China residents approve ban on marijuana

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by Mary Grow

China voters approved every question on every ballot at the polls June 13.

Their votes were decisive only on three town questions, one new ordinance and two expenditures.  According to Town Clerk Rebecca Hapgood, those results were as follows:

  • In favor of a new ordinance that will ban all retail marijuana operations, as defined in the state-wide referendum question voters approved in November 2016, 193 yes to 172 no.
  • In favor of spending up to $25,000 for a well and septic system for the former portable classroom where the vote was held, 245 yes to 120 no.
  • In favor of spending $12,000 to buy a lot on Alder Park Road adjoining other town-owned land, 203 yes to 163 no.

The ordinance was the most controversial question, with Selectman Joann Austin and others arguing that the town should not ban possible new businesses.  The state allows commercial marijuana growing and testing and marijuana social clubs.  State law gives municipalities the option of limiting or prohibiting such operations.

Ordinance supporters countered that most large-scale marijuana operations would be owned by out-of-state corporations and would export profits.   They reminded opponents that a majority of China voters voted against the November referendum question.

China’s ordinance does not prohibit individual use as allowed by state law, nor does it affect medical marijuana.

On the rest of the ballots, China voters approved a state-wide bond issue question and two Regional School Unit 18 expenditures, the 2017-18 school budget and borrowing for repairs to China Middle School, China Primary School and Belgrade Central School.

The RSU 18 questions were also on ballots in Belgrade, Oakland, Rome and Sidney.

Titus re-elected Titus re-elected in Vassalboro

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro voters re-elected Selectman Lauchlin Titus for another three-year term in the only contest on the June 13 local election ballot.

Titus received 191 votes to challenger Larisa Batchelder’s 56.

In other election results, according to Town Clerk Cathy Coyne:

  • Rebecca Goodrich, running unopposed for the Sanitary District Board of Trustees, was elected with 217 votes. Numerous other people got one, two or three votes for the other open seat on the board.

For two three-year terms on the School Board, Erin Libby Loiko was reelected with 208 votes.  Among write-in candidates, incumbent Susan Tuthill received seven votes, more than anyone else.

  • Jessica Clark was elected with 212 votes for a two-year term on the School Board, finishing a term from which two previous board members resigned.  (ep)

Voters re-endorsed the 2017-18 school budget approved at their June 5 open meeting by a large margin, 208 in favor to 46 opposed.

China Planning board meeting canceled

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The China Planning Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening June 13, has been canceled.

CHINA NEWS: Thurston Park work awarded to Palermo company

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by Mary Grow

China selectmen took care of miscellaneous business at their May 31 meeting, including:

  • Finishing the awarding of bids for work on the north entrance road to Thurston Park, started at their May 15 meeting, by awarding the bid for road improvements to S. D. Childs, of Palermo. On May 15 selectmen were not sure his bid and Robin Tobey’s covered the same work; after Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux said they did, the board voted 4-1, with Joann Austin opposed, to accept Childs’ low bid. Board members expressed appreciation to Tobey for assistance he has given the Thurston Park II Committee.
  • Approving a $300 appropriation for trapping out the beavers whose debris under the bridge on the way to the park has flooded the road. Thurston Park II Committee member Jeanette Smith said a public tour of the park is scheduled for Saturday, June 17, so restoring access was imperative. • Appointing Sheldon and Joyce Goodine as members of the China for a Lifetime Committee, which is scheduled to meet Thursday evening, June 22.
  • Seeking volunteers for other positions, including budget committee secretary (who can be chosen from anywhere in town), members of the committee to plan and supervise China Community Days Aug. 4-6 and people to do trail work in Thurston Park.
  • Approving a liquor license renewal for the China Dine-ah, on Lakeview Drive. • Agreeing to give the owner of a foreclosed property additional time to redeem it by paying all back taxes and fees, after L’Heureux explained that the bank holding the mortgage had been expected to pay the town but had not.

Approving a consent agreement, including a fine, recommended by Codes Office Paul Mitnik to allow a resident to use the addition to his house even though the resident failed to comply with state-required inspection rules.

