected.

Hapgood said 2026 transfer station windshield stickers had just arrived. She expects them to be available at the China and Palermo town offices Dec. 1, for the usual $2 fee.

The next transfer station committee meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Vassalboro cemetery committee addresses trees, again

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by Mary Grow

Keeping gravestones and cemetery monuments safe, especially from falling trees and tree limbs, and repairing stones that are damaged, from whatever cause, were again discussion topics at the Vassalboro Cemetery Committee’s Nov. 17 meeting.

Town Manager Aaron Miller has issued a second request for proposals for assessments of trees in selected cemeteries. The cemeteries listed for review are Nichols, Oak Grove, Priest Hill, Union, Webber Pond and Weeks. The deadline for proposals is Dec. 1.

Earlier this year, several residents attended meetings to argue for keeping trees in cemeteries, primarily because they make the grounds attractive.

Committee members agreed that clear-cutting cemeteries should be avoided whenever possible; but trees that threaten to fall on or drop branches on stones need to go. Committee member David Jenney added that removing a tree that threatens stones is more cost-effective than repeatedly pruning it.

Chairman Savannah Clark pointed out that experts base assessments on a point system, not a perhaps-subjective opinion that a tree is healthy or not.

Earlier this year, several residents attended meetings to argue for keeping trees in cemeteries, primarily because they make the grounds attractive. Residents are welcome at all committee meetings; but, member Cara Kent asked, if the committee has an expert’s opinion that a tree is not healthy and residents object to removing it, will committee members heed the objection?

Clark replied that objections supported by evidence would not be ignored.

Returning to another suggestion from earlier meetings, committee members talked briefly about decorative plantings – lilacs, for example – that, with proper maintenance, would be attractive and not harmful.

Clark presented a draft 2025-26 budget, and said the committee is allowed to spend interest from cemetery trust funds, with select board approval. The amount available is currently about $24,000.

Options for using some of the interest included contributing to beautification projects, perhaps sharing costs with volunteers; acquiring land for additional burial sites, if there is a need; or providing training for lot owners who do their own stone repairs.

Clark and Jody Kundreskas endorsed the training idea, however it is funded. Clark knows at least one stone that was destroyed by improper repair work.

Committee members approved Clark’s proposed budget. It will be reviewed by select board and budget committee members next spring and a final version submitted to voters at the June 2025 town meeting.

Another issue was how to inform residents about the number of cemeteries in Vassalboro and the amount of work needed to maintain them.

Jenney said the town is responsible for general maintenance, like mowing, tree management and keeping paths safe and gates operating, and for veterans’ graves. For other graves, he said, the lot owner – when still known – is responsible for stone maintenance (including legibility), flowers or other decorations and trimming shrubs.

Committee members are not sure how many cemeteries Vassalboro has. The town website connects to Find a Grave, which lists 25; Clark mentioned 27, and said there may be others “in the woods.”

The next Vassalboro Cemetery Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, Dec. 15.

VASSALBORO SANITARY DISTRICT: Lack of quorum adjourns meeting; some questions still answered

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photo: vsdistrict.com

by Mary Grow

More than a dozen people came to the Nov. 17 meeting of the Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD) board of trustees.

Board chair Lauchlin Titus called the meeting to order and announced that at 6:17 that morning, he had received Jenna Davies’ resignation from the board. Therefore, the theoretically five-member board is down to two members, Titus and Raymond Breton.

Two members is not a quorum, and the meeting could not be held. Titus adjourned it.

Audience members asked questions anyway, focused on VSD finances, and Titus allowed a half-hour unofficial discussion before he indicated it was time to leave. Because the audience included Brandy King from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Kirsten Hebert, executive director of Maine Rural Water Association, some of the questions got answered.

Titus said if additional questions were sent to him, he would try to get answers posted on the VSD website.

King’s main message was that DEP has done all it can to help relieve the about $3 million in debt the VSD incurred from the $8 million connection to the Waterville disposal facility, via Winslow. She explained some of the financing process.

Hebert’s organization is likely to play a role if Vassalboro’s and other towns’ legislators try to get debt relief through the state legislature. She said she can also offer help with local VSD administration.

Titus said any new volunteers to serve on the district’s board would need to be appointed by the select board, which next meets Thursday evening, Dec. 11. The member or members would then need to be sworn in by the town clerk, who would not be in the office until Monday, Dec. 15.

Before the quorum was lost, the next VSD board meeting was planned for the afternoon of Dec. 15.

