Agricultural producers eligible for SBA paycheck protection program

The Department of Treasury and Small Business Administration (SBA) has released an interim final rule on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Agricultural producers are eligible to participate in the program and should reach out to their bankers and/or agricultural lenders to apply. While SBA still needs to confirm some administrative details, loans will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and producers can get started on the application now.

Vassalboro selectmen approve several projects during virtual meeting

by Mary Grow

Demonstrating their increasing comfort with virtual meetings, Vassalboro selectmen resolved several issues and consulted with their consultant the evening of April 2.

The three board members made decisions on work on two big culverts, on Cross Hill and Gray roads; on adding solar power to Vassalboro’s energy mix; and on use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) money in the next few weeks. With Town Manager Mary Sabins and consultant Garvan Donegan, of Central Maine Growth Council, they discussed future changes in the town’s TIF program.

Selectman John Melrose received board approval to proceed with applications for state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) grants for the culverts – $80,000 toward the estimated $116,000 cost of the Cross Hill Road replacement and $95,000 toward the Gray Road work.

Selectmen further voted to waive the bid process for the Cross Hill Road work and authorized Sabins to contract with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB), a Massachusetts-based engineering firm with Maine offices, to do the work for $17,000. They plan to have the culvert replaced this summer.

The Gray Road project is more complicated, Melrose said. Right now the culvert is a six-foot pipe. Red Brook that runs through it is potential alewife habitat when the Alewife Restoration Project (ARI) lets the small fish migrate from the Sebasticook River into China Lake. Therefore the DEP is involved, and so is the state Department of Transportation (DOT) and the federal Army Corps of Engineers (ACE).

The out-of-town agencies want the replacement culvert to meet various criteria which, Melrose said, could require a bridge 20 feet or more wide, with an earlier cost estimate of up to $400,000.

Selectmen voted unanimously to contract with Calderwood Engineering, of Richmond, a firm that Melrose said specializes in bridge engineering and with which DEP staff are “comfortable,” to negotiate a design that would satisfy the state and federal agencies and the fish, and that the town could afford.

In June 2019, town meeting voters authorized selectmen to arrange installation of a solar array on town land. Melrose said the original 20 interested companies dwindled to two bidders, one of whom recommended no in-town solar development because, Melrose said, Central Maine Power Company’s substation capacity is inadequate.

Consequently, the Solar Committee he chairs recommends instead contracting with Maine-based ReVision Energy to buy power from one of their existing solar developments in CMP’s territory.

Board members decided buying power and choosing a supplier was an administrative decision that did not need a new town meeting mandate. They unanimously authorized Sabins to negotiate a power purchase agreement with ReVision Energy that would save money for the town. The agreement is to be reviewed by the Solar Committee before submission to the selectmen.

Sabins said Vassalboro’s TIF fund stands currently at $166,930. The next income will come from taxes paid on the natural gas pipeline in the new fiscal year that begins July 1. There are two requests for the money: the Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD) needs $72, 265 by July for a loan payment, and ARI has asked for $143,000 for continued work to let alewives get over dams on Outlet Stream.

VSD officials have also requested money to help new customers hook onto the expanded sewer system. Sabins said they estimated the need at $150,000, for 16 potential customers; they have $100,000 saved from an earlier TIF grant.

The manager obtained two legal opinions on using TIF money to help private individuals, she said. One attorney saw no problem, a second “said ‘Wait a minute,'” implying a possible legal roadblock.

Board Chairman Lauchlin Titus added that Donegan’s consulting fee comes from TIF funds.

Sabins said spending TIF money requires a public hearing in advance. There has been no hearing on the VSD request and she has no way to do a virtual public hearing, so board members cannot yet approve any money for the VSD.

Selectmen held a Feb. 11 public hearing on the ARI request.

After discussion, selectmen unanimously approved an immediate TIF grant of $83,000 to ARI, so the group can sign contracts for work this summer, with the remaining $60,000 promised in August or September. They plan to consider the VSD request after circumstances allow a public hearing.

The discussion with Donegan focused on whether Vassalboro’s TIF program should be amended to allow more and different sorts of projects in different parts of town, within state TIF guidelines. By consensus, selectmen authorized Donegan to recommend changes.

The next Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is currently scheduled for Thursday evening, April 16.