Board members did not proceed with plans for administering the stipends for emergency services personnel approved at the March town meeting, because they were waiting for advice from Town Attorney Alton Stevens. They had an estimate for repairs to the Weeks Mills schoolhouse, now a town-owned historic building, but took no action. They heard resident Dale Worster’s repeat request that they activate the town’s Economic Development Committee and assigned the task to L’Heureux.

TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Committee member Tom Michaud said the committee hoped to have an RFP (request for proposals) ready for review and recommendation at a June 5 meeting, so selectmen can begin choosing a contractor for planned recreational improvements at the head of China Lake’s east basin.

The May 31 selectmen’s meeting was attended by members of the Greater Neck Road Neighborhood Association, who asked selectmen to ban parties in Parris and Catherine Varney’s barn at 701 Neck Road. The town planning board denied the Varneys’ application to use their barn for commercial events in October 2016; the Varneys appealed to the board of appeals, who in December 2016 remanded the issue to the planning board to redo with clear explanations for its decision. Before the planning board could act, neighbors, including Greater Neck Road Association members, filed an appeal with Kennebec County Superior Court, which had not acted as of May 31.

Association members alleged the Varneys are holding events in the barn without the needed permit and in violation of state Fire Marshal’s regulations. They asked selectmen to enforce the town ordinance. Selectmen, L’Heureux and Mitnik declined to act at the May 31 meeting, on four grounds: • Board Chairman Neil Farrington did not want to discuss the issue without advance notice (it was not on the May 31 agenda), in the absence of the Varneys and before the court acted. He expects the court to return the question to the planning board, not to the selectmen.

  • Selectman Jeffrey LaVerdiere questioned whether the Varneys’ activities constitute a business; if they do not, he defended residents’ right to use their own property as they choose.
  • L’Heureux said after the town received a request for enforcement action from the association, he sent it to attorney Stevens to determine the proper legal response. Until he has Stevens’ reply, he said, the issue should not be on the selectmen’s agenda. • Mitnik said from what he has been told, the barn parties are for Varney friends and family and are non-commercial. “If you have to have a planning board permit to have a party for friends and family, that’s a pretty sad state of affairs,” he commented.

The next regular China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, June 12.

On Tuesday, June 13, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the former portable classroom behind the town office for voting on the RSU (Regional School Unit) #18 school budget for 2017-18 and a state bond issue.

Vassalboro News: Taxes raised by .88 mils; might be less with state funding

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by Mary Grow

Hours of negotiation between budget committee and school board members and the board of selectmen paid off at the first session of Vassalboro’s town meeting June 5, as voters approved all recommended appropriations.

One resident asked how come the recommendations of the town boards were all in agreement. Budget Committee Chairman John Melrose first joked that it was because the budget committee was able to persuade selectmen the budget committee was right. More seriously, he said officials worked toward consensus, believing it to be in the town’s interest.

Lauchlin Titus, chair of the selectmen, called 2017 “one of the toughest budget sessions I think I’ve ever been involved in.”

Currently, voters have raised their tax rate by 0.88 mils (88 cents for each $1,000 of valuation). However, town officials and state Representative Richard Bradstreet expect the final increase to be less, because they expect more state funding for schools than in the budget the legislature is now reviewing.

To cover the expected change, a new 2017-18 school budget article says that if state school funding is higher than expected, the additional money will be used to lower taxes, up to the $338,681 coming from the town in the budget approved at the meeting. When Larisa Batchelder asked about postponing a vote on the school budget until the legislature and governor approve state funding, Selectman Philip Haines said a later town vote would require a special town meeting, with a quorum requirement that might be hard to meet in the summer. Town officials expect a final figure in July. In 2016, selectmen set the tax rate at their Aug. 8 meeting.

Town meeting continues on Tuesday, June 13, with local elections and a written-ballot vote to approve or reject the school budget. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the town office.

Voters at the June 5 open meeting agreed to group multiple articles together, including the municipal government appropriation and the school appropriation, sparing the need for Moderator Richard Thompson to read each item separately. With only a few questions and comments from the 120 or more voters assembled, the meeting lasted less than two hours.

In addition to authorizing 2017-18 spending, voters approved an amended Shoreland Zoning Ordinance and a revised Sanitary District Charter; allowed selectmen to apply for state aid to rebuild the East Vassalboro boat launch; approved exercising the “put option” with the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company (PERC); and elected five budget committee members.

