Vassalboro tax rate set at 14.05 mil

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen have set the 2016-17 tax rate at 14.05 mils ($14.05 for each $1,000 of valuation), Town Manager Mary Sabins reported after the board’s Aug. 8 meeting.

Sabins said the new rate is 0.35 mils (35 cents per thousand dollars) higher than the 2015-16 rate.    Tax bills should go out this month; by town meeting vote, the first quarterly payment is due Monday, Sept. 26.

Because the state has increased the homestead exemption, the increase will have more effect on owners of businesses and seasonal homes than on people whose Vassalboro home is their primary residence.          In other business Aug. 8, Sabins said selectmen decided to put two local questions on a Nov. 8 ballot.  One will ask voters to approve or reject changes to the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance developed by the planning board; the other, not yet worded, will deal with proposed sidewalks in East Vassalboro.

Public hearings on both questions are scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, before that evening’s selectmen’s meeting, with the shoreland ordinance hearing first, Sabins said.

Selectmen accepted with regret the resignation of Police Chief Richard Phippen and expressed appreciation for his service, Sabins said.  She will be advertising for a new police chief.

Tom Richards was reappointed to the cemetery committee.

Sabins reported that the recently formed senior citizens’ working group is focusing on transportation, seen as a major need in Vassalboro.  At the group’s next meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, in the town office meeting room, a representative of the Neighbors Driving Neighbors program will explain it and a representative of the medical office in North Vassalboro will talk about programs for the elderly offered there.

Planners find comments worthy of action

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by Mary Grow

As promised, at their Aug. 9 meeting China Planning Board members reviewed in detail written comments on proposed ordinance amendments received after their July 26 public hearing.  They also discussed other amendments that are likely to be presented at a future hearing on their way to a November ballot.

Three residents submitted written material repeating their July testimony, expressing concerns about various proposed ordinance changes and related issues.  The changes the board recommends mostly incorporate revised state shoreland guidelines.      Board members found three comments worthy of action.  They corrected the numbering on a set of articles after a resident pointed out cross-references to non-existent sections; they deleted a reference to 30 days for approval of a sign permit after Codes Officer Paul Mitnik said most sign permits are approved or denied within a week; and they corrected a discrepancy in requirements between discontinued signs and discontinued structures by redefining a sign as not a structure.

If the third change remains, the owner of a discontinued structure that does not meet land use requirements will have up to five years to reuse it or give up; the owner of a discontinued sign will have two years to reuse or remove it.

Otherwise, board members decided their draft is satisfactory.  Board member Milton Dudley said that he did not believe one person’s comments were a valid reason to change state guidelines.

One proposal the board rejected would require lighted signs to be turned off when a business closes for the day.  The draft ordinance would require lighted signs be turned off at 10 p.m.  Mitnik said he did not intend to be on China roads to enforce either deadline, though he would respond to a complaint of an ordinance violation.

A majority of the board approves of “grandfathering” signs that do not meet current or new ordinance requirements, allowing them to stand.  Mitnik said asking business owners to remove all non-conforming signs would be difficult because there are many in town.

In addition to shoreland and related issues covered at the July 26 hearing, board members discussed amended conditional use criteria and endorsed a draft approved by an earlier board.

They discussed what requirements for converting a seasonal residence to year-round are useful in protecting lake water quality.  A legal septic system is essential, they agreed; other requirements, like lot size and setback from the lake, seemed less important.

Mitnik said China’s TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Committee and selectmen want fishing docks and perhaps a trail at the causeway at the head of the China Lake, between The Landing restaurant and Church Park.  The current ordinance would not allow them, so Mitnik suggested adding language exempting water-dependent facilities and uses from setback requirements, as allowed by state law.

Planning Board members intend to continue work on draft ordinance revisions at their Aug. 23 meeting.  Board Chairman Frank Soares proposes another public hearing, perhaps in conjunction with the selectmen, at a date not yet set.  He said a final draft needs to be ready by Oct. 19 for inclusion on a Nov. 8 local ballot.

Beneficial nuisance on Webber Pond

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Webber Pond Association President Frank Richards recently stated in an email to lake residents, “Everyone who has been out in a boat or raked weeds off their shoreline this summer has noticed the extreme proliferation of a long stringy weed. There’s an actual floating island in the northwest bay, so thick you can’t take a boat through it.” Because of his concern, Richards contacted Nate Gray, a biologist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources, asking for him to go to Webber Pond to observe the  proliferation of weeds. “I was pretty sure it was a native plant growing in proliferation because of the drought, slightly lower water, and more sunlight,” Richards said. Gray  confirmed it is as Elodea Canadensis, a common species of aquatic plant in Maine. Its proliferation has some good points. It is sequestering a lot of phosphorus and actually contributing to clearer water this summer.