Vassalboro school board to explore policy on students’ cell phones

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Vassalboro Community School

Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro school board members’ discussion was mostly routine at the Nov. 12 meeting, with a couple important topics to be explored in more depth at future meetings.

One is the school’s policy on students’ cellphones and other personal electronic devices. Another is updating the strategic plan.

The Maine School Management Association has shared a recommended policy on cell phones and other electronic devices. Board members plan to align it with the current policy at a future meeting.

The current VCS policy is on page 20 in the student handbook (found on line at vcsvikings.org, under the heading For Students). Assistant Principal Tabitha Brewer said only a couple warnings for violations have been issued so far this year.

The strategic plan is currently an 11-page document setting out four broad goals and summarizing actions taken to achieve them, with a list of potential additional goals at the end. For each goal and subgoal, there are lists of what should be done, by whom and when, and what has been done in the preceding three academic years.

Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer asked whether AI (artificial intelligence) should be added to policies or the plan or both. Technology Systems Administrator David Trask said he has been including responsible use of AI in his courses this fall.

After the meeting, Pfeiffer said he will have the strategic plan added to the VCS website, with the understanding it is to be updated.

Board members approved revisions to half a dozen other of their more than 200 policies (found on line under School Board, Policies and Procedures). They have more to update at future meetings.

Among reports submitted to board members, one from Principal Ira Michaud said student enrollment remains at 420, and listed upcoming events. The winter concert for the community is scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18, with a snow date Monday, Dec. 22.

Pfeiffer reported the roadside solar warning signs are operating; plans for an expanded parking lot are “inching forward”; and installation of LED (light-emitting diode) lights, part of planned building updates, might happen in December. After the Oct. 28 community meeting, discussion continues of safety measures, like installing metal detectors at entrances and hiring a school resource officer (see the Nov. 6 issue of The Town Line, p. 2).

The superintendent said when road conditions cause a no-school day or a delayed opening, notices will go out by robocall and will be posted on the website and sent to local radio and television stations.

Jennifer Lizotte, director of the child care center at VCS, reported 41 students enrolled. For the Thanksgiving holiday, she wrote, the center will be open all day Wednesday, Nov. 26, and closed Thursday and Friday. The school calendar says there will be no school Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. It will be preceded by a curriculum committee meeting at 5 p.m.

China select board gives preview of December meetings

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China Town Officeby Mary Grow

China select board members offered the unusually large audience at their Nov. 17 meeting a preview of their Dec. 1 agenda.

On Dec. 1, they intend to discuss with members of the town’s three volunteer fire departments and China Rescue Unit when and how to begin consideration of creating a municipal emergency services department.

Several board members are concerned that the present system of private organizations is not sustainable much longer. For one thing, people said, municipal departments are eligible for federal grants that private ones cannot apply for.

Department representatives at the Nov. 17 meeting included South China Fire Chief Richard Morse, who urged board members to be aware that the rescue unit and the fire departments have different problems needing different approaches.

The bulk of the Nov. 17 audience were town employees, come to hear select board members talk about their health insurance.

China currently uses a Maine Municipal Association (MMA) insurance plan named Katahdin. Two lower benefit plans are named Moosehead and Pemaquid.

After MMA proposed a nine percent rate increase for Katahdin next year, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood and Brent Chesley, former and newly re-elected select board member, looked into alternatives, including private companies, and adjustments.

Board members spent an hour and a half discussing options. Several employees, and at least one resident who is not an employee, suggested they were risking losing “the people who keep this town running” to save a trifling sum; they should instead start speaking up when the Regional School Unit #18 board discusses the annual school budget, which for China is almost $6 million.

The discussion ended with a vote to keep the present plan, increase and all. Board members Blane Casey, Natasha Littlefield and Thomas Rumpf voted in favor; Chesley was opposed; and Edwin Bailey abstained, because his wife is a town employee.

The nine percent increase amounts to a little over $31,000. After the meeting, Hapgood said China sends out about 3,500 tax bills, meaning the average cost of the increase per bill would be $8.88 (varying with the amount of the bill).

Chesley and other board members said they intended no disrespect to town employees. Chesley explained he was trying to balance employees’ welfare with taxpayers’ welfare, and Bailey thanked those present for their work.

Chesley and other board members said they intended no disrespect to town employees. Chesley explained he was trying to balance employees’ welfare with taxpayers’ welfare, and Bailey thanked those present for their work.

The meeting, the first since the Nov. 4 election, opened with election of board officers. Chesley was elected chairman and Rumpf secretary.

