The Windsor Town Office will be closed on Tuesday, June 13, due to voting being held at the Windsor Elementary School.
Garvan Donegan
Encompassing 37.27 acres, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development has approved a newly designated Downtown Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district within the Town of Oakland. The new district will allow the municipality to stimulate investment, encourage business expansion and retention, attract new businesses, and boost beautification initiatives while supporting the Town’s growing vibrancy.
“This newly-created TIF district will make a lasting impact in the Town of Oakland by making the downtown more investable, safer, more pedestrian-friendly, and directly aligns with the town’s vision of supporting business development and retention,” said Oakland Town Manager Ella Bowman. “I want to thank the municipal staff and town council who have worked to help advance this initiative, the Oakland Downtown Redevelopment committee for their dedication to this initiative, who was a key driver behind the project, and all the residents and community groups who voiced their support.”
Plans for TIF funding realized from the district will be utilized to support infrastructure, business growth, facade improvements, marketing the downtown, expanding and improving area trail connections, and more. Funding will also be leveraged to secure additional investment and incentivize business recruitment and retention in the district.
“Oakland is driving impact and support for residents, businesses, and remote rural workers through this project, incentivizing investment, cultivating new business attraction, and ultimately contributing to the overall economic well-being of the town and region,” said Central Maine Growth Council Director of Planning, Innovation, and Economic Development Garvan Donegan. “This newly-approved TIF district will create the necessary conditions to support economic development along Main Street and downtown revitalization in the Town of Oakland as a whole.”
by Mary GrowChina voters will conduct their 2023 annual town business meeting by written ballot on Tuesday, June 13, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the former portable classroom behind the town office on Lakeview Drive.
The local warrant has 32 articles. On a separate Regional School Unit #18 ballot, voters will accept or reject the 2023-24 school budget approved May 18 by voters from the five member towns (Belgrade, China, Oakland, Rome and Sidney).
Absentee ballots are available at the town office until June 8, according to the town website, china.govoffice.com.
Voters present before the polls open will deal with Art. 1, electing a moderator. Art. 2 asks those casting ballots to appropriate expected non-tax revenues, and Art. 3 asks them to appropriate money from both assigned and unassigned fund balances for 2023-24 expenses. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood explained that assigned funds, in the amount of $166,607, are state revenue sharing money.
Under state law, revenue sharing is to be used to fund municipal services and “stabilize the municipal property tax burden” – in other words, to shift some expenditures from local property taxes to “the broad-based taxes of State Government.” State officials distribute revenue sharing money according to a formula that takes into account each municipality’s state valuation, tax assessment and population (according to the Maine State Treasurer’s website).
Hapgood said that expenditures from unassigned funds are incorporated in Art. 3 (up to $144,500 “to meet expenses”); Art. 4 ($20,000 for a legal reserve account); Art. 8 ($20,000 for the compactor reserve account); Art. 9 ($64,000 for the public works capital reserve account, intended to be used to buy portable traffic lights); and Art. 11 ($190,500 for contingency expenses).
Art. 7 requests $340,645 for public safety, an account that includes local fire departments and China Rescue, animal control, police services from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office and a new emergency dispatching service, now that Somerset County has stopped serving China (and other towns).
At an April 3 meeting, budget committee member Elizabeth Curtis pointed out that the amount is much higher than the comparable request a year ago. But she wondered whether it will cover unknown costs of a different emergency service answering system.
Hapgood could give her no answer. She reminded committee members that during the first discussion of the issue back in January, Kennebec County Emergency Management Agency Director Art True promised emergency calls will always be answered, somehow.
Curtis was further concerned that voters might reject the higher amount. According to Art. 13, if they deny any rejected appropriation, funding automatically reverts to the current year’s amount.
Curtis asked Hapgood if Art. 13 is a good idea, or whether a failed appropriation should trigger discussion. Hapgood said depending on the article, lack of funds might shut down some town services on July 1. Short funding, however, could indeed trigger discussion and a follow-up vote in November.
Except for emergency dispatching, most of the proposed expenditures in the warrant represent normal increases over the current fiscal year. Another exception is Art. 29, which asks voters to appropriate $43,000 from unassigned fund balance toward the town office addition, the planned fireproof vault to be in a small building attached to the south side of the existing building.
This expenditure, like most others on the warrant, is recommended unanimously by select board and budget committee members. On some articles, a committee member abstained to avoid a possible conflict of interest.
