Consolidated Communications officials: Do not expect an offer to expand internet service

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

Members of China’s Broadband Committee (CBC) heard a presentation from two Consolidated Communications officials at their Jan. 18 meeting. The speakers did not encourage them to expect an offer from the company to expand internet service to town residents.

Consolidated, which used to be Fairpoint Communications, serves some China residents, many fewer than are served by Spectrum, the town’s main internet provider. One estimate CBC members have used is that Spectrum covers about 70 percent of households and Consolidated 20 percent, leaving the remainder with no internet service.

Consolidated representatives Simon Thorne and Sarah Davis explained why China is not near the top of Consolidated’s expansion list.

Company decisions are based on project cost, the number of potential customers, the take rate (how many residents sign up for the service) and the presence or absence of competition, Davis said. When the company goes into or expands in a town, it uses a mix of financing, including grants, private financing the company obtains with the expectation of a profit and local money.

China’s population density is too low to offer enough profit to attract investors.

Rules for broadband expansion grants are a work in progress. So far, most grants are available for towns with no service at all, so China would not be eligible.

And voters’ rejection of the CBC’s request for a bond issue last November casts doubt on local interest in providing funds.

When CBC member Tod Detre suggested the company plans to start with “more profitable areas,” Davis replied, “You nailed it.”

Mention of last November’s bond issue vote led to a spirited discussion. Ronald Breton, chairman of the select board and a guest at the CBC meeting, said emphatically that China is still interested in broadband expansion. He pointed out that after the vote, select board members voted unanimously to continue the CBC.

Janet Preston, the select board member who serves “ex officio” on the CBC, reminded Breton that on the Nov. 2, 2021, ballot, the select board and the budget committee both advised voters to reject the bond issue. She thinks the recommendations were “influential.”

Detre added that before the vote, opponents of the bond issue incorrectly claimed it was unnecessary, because “Consolidated would bring fiber [connections to all houses] in a year or two.” Davis confirmed Consolidated had and has no such intention.

Replying to a question from CBC member Neil Farrington, Davis said Consolidated does have fiber lines in China. But, she said, they are configured for business, and to reconfigure them to serve individual houses would be about as expensive as starting from scratch.

CBC Chairman Robert O’Connor asked if China would be more attractive to investors if the town were to form a utility district with neighboring towns, like Vassalboro and Windsor. Davis said she would find out whether a district might be helpful.

Since Davis was unsure how long it will take to get information, CBC members scheduled two more meetings: 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, to be canceled if they have no new matters to discuss; and 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 17, for continued discussion with Davis and Thorne if information is available by then.

China town manager presents initial budget draft

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

China town manager Rebecca Hapgood. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

China Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood gave select board and budget committee members her initial draft of the 2022-23 town budget at a special joint meeting Jan. 24.

Select Board Chairman Ronald Breton said there would be no question and answer session at the special meeting. Members of both boards were given time to read and consider the lengthy compilation of information before discussion begins at the Jan. 31 select board meeting.

After select board members make their recommendations, the budget committee will schedule its meetings, probably in March.

The important deadlines, Hapgood said, are April 11, when select board members need to sign the final warrant for the annual town business meeting, and June 14, the date of the meeting.

As of now, the meeting is planned as a written-ballot vote, not an open meeting.

Hapgood said she has two main goals as she considers next year’s budget: avoiding a local tax increase, and “showing loyalty to town employees,” especially those who have served China for years. She proposes a six percent pay increase for town employees.

Her documents included detailed information on past, current and proposed expenditures and revenues, explanations of changes she recommends for next year and miscellaneous information, like the number of employees (16) and their years of service (ranging from almost one year to almost 28 years).

In her initial presentation, she told committee members such things as the number of miles of town-owned road (46.48 miles), the number of cemeteries in town (31) and China’s population according to the 2020 census (4,408 people).

Select board members intend to devote part of their Jan. 31 meeting to budget discussion. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., in the town office meeting room.