Vassalboro Town Office COVID-19 Update (April 2, 2020)

VASSALBORO TOWN OFFICE CLOSURE

COVID-19 STAY AT HOME ORDER

Effective, Thursday, April 2, 2020 and due to Governor Mills’ recent Stay at Home Order, the Vassalboro Town Office will be closed and unmanned through the end of April.  Every few days, staff will monitor messages on the Town Office answering machine and return calls as needed.  Call the town office at 872-2826 with questions. Thank you for your patience and understanding. The health and safety of the public and the town staff is of utmost importance to us during this challenging time.

Also through the end of April, the Public Works department will be shut down except when road conditions warrant otherwise.  PW Staff will monitor the answering machine at the Public Works Garage every few days and return calls as needed.  Call the garage at 923-3985 to report road issues.

For the foreseeable future, the Selectmen’s meetings and the Budget Committee Meetings will be held remotely through video conferencing.  Use the following link to view the list of meetings and to observe them: https://www.vcsvikings.org/information/online-public-meetings.

At the Transfer Station, a few more changes have been implemented as well.  The Transfer Station will be closed all days EXCEPT Saturday.  On Saturdays for the month of April, only household trash will be received.  Please hold all other types of trash for disposal until regular station hours resume.  We are asking the customer to toss their own garbage in the compactor hopper.  If the customer is physically unable to lift their bag of trash into the hopper, we ask that the bag be left on the ground near the hopper, and George will toss it in while keeping an appropriate “social distance” from the customer.

For residents needing to reach the Code Enforcement Officer and Plumbing Inspector Paul Mitnik, during the month of April he will be working at home and can be reached at 923-3758 or on his cell phone at 313-2648.  Police Chief Mark Brown can be reached at 557-4601.

China Town Office COVID-19 Update (April 2, 2020)

from Dennis L. Heath, CMM
China Town Manager

In light of the Governor’s latest order, I am informing you of actions we are taking to comply.  I have discussed this with our department heads first thing this morning, coordinated with the Chairman of the Select Board, then informed the entire staff via a Zoom meeting.

Here is your daily summary for April Fool’s Day, 2020:

  • Implementation of the Governor’s “Stay Healthy at Home” order is complete and takes effect tomorrow, with the exception of the Transfer Station, when it will take effect next Tuesday
  • New secure dropbox is mounted and ready for business; small white lock-box with mail slot at the top under a lid; non-sensitive items may still be placed in the mailbox if desired
  • Mail retrieval and bank deposits will be done daily; rotating between Becky and Julie
  • We are working with Consolidated to automatically forward the phones each day, but if necessary, we will manually forward them; we are also changing the outgoing message to reflect the current scenario

Transfer StationOpen Tuesday 7 am – 3 pm; Thursday 9 am to 5 pm; and Saturday 6:30 am to 1 pm; only two on duty at any given time

Public WorksStandby only; stay at home; unposting roads today; delaying install of docks until after Apr 30

Town OfficeOn call at home; main number forwarded to Becky and she will assign work; if a call-back is necessary, the individual requested will make the call; appointments for essential business only; no drive-through service; most have remote access capability; Becky will check mail daily; packages will be redirected to where they can be received and then brought to the Town Office

Code Enforcement: Continue working remote from home; appointments will be for essential services only; permits will be given a full 30-day review (per ordinance) prior to issuing

Public NotificationSending out direct mail information sheet today to ensure everyone is notified

Meetings: We will continue to host Zoom meetings, so if there is a need, please let me know a day and time and we will work out the details; participants without a computer/smart phone can join with a regular phone; we have the ability to broadcast these meetings over LiveStream for those who just want to watch and listen

Vassalboro Community School honor roll spring 2020

Vassalboro Community School. (source: jmg.org)

GRADE 3

High honors: Caylie Buotte, Emily Clark, Keegan Clark, Basil Dillaway, Baylee Fuchswanz, Zoe Gaffney, Allyson Gilman, Kaitlyn Lavallee, Cheyenne Lizzotte, Mackenzy Monroe, Kaylee Moulton, Callen Pooler and Ava Woods. Honors: Ariyah Doyen, Jack LaPierre, Elizabeth Longfellow, Mia McLean, Jaelyn Moore, Weston Pappas and Landen Theobald. Honorable mention: Devontay Austin, Samuel Bechard, Gabriella Duarte, Preston Duenne, Bayleigh Gorman, Jeremy Hawk, Lillyana Krastev, Hannah McMurtry, Elliot McQuarrie, Noah Rau, Colby Shults, Grace Tobey and Naseem Umar.

