China planners endorse proposed ordinance changes

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by Mary Grow

At their March 26 meeting, China planning board members unanimously endorsed three proposed ordinance changes that select board members are considering presenting to voters at the June 11 annual town business meeting.

They are:

— A new Planning Board Ordinance;
— Amendments to chapters 2, 3 and 11 of China’s Land Development Code; and
— A new Chapter 8 for the Land Development Code, titled “Solar Energy Systems Ordinance.”

Planning board and select board members have worked on versions of an ordinance to regulate commercial solar development in China for years. As of March 28, the latest draft is available for review on the town website, china.govoffice.com, under the Elections tab on the left side of the home page.

Besides the addition of Chapter 8, the other amendments to the Land Development Code are intended to implement the new state law promoting affordable housing by allowing higher housing density. The proposed revised ordinance is on the website twice, under Elections and under the planning board, which is under the title Officials, Boards and Committees on the right side of the home page.

The changes are comprehensive, adjusting several sections of the ordinance to encourage more residential units. They include addition of a South China Development District along Route 3 and Route 32 south as far as Weeks Mills Road.

An explanation at the beginning of the draft reminds readers that China’s 2020 comprehensive plan recommended such a district, “for additional housing and development.”

The new Planning Board Ordinance is available under Elections on the town website.

In other business March 26, planning board members unanimously approved Chris Harris’s four-lot subdivision on the south side of Route 3 not far east of South China Village, after finding that it meets all criteria in the town subdivision ordinance.

Harris presented his initial application at the board’s Oct. 24, 2023, meeting, where board chairman Toni Wall summarized the process of applying for a subdivision.

The March 26 meeting began with public hearings on the Land Development Code changes, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and on Harris’s subdivision, scheduled for 7 p.m. The anticipated interest in the ordinance amendments did not appear; no one attended the hearing.

Wall therefore moved directly to Harris’s hearing, which likewise brought no comments. When an abutter to Harris’s land arrived at 7 p.m., Wall invited comments, and received no objections to the subdivision plan.

The next regular China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9. Codes Officer Nicholas French said as of March 26, he had no applications pending.

China board of appeals grants site size variance for apartments

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by Mary Grow

The China Board of Appeals has granted Carrol White’s application for a variance from lot size requirements to allow him to seek planning board approval to convert the former Silver Lake Grange Hall in China Village to apartments.

The action still needs two more steps: under China’s Appeals Ordinance (Chapter 9 of the Land Development Code), the board must meet again within 14 days to approve the written decision. Once finally approved, the variance must be recorded at the Kennebec County Registry of Deeds within 90 days.

White presented an application for the conversion to the China Planning Board at its Jan. 23 meeting, and a more complete application at the Feb. 13 meeting. On Feb. 13, board members voted that White’s project meets all ordinance criteria except for lot size; the Main Street lot is too small for the planned four-unit apartment building.

White therefore applied for the variance from the lot size requirement. He explained that he had obtained variances in the 1990s, but for various reasons, none was properly recorded and accepted (see articles on p. 3 of the Feb. 1 and Feb. 22 issues of The Town Line).

White wants a current, valid variance so that, when the planning board grants a permit for the conversion, he can sell the property to Daniel Coleman.

Coleman, who lives farther south on Main Street, said he has experience as a landlord. He intends to create four two-bedroom apartments in the 4,600-square-foot building, two on the ground floor and two on the second floor.

He said he likes China Village, appreciates the need for housing in Maine and plans to seek tenants who will contribute to the area.

Ronald Morrell, who lives farther north on Main Street and owns the empty lot across from the Grange Hall, supported the project. He hopes Coleman will preserve the historic appearance of the building, which dates from 1908.

Linda Morrell asked about parking. White said it will be behind the building.

White and Coleman said they have not yet done final plans for either the interior or the septic system. An architect has sketched a four-apartment plan, and test pits have been dug out back where the septic system will go.

Board of Appeals members had to rule on four criteria for granting a variance. The first, and most discussed, was that the property “cannot yield a reasonable return” without a variance.

White said the former Grange Hall has been for sale for years and no one has even asked to inspect it, though it could legally be a single-family home or an appropriate business. Several people commented that people wanting a 4,600-square-foot house would probably want more spacious grounds.