China select board focuses on transfer station issues

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

China Select Board members’ January 18 discussion focused on transfer station issues. Board members adopted one major change and are leaning toward another.

The approved change will be to replace the placards now used to identify transfer station users with the stickers used before 2019. Under consideration is addition of a guard building at the entrance. Both are aimed primarily at making sure only authorized users bring trash to the facility.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood explained that China – and other municipalities – adopted the RFID (radio frequency identification) system in 2019 with a state grant, because state officials used the system to collect information. They have no objection to China’s discontinuing the system, she said.

The main disadvantage of the placards is that they get loaned to non-residents whose taxes do not contribute to the China transfer station.

Stickers will be pasted on users’ vehicles and will have the vehicle’s license plate on them. That combination, Hapgood said, should deter non-resident use. It might also increase excise tax collection, since China residents will be unable to register a vehicle elsewhere and get a China transfer station sticker.

She recommended charging a nominal fee, a dollar or two, and proposed implementing the system in April or May.

Board member Blane Casey moved to implement a sticker system, with a low price for year-round residents and a higher price for seasonal and Palermo residents (Palermo residents use China’s transfer station by contract), with Hapgood to decide the prices. Sticker locations are to be prescribed so as to be the same for all vehicles and visible to transfer station staff.

Board Chairman Ronald Breton was the only one to vote against the motion, because he wanted the prices set before the board acted.

Residents who have more than one RFID placard (because they own multiple vehicles) are entitled to a refund for each additional one – the first one was free. Hapgood estimated China will owe about $5,800 in refunds.

The guard shack, the manager said, would let one station attendant check stickers and loads, make sure no forbidden items are brought in, direct patrons to the right disposal areas for various items and collect fees. (The list of items for which fees are charged is on the town website, china.govoffice.com, under Transfer Station under Town Departments; it is posted at the transfer station.)

Hapgood believes adding entrance duty would not require additional staff, because the other attendants would spend less time inspecting, giving directions, collecting money and moving misplaced items.

Casey, who is a building contractor, was appointed to prepare a cost estimate for a building. Decision was postponed until he reports.

Breton is also concerned about the abuse of the free sand box at the transfer station. China residents are allowed two buckets of sand at a time during transfer station hours; Breton said people are taking more and are coming in when the station is closed.

Hapgood said security cameras are being upgraded. She accepted board member Wayne Chadwick’s suggestion that she ask the sheriff’s deputies who patrol the town to make a point of driving by the transfer station during non-operating hours.

Chadwick, also a contractor, said sand supplies are tight, at least partly because of the unusual weather. Sand “has been getting used like I’ve never seen,” he commented.

Two other pending transfer station issues are: how much to charge Palermo residents for the trash bags they buy and use to distinguish their mixed waste from China residents’; and whether and if so how transfer station hours should be changed.

The China-Palermo contract specifies the four categories of costs that justify changes in bag prices. One, the price China pays to buy the bags, has increased substantially in recent months.

Hapgood’s ongoing survey for residents, available on the town website, at the town office and elsewhere, includes questions about when people are most likely to visit the transfer station.

In other business Jan. 18, board members unanimously appointed Joel Nelson chief of the China Village volunteer fire department, succeeding Timothy Theriault.

They approved a revised town personnel policy, with minor changes recommended by town attorney Amanda Meader to be added to the final version.

They confirmed their next two meetings, a joint session with the budget committee to hear Hapgood’s 2022-23 budget presentation on Monday, Jan. 24, and a regular select board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31.

Vassalboro school board hears variety of reports

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro School Board members heard a variety of reports at their Jan. 18 meeting, some touching on effects of the pandemic.

They did not talk about the 2022-23 budget – yet. When they reached the agenda item called “Items to be addressed by School Board at future meetings,” Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer told them “Budget, budget, more budget.”

One area affected by pandemic-caused partial virtual learning times and student absences is the nutrition program. The more students eat in the cafeteria, the better off the program is financially. In past years, Vassalboro Community School (VCS), like many other area schools, lost money on school meals.

