PALERMO: Hager Ent. chosen to pave two town roads

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by Jonathan Strieff

Palermo town council members, Bob Kurek, Ilene McKenny, and Pam Swift met July 27 to vote on bids for three 2023 paving projects, gather comments from community members concerned about the proposed LS Power transmission line , and offer updates on several ongoing municipal projects.

Thursday’s meeting began with the reading of bids from four contractors responding to the towns request for paving two sections of Banton Road and one section of Level Hill Road. Hager Enterprises Inc. was chosen unanimously without discussion. The council also voted unanimously without discussion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and to accept warrant #15 to pay the municipal bills.

The majority of the meeting was spent gathering comments from the nine community members in attendance concerning the high-voltage transmission proposed by Missouri based LS Power to cross several Waldo County towns, connecting King Pine Wind in Aroostook County to the existing substation in Coopers Mills. Many expressed fears about how the electricity would interact with the aging Buckeye Petroleum distilled gas pipeline already present along the proposed route, as well as the risks posed by the blasting and drilling of ledge that would be necessary to complete the project. Others expressed concern about the impact of trucks and heavy machinery to posted and dirt roads along the route. One attendee encouraged those present to voice
their opposition at the Public Utilities Commission public meeting on September 23, while another participant claimed the PUC had already, “released all management authority,” of the project over to LS Power.

The council agreed to consider circulating a petition for a special town meeting to vote on new land use ordinances that could make the proposed route less cost effective to pursue.

The ongoing municipal business discussed included procedural changes to selling tax-acquired property. A new legislative package passed in Augusta stipulates towns must now contact the previous owner and list the property with a realtor for six months before putting it out to bid. Towns must also repay the previous owner any amount over the assessed value when the property sells.
The council also shared updates to the status of Waldo County Broadband Corporation. The 501c3 corporation was formed to act as a public utility to bring high speed internet to the towns of Palermo, Liberty, Montville, Searsmont, and Freedom without affecting the tax base and without going into debt. Unfortunately, promised funding from the state never materialized, leaving the corporation to act in an advisory role, negotiating an Internet Service Provider owned solution
with either Great Works Internet or Unitel.

The council also spoke to the draw down of Branch Mills pond ahead of dam work expected to start on July 31, changes to mooring guidelines in Sheepscot Lake and the creation of a Harbor Master position, delayed reimbursement from FEMA for road damage from rain storms this summer, and the need to obtain an FCC license for the fire and rescue radio operating at the town office.

Residents criticize current South China boat landing

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South China boat launch. (photo by Roland D. Hallee)

by Mary Grow

A long, well-attended, amicable and informative July 31 discussion of the boat landing in South China Village revealed a lot of overlapping issues and a variety of opinions.

Several of the almost two dozen residents who spoke criticized the present landing, at the foot of the dirt road named Town Landing Road that runs from Village Street to the lake. The area is full of mud and accumulated leaves; vehicles get stuck in the road, or damage nearby trees as they try to maneuver with limited room; there is inadequate space to park; and run-off down the road is polluting China Lake.

The last point was emphasized repeatedly, on environmental and economic grounds – China Lake is an asset to the town in both respects.

South China fire chief Richard Morse pointed out that the problem is not new. The landing has been full of mud and leaves the 50 years he’s been in town, he said. In 2007, he thought town officials had agreed to engineer the road to divert run-off.

Select board chairman Wayne Chadwick agreed there had been pollution-control measures, like plunge-pools, installed; but the town failed to maintain them “and they’re gone.”

Opinions on improving the situation varied widely. Three options are closing the landing completely; limiting use to carry-in canoes and kayaks (and swimming); or improving the area for use by all boaters, including owners of large party boats that one person said are already being launched there.

Speakers pointed out that China Lake has two other landings, in the west basin at East Vassalboro and off the causeway outside China Village at the head of the east basin. Completely closing the South China landing was not a popular idea, however – two speakers said it would be “a shame.”

The July 31 China public discussion was intended to inform select board members; no action was expected and none was taken. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood welcomes additional comments, written or emailed, submitted by Friday, Aug. 11.

Several people, including some who now put their motorboats into the lake from the landing, recommended limiting access to hand-carried canoes and kayaks. The advantages they cited included fewer large vehicles both on Town Landing Road and in the village, less need for parking and more compatibility with swimming.