GRADE 4

High honors: Jasmine Garey, Drew Lindquist and Paige Perry. Honors: Benjamin Allen, Tristyn Brown, Logan Cimino, Dylan Dodge, Jennah Dumont, Ryleigh French, Drake Goodie, Zachary Kinrade, Gabriella Lathrop, Caleb Marden, Bentley Pooler, Trinity Pooler, Abigail Prickett, Sovie Rau, Kayden Renna, Judson Smith, Hannah Tobey, William Trainor, Alana Wade and Reid Willett. Honorable mention: Taylor Agost, Bentley Austin, Jackson Bailey, Cooper Lajoie, Katherine Maxwell, Brandon Neagle and Landon Sullivan.

GRADE 5

High honors: Madison Burns, Scott Fitts, Cody Grondin, Kelty Pooler, Natalie Rancourt, Taiya Rankins and Bryson Stratton. Honors: Kayliana Allen, Nataleigh Brown, Tyler Clark, Tallulah Cloutier, Sophie Day, Ryley Desmond, Eilah Dillaway, Wyatt Ellis, Madison Field, Xavier Foss, Adalyn Glidden, Bailey Goforth, Spencer Hughes, Mason Lagasse, Jack Malcolm, Harley McEachern, Josslyn Ouellette and Mackenzie Oxley. Honorable mention: Peyton Dowe, Caspar Hooper, Alexis Mitton, Noah Pooler, Kole Pratt and Grady Sounier.

GRADE 6

High honors: Emily Almeida, Madison Estabrook, Jacob Lavallee, Ava Lemelin, Paige Littlefield and Hannah Polley. Honors: Elisha Baker, Addyson Burns, Quinn Coull, William Ellsey, Seth Hansen, Talula Kimball, Brayden McLean, Alexandria O’Hara, Mylee Petela, Leahna Rocque amd Addison Witham. Honorable mention: Saunders Chase, Mckenzie Duenne, Aiden Hamlin, Taylor neptune, Daniel Ouellette, Emily Piecewicz, Lilian Piecewicz, Abigail Sims and Leah Targett.

GRADE 7

High honors: Noah Bechard, Allison Dorval, Ellie Giampetruzzi, Ava Kelso, Greta Limberger, Phoenix Mills, Ava Picard ad Wallace Pooler. Honors: Brooke Blais, Landen Blodgett, Sofia Derosby, Brady Desmond, Kailynn Houle, Josiah Hussey, Bodi Laflamme, Noah Marston, Alysha Opacki, Seth Picard, Grant Taker and Emma Waterhouse. Honorable mention: Evan Brochu, Kaylene Glidden, Echo Hawk, Kyran Kinrade, Ava Prickett and Sterling Williams.

GRADE 8

High honors: Elizabeth Brown, Gage Dorval, Cole Fortin, Meilani Gatlin, Tara Hanley, Nathan Polley, Tristan Samuelson, Lara Stinchfield and Lilian Taylor. Honors: Hunter Brandt, Connor Coull, Isaballa Day, Aleigha Gooding, Lucas Haskell, Ethan Lyon, Carlos Michaud, Ann Prickett and Logan Rockwell. Honorable mention: Nathalia Carrasco, Madelynn Cimino, Lexus Field, Tyler Hansen, Sophie Leclerc, Brody Loiko, Hannah Piecewicz and Brandon Wood.

Camp Bomazeen to break out new logo for 75th season

Eagle Scout Dalton Curtis (left), of Skowhegan Troop 485, and Second Class Scout Zachary LeHay (right), of Sidney Troop 401, drew the two new patches. (photo source: Camp Bomazeen)

New patch design by Eagle Scout Dalton Curtis.

Camp Bomazeen this summer will have special patches designed by local Scouts to help commemorate its 75th season. Eagle Scout Dalton Curtis, of Skowhegan Troop #485, and Second Class Scout Zachary LeHay, of Sidney Troop #401, drew the two patch designs which will be used this summer at Camp Bomazeen. The Scouts will each receive a $75 campership to Camp Bomazeen from the Bomazeen Old Timers but Curtis may not need it as he has applied to be a part of the 75th anniversary staff.

In 1945, Waterville Scout Richard Chamberlain named Camp Bomazeen after the brave leader of the local Norridgewock Abenaki tribe.

For the 75th anniversary, Camp Bomazeen opened up the patch design to a Scout and had two top selections. Dalton’s design will be used for the 75th commemorative merchandise. The second design, rendered by Zachary will be used for the patch Scouts receive for attending camp this summer. Christopher Bernier, who runs the Bushcraft area at Camp Bomazeen, provided the finished renderings based on the two designs that will be used for production.