Appeals board member Robert Fischer dissented on the vote on that criterion. It was approved 4-1-1, with newly re-elected board chairman Spencer Aitel abstaining, as he always does unless his vote is needed to break a tie.

The other criteria, approved by 5-0-1 votes, are:

— The need for the variance is due to the property’s “unique circumstances,” not to “the general conditions in the neighborhood”;
— Granting the variance will not “alter the essential character of the locality”; and
— The need for a variance is not “the result of action taken by the applicant or a prior owner.”

Aitel commented that the final criterion always gives him pause, because obviously many years ago a prior owner did something that did not meet 2024 regulations.

The Grange Hall fails to meet another contemporary requirement: it is seven feet from the north line of the property, instead of the required minimum 10 feet. Codes Officer Nicholas French said the building is “grandfathered” for this requirement, comparing it to buildings around China Lake closer to the water than would be allowed for a new building. Aitel added that such buildings can be modified as long as changes do not increase the non-conformity.

After Aitel was re-elected board chairman, member Michael Gee volunteered to be secretary and was promptly chosen.

Board members did not schedule their next meeting.

Vassalboro budget committee reviews select board’s draft

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro budget committee members reviewed the select board’s draft 2024-25 municipal budget at two lengthy meetings March 19 and March 26.

Both boards’ members are aware that many taxpayers cannot afford a large local property tax increase. They are also aware that the town is facing unavoidable higher costs in many areas. A theme of the meetings was what should be done immediately, what can be postponed and what can be considered unnecessary.

Town Manager Aaron Miller summarized major budget aspects in a hand-out at the March 19 meeting. At that time, he wrote, the select board’s proposed budget of just over $3.9 million was $358,393 higher than the current year’s. At the March 26 meeting, Miller said that increase would raise local property taxes by under one mil ($1 for each $1,000 of valuation).

However, the draft did not include the Kennebec County budget; Miller’s estimated figure represented a 10 percent increase. When the budget was presented at a March 27 county meeting in Augusta, the proposed overall increase in taxes to municipalities was 44 percent (varying by municipality).

County officials did not approve the budget March 27. Another meeting is scheduled for April 9, according to the report in the Central Maine newspapers.

Vassalboro discussions have not yet included the 2024-25 school budget. Local taxpayers funded almost $1.4 million of the current year’s $9 million school budget.

Miller’s summary named four areas with the largest proposed increases: the request from Delta Ambulance; setting aside funds in the assessing account to prepare for a town-wide revaluation; adding to the capital improvements budget; and adding one new employee, to be shared between the public works department and the transfer station.

The last two were discussed at length. Budget committee members made no final recommendations, but straw polls indicated a lack of support for either, as presented.

The substantially increased Delta Ambulance bill for 2024-25 drew brief comments at both meetings. The 2024-25 request is for $110,475. For the current year, the service requested and voters approved $66,285.

Select board chairman Chris French sees no reasonable alternative to Delta. Neither the Augusta nor the Waterville-Winslow ambulance service will add Vassalboro, and a town service would cost $700,000 just for labor costs, he said.

Miller does not expect a revaluation for another four or five years, but recommends setting aside money in preparation.

Proposed capital additions include new and replacement equipment, building maintenance and a new building.

Equipment that select board members recommend includes a new skid-steer, with bucket and snowblower attachments and a trailer to move it, and a replacement loader.

Select board members recommend the skid-steer in 2024-25 because they expect the state will build the promised new North Vassalboro sidewalks this summer; the town is obligated to plow the sidewalks; the loader now used for plowing sidewalks does a poor job and is too big to work on the new walkways without damaging them; and hiring someone to do the work would cost more than buying a machine.

Phillips is concerned that in much of North Vassalboro, houses are so close to the sidewalk that snow would need to be blown into the roadway.

The skid-steer would be used year-round, Miller and select board members said. It would help with town recreational trail maintenance and with shoulder work on roads, for example.

The loader would replace a machine that is almost 25 years old with more than 12,000 hours on it, French said at the March 26 meeting. Miller explained why it is needed and why the proposed skid-steer could not do its work.

Miller’s introductory letter said the town has been offered “a three-year zero percent interest rate plan for both pieces of equipment.” Select board members have discussed asking voters for $79,000 a year for three years.

