China TIF members approve revised application form

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by Mary Grow

Five members of China’s Tax Increment Financing Committee (TIF) used their Nov. 15 meeting to make administrative updates.

The major action was approval of a revised application form for groups seeking TIF funding. The form asks for information on how the money will be used and provides for a liaison person from the committee for each group.

In past years, TIF funds have been used by local organizations and town officials for a variety of purposes aimed at promoting economic development. Many involve recreation, directly or indirectly – for example, money for walking trails in town-owned Thurston Park and snowmobile trails maintained by the Four Seasons Club; assistance with water quality projects, especially in China Lake; and money for fireworks at the annual China Days celebration.

Each committee liaison person will help with applications and oversee projects to make sure town funds are spent as proposed, according to committee members’ discussion.

Last spring, committee members prepared and voters approved amendments to China’s TIF plan, which lists types of allowable expenditures. The revised plan still awaits approval from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD); committee member Jamie Pitney said approval is expected soon.

The plan lists proposed maximum amounts to be allocated for various projects in future years. At the Nov. 15 meeting, the majority of committee members thought groups’ requests for allocations were adequate as applications for 2020-21 expenditures, once DECD allows them.

However, Pitney said, DECD officials required additional language saying TIF funds cannot be used for municipal building projects. There are two fund requests for buildings pending.

The Four Seasons Club and the Thurston Park Committee each plan a building, primarily for equipment storage. Pitney said the Four Seasons Club can build with TIF money; but because Thurston Park is town-owned, TIF funds cannot be used for a building there.

Committee Chairman Tom Michaud, who volunteered as liaison with the Thurston Park Committee, said he will talk with Chairman Jeanette Smith as soon as possible.

The next TIF Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, if there is a need to meet. Otherwise, the next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022.

Fairfield council seat recount upholds election day results

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A recount in the race for two seats on the Fairfield Town Council confirmed the election day results, according to town clerk Christine Keller. Newcomer Matt Townsend and incumbent Council Chairman John Picchiotti claimed the two seats.

The recount showed Townsend with 843 votes, Picchiotti, 693, Lawrence 674, and Beverly Busque, 422. There were 602 blanks. A total of 1,617 votes were cast.

Originally, Lawrence had 673 votes and Busque had 423. The others remained the same.

The recount was conducted at the Fairfield Municipal Building, on Tuesday, November 9, at 4 p.m.

In the article in The Town Line issue of November 4, the results for Townsend were inadvertently omitted. He had received the most votes with 842.

Palermo planners set meeting for November 18

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There is a meeting of the Palermo Planning Board on Thursday, November 18, at 6.30 p.m., at the Palermo Town Office (45 North Palermo Rd). The purpose of the meeting is to review the subdivision request for Colby Road. Attendees are required to wear masks in the office.

What’s next for China’s broadband committee?

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by Mary Grow

China Broadband Committee (CBC) members met Nov. 4 to consider “What’s next for broadband in China,” after voters rejected their request to authorize select board members to borrow money for expanded broadband infrastructure.

After discussing options for continuing to improve broadband service for China residents, they brought the “What’s next” question to China select board members at that board’s Nov. 8 meeting.

The select board has the power to disband a committee it has created. Board members heard a summary of possibilities from CBC Chairman Robert O’Connor and member Jamie Pitney, and a plea from resident Joann Austin.

Austin told them, “We [the Town of China] are not what we could be” in terms of providing good internet service. She said in light of new state and federal funds earmarked for broadband expansion, the responsible course would be to continue to work toward improvement

New select board member Jeanne Marquis said it would be “foolish,” and would leave China behind as neighboring towns advance their systems, not to let the CBC continue.

Board members Janet Preston, Wayne Chadwick and Blane Casey agreed, with the two men emphasizing that the CBC should spend as little local money as possible. No one had an exact figure on expenditures to date; Town Manager and Town Treasurer Rebecca Hapgood said she would get a figure the next day, and urged discussants meanwhile to “Stop guessing!”