So far this year, Finance Director Paula Pooler said, “We’re holding our own.” She commended Food Service Director John Hersey for expanding menu choices.

Hersey said he believes if more students were in school more of the time, the financial picture would be even better.

In reaction to lower test scores on national academic tests, VCS teachers and staff are initiating a variety of extra learning opportunities. Board members had questions answered about individual and small-group programs aimed at academic and social/emotional needs.

Assistant Principal Greg Hughes is planning a program that he calls Viking Camp for the middle three days of the February vacation week (which begins with the Presidents’ Day holiday Monday, Feb. 21). As of Jan. 18, details remained to be confirmed – including alerting Hersey that food will be needed, accomplished by the board discussion.

On other topics, Pfeiffer reported that applications for pre-kindergarten for the 2022-23 school year are open. A child who will be four years old by Oct. 15 is eligible to enroll.

The solar farm in which the school (and the town) invested appears to have saved about $12,000 on the electric bill in calendar year 2021, Pfeiffer said.

He thanked Special Education Director Tanya Thibeau for the connection that will bring former New Hampshire Chief Justice John T. Broderick, now an educator on mental health issues, to the area in March to address faculty and students at VCS and Erskine Academy, in South China.

Pfeiffer later reported that after an executive session discussion that followed the board meeting, he had agreed to accept another one-year contract as Vassalboro Superintendent of Schools, despite the difficulties of the past and current years.

The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Feb. 15.

Vassalboro select board hears grant requests from firefighters, library

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

At their Jan. 20 meeting, Vassalboro select board members got preliminary requests for money, federal or local or both, from town organizations. Further discussion was postponed until 2022-23 budget deliberations begin in earnest in February.

Two requests were presented at the meeting.

  • From the volunteer fire department, special funding to replace 20 SCBAs (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus), some 30 years old. Spokesman Michael Vashon reminded the audience that a firefighter inside a burning building depends on a SCBA to stay alive. The Federal Emergency Management Agency counts any older than 10 years as obsolete, he said.

The department has not requested taxpayer funds before because members keep hoping to get a grant. Grant awards are based on the number of calls, Vashon said; Vassalboro has few, compared to, for example, Waterville. Another grant application is pending, with results not expected until June at the earliest.

  • From the library, a $7,500 increase in town funding to cover, at a minimum, staff raises plus an inflation adjustment, and, if select board members and voters concur, up to $30,600 in additional money to cover raises, adjustments, more hours and more staff time for program development.

In addition, select board members talked about how to allocate federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) money. One possibility is giving bonuses to town employees and members of the fire department and rescue unit who worked through the pandemic.

Town Manager Mary Sabins reminded them that the Vassalboro Sanitary District is also asking for ARPA funds.

The only decision made was a unanimous vote to appropriate $4,200 in ARPA funds for training fees for three new Rescue Unit members.

Select board members have scheduled a budget workshop for 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 8.

In other business Jan. 20, Codes Officer Ryan Page reported that Chad Caron had made no appreciable progress on cleaning up the grounds around the former church he owns on Priest Hill Road in North Vassalboro. As of Jan. 20, Page said, Caron was waiting to hear back from an engineer he hoped would do the building inspection selectmen required be finished within 30 days after their Jan. 6 meeting (see The Town Line, Jan. 13, p. 2).

Board members unanimously approved rules for the Town Forest and Red Brook trails, presented by John Melrose of the Trails Committee.

Fire Chief Walker Thompson asked whether town trails are wide enough for rescue vehicles, if needed. He plans to confer with Melrose and other committee members.

Three items postponed for more information were preparing a policy on background checks for town employees and volunteers; creating a committee to draft an ordinance on decommissioning solar farms after their useful life ends; and looking into installing heat pumps at the town office.

The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3.

Tuminaro to run for the Legislature

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Jennifer Tuminaro

China mother, wife and small businesswoman, Jennifer Tuminaro has announced she is running for the Legislature in District #62 (China, Palermo, Somerville, Hibberts Gore, and Windsor). Tuminaro was encouraged to seek office by current Rep­re­sentative Tim Theriault (R-China), who is term-limited. A longtime resident of China, she is concerned with the long-term health of Maine and the need for greater citizen input in decisions that affect their everyday life and local control.