The new trailer is estimated to cost $12,000.

Also needing more discussion is how soon the town needs a replacement truck for public works and what size it should be.

The two boards continued the discussion select board members have conducted for months about heating and other equipment at the town office. French’s goal is to have the office continue to function through a major storm.

Heat pumps are installed, and generators have been purchased but not installed. Questions remaining include whether to replace the 23-year-old boiler (as a back-up), whether to add another fuel tank and related issues.

Proposed building reserves include adding to the fund for an additional equipment storage building at the public works lot, and starting a maintenance fund for the town-owned former East Vassalboro schoolhouse, which the town leases to the Vassalboro Historical Society.

Schaffer asked whether the “huge” sand and salt building could be used for storage, since Vassalboro uses less road sand than in the past. Discussion included whether a building that contains salt is suitable for machinery and whether better ventilation would help.

Two other pending projects are major transfer station renovations and replacing the culvert on Mill Hill Road, tentatively with a bridge. The transfer station work has a reserve fund; select board members propose starting one for the road. They hope grants will help pay for both.

The main reason for considering adding an employee is safety, French said. An additional plow-truck driver would let road crew members work shorter, less exhausting shifts in snowstorms; and when one of the two transfer station staffers was out, the other would not work alone.

To French’s additional suggestion that taxpayers would save money if winter overtime were reduced, budget committee member Dallas Smedberg suggested plow drivers might appreciate their overtime pay.

Earlier in the year, select board members considered adding a part-time town office employee. They have scrapped that idea, at least for 2024-25.

Discussion of pay increases for town employees was inconclusive. Miller and the select board recommend a 3.2 percent cost of living (COLA) adjustment, plus two percent merit increases (except for two employees who have been with the town so long they are at the top of the pay scale; for them, an equivalent stipend is proposed).

Smedberg commented March 26 that in his experience, it is unusual for people at the top of a pay scale to get anything more than an annual COLA.

On another pay issue, Smedberg asked why the fire chief gets a $10,000 annual stipend, more than any of the select board members, even if French’s proposed $500 extra for the chairman is approved.

Board member Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., replied, “We don’t get called out at night or weekends much.”

A Fortin Road resident came to the March 26 meeting to ask that her dirt road be paved, as a safety measure. It has been impassable in recent storms, she said, leaving three households without emergency access.

Budget committee members discussed whether and, if so, when the town could pave all remaining dirt roads, another issue select board members have considered.

The next Vassalboro budget committee meeting was scheduled for Wednesday evening, April 3, unless the forecasted snowstorm led to a change.

Vassalboro school board decides on two “leftover” issues

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The annual prize for Pi Day winners at Vassalboro Community School is the chance to throw a pie – whipped cream in a graham cracker crust into the face of a teacher or the principal. On Pi Day 2024, sixth-grade winners Mariah Estabrook (second from left) and Sarina LaCroix (third from left) so honored sixth-grade math teacher Stephanie Tuttle (left) and Principal Ira Michaud (right). (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

At their March 19 meeting, Vassalboro school board members decided the two issues left undecided in February (see the Feb. 22 issue of The Town Line, p. 3) and continued review of the draft 2024-25 school budget.

Board members voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract with Jennifer Lizotte, who runs the daycare at Vassalboro Community School (VCS). The decision was accompanied by expressions of goodwill and approval from school administrators and Lizotte.

School personnel said the daycare is well run, Lizotte is cooperative with them and school staff whose children attend are happy.

Lizotte thanked school personnel for being helpful and understanding. She thanked the board for the three-year contract, which will let her plan ahead.

The present daycare space fits nicely with staff and enrollment, Lizotte said. She and board members talked about possible installation of a ceiling fan in the area for the summer term.

Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer said after discussion with Shelley Phillips, director of maintenance and grounds for Vassalboro and Winslow schools, the daily rent will be raised from $25 to $28. This figure will be reviewed annually.

The second month-old issue was whether to increase school board members’ stipends, currently $40 per meeting. Pfeiffer said many comparable boards’ members are rewarded more generously.

Board members voted unanimously not to change the figure. Several said they had run for school board without knowing there was a stipend.

No one could predict whether more money would encourage more residents to run for the board. Pfeiffer was doubtful, saying the number of volunteers for local positions has been declining state-wide.