The PERC article was followed by an explanation that a voter suggested was not entirely clear. Town Manager Mary Sabins explained in a sentence: when Vassalboro agreed to send its trash to PERC years ago, the town bought part ownership in the company, and now PERC is buying back Vassalboro’s shares for an expected $13,514.13. Donald Breton, William Browne, Peggy Schaffer and Eddie Scholz were re-elected to the budget committee for two years, and Phil Landry defeated Holly Weidner by four votes for the seat vacated by Lori Fowle. The complete town meeting warrant is in the 2016 town report, which is dedicated to the late Jim Mitchell. Mitchell also received a posthumous Spirit of America award, accepted by his widow, Elizabeth “Libby” Mitchell, and other family members.

Weeks Mills VFD brings home new pumper

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The town purchased the new (to the WMVFD) truck for $50,000 to replace WMVFD Truck #72. The funds for the new truck were approved at a recent select board meeting at the request of the officers of the department and the funds were appropriated out of the Fire Department Reserve Account in the town’s Fund Balance. Voters have annually approved of appropriating funds to that reserve account for long term fire department capital needs. This mini-pumper will better serve the current and future needs of the department.

The truck is a 2008 Ford F450 Super Duty Two Door 4×4 Mini Pumper and has a Pierce aluminum body. It is powered by a 6.4L 325 HP V8 diesel engine. It had 12,647 miles on it when picked-up. William Van Wickler and Dean Sheaff, of the Weeks Mills Volunteer Fire Department, drove to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to inspect and operate the vehicle before taking possession and returning to China. The Rohrestown Fire Department in Lancaster was the seller.

CHINA NEWS: Planners adopt mission statement

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members adopted a mission statement and approved an application at their May 23 meeting, both by unanimous votes.

The application approval allows William Pettipas, of New England Imports, 632 Lakeview Drive, to add a 20-by-40-foot bay on his existing commercial garage. Board members had no comments from neighbors; they decided an expansion of an existing business with no changes affecting the neighborhood did not need a public hearing. Before the meeting several board members researched mission statements and three prepared drafts for the China board. The agreed-upon version, based primarily on a draft by Tom Miragliuolo, reads: “It is the mission of the China Planning Board to balance public and private needs while promoting development which integrates environmental protection and community economic goals.”

Board members asked Codes Officer Paul Mitnik to print the statement on future agendas, both as a guide and to give them a chance to reconsider and amend it if necessary.

The next China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 13.

Vassalboro Board approves 5-cent increase in school lunches

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by Mary Grow

At their May 16 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members unenthusiastically approved a five-cent increase in the price of school lunches for next year, because if they didn’t they would risk losing federal subsidy money.

Finance Director Paula Pooler explained that federal funding for school lunch programs depends on a “price adjustment calculator” that says Vassalboro should be charging $2.85, instead of the current $2.60, for each full-price lunch. The federal program allows for gradual adjustment, however, so for 2017-18, $2.65 will satisfy the requirement.

If the board failed to act the federal subsidy might be reduced, Pooler said.

Board members also approved a 2017-18 school calendar, after wondering whether they should build in more than three snow days.

They discussed a letter from Vassalboro selectmen asking them to advertise future school board vacancies and agreed they will post any opening on the school website and notify the town office. By state law, the school board is authorized to appoint a new member to fill a vacancy until the next election, and must act within 30 days, Superintendent Eric Haley said.

Board members unanimously approved advancing 13 probationary teachers, nine moving from first-year to second-year, three moving from second-year to third-year and kindergarten teacher Danielle Smith finishing her probationary period and getting a continuing contract.

They accepted with regret resignations of Katherine Ladd-Cyrway, who is retiring at the end of the year; custodian Claire Young; and Kelly Donato from her position as English Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator. The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 20.

Local resident volunteers to clean and repair cemetery headstones in Vassalboro

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by Mary Grow

At their May 18 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen met resident Jody Kundreskas, who has volunteered to donate her labor and some of the materials to clean and repair old headstones in Vassalboro cemeteries.

Selectmen accepted her offers with pleasure.

Kundreskas said last summer she attended a workshop on proper cleaning and repair techniques; she is insured; and she knows other restorers who can advise as needed. Town Manager Mary Sabins offered the services of the Public Works Department if heavy lifting is required.