Webber Pond

A “field” of weeds in the northwestern corner of Webber Pond. Photos courtesy of Frank Richards, president of Webber Pond Association.

Nate Gray

Nate Gray, a biologist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources holds a handful of the Elodea Canadensis, better known as American Waterweed or Pondweed. Photos courtesy of Frank Richards, president of Webber Pond Association.

Bowl for Cassidy top fundraiser

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine’s 2016 Bowl For Kids’ Sake, sponsored by Camden National Bank and Hannaford, drew over 545 teams and 2,100 bowlers to four regional events, raising over $285,000 for youth mentoring programs in seven counties. The highest fundraising region was Kennebec Valley with six local events held May 2 – 7 raising over $111,000. The highest single fundraising event overall was Bowl for Cassidy’s Sake, held in memory of Cassidy Charette, which raised over $30,000. Bowl for Cassidy’s Sake was sponsored by New Balance, Golden Pond Wealth Management, Aetna, Smile Solutions, Mainely Trusses and Hammond Lumber.

Funds raised by Bowl for Kids’ Sake benefit Big/Little matches in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset, Waldo, and Androscoggin Counties. Kennebec Valley bowling event proceeds support community and school-based programs in Kennebec and Somerset counties.

Bowlers in each region who raised $100 or more were automatically entered to win $1,000 cash in the Grand Prize Drawing for that region.  The winner in Kennebec Valley was Martin Meader, from New Balance. The top fundraisers were:

Jordyn Labrie, Paige Smith and Gabi Martin

Jordyn Labrie, Paige Smith and Gabi Martin from Central Maine United U-18 Girl Soccer Team, re-enact a photo taken at Bowl for Kids’ Sake in 2014 with their teammate Cassidy Charette. Bowl for Cassidy’s Sake raised $30,000 for local youth mentoring. Colby Charette, Cassidy’s brother, was top fundraiser, raising $2,435.

TOP INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISERS:

1st – Richard Behr (Big Brother) – $2,445
2nd – Jacy Cunningham (Home Depot) – $2,072
3rd – Rick Eskelund (Big Brother) – $1,530

TOP 3 FUNDRAISING BUSINESSES (Multiple Teams):

1st – New Balance (20 teams) – $12,527.55
2nd – Hannaford (39 teams) – $8,935.97
3rd – Kennebec Savings Bank (7 teams) – $6,122.25

TOP FUNDRAISING TEAMS (Single Team):

1st – Central Maine Auto Group (Sheila Turcotte) – $3,037
2nd – Home Depot (Jacy Cunningham) – $2,072
3rd – Kennebec Savings (Sandy Burgess) – $2,011

HIGHEST TEAM AVERAGE (More than 1 team):

1st – Big Brothers Big Sisters CBM Matches – $1,132
2nd – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine – $1,102
3rd – Kennebec Savings Bank – $875

Camden National Bank had 44 teams. Hannaford, the event’s other lead sponsor, had the most participating teams of any business, with a total of 102 teams from 31 store locations.

Bowl for Cassidy’s Sake, held in honor of BBBS Big Sister Cassidy Charette, raised $30,000 for the new site-based mentoring program at Alfond Youth Center in Waterville –  the second local mentoring program established in Cassidy’s memory. Bowlers who raised $100 or more were entered into a prize drawing for a laptop, courtesy of A-COPI. The winner was Desiree Luzzi, Cassidy’s aunt, who donated the prize to a graduating Big at Messalonskee High School.

“BOWL FOR CASSIDY’S SAKE”

TOP INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISERS:

1st – Colby Charette (BBBS Big Brother and Cassidy’s younger brother ) – $2,435
2nd – Desiree Luzzi – $1,050
3rd – Connor Garland (BBBS Big Brother)- $950

TOP FUNDRAISING TEAMS (Single Team):

1st – Cass4Ever (Colby Charette’s team) – $3,435
2nd – Messalonskee High School Girls Soccer (Fern Calkins Team) – $1,455
3rd – Team Bernatchez (Jacob Bernatchez’s Team) – $1,095

If you would like more information about how your business or organization can participate in next year’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake or Bowl for Cassidy’s Sake events, call 314-6996.

Gold medal winner at tourney

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Syrus Washburn

Syrus Washburn, 11, of Canaan, a member of Huard’s Jiu-jitsu team, captured a gold medal at the Black Fly Kids Brazilian Jiu-jitsu tournament in Rangeley on June 26.
Photo by Mark Huard, owner Central Maine Photography

New Dimensions raises funds for Maine Children’s Cancer program

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by Mark Huard

New Dimensions Federal Credit Union hosted their third annual car show at the Faith Evangelical Free Church at 250 Kennedy Memorial Drive on June 4. There were 20 different vehicle classes available, ranging from antiques to street rods. More than 110 people registered their vehicles at the show, surpassing more than double the participants from the first show. NDFCU staff volunteered at the event in order to sell food, merchandise, and facilitate the trophy ceremony and silent auction. With the help of local sponsors and community donations, the event raised $12,345.16. An additional $10,000 was donated by CO-OP Financial Services’ Miracle Match Program, bringing the total amount raised from the show to $22,345.16.