Budget discussion covered two major accounts, administration and tuition. Pfeiffer emphasized that some figures are estimates.

For example, he does not have 2024-25 insurance costs and is guessing how big the increase will be. The state will calculate and release 2024-25 high-school tuition costs in December 2024; based on the last two years, Pfeiffer has penciled in a six percent in­crease.

In other business, Principal Ira Michaud said Vassalboro’s average daily attendance is at 94.9 percent, slightly below the state’s recommended goal of 95 percent. He explained the two types of absences, excused (when a parent calls in to say a student is ill, or the family is going on a trip) and unexcused (when no explanation is offered). Especially in the second case, he said, teachers are encouraged to call the family to see if the school can help.

Board member Jessica Clark alerted the rest of the board to the legislative bill LD 974, titled “An Act to Establish Minimum Pay for Educational Technicians and Other School Support Staff.” If it becomes effective, in 2025 some educational technicians could be paid more than teachers, she said.

Pfeiffer said the bill, if it becomes law, will have a “significant” monetary impact state-wide. He hopes if the legislature approves it, state funding will be provided.

Clark said Vassalboro’s legislators, Rep. Richard Bradstreet and Sen. Matthew Pouliot, told her the bill is likely to pass and advised her to address her concerns to Governor Janet Mills.

Principal Michaud’s report included thanks to the Vassalboro Parent-Teacher Organization for supplies for two recent events, Bubble Day and Pi Day.

He said school counselor, Gina Davis, introduced Bubble Day, with students outdoors blowing bubbles, as an observance of the first day of spring.

Pi Day, the annual observance of the “mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, approximately equal to 3.14159,” drew 34 contestants trying to remember as much of the endless number as they could. Michaud said the winners were, in third place, fifth-grader Ashlynn Hamlin; second place, sixth-grader Mariah Estabrook; and first-place, reciting 167 digits, sixth-grader Sarina LaCroix.

Board members plan to continue budget discussion at their regular meeting Tuesday evening, April 9. Pfeiffer is considering scheduling an additional special budget meeting.

VASSALBORO: WPA officials explain work planned for Webber Pond

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro select board members’ March 21 meeting featured a discussion with John Reuthe and Rebecca Lamey, from the Webber Pond Association (WPA), about the health of Webber Pond and associated water bodies.

The water level in the Vassalboro pond is controlled by an outlet dam. Water quality is influenced by run-off from surrounding land and, Reuthe explained, by inflows from Three Mile Pond, Three Cornered Pond and Mud Pond.

A history of water quality problems led to a management program developed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection that includes an annual fall drawdown intended to flush excess nutrients down Seven Mile Stream into the Kennebec River.

Reuthe, WPA president, said warmer water has encouraged the growth of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, which can sicken people and pets.

WPA officers are working with Maine Rivers (the organization that led the opening of local streams to alewife migration) to develop a new watershed management plan encompassing the four connected ponds, Reuthe said. A plan written about 20 years ago, with help from the Kennebec Valley Soil and Water Conservation District, was not implemented and is outdated.

Because Three Mile Pond is partly in China and Windsor, Mud Pond is in Windsor and Three Cornered Pond is in Augusta, the effort will involve multiple municipalities. Reuthe and Vassalboro Town Manager Aaron Miller have already begun discussions with Windsor’s town manager.

Lamey said WPA will apply for a federal 604(b) grant, referring to a program that is part of the Clean Water Act, to begin the new watershed study. Vassalboro has several residents whose expertise will be helpful, including a grant-writer, she said.

Future plans include more dam improvements, Reuthe said, in cooperation with Maine Rivers. Although the projects he and Lamey outlined will be expensive, he assured select board members WPA is not –yet – asking for substantial town funds, only for expressions of support from the select board.

Reuthe told select board members the $5,000 voters allocated to the WPA at the 2023 town meeting was spent as intended, to make the dam gates easier to control and add equipment storage at the dam and to buy water quality testing equipment.

The public hearing on amendments to Vassalboro’s Marijuana Business Ordinance with which the March 21 meeting was scheduled to begin drew no audience. Board members and planning board member Douglas Phillips briefly discussed the changes, which include renaming the ordinance Cannabis Business Ordinance. The topic will be continued at the April 4 select board meeting.