Morse was among those who considered it unfair to make residents of southern China drive to East Vassalboro or China Village to put their powerboats in the lake. He and others who agreed the landing should be open to all types of boats suggested ways to limit pollution from the access road; recommended continuing not to publicize the landing so it wouldn’t get as overbusy as the one at the north end of the lake; and talked about the driving distance from southern China to either other lake access point.

South China resident Robert Fischer’s emailed comments suggested doing something about the “prop-killing rock” not far off-shore.

If the landing is to remain open to all boaters, the next question was the road. People referred to an engineering study done this spring and to still-uncertain boundaries of the town-owned land as they discussed parking and especially whether to pave the road.

The majority said not to pave. Among them were China Region Lakes Alliance executive director Scott Pierz and Fire Road 54 resident Wayne Clark. Clark called a paved roadway “a runway for the water to go right into the lake.”

Alternatives like what Pierz called “crushed ledge,” used in camp road rehabilitation projects, or permeable pavers were recommended.

The lone proponent of paving was Chadwick, who argued that “Dirt needs constant maintenance” or pollution will not be abated. He recommended paving sloped toward the ditch on each side with a hump at the bottom to finish diverting water. A paved road, unlike a dirt one, won’t develop ruts channeling run-off into the lake, he added.

A related issue was access to the lake for the South China volunteer fire department. When select board member Janet Preston asked Morse, who is fire chief, how often the department used the landing, Morse replied, “Whenever there’s a fire down there.” So far, he said, he can remember only one instance.

Morse said the ideal situation for his department would be installation of a dry hydrant, a major undertaking because the hydrant would need access to water under the ice in winter and shallow water extends far from shore.

Two people asked about fire department access at Jones Brook (or Turtle Brook), which goes under Village Street a short distance west of the landing. Morse said his department would consider any options.

Three points garnered near-unanimous support:

  • Something effective needs to be done soon to improve the landing, in order to protect water quality and give boaters and nearby residents a more pleasant experience;
  • Whatever is done will need to be maintained; and
  • Improving the landing and maintaining the improvements will cost money.

Greene said the China Lake Association has applied for a state grant for work at the landing. He checked before the meeting and grant awards have not yet been announced.

Select board members will continue discussion of the issue at future meetings.

Erskine wrestling phenom looking to the future

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Wynn Pooler, in white, in action as one of the representatives from Maine at the Maine-Nebraska Wrestling Exchange. (contributed photo)

Wynn Pooler finished his sophomore year at Erskine Academy, in South China, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, ranked second in his class. During the 2023 Maine wrestling season, he re­peated as KVAC, Southern Maine Re­gional, and State Champ­ion – at 113 pounds (up from 106 pounds as a freshman), becoming the first two-time state champion in Erskine Academy Wrestling history.

Nationally, Wynn was named a Scholar All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). He was also named a First Team Academic All-American by the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA), the only student-athlete from Maine to achieve first team honors, while two swimmers from Ells­worth achieved second team recognition. This was the second consecutive year Wynn was named an NHSCA Academic All-American.

Due to his academic and athletic successes, Wynn received an opportunity to continue his high school education at The Hill School, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This fall he will join fellow Maine wrestler Cole Albert, of Lincoln, at Hill, where he will have access to some of the finest resources, facilities, and coaches in the country; a notable difference from Maine high schools where wrestling is often overlooked or takes a back seat to other sports, even amongst athletic directors and the MPA.

From June 22 – July 3, Wynn, along with 18 other standout Maine wrestlers, represented Maine in the Maine-Nebraska Wrestling Exchange. They traveled to four different regions of Nebraska where they wrestled some of the best from that state. At each stop, they stayed with host families and experienced the local culture. On July 14 – 15 he had the opportunity to attend a camp in Veazie, where he had the chance to train with three Princeton University wrestlers, one of whom was three-time NCAA All-American, Quincy Monday. It was the third camp he’s attended since the school year ended as he prepares to make the transition to national prep wrestling.

Wynn aspires to graduate near the top of his class at Hill and become a High School All-American before moving on to wrestle in college.

Select board deals with routine agenda; elects chairman

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by The Town Line staff

July 3, 2023

At their July 3 meeting, the town of Windsor select board unanimously approved all items on the agenda.

Board members approved the appointment of Andrew Ballantyne as the Windsor Educational Foundation and Reed Fund member.