Members of the New Dimensions Federal Credit Union

Members of the New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, in Waterville, surround Sylvio Normandeau, front center, who recently met his lifetime goal of $500,000 raised towards Maine Children’s Cancer program.
Photo by Mark Hard, owner Central Maine Photography

All proceeds from the Cruisin’ for a Cure Car Show are donated to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program (MCCP) on behalf of local fundraising legend Sylvio Normandeau. Since the mid 1990s, Normandeau has been inspiring others with this dedication to the MCCP, all because he made a promise to his late wife that he was going to help kids in Maine with cancer. Since making that commitment to her, he has devoted years of his life to children and their families in our state in an effort to reach his personal fundraising goal of $500,000.

For several years during the summer months, Sylvio could be found at many area businesses as well as at Sam’s Club handing out hot dogs, where he would “give you a smile, a treat, and a thank you” in exchange for a small donation. He also helped facilitate and organize the annual MCCP Walk for the Waterville area for several years and continues to place spare change containers in central Maine businesses. His mantra of no donation is too small or too big has proved successful – at the close of 2015, Mr. Normandeau has raised just over $474,000 for his charity!

On July 6, New Dimensions FCU held an event at the Waterville branch to reveal the total amount raised for the MCCP. Normandeau was overjoyed when he learned that he reached his lifetime goal of $500,000.

Cottages at China Lake approved for 23 boat slips

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The town of China has granted permission to Ken and Maureen Grady, owners of the Cottages at China Lake, to install 23 separate boat slips on their property on China Lake, in China.

The boat slips will be available to the owners of the condominium cottages. The docks are seasonal and will be removed for the winter after the vacation season ends.

The Gradys have spent the past two years renovating the existing cottages which were built in the 1930s and 1940s. The Cottages at China Lake and the Candlewood Inn were a favorite get-away for vacationers during that time. The cottages are all refurbished and offer modern conveniences such as dishwashers and microwave ovens, but retain their original rustic charm.

Of the 23 condominium units on the lake, 14 remain available.

The Gradys have undertaken numerous restoration projects in Maine and Massachusetts, and have brought their considerable experience and expertise to the China Lake cottages.

College programs wrap up successful year at KVCC

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According to experts, within the next few years, a majority of jobs in Maine will require post-secondary education.  Yet, little more than half of the students who enroll in college end up staying long enough to earn a degree. Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (JMG) and Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) are excited about a new program aimed at trying to change that.  KVCC is one of seven colleges in Maine to offer the new JMG College Success Program; a program that provides students with the one-on-one academic and personal support needed to avoid dropping out of school.

“Having the JMG College Success Program here is great for the students”, says Karen Normandin, Vice President of KVCC. She says the school has had a TRIO program on campus since 1993, which serves students who are low-income, first-generation college students, or those with disabilities. She says, “JMG is a wonderful complement to TRIO.

What I love about these programs is that both understand the importance of connections and relationships.  This is where trust is fostered!”

JMG works with 5,500 young people, primarily middle schools and high school students, across the state, keeping them in school and providing them with the skills and guidance needed to be ready for college and careers. Two years ago, JMG leveraged its success with these students and launched the College Success Program; a comprehensive college preparation, bridging and retention program. The program serves students who were in a JMG program in middle school or high school, foster care youth, and those who dropped out of high school and eventually earned their GED.

“These students are full of potential and they need us,” says Jessica Rodrigue, JMG’s College Success Specialist at KVCC.

“One of the most important and exciting elements of the program is getting into the high school classrooms as a way to connect with students and encourage them to further their education. Once they are enrolled here at KVCC, I’m here to guide them and to offer support and encouragement every step of the way, so they can stay in school, get a degree, and go on to do the amazing things they are capable of.”

Rodrigue works closely with the school’s TRIO director, collaborating on students they have in common to make sure the students’ needs are being met, but without duplicating services.

“From freshman year in high school straight through to college graduation, JMG’s College Success Program is there for these students”, says Craig Larrabee, President  & CEO of JMG. “And, by partnering with great programs like TRIO, we are confident we can make a difference.”

China Lake Association meeting focuses on alewives, LakeSmart progress

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The 2016 annual China Lake Association meeting, held on July 23, was another great meeting, attended by over 70 people.  What a fantastic turnout….