Select board Chairman Ronald Breton concluded board members “don’t want to shut the CBC down.”

The Nov. 4 CBC members’ discussion considered two broad options: join or form a regional broadband group with other area municipalities, or continue the China-only policy represented by the proposal outlined during 2021. Each option had sub-options.

The nearest already-organized regional group, the Southwestern Waldo Broadband Coalition (SWBC), includes Palermo and four other towns. Another group has formed west of the Kennebec River.

China’s other neighboring towns, Albion, Winslow, Vassalboro and Windsor, are so far unorganized, opening the possibility of forming a coalition with one or several of them.

CBC member Pitney said he had been in touch with Palermo Select Board member Bob Kurek, active in the SWBC (and a Palermo representative on China’s Transfer Station Committee). Pitney said his impression was that SWBC members want to make more progress as their own group before considering expansion.

If China were to continue pursuing its own program, CBC members considered two ways: the public-private partnership they had been working toward, with the town of China to own the infrastructure that was built, maintained and operated by a private company; or inviting a private company to do everything, as the current internet providers do.

Spectrum is the main provider of internet service to China residents. Consolidated Communications serves a smaller number. There was consensus among CBC members that they had given both companies several chances to offer better service to more households, and neither company had responded adequately.

Since early in 2021 CBC members have worked with Mark Ouellette, president of Axiom Technologies, looking toward contracting with Axiom for the proposed system. Ouellette said at the Nov. 4 meeting that he is willing to continue to assist them despite the Nov. 2 vote.

Ouellette asked for time to consider possibilities, leading CBC members to schedule a meeting for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17.

China selectmen work through miscellaneous agenda

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by Mary Grow

China selectmen had a miscellaneous agenda for their Nov. 8 meeting, and dealt with most of it expeditiously.

Board Chairman Ronald Breton introduced newly-elected member Jeanne Marquis to the audience. Marquis invited residents to send her comments; board members’ email addresses are on the town website, china.govoffice.com.

Kennebec County Sheriff’s Deputy Ivano Stefanizzi said deputies have been following school buses in China to make sure children get on and off safely. They have also been watching for speeders on the inviting newly-paved roads. He urged any resident with an issue appropriate for the sheriff’s office to report it to Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood, who will forward it.

Discussion of using ranked choice voting in municipal elections was postponed, probably to the Nov. 22 select board meeting. Board member Janet Preston, who had proposed the topic, said she is still exploring the issue.

Discussion of revising the select board policy on public participation was also postponed, at Chairman Ronald Breton’s recommendation. Breton said he and Hapgood will come up with options for the rest of the board to review.

The liveliest and longest debate was over whether China or Palermo should pay $275 for Chris Diesch’s registration at a Maine Resource Recovery Association conference in October. Diesch is one of Palermo’s two representatives on China’s Transfer Station Committee; she and committee Chairman Larry Sikora attended the conference.

The committee has a $1,000 budget. Hapgood read from Sikora’s letter requesting the money, in which he said the purpose was to pay such things as conference and training session fees for committee members. He did not say anything about China members only, and Hapgood said the solid waste contract between the two towns does not mention how such costs should be allocated.

Hapgood said Palermo’s position is that all committee members should be treated alike; if China pays for one, it should pay for all. She disagreed, saying Palermo should cover its representatives’ costs.

Sikora said it would be unfair to ask Palermo to pay an unexpected bill.

The compromise was Wayne Chadwick’s motion that China pay the bill this time, but notify Palermo that China will not pay in the future. The motion was approved 3-2, with Janet Preston and Marquis joining Chadwick; Breton and Blane Casey were opposed.