Following that, William Appel Jr. made a motion to suspend as select board and convene as board of assessors, to include the town manager. Town Manager Theresa Haskell handed out a letter from the assessor’s agent, Vern Ziegler, regarding a supplemental tree growth withdrawal penalty to Martin and Walida Smith for voluntary withdrawal of land from Tree Growth in the amount of $5,280. The assessors unanimously approved. They then reconvened as the board of selectmen.

Haskell mentioned there was one expense category in elections in the amount of $121.91 that was overspent at year end. Haskell said partly this was overspent because of having traffic control from the public works department, but was charged to the elections. The amount was transferred from public works to elctions account.

Also, $192.30 in the town hall line was overspent, due to additional plumbing/heating repairs, elevator inspection and increases in electricity and website email. The funds were transfered from the administration line.

In other business:

  • The town manager was authorized to sign the Emergency Ambulance Service Agreement with Delta Ambulance as presented.
  • There has been one application for animal control officer, with one other application still not returned. Haskell also informed the board that Peter Nerber no longer wants to be the back-up animal control officer.
  • The foundation for the Veterans Memorial is waiting to be poured. The public works department dug up the area and they will need to fix the wire that goes to the church sign because it was in the way and needs to be redone. A veterans memorial meeting was scheduled for July 24.

The select board then voted to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters and to include the town manager.

July 11, 2023

At an abbreviated meeting on July 11, the Windsor Board of Selectmen voted to enter into executive session, along with Town Manager Theresa Haskell, and Codes Enforcement Officer Arthur Strout, to discuss personnel matters. Following that, they voted to enter into executive session, again, with Haskell and Road Supervisor Keith Hall, to discuss personnel matter.

Select board members held a vote to determine the board’s chairman. Ray Bates received two votes and was selected. Thomas McNaughton and Andrew Ballantyne received one vote each.

The board again voted to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters.

No support in Albion for LS Power electric transmission developer

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Farmers with equipment and local residents showed up at the Besse Building, in Albion, to protest the installation of an electric transmission line through their town. (photo by Jonathan Strieff)

by Jonathan Strieff

On July 19, representatives from LS Power, an electric transmission developer from Missouri, hosted an open house in Albion to begin community outreach among landowners impacted by the proposed transmission line. The event was the fifth of six such meetings along the proposed route, starting in Mattawam­keag, and concluding in Windsor.

Prior to the event, nearly three dozen farmers from Albion, China, and Palermo and their supporters gathered outside for a “tractor drive-in” and press conference to vocalize opposition to the project.

The Aroostook Renewable Gateway is a new 345 kV transmission corridor approved by the state legislature to connect King Pine Wind near Webbertown Township to the existing power grid substation in Windsor.

The new transmission lines would deliver up to 1,200 MW of electricity from 170 new wind turbines in Aroostook County to the regional power grid. Sixty percent of the energy generated would be purchased by Central Maine Power and Versant, while the remaining 40 percent would go to Massachusetts.

Ahead of the open house series, LS Power sent more than 3,500 letters to landowners impacted by the proposed route with the goal of soliciting feedback.

(photo by Jonathan Strieff)

Representative Doug Mulvey explained on Wednesday each letter included a unique code corresponding to a map of the corridor. In addition to informational posters and promotional materials, LS Power representatives brought a bank of laptops to each open house event to allow landowners to identify to the company unseen constraints on individual parcels. While the application and permitting process is already underway, LS Power is seeking landowner input to modify the final route to be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission by the end of the year. Outside, local farmers parked their tractors along Main Street decorated with signs opposing the project. Chuck Noyes, owner of Noyes Family Farm in Albion, addressed the economic, environmental, and cultural concerns that the transmission line poses.

“This is one of very few areas still being intensively farmed. Our farms are the backbone of the regional economy and we don’t need to make it harder for us.” Noyes farms 370 acres that have been in his family for over 100 years. Troy Nelson, a beef producer, from Paler­mo, farms land over a distilled gas pipeline from Buckeye Petro­leum and worries about the risks posed by the power lines crossing the aging infrastructure. Matt Dow, from Sweetland Farm, in Al­bion, sought cla­ri­fication about how the development might impact his organic certification. Lincoln Sennett, owner of Swan’s Honey, spoke to the harms to his bees and other wildlife by electromagnetic fields created by the power lines. “Honey bees, migratory birds, and other animals depend on geological magnetism to be able to navigate,” Sennet said, and EMFs from high transmission main lines have been shown to disrupt this. “Bees and beekeepers don’t need one more stressor.”

The farmers are reaching out to town and state officials for any kind of help protecting their farmland and businesses from the impacts of the transmission line.