Board members also postponed a decision on repaving the parking lot at the former East Vassalboro school, now the Vassalboro Historical Society headquarters. After reviewing three proposals with cost estimates, they referred board member Rick Denico, Jr.’s, questions about the project to the expertise of public works department members.

In other business March 21, select board members unanimously:

— Left the town office hours adopted in January as they are. Miller said residents who expressed opinions are pleased, especially with the earlier opening.
— Approved closing the transfer station on Easter Sunday, as has been done in past years.

Miller said he has no new information related to the Vassalboro Sanitary District’s finances. The district has a rate increase scheduled April 1 for its about 200 customers, who have told select board members they cannot afford even present rates.

Select board members have been working on the issue since before the Dec. 14, 2023, meeting which drew more than five dozen people to discuss reasons and potential remedies for the financial problems (see the Dec. 21, 2023, issue of The Town Line, p. 2).

The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4.

China select board continues prep work for June 11 town meeting

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by Mary Grow

At their March 25 meeting, China select board members continued preparations for the June 11 annual town business meeting. They scheduled a special meeting Monday evening, April 1, to review the town meeting warrant (if Brent Chesley, who was absent March 25, is able to attend); their regular meeting April 8 is the deadline for a final warrant.

As of March 25, the draft warrant includes three ordinance revisions: amendments to the Planning Board Ordinance; changes to chapters 2, 3, and 11 of the Land Development Code, prepared by town attorney Amanda Meader to meet new state affordable housing requirements; and a new solar ordinance that, if approved, will become chapter 8 of the Land Develop­ment Code.

As of March 25, the draft warrant includes three ordinance revisions: amendments to the Planning Board Ordinance; changes to chapters 2, 3, and 11 of the Land Development Code, prepared by town attorney Amanda Meader to meet new state affordable housing requirements; and a new solar ordinance that, if approved, will become chapter 8 of the Land Development Code.

In other business March 25, select board members awarded the bid for a new storage vault attached to the town office to the lower of two bidders, Ralph McNaughton Construction, of Corinna, Maine, for more than $267,000.

Sheldon Goodine, chairman of the building committee, reminded board members that the high price includes a lot of “mechanicals” to keep the addition lighted and heated.

Board chairman Wayne Chadwick commented that delaying a decision would not bring the price down. Goodine said the project has been under discussion for four years.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said the town does not have $267,000 to spare at the moment. She and board members discussed funding sources, like the board’s voter-approved contingency fund; the town’s undesignated fund balance (informally called surplus); or perhaps, with voter approval on June 11, reallocated Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

Board members authorized Hapgood to discuss with the McNaughton company reducing the cost by having China’s public works crew do some of the groundwork.

Hapgood warned board members of another large pending expenditure: the proposed 2024-25 Kennebec County budget would raise China’s county tax by 39 percent, an increase of $238,000.

The public hearing on the draft county budget was scheduled for Wednesday evening, March 27. Hapgood planned to attend; Chadwick said he would if he could.

Board members postponed action on two agenda items, a request from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office (KSO) to put an antenna on the radio tower at the China town office and a proposed easement over land at the Branch Mills dam.

Hapgood said attorneys were discussing liability issues that might come up if KSO shared the town’s tower. She proposed offering use of the tower for free, since expanding KSO’s range would be a public service. Chadwick and fellow board member Blane Casey, with the proposed county budget fresh in their minds, leaned toward asking for payment.

The manager said there were still unanswered questions about the proposed easement.

In addition to final action on the June 11 meeting warrant, Hapgood expects the April 8 meeting agenda to include a presentation on the town’s valuation from assessor William Van Tuinen.

A gathering year for the improbables (April Fool’s story 2024)

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by Mary Grow

Few humans understand that a year in which two digits in our current Gregorian calendar add up to a third digit – like 2024, because 2 +2 = 4 — is a Gathering Year for the Improbables.

The last such year was 2013 (2 + 1 = 3). The next will be 2035 (2 + 3 = 5).

No human understands what criteria the Improbables use to choose their gathering place. There have been many theories and surmises over the centuries; none has had predictive value.

It is clear, however, that this year the small town of China, Maine, has been honored.