The Nov. 8 agenda listed seven selectmen’s policies to be reviewed:

  • Remote Participation Policy, adopted July 2021, required by the state to allow board and committee members to participate remotely in meetings in defined situations that keep them from attending in person.
  • Tobacco-Free Policy, adopted Aug. 24, 2015, and amended Jan. 4, 2021, prohibiting use of any tobacco products by anybody on any town property.
  • Internal Financial Controls Policy, adopted Nov. 23, 2020, describing management of funds passing through the town office.
  • Outstanding Tax Order, saying tax payments will be applied first to the oldest overdue taxes.
  • Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing Policy, revised November 2020, setting out testing requirements for town-employed drivers who have commercial licenses and are performing safety-sensitive duties.
  • Notice of Dishonor Policy, adopted Nov. 23, 2020, describing procedure if a bank dishonors (refuses to pay) someone’s check or electronic payment to the town.
  • Boston Post Cane Policy, last approved November 2020, describing the procedure for awarding China’s Boston Post Cane to its oldest resident.

Selectmen asked a few questions, and Chadwick recommended applying alcohol and drug testing requirements to other employees, not just to truck drivers. Hapgood said doing so would require a new policy. She promised more of the existing policies for review at the Nov. 22 meeting.

All seven policies were re-approved unanimously with no changes.

Another unanimous vote was to offer for sale, by sealed bid with a $5,000 minimum, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle the town has taken as partial repayment of a business loan made with Tax Increment Financing funds.

The meeting began with a virtual presentation by Michael Carroll, executive director of the Municipal Review Committee (MRC). The MRC represents the towns, including China, that planned to send trash to the Hampden recycling facility that has been closed for a year and a half.

Carroll said the bond-holders and others involved who have been trying to sell the facility to a new operator are considering an offer received last week. A decision is due next week, he said, and he is optimistic that it will lead to re-opening the facility early in 2022.

The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22.

Election follow-up: Three out of four vacant positions filled

by Mary Grow

After getting in touch with China residents who received write-in votes for local offices in Nov. 2 voting, Town Clerk Angela Nelson reported three of the four positions without candidates on the ballot are filled.

Select board members filled the fourth position at their Nov. 8 meeting.

However, there is still one vacancy: Thomas Rumpf’s election as budget committee chairman left his District Two seat empty.

T. Jamie Bachinski will be China’s new representative on the Regional School Unit #18 board of directors, succeeding Neil Farrington, who did not seek re-election. Dawn Castner is China’s other board member.

Michael Brown accepted the planning board District One seat vacated by Randall Downer.

Michael Sullivan agreed to serve on the budget committee from District Three, succeeding Dana Buswell, who did not run again.

In planning board District Three, Wayne Chadwick had three write-in votes for the seat, but declined because he was also re-elected to the board of selectmen. Walter Bennett, Jr., had two write-in votes; Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood told select board members he is willing to serve, and they unanimously appointed him.

Selectmen intend to advertise for residents interested in the District Two budget committee position. District Two is northeastern China, east of China Lake and north of Alder Park Road.

China’s treasured community leader retires

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Irene Belanger upon receiving a plaque of appreciation from the town of China. (contributed photo)

42 years service to town; 22 years as select board member

by Deborah Belanger-Warnke

Whether in the public eye or behind the scenes, over the past 22 years China residents have placed their trust and confidence in Irene Lydia Belanger. Serving as an elected member on the China Select Board, she has been steadfast in representing the people’s best interests and moving the community forward.

While many of us may struggle to find time to volunteer for basic community endeavors, there are those individuals who strive to make a difference for the community at large on a frequent basis. We are fortunate that one of those individuals came to reside in China, Maine, in 1969. Since then, Irene has been serving China in many capacities; wearing many hats over the last 42 years. In today’s standards it is a rarity to find such enduring dedication and strong sense of duty to one’s community.

Irene’s service to China started when she literally wore the hat of a Cub Scout leader in 1970. Her interest in community work sprung from the leadership and teaching of a young pack of cub scouts that included several of her sons. This initial volunteer work planted the seeds of a community leader who went forward to impact China in so many ways.

No matter the roles she served in, it was Irene’s moral compass and compassion for community that became her guiding light throughout a life-time of community service in China. If you talk with Irene, it becomes quite evident that serving her community in multiple capacities over 42 years has left her feeling extremely proud and satisfied.