Exceptions, with split votes, are:
Art. 32, which asks if voters want to approve amendments to Chapter 9, Appeals, of China’s Land Development Code, has divided recommendations from the planning board (co-chairman James Wilkens objects) and the select board (Jeanne Marquis objects). During lengthy discussions by both boards, other members were unenthusiastic; by time for final decisions, all but Wilkens and Marquis endorsed the amendments rather than waste the time invested.
The proposed changes are on the Town of China website under the Elections tab. The version called mark-ups shows the changes; the Proposed Chapter 9 Appeals Ordinance is the version being voted on.
Generally there are two types of changes. There was little controversy over verbal, administrative and procedural changes (“chairman” becomes chair”; board members’ terms become three years instead of five; time limits for steps in appeal and variance processes are amended and/or added and procedures are spelled out).
Two issues are mainly responsible for opposition to the amendments. One is deletion of nine environmental requirements for granting a variance in Section 3A. The other is addition of a provision in Section 3B, also describing variances, allowing a reduced setback from a neighbor’s property with the neighbor’s written consent.
Art. 30 asks voter action on another amended ordinance, the Solid Waste Ordinance. Only briefly discussed at meetings and recommended by all five select board members, the final version of this document is also under the Elections tab on the town website.
Its main purpose is to combine and update two earlier local solid waste ordinances. There has been no controversy at public meetings or hearings over this document.
The 32-article warrant does not include two expenditures that voters used to consider (nor were they in the 2022 warrant): appropriations for the Kennebec County budget and for FirstPark, the Oakland business park supported by many area municipalities.
Hapgood told budget committee members at their April 3 meeting that these are mandatory, so there’s no point in asking voters to act. The proposed 2023-24 municipal budget, another document that is available on the website under the Elections tab, shows the town will spend $27,550 for FirstPark and $607,333 for Kennebec County.
The list of anticipated 2023-24 revenues in Art. 2 of the town meeting warrant includes $27,550 from FirstPark. Hapgood said this amount is expected, but not guaranteed.
In addition to the town business meeting, China voters will have a separate ballot asking if they approve or reject the 2023-24 Regional School Unit #18 budget adopted in May. At the May 22 select board meeting, RSU #18 Superintendent Carl Gartley said China’s share of the RSU budget will increase by $106,000, or slightly more than two percent.
China’s municipal elections are held in November. In 2023, election day will be on Nov. 8. For those who like to plan ahead, the following elected officials’ terms end in 2023 (according to the 2022 annual town report, now available at the town office):
Nomination papers for local elective offices will be available in July.
by Mary GrowVoters at Vassalboro’s annual town meeting devoted most time to two sections of Article 6, the article asking for more than $2.7 million for 14 town departments. The two sections were the public safety department, for which the select board recommended $102,108 and the budget committee recommended $94,189; and the recreation program, for which both boards recommended $65,898.
At issue in the public safety request was whether Police Chief Mark Brown should have increased hours, from 15 to 20 per week, and a commensurate pay increase. The majority of select board members said yes, the majority of budget committee members said no.
The main arguments in favor were that crime is increasing state-wide while law enforcement personnel are getting harder to find, and Brown does a variety of jobs, like providing back-up for the codes enforcement officer if needed and, Town Manager Aaron Miller said, responding when residents find drug paraphernalia strewn on their lawns.
The main arguments against were that with both state police and sheriff’s deputies available, Vassalboro doesn’t need more local law enforcement; and some of what Brown does, like delivering documents for the town office (including posting copies of the town meeting warrant), could be done by others.
Budget committee member Donald Breton said select board members plan to update the police chief’s job description. Give us a year, he asked, to determine what the job should include and how much time it requires.
After a vote on the select board’s recommendation by a show of voting cards was too close for moderator Richard Thompson to call, he held a counted vote and ruled the recommendation was defeated.
Voters then approved the lower figure.
A voter’s motion to decrease the recreation budget by more than $14,000 was defeated by a lop-sided show of cards. Residents and officials said the expanded recreation program directed by China resident Karen Hatch is providing a variety of new programs for people of all ages.
Budget committee member Michael Poulin commended the “synergy” between the recreation department and the Vassalboro Public Library. Later in the meeting, school superintendent Alan Pfeiffer praised cooperation with Vassalboro Community School.
A third proposed expenditure that generated discussion was the request for funds for the China Region Lakes Alliance (CRLA), one item in Art. 26, which included $28,929 in requests from eight health and welfare agencies. For CRLA, the select board recommended $13,500; the budget committee recommended $7,500.