Chesley then opened a public hearing on Littlefield’s application for a liquor license for Nash’s Café, her new restaurant in South China. There was no public comment. Later in the meeting, the license was approved without discussion, with Littlefield abstaining on the otherwise-unanimous vote.

Hapgood listed the town committees on which there are vacancies: the planning board (three; Natale Tripodi and Elaine Mather have declined reappointment, and there was one vacant position); the budget committee (two vacancies, one caused by Chesley’s election to the select board); the appeals board (two vacancies, one Chesley’s former seat); the board of assessment review (one); the tax increment financing committee (three); and the comprehensive plan implementation committee (four).

The planning board is the only one of the six that meets regularly. Hapgood said the main requirements for a planning board member are “an open mind and logical thinking.” Audience members chuckled.

Select board members unanimously appointed Kevin Maroon to the budget committee.

Residents are invited to apply for any committee position. Information is available at the town office, applications there and on the website, chinamaine.org.

China municipal departments will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27 and 28; the town office will be open Saturday morning, Nov. 29. The next select board meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, Dec. 1.

CORRECTION: In this article, it was stated the average tax bill could increase by $8.88. According to Town Manager Becky Hapgood, “The estimate provided would be truer for someone with a property assessed at $300,000 vs someone with a property assessed at $100,000, which would be about $3.
Other things to consider – there is revenue offset which may cover this additional expense and other potential increases in the budget. Examples of such – new house construction, new personal property, increased revenue sharing, and increased interest income. So overall, it may create a slight increase, but the town’s goal is to keep the mil rate from climbing.”

Vassalboro conservation commission discusses two parks

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Vassalboro Town Officeby Mary Grow

At their Nov. 12 meeting, Vassalboro Conservation Commission members again discussed the two parks for which they are responsible, Monument Park, in East Vassalboro, and Eagle Park, a short distance north on Main Street and Outlet Stream.

For Monument Park, commission chairman Holly Weidner and member Steve Jones plan to ask the Vassalboro select board to approve a grant application for buffer plantings to help protect China Lake. The application is to include requests for money for signage and for the first two years’ maintenance.

For future years, Weidner proposed including maintenance money in the commission’s annual budget. She and Jones plan to have the buffer area marked off, probably with a row of rocks, so the public works employees who mow the park won’t accidentally mow it.

In Eagle Park, Jones has been working with town trails committee chairman John Melrose to put identifying labels on the different kinds of trees. Jones said Melrose has labeled many; he is lacking a few labels, and three additional trees need to be planted next spring to go with labels Melrose has.

In other business, Weidner summarized information from the recently-released Webber Pond watershed survey report. Property-owners whose property has non-point pollution sources (like run-off from driveways and other impervious surfaces) have been notified.

(The Town of Vassalboro is on the list of property-owners; see the Nov. 6 issue of The Town Line, p. 3.)

The report said that Webber Pond’s annual fall draw-down, aimed at flushing out algae, is finished. The dam boards have been replaced to allow the lake to return to its normal winter level.

The conservation commission is short two members. Anyone interested in becoming a member is invited to contact the town office.

Weidner recommends people curious about responsibilities attend commission meetings or watch the recordings on the town website, Vassalboro.net. To see the most recent meeting, go to the agenda (agendas are below the calendar on the main page) and click on the invitation to watch the meeting via YouTube.

The next Vassalboro Conservation Commission meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the town office meeting room.

VASSALBORO: Cannabis license denied for Sherwood Lane facility

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Vassalboro Town Officeby Mary Grow

Vassalboro select board members began their Nov. 13 meeting with an executive session discussion with town attorney Patrick Lyons, of Veridian Law, in Bangor. They, Lyons and attorney Seth Russell, from Zerillo Law Firm, in Portland, then renewed the Oct. 16 public hearing on Leo Barnett’s appeal from a decision by Codes Officer Eric Currie (see the Oct. 23 issue of The Town Line, p. 3).

In October, board members allowed Barnett to apply for a license renewal for his cannabis-growing facility on Old Meadows Road. Currie had denied the renewal on the ground that the application was past the deadline.

Board members postponed deciding on an application for Barnett’s other facility on Sherwood Lane, which has not previously been used.

On Nov. 13, the two lawyers debated what different sections of Vassalboro’s Cannabis Business Ordinance mean in terms of license duration and license renewals.

After an hour-long discussion, select board chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., and member Chris French voted that neither Barnett nor his son, Andrew Barnett, can apply for a cannabis license for the unused Sherwood Lane facility. Board member Michael Poulin abstained.

Lyons will draft a formal decision for Denico to sign on behalf of the board majority. Lyons advised Russell and Barnett of their right to appeal to Superior Court.