The earliest sighting, in late January, was of a pair of unicorns just off Maple Ridge Road, near the Winslow town line. The person who saw them did not report the sighting until this week.

“I’d had a couple beers, and I thought I was seeing things, like white horses with branches somehow stuck on their heads,” he confessed. “Couple beers don’t usually bother me. Couple unicorns, now, that’s a different story.”

A strange Yeti-like creature captured by a game camera near China Lake with China Baptist Church in the background.

The first Himalayan Yeti (also called the Abominable Snowman) was photographed by a game camera at a home on the northeast side of China Lake, apparently sampling suet from a bird-feeder. Two nights later, he or she returned with two other adults and a youngster. The homeowners took down the feeders and the camera.

In Thurston Park in February, cameras put up to deter vandals spotted 11 Bigfeet (Sasquatches), probably Canadian, and 11 Yowies from Australia playing a game that seemed to be similar to cricket. A park volunteer who studied the film said the Yowies won by a substantial margin, despite being less accustomed to winter weather in Maine.

A Deer Hill resident swears the animal who loped across Deer Hill Road in front of her car late one night was a werewolf. “I watch lotsa horror movies; I know one of them things when I see it,” she explained.

The werewolf was heading west, she said – “probably going down to the river hopin’ to find runnin’ water so’s he could get a drink.”

As word of unusual appearances began to spread, more people came forward to tell their tales. They include:

— The bird-watcher who is convinced he saw a roc over Three Mile Pond – “No, it was definitely not a big eagle. Not even big eagles come that big.”
— The Weeks Mills woman who did not dial 911 when a dozen centaurs filed down her driveway. “I’m a part-time 911 dispatcher myself, and I know what I’d be thinkin’ if I got a call like that,” she explained.
— The South China resident who watched a troop of elves hold an archery contest in his yard. “Man, those little guys can shoot – right into the bulls-eye every time, and so fast you couldn’t hardly believe it,” he said admiringly.
— Two China Village residents who interrupted their morning jog to see why the ducks in the open water by the causeway were agitated: they watched Poco, the 50-foot-long water snake from Pocomoonshine Lake, in Washington County, welcoming Champ from Lake Champlain, in Vermont, and Nessie from Loch Ness, in Scotland.

If past Gatherings are a guide, the Improbables will meet and greet in China until April 1. That evening, they will return to their homes until April Fools Day 2035.

China planners approve solar farm on Windsor Rd.

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by Mary Grow

After a lightly attended March 12 public hearing, China planning board members approved Perennial Sand Pit Solar’s planned community solar farm in a gravel pit on the west side of Route 32 (Windsor Road) in southern China (see The Town Line, issues of Feb. 22, p. 3, and March 7, pp. 2 and 3).

Before the unanimous decision, board chairman Toni Wall read an email from abutting landowner David Orr opposing the project. Applicants Nick Lacasse, of Perennial Sand Pit Solar, in Hallowell, and Andrew Johnston, of Atlantic Resource Consultants, in Freeport, answered questions from board and audience members.

On another issue, Chris Harris attended the March 12 meeting to talk again about his proposed subdivision on the north side of Route 3. Board members found his application complete and scheduled a public hearing for their March 26 meeting.

The March 26 meeting will include another public hearing, on proposed changes to China’s Land Use Ordinance to incorporate relevant parts of the new state housing law, commonly called LD 2003. Wall commented that town attorney Amanda Meader “did a really nice job” revising the ordinance.

Codes officer Nicholas French explained that with voter approval, the ordinance will allow up to two more “dwelling units” on some lots with single-family houses. One of the new units must be inside or attached to the original building; the other can be separate.

Turning to the proposed solar ordinance, planning board members unanimously approved the only change recommended by select board members at their March 11 meeting. The result is deletion of the sentence requiring that solar energy systems with more than two acres of panels “be further buffered such that they are not visible year-round from public roads.”

Members of both boards agreed that the requirement would be impossible to meet in some places in town; and that because of other buffering requirements, it is unnecessary.

The March 26 planning board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the town office meeting room.

Vassalboro planners OK repairs to boathouse; two other applications postponed

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro planning board members approved one of the three applications on their March 12 agenda and postponed the other two.