Holly Weidner, speaking for the Vassalboro Conservation Commission, said the money would be used to expand water quality protection programs for Webber Pond and Three Mile Pond. Vassalboro has participated in the Courtesy Boat Inspection program, intended to keep invasive plants out of Maine waters; other programs could offer advice and help in minimizing run-off and maintaining camp roads.
Weidner described CRLA as hired by the Conservation Commission to help that body “be proactive about preventing problems in our ponds.”
Voters approved the $13,500.
During a brief discussion before voters approved $66,285 for Delta Ambulance Service, Executive Director Timothy A. Beals explained that labor shortages, increasing costs and inadequate insurance reimbursements had compelled Delta to imitate other Maine ambulance services and begin charging a fee.
Of the 14 towns billed, only one, so far, had declined to pay, he said. Its contribution was small enough so the $15 per resident fee charged each town that does join remains unchanged.
Other articles were passed without discussion, individually, or, on motions by David Trask, in two large groups. One group, Articles 8 through 21, included smaller appropriations and a variety of authorizations for select board actions.
The other group, Articles 26 through 38, encompassed the entire $9 million 2023-24 school budget. Superintendent Pfeiffer spoke briefly; no one asked a question.
Budget committee members Donald Breton, William Browne, Phillip Landry, Peggy Schaffer and Dallas Smedberg were re-elected without challenge.
Close to 100 voters attended the meeting in the Vassalboro Community School gymnasium; it lasted slightly under two hours.
The town meeting continues with written-ballot voting on Tuesday, June 13, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the town office. Voters will be asked to:
Don and Lisa Breton presented with Spirit of America Award
At Vassalboro’s June 5 town meeting, retiring select board chairman Barbara Redmond presented this year’s Spirit of America award for volunteerism to Donald and Lisa Breton. She commended the Bretons for their fund-raising efforts for a variety of worthwhile projects in town, from the food pantry to the annual school supplies drive.
by Mary GrowIssues discussed at the May 25 Vassalboro select board meeting included money and a looming problem between the town and the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Town Manager Aaron Miller reviewed the current year’s budget as the June 30 end of the fiscal year approaches. He pointed out a potential overdraft in the administration budget, with enough left over in public works to offset it if board members so decide.
In summary, he said, “I think we’re in good shape.”
Town assessor Ellery Bane sent select board members notice that because of rising real estate prices, Vassalboro’s property assessments have fallen well below market value and the state assessment. By state law, state and local assessments cannot deviate too far without the town being penalized.
Bane proposed a 20 percent town-wide valuation increase. Select board members agreed in principle, but wanted to talk with school Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer to make sure there would be no unexpected effect on school funding if they supported 20 percent.
Taxes will not increase 20 percent, Miller said. The higher valuation will mean a lower tax rate will bring the same amount of money into town coffers, so most property-owners’ bills should be about what they would have been without the adjustment.
On a related topic, Miller said Vassalboro has not had a complete revaluation for 16 years; he recommended select board members consider setting aside funds to pay for one. The quarterly reviews Bane and his staff do, inspecting a quarter of the town’s properties each year, are to note changes, not to assess values.
The MDOT issues are related to the planned Route 32 (Main Street) work in North Vassalboro. Earlier in May, Miller emailed the department about the new covers on the Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD) manholes in sections to be repaved and the town’s desire to keep granite curbing along Main Street.
A reply from MDOT engineer Robert K. Betz said that while MDOT is “obliged to accommodate utilities,” like the VSD, it cannot legally “be financially responsible for utility presence in highway easements.”
Therefore, if the manhole covers need to be changed to accommodate MDOT’s repaving, VSD will be responsible. Betz wrote that “it is likely that adjustments will be needed,” but he was not sure because the design of the work is not complete.
VSD head Raymond Breton was appalled. He said last year’s work to replace the manhole covers cost $400,000 and the District does not have the money to do it again.
Betz had not had time to consider the town’s request to keep granite curbing.
Miller said he intends to arrange a meeting among affected local parties and MDOT officials.
Select board member Chris French had three more assignments for Miller:
The May 25 meeting was preceded by two public hearings that attracted one comment.
The first hearing was on proposed fees for local marijuana licenses. When board chairman Barbara Redmond asked for comments, there were none from the half-dozen people in the audience.
Redmond then opened the second hearing, on approved new application fees for site review permits, recommended by the planning board: $100 for a minor site review and $400 for a major site review.
“Good job,” said fellow select board member Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., who missed the previous meeting when the fees were approved (see the May 25 issue of The Town Line, pp. 2-3). There were no further comments.