New patch designed by Scout Zachary LeHay.

Fairfield postpones meetings, pushes back budget hearing, closes public buildings

Downtown Fairfield. (Contributed photo)

According to Fairfield Town Manager Michelle Flewelling, all previously posted measures will remain in effect until April 30, 2020, unless otherwise noted. If circumstances warrant, this time period will be adjusted.

The annual town budget meeting public hearing, following a vote by the town council on March 25, will be postponed until May 27, 2020, with the annual town budget meeting moved to June 15, 2020. These dates are tentative and subject to change.

Persons seeking General Assistance/Welfare should call the Town Office at 453-7911 x106 and we will process applications over the phone.

Access to the Fire Station and Police Department will be closed to all except emergency needs. If you have a non-emergency request such as a burn permit or a police report, please call, fire station-453-2429 or police station, 453-9321, and they will assist you in obtaining what you need. Emergency needs for EMS, fire, and police should be treated as normal by calling 911 for assistance.

Regularly scheduled town council meetings will continue and participants are strongly encouraged to attend virtually ONLY. Watch for participation instructions in the agenda and on our social media platforms.

The Town Office will be closed to the public. At this time, staff are working and actively responding to calls and e-mails during our normal business hours. The town office can be reached at 453-7911 or info@fairfieldme.com. Please refer to our website at www.fairfieldme.com for online services.

China residents seem to be doing fine during crisis

by Mary Grow

China selectmen held their first virtual meeting March 30, with three members joining Town Manager Dennis Heath at the town office and two calling in.

The main purpose of the meeting was to pay the usual two weeks’ worth of bills. At Board Chairman Ronald Breton’s request, Heath provided updates on coronavirus response and town finances.

The manager said so far the town office has received no individual requests for help. Apparently, he said, China residents are “hunkered down” and have enough to get by. Town office staff have ordered supplies, including toilet paper, paper towels and Lysol, to keep on hand should things gets worse.

People planning to come to the town office are asked to call ahead and to use the drive-up so their business can be done quickly and safely.

Until further notice, the transfer station will take only household waste that goes into the hopper. Demolition debris, brush and compost will join the list of unacceptable items. The goal is to limit the number of people at the facility.

One more change Heath listed is that the town office and the transfer station will close from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, so staff can take a lunch break and when necessary catch up on cleaning.

In response to Breton’s query about extending the local tax due date, Heath said since town meeting voters set the date, he is not sure selectmen have authority to change it. He will investigate the question.

The manager said property tax collection is at about the same level as it was at the end of March 2020, suggesting most people have made their payments on schedule and people who needed reminders in 2019 will need them again this year.

Heath and board members expect China’s 2020 income will be lower than expected. Lower state revenue will likely reduce state aid to municipal governments and schools; and, for example, if people postpone buying new cars, excise tax revenue to the town will decrease.

Until the situation is clearer, the manager plans to keep spending controlled, but not to stop using appropriated funds for necessary purposes. After all, he said, China’s unassigned fund balance (informally called surplus) is intended for emergencies like the pandemic.

China selectmen plan their next virtual meeting for 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 13. As with the March 30 meeting, they intend to livestream it on the town website, china.govoffice.com.

China Transfer Station enacts social distancing policy

The China Transfer Station during social distancing. (Photo: The town of China)

The China Transfer Station will continue to operate with these limitations:

  • Cones and barricades will be setup to control traffic into the facility;
  • Only one vehicle will be allowed at the “hopper” area;
  • Only one vehicle will be allowed at the “express can” area;
  • Users will be asked what area they need to access and directed when appropriate to proceed to the assigned area;
  • Users will be asked to use each area expeditiously meaning no delay;
  • Users will be asked to maintain a 6-foot distance from all employees and others;
  • Users will be asked to only visit the transfer station once per day per household;
  • Users will be asked to limit visits on Saturdays to times other than between 9 a.m. -1 p.m., when we see the highest volume of users;
  • Alternate days with less traffic are Wednesday and Thursday;
  • Please treat the staff with kindness and care.

Transfer Station hours – Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Thursday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday 6:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Please note this is only a temporary change.

No awards from Oak Grove Foundation this year

Oak Grove School Foundation will not be sending grant awards this Spring due to the Covid-19 virus and the stressed condition of our financial resources. We are thankful for all the people in our community who exert themselves for the well being of the young people that Oak Grove seeks to support. We look forward to recovering from this pandemic and returning to the major grant business in 2021.