Frank Rich­ards, of Vassalboro, was the guest speaker.  Frank is a retiree who has served as the president of the Webber Pond Association

Frank Richards

Webber Pond Association president Frank Richards gives presentation on alewive restoration at China Lake Association annual meeting.

since 2001, and he has dedicated many years toward the improvement of water quality on Webber Pond.  He is a steadfast supporter of the Alewife Restoration Initiative (ARI), and has written two books: A Guide to Wilderness Canoe Fishing and An Introduction to Ice Fishing.  Frank spoke to the assembly and provided a general education on lake water quality, with specifics on Webber Pond and the introduction of alewives and improved water quality experienced by that water body.  He eloquently energized the attendees and gave encouragement about the potential positive effects of the introduction of alewives into China Lake through the Alewife Restoration Initiative (ARI).  Both Nate Gray (Maine Department of Marine Resources) and Landis Hudson (Maine Rivers) also spoke on behalf of the ARI and answered questions raised by the audience.

Marie Michaud reported on the winners of the annual poster contest; prizes were awarded.  Elaine Philbrook, the newest China Lake Association board of directors member, assisted her in the presentation of awards.

Bob O’Connor Scott Pierz

Bob O’Connor, left, was presented with a gold watch by China Lake Association President Scott Pierz for his 25 years of volunteer service to the organization.

Bob O’Connor gave his annual loon count, reporting that the loon counters observed 38 adult loons and three chicks this year.  On behalf of the association, Bob was awarded with a gold watch for over 25 years of service, involvement, and dedication as the longest-standing association member and loon count coordinator.

Maggie Shannon, Maine Lakes Society’s LakeSmart director, spoke on the benefits of LakeSmart and presented a video on the LakeSmart Program.  She also recognized and applauded our local LakeSmart program coordinator Marie Michaud for Marie’s high-energy and commitment to LakeSmart.  Marie and her LakeSmart team have had a successful summer, and she reported on specific LakeSmart awards (including Ray and Joanne Kelsey’s recent award seen in The Town Line’s edition of July 21, 2016).  For a peek at the Maine Lakes Society’s great video please go to this link: http://mainelakessociety.org/lakesmart-2/lakesmart-video-2/.

Also, Jim Hart, president of the China Region Lakes Alliance (CRLA), spoke about the CRLA’s Courtesy Boat Inspection and Youth Conservation Programs operating here in China and in the region.

Thanks go to all those who contributed to the annual newsletter, including Nate Gray (Maine Department of Marine Resources), Landis Hudson (Maine Rivers), Jennifer Irving (Sebasticook Regional Land Trust), Marie Michaud and Maggie Shannon (LakeSmart), Jim Hart (China Region Lakes Alliance), Matt Zetterman (Kennebec Water District), Bob O’Connor (Loon Count Coordinator), and especially Frank Richards (Webber Pond Association).  Appreciation also goes to Tim Axelson for his financial report and to Jamie Pitney for conducting the election of directors and the association’s officers.  Special thanks to Tom Michaud for all his help along the way….

China Lake Association

Approximately 70 lake association members attended the China Lake Association annual meeting on June 23.
Photos courtesy of Scott Pierz

The China Lake Association will continue to advocate for the Alewife Restoration Initiative; promote environmental education in our school system; and seek an increase to the association’s membership through awareness and involvement of the community and our constituents.  For additional info go to our website (http://chinalakeassociation.org/) and check out our Facebook by typing: China Lake Association Facebook into your favorite browser.

Finally thanks also to the board of directors, RSU #18 for the venue at the China Primary School, the Green Bean Cafe for refreshments, the town of China for its support, along with all who attended and our general membership.

Have a great summer and I hope to see you next year….

Submitted by Scott Pierz,  President China Lake Association

Dry conditions continue to plague central Maine lakes

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by Roland D. Hallee

Dry conditions throughout the state have brought on low water levels in central Maine lakes.

Webber Pond, in Vassalboro, has experienced water levels twice as low as is normal for this time of year. The water remains four inches below the spillway at the dam off the Webber Pond Road, when normally, it is kept at two inches during summer months.

Similar conditions exist on China Lake, according to lake association president Scott Pierz. He deferred to Matt Zetterman, of the Kennebec Water District, which monitors water quality on China Lake and maintains the water levels based on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s lake level order. It is all part of KWD’s mission of improving water quality for China Lake.

Zetterman said that China Lake is experiencing a similar situation as Webber Pond.

“We started the year with a low amount of snowfall which led to a low volume of spring runoff,” he said. Continuing, Zetterman emphasized, “we had planned for it so we actually started the summer with a surplus of water in the lake.

“Fast forward to today, and we’re now an inch or so below our summer target, and without rain, the lake will continue to drop.”

Zetterman went on to point out the lake experienced a similar situation last summer and ended up six inches below the target by Labor Day.

Zetterman concluded with, “As much as rain ruins plans for the summer time, we desperately could use the rain to help build up the lake level.”