The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting will be Thursday evening, June 8.
Before that is the open part of the annual town meeting, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Monday, June 5, at Vassalboro Community School. Local elections and other written-ballot voting will be held Tuesday, June 13, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town office.
Absentee ballots for June 13 are available at the town office. The annual town report for FY 2022 is also available.
by Mary GrowAt their May 23 meeting, China Planning Board members unanimously approved a permit application related to the planned rebuilding of the dam in Branch Mills, on the West Branch of the Sheepscot River.
Codes Officer Nicholas French said the application is to move more than 100 cubic yards of earth, an activity that requires a planning board permit when located in the shoreland district.
The application was filed by the Brunswick-based Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF); it was presented to the China board by Melissa Cote, Sheepscot River watershed manager for the Midcoast Conservancy, headquartered in Edgecomb. Accompanying paperwork says the Branch Pond dam, aka Dinsmore dam, is owned by the Brewer-based Maine Council Atlantic Salmon Federation, which has authorized ASF to rebuild the dam.
ASF’s summary on the first page of the application to the planning board says the project is “To repair the Branch Pond Dam to comply with state dam safety standards and operate correctly to meet the water level order, construct a fishway for native migratory fish to access their historic habitat, replacement of the dry fire hydrant so that it functions, create a hand-carry boat ramp for recreation and emergencies, improvements to gravel parking area for public access, security fencing and plantings for stabilization.”
The application says the property is about half an acre around the dam on both sides of the Sheepscot. The dam is more than 200 years old, the application says, “and does not meet safety requirements and cannot operate to handle flood events nor meet water level order.”
The Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) classified the dam as a “significant hazard” in October 1981, and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has reaffirmed the finding, while no “significant repairs” have been made.
The water level order was issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) in October 2014 at the request of Branch Pond residents. The dam controls the pond’s water level.
Kleinschmidt Associates, of Pittsfield, has been working on engineering plans for the last five years. Repair work includes new gates and fill along the shore.
An Alaska SteepPass Fishway (made by Sheepscot Machine Works, in Newcastle, according to the company’s website) will help alewives and perhaps other migratory fish species go upstream to historic spawning grounds. A “gated plunge pool” will facilitate autumn downstream migration.
The application says the dry fire hydrant doesn’t work; a 2022 inspection team that included Palermo and China fire chiefs found it “was never constructed properly decades ago and needed to be completely replaced.”
The project needs other approvals and permits besides China’s. The application references historic preservation, endangered species (Atlantic salmon and Northern Long-Eared Bats), and permit applications being reviewed by the MDEP and the ACE.
The written application, and Cote in her presentation, emphasized consultation with affected residents and groups, like the Branch Pond Association; with local officials; and with state and federal agencies. A recent example was the May 6 public meeting in the Grange Hall, in Branch Mills. Cote said about 35 people attended, and there was “no negative feedback.”
Planning board continues preparing new section of land development code
After their May 23 permit approval for the Branch Mills dam work, China Planning Board members returned to their ongoing project, preparing a new section of China’s Land Development Code that, if approved by voters, would regulate solar installations in town.
Working from a draft that currently has 13 sections, they got part way into section 6 at their May 9 meeting and into section 7 on May 23.
The first three sections are standard: title, authority and purpose. Following sections involve defining types of installations covered and developing standards, complex processes board members discussed in detail.
The good news is that Section 13, when they get to it, has a single sentence: “The Ordinance becomes effective on [insert date].”
Board members intend to develop a draft in the next couple months and ask China select board members to present it to town voters on Nov. 8.
The board’s first June meeting would have fallen on June 13, Election Day. The reschedule date, as of May 30, was Thursday, June 15.
by Mary GrowThe first of the China select board’s May 22 public hearings, a repeat hearing on the June 13 town business meeting ballot (see the May 11 issue of The Town Line, p. 2) drew no interest at all.
The second hearing, on allowing about two miles of Pleasant View Ridge and Bog Brook roads to be used as an ATV trail, elicited half an hour’s discussion among a dozen residents, Four Seasons Club officers and board members.
Club President Thomas Rumpf asked China select board members to approve ATVers’ use of the road sections to create a loop trail between southeastern and northeastern China while the Beaver Trail is being repaired. Currently, only a single trail is open; two-way traffic is less interesting to riders and harder on the trail, Rumpf said.