“We can’t fight with the money and lobbyists that LS Power has,” said Holly Noyes. “But we can show the will of the people, that the project does not have local support.”

If the PUC approves the final route proposal next year, LS Power anticipates completing right of way acquisitions by late 2025, beginning construction in early 2027, bringing the project in-service by mid-2028.

VASSALBORO: KWD only beneficiary of solar power development

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro planning board members had on their July 11 agenda four shoreland permit applications and a discussion of keeping phosphorus out of water bodies. They had in the audience two representatives of ReVison Energy to talk about a solar project that was not on the agenda.

In a short meeting, they learned one application had been withdrawn and one did not need their action; approved one permit; postponed another and the phosphorus discussion; and said Vassalboro’s new solar ordinance does not apply to ReVision’s project.

ReVision representatives Alexander Roberts-Pierel and Annalise Kukor were asking about the Kennebec Water District’s proposed solar development.

Roberts-Pierel said the project had received an interconnection permit from Central Maine Power Company just before Vassalboro’s local moratorium took effect in November 2022. The moratorium ended after voters at the June 2023 town meeting added commercial solar regulations to the town’s site review ordinance.

Roberts-Pierel said power generated by the KWD project will go into the grid, but it will be entirely credited against KWD’s usage. KWD will be “the sole beneficiary,” and no power will be sold to other entities.

In that case, planning board chairman Virginia Brackett said, the solar regulations do not apply. By the definition of “commercial solar energy system” in the ordinance, they apply only when the “primary purpose” is to sell power off-site.

Because of the area to be covered by the proposed solar panels, KWD will need an ordinary site review permit for the development. Roberts-Pierel said he would report to KWD officials and prepare an appropriate application.

The shoreland permit approved was for Stephen Hahn to enlarge the deck on his camp, at 5 Baker Road, on Webber Pond. The new deck will be slightly smaller than he originally requested, in order to meet ordinance requirements.

The postponed application was from Peter Tomasz, to enlarge a building, at 62 Three Mile Pond Road. Tomasz was not at the July 11 meeting, and board members reviewing the application found they had several questions for him.

His application was therefore postponed to the board’s August meeting.

Codes officer Robert Geaghan said the Town of Vassalboro does not need a permit from the planning board for proposed developments at Eagle Park, on Outlet Stream; the codes officer is authorized to act.

Town Manager Aaron Miller added that the town needs a state Department of Environmental Protection permit by rule for adding fill. He and Paul Mitnik (former codes officer and current planning board member) will take care of it.

The next regular Vassalboro planning board meeting night is Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Recreation dept. to see changes; Bog Road bridge replacement discussed

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro select board members’ July 13 topics covered the entire town, especially the northern half: continued discussion of the recreation program and the Vassalboro Sanitary District; a state Department of Transportation (MDOT) presentation on plans for a new bridge on Bog Road in 2025; a resident’s proposal for traffic control in East Vassalboro; and the board’s own meeting schedule through the end of November.

Some members of the current recreation committee and town recreation director Karen Hatch have had difficulty sorting out respective responsibilities. The committee in the past focused on youth sports; the town program Hatch directs is expanding to serve residents of all ages.

Town Manager Aaron Miller said he met with recreation committee members, talked with other residents and consulted the town’s attorney. On his recommendation, select board members voted unanimously to seek volunteers for an expanded recreation committee that will include individuals in charge of fundraising, baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, the snack shack at the town fields on Bog Road and senior programs and events.

Residents who would like to serve on the new recreation committee are invited to contact the town office. Appointments are to be made at the Aug. 17 select board meeting. Miller said the attorney advised him that the current sports commissioners may continue as usual in the interim.

After members are appointed to the expanded committee, Miller sees their first priority as revising committee bylaws to fit into the new town structure. Committee member Karen Howard reminded everyone that Vassalboro’s bylaws need to conform to the bylaws of the Augusta-based Dirigo League in which town sports teams play.

Select board chairman Chris French said reconciling the recreation committee bylaws with the town personnel policy should – and would – have been done soon after Hatch was hired, if board members had not been fully occupied with finding a new town manager and preparing for the 2023 town meeting and new fiscal year.

Discussion of Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD) financial issues repeated concerns explained at the June 22 select board meeting: to cover its debts and current expenses, the district needs either to raise rates to levels some of its 200 customers say are higher than their annual tax bills, or to find other funding sources (see the June 29 issue of The Town Line, p. 2).