Vassalboro’s 27 cemeteries would provide “more than a lifetime of work for me,” Kundreskas said. She plans to start with a single-stone cemetery near her house.

Cemetery Committee Chairman Jane Auidi said there are legal requirements for working on headstones. She believes an annual legal notice in the spring, before work starts, will meet the requirements.

Auidi also reported the cemetery committee plans to use the rest of the Cross Hill cemetery account to finish surveying and laying out plots in the new section of the cemetery.

In other business, Road Commissioner Eugene Field shared results of a traffic speed survey on Church Hill Road early in May. Board Chairman Lauchlin Titus summarized: “Eighty percent of them were going way too fast.”

The road has a 35-mile-an-hour speed limit. Of a total of 1,819 vehicles recorded, 379 were driving within the limit. The highest speed recorded was 67 miles an hour. Selectmen decided they cannot approve Beth Morse’s request for a designated handicapped parking space in front of Hairbuilders on Oak Grove Road, because there is not enough room for the space without extending it into the road.

Sabins plans to discuss with Morse alternative ways to provide safe access to her business for people with canes, walkers or wheelchairs.

Selectmen signed a Spirit of America award certificate to the late Jim Mitchell, to be presented to his widow, Libby Mitchell, at the June 5 town meeting.

They approved a catering permit to allow serving liquor at a June 3 wedding in North Vassalboro.

The next regular selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, June 1.

Vassalboro News: 66 warrant articles to be decided at town meeting; two more by written ballot

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro’s two-part town meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 5, at Vassalboro Community School, with voters discussing and acting on 66 of the 68 warrant articles. The final two articles will be decided by written ballot on Tuesday, June 13, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town office.

On June 13, voters will ratify or reject the school budget approved on June 5 and elect members of the Board of Selectmen, School Board and Sanitary District Board of Trustees.

The June 5 agenda includes election of five budget committee members; the 2017-18 municipal and school budgets; enactment of two revised town ordinances; annual requests for permission to sell alewives (river herring) and to put tax revenue from the natural gas pipeline through town into the Program Development Fund, also called the TIF fund; and requests for small donations to a number of in-town and out-of-town nonprofit organizations and social service agencies, including a new request for $1,000 for FAVOR (Friends Advocating for Vassalboro Older Residents).

Also in the warrant are requests for authorizations to:

  • apply for grants to map and inventory town cemeteries;
  • buy out of the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company as the town changes to a new trash disposal option, with expected reimbursement of more than $13,500;
  • apply for state aid to renovate the China Lake boat launch in East Vassalboro, using previously-approved local money as matching funds; and
  • let selectmen use the $4,125.25 proceeds of a fire truck sale to help equip the volunteer fire department’s new truck.

During long discussions of the 2017-18 school budget, Town Manager Mary Sabins calculated that if state school funding currently planned for next year does not increase, if Vassalboro’s property valuation goes up less than usual and if voters approve all town meeting requests, the property tax rate will increase by 88 cents for each $1,000 of valuation, from this year’s 14.05 mils ($14.05 per $1,000) to 14.93 mils.

However, everyone involved in budget negotiations expects the state legislature will increase education funding before the session ends, and Sabins expects a valuation increase similar to previous years’. By the time selectmen set the tax rate in August, they will have firm information, and most town officials expect they will be able to avoid a major tax increase.

To deal with possible state school funding changes, the June 5 warrant includes an unusual final school budget article. It asks voters to require that if state funding exceeds the current figure, the School Board will use part of the additional money to decrease the share of the education budget to be taken from local property taxes.

The two ordinances voters will act on are a revised Shoreland Zoning Ordinance (Art. 24) and a revised Vassalboro Sanitary District Charter (Art. 25). Selectmen held public hearings on both documents at their May 4 meeting.

No one had questions or comments about the Sanitary District charter, which district trustees have said updates their governing document, approved in 1972, to match current conditions and policies.

The Shoreland zoning amendments are the ones that Vassalboro voters rejected in November 2016. Planning Board Chairman Virginia Brackett said many are intended to make Vassalboro’s regulations match the state’s.

The town meeting warrant and copies of the ordinances and of a two-page summary of the differences between current and proposed shoreland zoning rules are available at the town office and on the town web site.