Residents’ comments were almost evenly divided between supporters and opponents. The main objections were based on safety. The two roads have many hidden driveways, curves and blind spots, and car and truck traffic is heavy and fast, residents said.
They were also concerned about increased noise, and about potential liability if there were an accident. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said under Maine law, the town would have no liability.
Supporters cited the value of ATVers to the local economy. Several said some ride the roads anyway, illegally.
Rumpf said if the proposal were approved, the roads would be heavily signed to warn motorists to watch out for ATVs. The ATVs would use the same travel lanes and obey the same speed limits as cars and trucks.
In response to questions, he and Darrell Wentworth, a Four Seasons Club officer and a Maine ATV instructor, said ATV drivers must be at least 16 years old; they are taught to use hand signals to indicate turns; their machines must have headlights and taillights and cannot – legally – have modified extra-noisy exhaust systems.
Rumpf had checked with other towns where ATVs share roads; the main problem they reported he summarized as “rowdies.” There was general agreement that a minority of ATV riders – and of car and truck drivers – will violate laws.
Rumpf intends to do his best to ensure the Kennebec Sheriff’s Office and local game wardens patrol the area more frequently than usual.
During the select board meeting that followed the public hearing, board members discussed what they had heard and agreed unanimously to allow ATVs on the road sections for the 2023 season on a trial basis, subject to cancellation if there are problems.
Rumpf said the season begins June 1; road use will not be allowed until after club members obtain and post signs, later in June. The season ends Columbus Day weekend. Hours during which road use is allowed will be 8 a.m. to sunset, to avoid running in darkness.
Problems that might cause select board members to rescind the approval before the season ends include multiple complaints from residents or law enforcement or both, or an accident.
by Mary GrowFor the May 22 China Select Board meeting, China Lake was a major theme, in three different ways.
Select board members unanimously and appreciatively accepted a proposal from the China Lake Association, represented virtually by board member Bruce Fitzgerald, to have a Colby professor and class do an economic impact study of China Lake.
Fitzgerald said the study would cost the town zero dollars. There would probably be requests for information, some of which might require town office staff time; Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood saw no problem.
The main theme would be the value of lake-based tourism to China. Fitzgerald invited other suggestions for content, and said it might be possible to involve the China Region Lakes Alliance and expand the study to Three Mile and Webber ponds.
Fitzgerald said the same professor did a Belgrade Lakes study. That 12-page document, titled A Case Study of the Economic Impact of Seasonal Visitors to a Lake Watershed Environment, is on line under athensjournals.gr/ tourism/2015-2-2-1-Donihue.pdf. The first author listed is Colby College professor Michael Donihue.
Also speaking virtually, China Lake Association President Stephen Greene said the organization has applied for a grant for work around China Lake that, if approved, would include improvements at the boat landing in South China.
His report sparked a brief discussion of the landing. Greene said the lake association currently favors a carry-in only, unpaved landing; two select board members consider a paved area a longer-lasting option.
Hapgood said if funds for improvements become available, there will be additional discussions, especially with South China Village residents.
The manager presented the third lake issue: she reported that the dock at the head of the lake broke over the weekend. China’s public works crew responded and are working on repairs that Hapgood hoped would be completed in a few days.
In other business May 22:
Absentee ballots for China’s June 13 annual town business meeting are now available, as is the new town report.
Overall school budget looks good
At the May 22 China select board meeting, Regional School Unit (RSU) #18 Superintendent Carl Gartley said the overall regional budget is up 2.93 percent, and China’s share is up 2.08 percent, or about $106,000.
“In today’s economy, I thought that was pretty darn good,” Gartley said.
He reported that RSU students are doing well educationally, and the district is financially secure, with reserve funds built up in the last few years.
China Middle School has a new 300-foot well, after months of bottled water use since PFAS was found in the old well. If the new well does not solve the problem, an expensive treatment system will be installed.
China Primary School’s well water tested fine, Gartley said.
Plans for this summer’s work in China include re-siding China Elementary School (a big building, Gartley commented) and adding four pickleball courts for public use. The new courts will be between the softball outfield and the parking lot; they will not be lighted.
The next regular China select board meeting will be Monday evening, June 5.
by Mary GrowThe two Vassalboro select board members present at the May 11 board meeting offered a few minor comments on Town Manager Aaron Miller’s draft town meeting warrant. The manager planned to have a final copy ready for their signatures after the meeting.
The first part of the town meeting is an open meeting that begins at 6:30 p.m., Monday, June 5, at Vassalboro Community School. Voters present will elect a moderator; elect five budget committee members; act on municipal and school expenditure requests for the 2023-24 fiscal year that begins July 1; and act on policy and procedural questions.