Approved were repairs to David Low’s boathouse at 8 Norton Road, in the shoreland zone on the southwest side of Webber Pond. It was damaged when a tree fell on it during a recent windstorm.

Elwin “Al” Gero, who is in charge of the repairs, explained plans to board members. Board chairman Virginia Brackett told Giroux he also needs a building permit from codes officer Jason Lorrain.

Mark L. Brown presented preliminary information on his plan to develop a remote campground on part of his property on Taber Hill Road. Board members and Brown discussed the beaver dam that has created a wetland on part of the property; the different state agencies whose regulations and standards are involved; and what documents Brown should submit for a local permit.

The third application was from Paula Stratton, to open a business at 913 Main Street, in North Vassalboro, in one of two buildings owned by Raymond Breton. Neither Stratton nor Breton was at the March 12 meeting, and board members found the application incomplete.

They tabled the application and asked Lorrain to ask the applicant to answer its questions in more detail.

Several retail businesses have been in and out of this building and its neighbor in recent years.

In other business, Lorrain said Tim and Heather Dutton’s permit to re-open the East Vassalboro store was issued Feb. 7, 2023. He was unsure how much progress the Duttons have made.

Brackett recommended he invite them to apply for a six-months extension (which can be followed by a second six months, if needed), to make sure the permit does not expire.

Board member Douglas Phillips shared the select board’s proposed amendments to Vassalboro’s Marijuana Business Ordinance. If the amendments are submitted to and approved by voters at the June town meeting, the planning board will have some responsibility for implementation, he said.

Board member Paul Mitnik proposed the board prepare a local ordinance to increase water quality protection in Vassalboro’s lakes. After others suggested possible methods, he offered to have a preliminary draft at the board’s April 2 meeting.

Windsor select board opens three sealed heat pump bids; postpones decision

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by The Town Line staff

At the February 27 meeting of the Windsor  Select Board, Ray Bates, Select Board Chairman, opened three sealed heat pump bids/RFPs. A bid was submitted by RJ Energy Services, Inc. The proposal included three options. A bid was submitted by C.B. Haskell Fuel Co. Inc.

The proposal included three options. A bid was submitted by Augusta Natural Gas. The written proposal included five options. The bids were reviewed. Discussions and questions were asked to John Ramsey representing RJ Energy and owner/operator of Augusta Natural Gas, Miles Hafner, both were present to answer questions about their induvial quotes as well as other questions the Select Board had. The select board discussed having reference checks done and having an opportunity to discuss the bids with the absent select board member prior to making the decision. William Appel Jr. made a motion to table making a final decision to do reference checks and discuss the bids with the fifth select board member, the select board will reconvene in two weeks to discuss more regarding heat pump bids, and possibly make a decision at that time seconded by Thomas McNaughton and approved 4-0-0.

Town Manager Theresa Haskell reviewed updates made to the transfer station brochure. The brochure and price changes were discussed at the November 21, 2023, select board meeting. A few of the changes include an increase in tire charges. Passenger car/light truck tires up to 20 inches are now $5 each. Truck Tires are now $25 each. skidder tires are now $100 each. TV Monitors, Laptops under 25 inches are now $12 each. TV monitors, laptops under 25 inches are now $25 each. The transfer station will now accept propane tanks up to 20 lbs. at a cost of $5 each and will accept propane tanks 21 . lbs – 100 lbs. at a cost of $25 each. Residents can see the new brochure posted on the website. The select board approved the changes 4-0, with select board member Andrew Ballantyne absent.

Darcy Aronson, a Windsor resident who owns land off Griffin Road asked the select board why they allowed her road to be named by another town resident without her knowledge. Aronson stated Windsor residents Chris and Johanna Oberg and Paul Bernier have a right-of-way through her land to their property. She explained she owns approximately 700 feet of the said Road that was recently named Landworks Lane. The road begins off Griffin Road and Aronson reported that she owns the beginning section of the road. The other residents only have a right-of-way. Chris Oberg spoke on behalf of himself, his wife, and his father-in-law Paul Bernier. They are the landowners that have the right-of-way through Darcy Aronson’s property.

Chris Oberg handed the select board a written layout to include mapping of what his plan could and would be pending a decision of the select board regarding the naming of the road. Chris Oberg made it known that he, his wife, and Paul were not aware that it was a problem to name the road. They began building their new home on the property and were told by the town that they had to give the road a name by Arthur Strout, Codes Enforcement Officer. They came up with several names and ultimately decided on Landworks Lane.