Miller said state Representative Richard Bradstreet had offered suggestions that VSD official Becky Goodrich said led to some financial help for some customers.

Part of the problem is an increase in the rate Winslow charges Vassalboro to send its sewage via Winslow to Waterville’s treatment plant. Select board members planned to request a meeting with Winslow officials. Miller offered to arrange it, and, if Winslow agreed, to host it.

Brian Nichols, a project manager in the MDOT bridge program, came to the July 13 select board meeting to ask permission to use town roads as a detour while the Meadow Brook bridge on Bog Road, between East Vassalboro and the Hussey Hill Road intersection, is replaced.

Nichols’ proposal is to close Bog Road and send traffic over Taber Hill and Gray roads. Before and after the detour, he said, MDOT and town representatives will inspect the roads; if the extra traffic does any damage, the state will pay to repair it.

At the end of the meeting, long after Nichols left, resident William Pullen pointed out that the sharp left (south) turn where Gray Road meets Taber Hill Road would be dangerous for big trucks going south. He recommended extending the detour north to Oak Grove Road, instead of using Gray Road.

Nichols would like an answer from the select board by September, when MDOT should have a final plan and be ready to seek bids. He expects construction in the summer of 2025, with Bog Road closed for about 45 days.

The current bridge was built in 1960 on 1911 abutments, Nichols said. It is no longer stable enough to be rebuilt one lane at a time, and there is no place to put a temporary bridge, leaving detouring traffic the only option.

East Vassalboro resident Raymond Adams proposed another traffic change: a four-way stop at the East Vassalboro four corners. Currently, drivers coming east off Bog Road and west off South Stanley Hill Road face stop signs; drivers on Main Street (Route 32) go through, mostly much faster than the 25-mile-an-hour speed limit, Adams said.

Ben Gidney, who also lives near the four corners, agreed speeding – and running the stop signs – are problems. But, he said, vehicles accelerating noisily away from the stop signs are another problem that would increase with two more signs.

Miller said he consulted with David Allen, Vassalboro resident and DOT regional engineer, who said if the town asked for additional stop signs or any other change, the department would evaluate the request.

Miller said Allen reported “one crash at the intersection within the last three years.” Gidney said Allen must count only serious accidents, as he has seen more than one.

After hearing other suggestions, like rumble strips, a blinking light or a portable sign recording drivers’ speeds, select board members decided to hold a public hearing at their Sept. 7 meeting.

North Vassalboro residents added that excessive speed is a problem in their village, too.

In other business July 13, board members:

  • Authorized Miller to sign a contract with Delta Ambulance to serve Vassalboro residents;
  • Agreed to set up an escrow account for receipts from sale of foreclosed properties;
  • Appointed Peter Soule an alternate member of the town conservation commission, to serve until 2026; and
  • Approved four permits for BYOB events.

Miller will follow up on resident Raymond Breton’s complaint about superfluous utility poles in North Vassalboro. At board chairman French’s suggestion, the manager will look into the cost of updating Vassalboro’s strategic plan, which was approved in June 2006.

Select board members agreed to consider at their Aug. 17 meeting questions for an opinion survey to be sent with tax bills.

After Aug. 17, they scheduled meetings for Sept. 7, Sept. 21, Oct. 5, Oct. 19, Nov. 2 and Nov. 16. On Nov. 30, instead of a third regular November meeting, they plan a workshop session to develop priorities for the rest of the fiscal year.

China planners OK move for DC Customz

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by Mary Grow

China planning board members approved the only application on their July 11 agenda, allowing Denver Cullivan to move his metal fabricating business, DC Customz, to an existing commercial building at 70 Waterville Road.

Board members decided no public hearing is needed, because the business will be in a building that has been commercial for years and no exterior changes are planned.

They found the business meets all criteria in relevant town ordinances and approved it unanimously.

Board member Walter Bennett questioned Cullivan about noise and about waste disposal. Cullivan replied that welding and other metal work will be done inside the building, and there will be no contaminants.

The new business will use the existing horseshoe driveway, which provides generous access for emergency vehicles. Cullivan plans no new exterior lighting.

DC Customz is currently located on Level Hill Road, in Palermo. Cullivan’s application said he has been in business for four years and needs a larger space.

In other business July 11, board members postponed continued review of the proposed solar ordinance because co-chairman Toni Wall, the prime drafter of the document, was absent.