Town Manager Aaron Miller reminded board members that after the Oct. 16 decision, they had not decided on the amount of the late fee Barnett owed for not re-applying for Old Meadows Road on time. The ordinance says selectmen determine the amount, Lyons said.

Board members agreed to charge a $1 late fee.

Later in the meeting, Miller said Currie has received a few applications for 2026 cannabis licenses, including one from Barnett for the Old Meadows Road property.

In other business, Miller gave board and audience members a summary of Nov. 4 election results. The revised TIF (Tax Increment Financing) document, approved by a very narrow margin, is now being reviewed by staff at the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, he said. The expansion of the select board from three to five members, approved by a wide margin, will be effective at the June 2026 local elections.

Board member French volunteered to draft a policy for a five-member board. Miller said French should be able to find samples from other Maine towns to adapt.

Voting Nov. 4 was held at Vassalboro Community School; a steady trickle of voters showed up at the town office, unaware of the change of location. Denico led a discussion of ways to better publicize the polling place next time.

Miller and board members discussed Vassalboro’s financial situation as of the audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024, and found it satisfactory.

Resident Frank Richards, who has been helping with financial policies, asked when the audit for the immediately previous fiscal year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) will be available. Miller said he hopes by the end of January 2026, before 2026-27 budget discussions start.

Board members accepted the manager’s plan to issue an RFP (request for proposals) for a financial professional to evaluate Vassalboro’s “financial management and accounting procedures.” Approval of the wording is scheduled for the board’s Dec. 11 meeting. Miller thinks the assessment could lead to a recommendation for a new town employee doing financial management.

On another money issue, board members agreed on asking prices for foreclosed properties they will offer for sale. On French’s recommendation, they postponed action on two pieces of land, totaling 20 acres, that French thinks they should consider keeping for town use.

Board members previously agreed to keep a little less than five acres adjoining the transfer station for future expansion of the facility. Under the recent state law, keeping land means buying it; they have assessed the piece at $10,000, which Miller said about equals the amount of taxes due.

When tax-acquired property is sold, state law now says municipal officials deduct taxes due and other expenses and send the rest of the purchase price to the former owner or heirs.

Miller and French raised two technology-related issues.

French praised the Town of Ashland’s website, which he said is created and maintained by an Aroostook County firm. Miller will look into it.

Miller had learned of ZenCity, a company that helps gather community sentiment, by collecting information on social media sites and using AI (artificial intelligence) to aggregate it – “sort of a virtual town meeting, or digital town hall,” Miller summarized. Denico asked whether its results are public records, and whether it is subject to abuse.

The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, Dec. 11. The usual second monthly meeting for November would have fallen on Thanksgiving and has been canceled.

Work under way at South China boat ramp

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South China boat launch. (photo by Roland D. Hallee)

by Mary Grow

The good news from the Nov. 3 China select board meeting is that the planks needed to extend the South China boat ramp arrived, and the job of installing them is under way.

Town officials have been trying to improve the launch area and the road leading to it for many months. Their goals are to make the site more usable for small watercraft and to control erosion, while leaving the landing secluded to protect water quality and the neighborhood.

Work on the Town Landing Road, which leads from South China’s Village Street to the landing, is “coming along nicely,” Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said, thanks to the public works crew and resident Brent Chesley.

Turning to another project, select board members awarded a contract to add insulation, with a fire-resistant coating, in the community forest building behind China Primary School. They chose the lowest of three bidders, Builders Installed Products of Maine, LLC, of Hermon.

Board members appointed Benjamin Loubier the new chief of China Rescue, ratifying the unit’s members’ decision. Loubier succeeds Danny McKinnis, who resigned.

After a second public hearing on amendments to the town’s general assistance ordinance and appendices, which brought no public comments, board members approved the new version. Hapgood explained that after they acted at their Sept. 22 meeting, the Maine Municipal Association and state officials made changes, requiring another vote.

In other business, resident Edward Brownell reported on work he had done at the town ballfields, and received the board’s thanks.

Hapgood announced that 2026 dog licenses are now available. Licenses must be renewed by Dec. 31 each year.

The manager said all town departments will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day and Nov. 27 and 28 for Thanksgiving. Town officials intend to collect food donations before Thanksgiving; they are working on logistics.

The next select board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 17.

The Nov. 3 meeting was the last – at least for now – for retiring board members Wayne Chadwick and Jeanne Marquis. Hapgood presented each with a letter of appreciation, and their colleagues thanked them for their service.