Arthur Strout, Codes Enforcement Officer, sat in on the discussion and he confirmed that he did let the Oberg’s know that the road did need to be named. After much discussion, all parties agreed they would have a discussion among themselves to try and come to an agreement. If more town involvement is needed, the residents will be in contact with the appropriate officials. The name of the road will stand at Landworks Lane for all purposes including the E-911 system at this time.

Moira Teekema, a resident of Windsor, spoke with the select board regarding cost and placement of road signage around the town. Discussion ensued about Amish carriage signs and the cost of the signs and where they could and should be placed. It was brought up that there were Amish carriage signs in the town of Whitefield donated. It was brought up in discussion by another resident in the audience that the speed limit should be reduced in a couple areas around town where here are sharp corners and blind drives. Theresa responded that speed limits are not something the town can control. Haskell noted speed limits are controlled by Department of Transportation. The D.O.T. increases and decreases speed limits as they deem necessary.

In other business, Haskell reported that Katie Yates, Program Manager, from Central Maine Power attended the meeting to discuss and answer any questions the select board may have regarding the agreement CMP has with the town of Windsor and surrounding towns to repair any damage done to the town’s roads while CMP is traveling on them to do their work while the towns have them posted. The roads that will be most used by CMP in the town of Windsor at this time are Vigue Rd., Doyle Rd., Divine Rd., Griffin Rd., Maxcy’s Mill Rd., and Baker Rd. The out-of-state contractor CMP is contracted with is Ironwood Heavy Highway LLC and M.J. Electric LLC. They would be responsible for repairing any damage done to the town’s roads per the agreement.

– Haskell noted Delta Ambulance was planning to attend the meeting. Delta contacted her to let her know they had to cancel. Delta will be placed on the agenda at a future date.
– Ray Bates shared parts of an email sent to him from State Representative Katrina Smith. Smith highlighted key points around Delta Ambulances’ finances and encouraged towns to ask Delta Ambulances to provide financial records moving forward.
– Haskell reported that Windsor will post on the website information regarding FEMA disaster assistance including a number to call with questions about disaster relief. The number is 1-800-621-3362. Haskell also added the Manchester Fire Department will be open for walk-ins Monday – Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., if anyone has questions about the FEMA disaster assistance from the December 2023 storm.
– McNaughton reported that the IRS has extended the tax due date to June 17, 2024. The Internal Revenue Service announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of Maine affected by severe storms and flooding that began on December 17, 2023. People can contact the IRS with questions.
– Haskell reported a vacancy for a Democratic Election Clerk. Kelly McGlothlin has asked to appoint Terry Bailey as Democratic Election Clerk effective through April 30, 2024. William Appel Jr. made a motion to appoint Terry Bailey as Democratic Election Clerk effective through April 30, 2024, seconded by Chester D. Barnes Jr. and approved 4-0-0.
– Haskell reported as of December 5, 2023, the E-911 assistant has changed and updated 45 addresses in the E-911 system. Greg Feltis is still working on address updates. This is very important for emergency services. Although this may be frustrating and a hardship for some residents if an address change is made, it is necessary for emergency services. He will continue fielding calls as any concerns about address changes come up.
– Haskell reported that civil papers have been served on the Ridge Road property. Next steps will be taken if necessary.
– Haskell reported the new fire truck has arrived at the Windsor Volunteer Fire Station.
– Haskell extended an invitation to the select board, on behalf of the Windsor Volunteer Department to their annual meeting on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will include dinner for the select board members and a guest who chooses to attend. The select board is to let Haskell know as soon as possible.
– Chester D. Barnes Jr. made a motion to increase Timothy Coston’s hourly wage and overtime wage to be what the Public Works Road Supervisor’s wage is as he is now handling the supervisory role while the supervisor is out.

Animal Control Officer Ryan Carver reported he has contacted all but about ten people on his door-to-door list for unregistered dogs. If the residents that have received their 10-day notice do not get their dogs registered, they will receive the 14-day notice and after that they will be issued a summons for keeping an unregistered dog.

The next meeting of the select board was scheduled for March 12.