Co-chairman James Wilkens, with the agreement of the rest of the board, commended secretary Dawn Kilgore for her comprehensive minutes. Those present thanked retiring codes officer Nicholas French for his excellent service and wished him and his wife Amber good luck as they move out of state.

French said he is working on a document to guide his successor. He added that town office staff have his telephone number and he will continue to answer calls after his employment officially ends July 28.

Planning board members voted in June to skip a second July meeting. Their next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Aug. 8.

China select board signs in reappointed town officials

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by Mary Grow

China select board members had a short July 17 meeting, followed by a long signing session as they reappointed town officials and board and committee members for the fiscal year that began July 1.

The list of appointees began with town manager Rebecca Hapgood and included other officers and members of a dozen town committees. Some boards and committees have vacancies; anyone interested in serving on one is invited to look at the lists on the town website and apply there or contact the town office.

In other business, deputy clerk Jennifer Chamberlain, filling in while Hapgood was on vacation, presented reports from other town office staff.

Assessor Kelly Grotton reported that the legislature repealed the new-last-year senior citizens’ property tax relief program, because of its potential cost. In its place, legislators expanded eligibility for two other programs, the property tax fairness credit and the property tax deferral program, so that more taxpayers will qualify for one or both.

China residents over 65 do not need to request a new application for the expiring relief program, Grotton said. The program continues through 2023; those who enrolled last year should receive a 2023-24 tax bill no higher than the one they received for 2022-2023.

Summer intern Bailee Mallett said she is working to set up a China farmers’ market.

Town clerk Angela Nelson said nomination papers for local elective office will be available Monday, July 31. Signed papers are due back at the town office by Friday, Sept. 8, for candidates’ names to be on the Nov. 7 local ballot.

To be elected on Nov. 7 are:

  • Two members of the select board (Wayne Chadwick’s and Jeanne Marquis’ terms end);
  • Planning board members from district 1 (northwestern China; Michael Brown is the incumbent) and district 3 (southeastern China; Walter Bennett is the incumbent) and the alternate at large (Natale Tripodi is the incumbent); and
  • Budget committee members from district 1 (Kevin Maroon is the incumbent) and district 3 (Michael Sullivan is the incumbent) and the chairman (elected from the town at large; Thomas Rumpf is the incumbent).

The District 4 (southwestern China) planning board seat is vacant, and budget committee secretary Trishea Story (elected from the town at large) has resigned.

Director of Public Services Shawn Reed reported the new portable traffic lights have been used as the town crew repairs roads, and the roadside mowing is finished.

The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, July 31. It will be preceded by a public discussion of the South China boat landing, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the town office meeting room.

Free community college extended two more years

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photo: Janet Mills, Facebook

Governor Mills signs budget funding free college scholarships for high school classes of 2024-25

Tuition-free community college in Maine was extended to two more graduating high school classes under the budget passed by the legislature and signed on July 11 by Governor Janet Mills.

The $15 million investment will allow students graduating from high school or its equivalent in 2024 and 2025 to attend any Maine community college without paying any tuition or mandatory fees – a value of more than $3,800 a year.

“Extending Free College to the classes of 2024 and 2025 tells today’s high school students that the State of Maine believes in them and is willing to invest in them and their future,” said Maine Community College System (MCCS) President David Daigler.

“The scholarship means they won’t have to work multiple jobs while they study or take just one or two classes at a time because they can’t afford more. They’ll have time to focus on learning a trade or becoming a nurse or a police officer or a chef, or pursuing any of the hundreds of degrees or one-year certificates we offer. And they’ll graduate as the kind of skilled workers Maine desperately needs right now and for years into the future. It’s a bold move that benefits workers, employers, and the entire state of Maine,” Daigler said.

Following a proposal from Governor Mills, Maine launched the Free Community College program in April 2022 with a one-time state investment of $20 million, benefiting the pandemic-era high school graduates from 2020-2023. In the first year, 6,400 students attended community college tuition-free.

Earlier this year, some students told lawmakers what a difference the program made for them. Maya Eichorn, now a top student at York County Community College, said she wasn’t even considering college.

“One year ago … I was dropping out (of high school) to take the HiSET exam,” she said. “Today, I am a full-time college student with a 4.0. Without the Maine Free College program, I would be aimlessly moving through life.”

Tuition-free education at Maine’s community colleges is also available to current high school students through OnCourse, an early college program, and for anyone enrolled in most short-term workforce training programs. More information about the Free College Scholarship is available here.