“Maine needs to ensure that everyday citizens already overburdened by high fuel, food and energy costs, are not required to foot the bill when the federal money runs out,” said Tuminaro. “The billions of dollars in pandemic relief that Maine has received will not be there in future years. So it’s important that we focus on making Maine more affordable for the average family rather than creating new programs that require additional taxes. As for our children, it is essential that financial literacy becomes a staple in their education, that greater parental involvement in the classroom is promoted, and that our children are well-equipped to achieve rather than just survive, to become leaders rather than victims.”

Jen Tuminaro has extensive experience in the field of banking and bookkeeping. She is currently a finance manager for the Maine Center for Disease Control. Jen and her husband Michael manage two small, family-owned businesses, and are raising four children. Her experience includes work as a home educator and substitute teacher at Erskine Academy.

Jen has a BA from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Maine.

China transfer station committee waits for more info

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

Members of China’s Transfer Station Committee continued discussion of several issues, but still lack information to make decisions.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood told them residents continue to respond to the survey she distributed that asked, among other things, the days and hours on which they use the transfer station. Survey results will be part of decisions on changing transfer station and town office hours.

Palermo representative Robert Kurek asked about information on future costs for the trash bags Palermo residents use as part of the agreement that lets them share China’s transfer station. Bag costs are expected to rise, and the committee therefore plans to recommend an increase in the price Palermo residents pay for them.

There is not yet firm information on future costs.

Transfer Station Manager Ronald Marois said he has had no replies to inquiries about ways to cover the container beside the disposal building and hopper.

Committee member Mark Davis is looking into possibilities for an on-site incinerator, but he has nothing to report yet.

The incinerator could be used either for waste disposal only or for a trash-to-energy plan, Davis said. Kurek said it would make sense if its costs – paying down the initial cost and labor and fuel to run it – were lower than costs of out-of-town disposal.

Committee member Karen Hatch said the free for the taking building, also called the swap shop, has run out of room. She reminded residents who continue to bring donations that volunteers welcome only useful, attractive, like-new things someone else is likely to take away promptly.

The next China Transfer Station Committee meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9.

China building committee continues review of information

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

China Municipal Building Committee members met Jan. 13 and continued review of information they have and information they need as they plan additional storage for town records.

Main tentative conclusions were:

  • They should focus on planning a free-standing building, not a room attached to the present office building.
  • The southeast or east side of the existing building might be a better site than the south side initially considered.
  • Contractor and select board member Blane Casey, who built part of the existing building, is among local people likely to have useful information about the structure, location of underground connections and other essential considerations.

Committee members intend to invite Casey to their next meeting, and postponed scheduling it until they know when he is available.

The only new information available Jan. 13 was a cost estimate committee Chairman Sheldon Goodine presented. It is for a 21-by-48-foot building – committee members have not agreed on a size yet – with a corridor to connect it to the existing building. The figures are between $205,800 and $235,800.

The non-firm estimate will be additionally affected by multiple future decisions, like whether to hire an architect or have the contractor who wins the contract design and build; what materials to use; and whether the town public works crew could do some of the work.

Codes Officer and committee member Jaime Hanson said because the structure is a municipal building, review by the state fire marshal is required. He and Goodine agreed the review is a good idea.

Resident Ed Bailey attended the meeting and offered suggestions, and was immediately invited to ask select board members to appoint him to the committee.

CHINA: Town attorney has doubts about expanding unbuilt solar farm

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

At their Jan. 11 meeting, China Planning Board members were willing to hear an application to enlarge the approved, unbuilt solar farm on Route 3, until Codes Officer Jaime Hanson told them the town attorney has doubts.

Now they want more information before they make a decision.

New Hampshire-based SunRaise Investments plans the solar farm on a lot leased from Daniel Ouellette on the south side of Route 3, near the China Area Wash and Dry. It was originally approved May 19, 2020.