There are a total of 38 articles to be decided June 5. On Tuesday, June 13, Articles 39 through 41 will be on a written ballot. They ask voters to approve or reject the school budget adopted June 5; approve or reject amendments to the Site Review Ordinance (in the form of a new section governing commercial solar energy systems); and elect town officials (see box with this story).
The other document that select board members reviewed May 11 was titled “Vassalboro Recreation Committee Bylaws.” Recreation Director Karen Hatch explained that because the board and voters have created her position, the committee’s role has changed.
After half an hour’s discussion, select board chairman Barbara Redmond proposed committee members be invited to a workshop session with the select board. Miller said he would schedule the workshop.
In other business, Vassalboro Historical Society spokesman John Melrose said the heat pumps to be installed at the former East Vassalboro schoolhouse (now the society’s headquarters and museum) will cost $32,019.06, because the plan has been amended to make the boiler that presently heats the building unnecessary.
The Efficiency Maine program will provide $14,000, Melrose said, leaving $18,019.06 as the town’s share. Select board members had approved using $15,000 in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds for the project. They increased the appropriation to $18,019.06 and authorized Miller to sign the Efficiency Maine contract.
Miller asked for permission to look into seeking bids for legal work for the town. Vassalboro has had the same attorney since 2018, he said. Select board members approved.
The manager said the tax-acquired property at 83 South Stanley Hill Road has been advertised for sale; there is considerable interest. The town website, www.Vassalboro.net, has instructions for submitting bids; they are due at the town office by 4 p.m., Wednesday, June 7, and the minimum bid is $10,000.
Board members briefly discussed application and other fees the town charges for permits and licenses. They adopted the planning board’s recommendation that site review application fees for commercial projects be increased to $100 for a minor project and $400 for a major; they might consider other fees at future meetings.
No candidates on June 13 ballot
Vassalboro voters have no candidate on the June 13 ballot to fill the select board seat being vacated by Barbara Redmond.
Town Manager Aaron Miller said May 11 that David McCarthy, Jr., the only nominee, has withdrawn his candidacy.
Voters will see a blank line on which to write in the candidate of their choice. Write-in rules will be publicized on the town website, Facebook and elsewhere.
The person with the most correct written-in votes will become a select board member for a three-year term, assuming he or she accepts the position.
Vassalboro’s other June 13 elections are for two seats on the school board. Incumbents Erin “Libby” Loiko and Zachary Smith are unopposed for re-election.
Polls will be open at the town office from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, June 13. Absentee ballots were scheduled to be available at the town office Monday, May 15.
The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting will be Thursday evening, May 25.
Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)
Vassalboro School Board members spent most of their May 16 meeting discussing the 2023-24 school calendar, and scheduled a special zoom meeting for May 22 to approve a final version, after Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer wrote up their revisions and ran them by staff members.
The main issue was professional development time, scheduled hours for staff to do workshops and training and work together on educational issues.
This past year has seen two early release days most months, days when students go home at midday so staff can meet in the afternoon. Principal Ira Michaud reported the most recent day had been used for a zoom workshop with an outside expert.
Alternatives to early release days include late start days (used in some other Maine school organizations, people said) or full days without students. Discussion tried to balance two objectives: maximizing staff time for cooperative work while minimizing inconvenience to parents.
Michaud emphasized that students benefit from the staff development time. The purpose is to share current information and ideas that make classroom teaching more effective.
Pfeiffer reported after the May 22 meeting that school board members unanimously approved the 2023-24 calendar. It will be shared with parents in mailings and posted on the school website, vcsvikings.com.
In other business May 16:
Another thought students had was to replace the worn-out slide on the playground, but Michaud said a new slide would cost between $6,000 and $10,000. He’ll keep the need in mind and hope to find money.
Michaud said Sargent spent a year becoming a credentialed art teacher, after eight years’ experience as an elementary-school classroom teacher. She succeeds Sue Briggs, one of the two Vassalboro Community School long-timers retiring next month; kitchen manager Mary Dumont is the other.
Pfeiffer and Michaud praised VCS staff for their hard work as school enters “the new normal” after the disruptive covid years.
This year’s eight-grade promotion is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, June 12, at the China Lake Conference Center, on Neck Road, in China.
After the special May 22 meeting, the next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 20.
Board members set their annual summer workshop for 5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 18, to be followed by the summer school board meeting at 6:45 p.m.