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.

China residents discuss the town’s comprehensive plan on Saturday at Erskine Academy. (photo by Eric Austin)

by Eric W. Austin

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. Town Manager Dennis Heath and Selectman Irene Belanger were also in attendance. The planning session was moderated by Joel Greenwood, from the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments.

The agenda for the public planning session included three topics of discussion: Water quality for China Lake and Three Mile Pond; Housing availability; and Growth, Land Use and Zoning.

Discussion began with an affirmation of the importance of China Lake to the economic health of the town. “I don’t have lake property,” said Mark Davis, a resident from the north end of town, “but I understand the value of the lake to the town, and the more we can do for water quality, the better it’s going to be [for the town].” Scott Pierz, president of the China Lake Association, agreed with this sentiment. “The lake is connected to all of us, in one way or another,” he said.

Joel Greenwood, from the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, moderated the discussion. (photo by Eric Austin)

It was also mentioned that if water quality degrades, property values of lakefront homes will decrease, shifting more of the tax burden onto homeowners living away from the lake.

Bob O’Connor suggested that the town ban the use of gas boats on China Lake, and only allow boats with electric motors.

There was also discussion of the importance of finding a balance between creating policy to insure continued lake quality and placing burdensome and expensive requirements on home owners and new construction projects. Ron Morrell, pastor of China Baptist at the north end of the lake, pointed out that controlling phosphorous runoff into the lake increases the cost of construction and may prohibit some people from moving into the community.

It was reported that China Lake is currently experiencing the best water quality it has seen in 30 years, but this is mostly due to the dry weather and lack of severe storms in the past year.

There was some discussion of the proposed purchase of lakefront property next to the Four Seasons Club for public access to the lake, with some residents questioning whether it was a good investment, and whether a public beach would have a detrimental effect on water quality. Town Manager Heath said, “This is a target of opportunity to acquire the land. We know a plan [still] needs to be developed.” He went on to say, “I anticipate that it will be two or three years before we can actually do anything on that property. We need to take the time to develop a plan and get it before the people – because I am a believer in the public approving of what you do. So, we need to put something together, put it in front of people, and get them to agree to it.”

Tom Rumpf, president of the China Four Seasons Club, reminded everyone, “You are welcome, any time you want, to come down and check out our beach, and with a $25 membership, you can jump in the lake anytime you want.” He also reported that China is becoming known across the state for its excellently maintained trails, which have become popular for both snowmobilers and ATV enthusiasts from all over central Maine.

The discussion then moved to housing availability in China. Town Manager Heath spoke about the need for senior housing in the town. “China needs affordable senior housing,” he said. “It’s part of the China for a Lifetime Committee’s goals, and so we’re marching down that road. I anticipate that we will have some movement [on that soon].” Greenwood then asked whether those in attendance were in favor of the town pursuing an initiative to bring affordable senior housing to China. A majority of those present raised their hands in favor of the proposal.

Several residents expressed resistance to adding more Section 8 (subsidized) housing for low income people in China.

Selectman Irene Belanger spoke about the possibility of instituting a public water and septic system in China, and suggested that new developers may steer clear of development projects in towns which require the installation of a private well and septic for every property. Dennis Heath warned that such a public system would likely cost in excess of $35 million.

Following a short break, discussion shifted to the final topic of the planning session: Growth, Land Use and Zoning.

Some residents expressed the need for careful planning of new development and the desire to avoid “suburban sprawl.” A resident also brought up the online rental service, Airbnb, and the impact that it has had in other communities like Portland. Tod Detre, a member of the Broadband Committee, mentioned the situation in Toronto, Canada, where companies have bought up residential properties for the purpose of renting them through Airbnb, which has driven up property values to astronomical levels.

Several residents mentioned the importance of protecting the town’s farmers, at a time when many farms in Maine are closing down.

A number of residents expressed a desire to make new building requirements simple and straightforward. The group agreed that building codes should aim to be “quantifiable and measurable, with specific and easy to understand criteria.”

There was some discussion about where new development should take place, and it was agreed that careful planning should be done to decide the best placement of future residential and commercial construction projects.

Finally, the group considered the 2008 China Vision Statement, and it was generally agreed that it was still a good representation of town values, although a suggestion was made to add language to “encourage and facilitate volunteerism and community involvement.”

The Comprehensive Planning Committee will take the feedback gained from this public workshop to develop China’s Comprehensive Plan to present to voters next year at the town business meeting. The committee will meet monthly throughout the summer and fall. Anyone interested in participating on the planning committee should contact the town office at 445-2014.

Contact the author at ericwaustin@gmail.com.

(photo credit: Erskine Academy)

The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, in conjunction with the town of China, will be conducting a Comprehensive Plan public input session on Saturday, May 18, at Erskine Academy cafeteria, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The workshop, titled China’s 2040 Vision, will cover major topics to include water quality of China Lake and Three Mile Pond, housing, land use development and developing a 10-year vision.

Comprehensive Planning Committee spokesman Irene Belanger stated: “The purpose of the workshop is to get a wide variety of opinions and viewpoints about what is special about China and needs to be preserved, and what needs to change and improve in the years ahead. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. The more citizens participation, the better the vision will be.”

Following some good work from the China for a Lifetime Committee, this is a key step in the updating of the comprehensive plan for the town of China. Belanger continued, “Come talk with your neighbors and help us shape the future for China.”

All China resident are invited and encouraged to attend.