The permit was extended for a year in May 2021, to give SunRaise more time to reach agreement with Central Maine Power Company, whose lines are supposed to transmit the power from the solar panels.

At the Jan. 11 meeting, SunRaise spokesman Scott Anderson said the company had wanted a slightly larger solar farm, but was limited by China’s lot-coverage requirement. China’s ordinance says that in a rural zone, structures cannot cover more than 20 percent of the lot area; and, unlike other ordinances, China’s counts a solar panel as a structure.

Now, Anderson said, SunRaise has the opportunity to lease enough adjoining land south of the present lot to make a larger array possible within lot coverage limits, if the new leased area were counted as combined with the currently-leased area. The lease would provide that no other structure would be allowed on the newly-leased land.

Before investing in the lease, SunRaise wanted an indication that the planning board would approve an expanded solar farm, characterized as Phase Two of the development. If the board were ready to agree, SunRaise would obtain the lease and file a Phase Two application, perhaps as soon as Jan. 25.

Hanson said town attorney Amanda Meader found a Maine case from 2013 that she thought made it illegal to use two separate pieces of property as though they were one. Board members therefore asked Anderson to talk with Meader before they continue considering SunRaise’s request.

The other case on the Jan. 11 agenda was approval of a transfer of ownership of Little Learners Child Development Center, at 166 Tyler Road. After comparing the prior owner’s application, the current application and ordinance requirements, board members approved with three conditions. New owner Alicia Drever needs to measure water usage for 14 months to make sure the septic system capacity is adequate, and she needs letters from the local fire chief saying the property has access for emergency vehicles and adequate water for fire protection.

Board members postponed discussion of proposed ordinance amendments, after a lively argument about their next step.

In mid-summer 2021 they submitted three proposed changes to the China Select Board, expecting the changes to appear on the November ballot. Nothing happened.

They now know that select board members were not satisfied with the material as presented. Planning board Chairman Scott Rollins said the select board wants the original ordinances, the marked-up draft and the recommended final wording.

Board member Toni Wall said she could assemble the three versions and forward them to Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood to share with select board members.

No, Rollins said, planning board members need to review them first. He proposed a discussion at the Jan. 25 meeting.

Board member James Wilkens objected strongly. The planning board approved the amendments last spring, and he did not want “to go back to something the planning board already voted on.” If select board members ask for changes, then planning board members can consider the request(s).

Wall agreed with Wilkens. As the matter was left, Wall will forward the ordinances in their current forms to the select board, and planning board members will look at them again Jan. 25.

At issue are changes to two sections of the Land Use Ordinance and addition of a new section that would regulate future applications for solar energy systems. All require voter approval.

WINDSOR: Short, routine agenda at select board meeting

/0 Comments/in , /by
by The Town Line staff

Town Manager Theresa Haskell reported receiving a letter from Spectrum Generations asking if their letter to the town, requesting funding for an outside agency, could be included in the town report. Haskell suggested possibly putting the letter on the town’s website under Resident’s Services for outside agencies, so other letters can be displayed also. An informational page could be included in the town report to show where to find the letters on the website.

In other business, Road Supervisor Keith Hall reported there are approximately six loads of salt at the garage now with two more on order. He explained that because of delays in delivery, he immediately orders the next load as soon as the others are delivered so there would be no shortages. Currently, 50-1/2 hours of plowing time have been used of the contracted 250 hours with McGee Construction. He also reported the town trucks are running good, “and ready to go.”

Resident Tom Reed expressed his thanks to the public works department for keeping the roads clear and safe.

At the bake sale held on December 17, $1,157 were raised for the food bank.

Three candidates running locally for the state Senate and House of Representatives were present for the meeting. Abden Simmins in running for the Senate; Katrina Smith and Jennifer Tuminaro are both running for the House of Representatives, and state Rep. Richard Bradstreet was present to advise that his term of office for Windsor ends next year. He also informed those present the district he represents has been changed.

The next regular scheduled meeting of the select board was held on January 4.