Irene was never one to say “no” to a request for her assistance. She volunteered to drive community members to medical appointments or shopping, Trunk or Treat, Transfer Station drug drop off and many other town events. Her community outreach left a footprint on the following local committees: Comprehensive Planning Board, China Days, Economic & Community Development, Transfer Station, Recreation, Lake Access, Thurston Park and Roadside Clean-up.

In representing the town of China, Irene’s work led to travel to many areas of Maine, working alongside politicians, community business leaders, RSU #18 teachers and superintendents, along with many municipal leaders. Over the years, Irene’s hard work and esteemed dedication to duty led to her selection on the Board of Directors for the following organizations: the Municipal Review Committee (MRC), the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG), the Maine Resource Recovery Association (MRRA), and Spirit of America. Irene also served as the president of KVCOG and worked on various committees for the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce (MMCC).

It is no wonder Irene has been recognized for outstanding achievement from the Maine Real Estate Commission, the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, Spirit of America, the Messalonskee High School Eagle Award from the Alumni Association, and the Maine Resource Recovery Association. She most recently received an award from the Town of China on Monday, October 25, honoring her service.

Irene wishes to thank her spouse Joseph V. Belanger, her family, the China Town Manager Becky Hapgood, state wide committee and board members, fellow China select board members, the transfer station staff, the China community and many others for their caring and support over the past 42 years.

“My service to the China Community has been important work and very satisfying to me,” Belanger said. “I’m honored to have done my very best for others and to have represented the Town of China. My love of community has served me well over the years, I feel so grateful to have done this valuable and rewarding work”.

Irene was quick to say, “I will so miss being a China select board member, however, I’m still here to serve, and will continue to be active in my community anyway I can.” With a twinkle in her eyes she laughed saying, “Don’t worry, Becky Hapgood has my number! Besides, my interest in the Transfer Station Committee, recycling and Free for Taking building will keep me busy.”

Irene graciously passed the torch to current and newly-elected China Select Board members on November 2. Thank you, Irene, for a “Job Well Done” and your selfless service to the citizens of China, Maine, and beyond for over 42 years! Enjoy your retirement!

VCS has new gadgets, costing almost nothing…for now

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Community School (VCS) has lots of new technology for students and staff – and so far, the gadgets have cost town taxpayers almost nothing. But there may be big bills down the road, as things wear out and need repair and replacement.

That was the gist of the message Will Backman and David Trask gave Vassalboro School Board members at their Oct. 19 meeting.

Backman, Director of Technology for the former Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) £92 that served, and many of whose staff still serve, Vassalboro, Waterville and Winslow schools, and Trask, teacher and Technology Systems Administrator at VCS, summarized past, present and planned future technology at the school.

In the old days, VCS owned a few computers that were wheeled on carts from one classroom to another. Now, every student has a personal laptop – and headphones, Trask added, so students no longer need to bring their headphones from home.

There are five 3D printers, all but one purchased with grant money. Opportunities for online and remote learning have multiplied.

Asked if students spend all their time staring at screens, the men said no – computer use varies with grade level and with different subjects.

Typing is inherent in the curriculum, Trask assured board member Jessica Clark, from third grade on up. And, he added, many students become competent on a keyboard on their own.

Looking to the future, Trask and Backman advised:

  • “Funding to sustain upkeep and replacement of all this new technology.”
  • “Fixed and mobile makerspace(s)” for everyone to use, and more integration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in all grades and subjects.
  • Professional development to expand teachers’ use of technology, and higher expectations for students’ technological literacy.
  • A full-time “instructional technology support and data management” staff person.

Trask said currently he, and VCS, are unusual: he is both a classroom teacher and the technology manager, while many other schools have a technology teacher and a separate technology support staff.

Another report to board members, from Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer, said that in-school construction is almost done, after delays due to supply bottlenecks; and the generator that is a major step toward making the school building an emergency shelter should arrive early in November.

Director of Finance Paula Pooler said the 2021-22 budget is on track so far. She received an unexpected $22,000 from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the food program, which she hopes will continue to pay for itself.

She and Food Service Director John Hersey said as far as they know, the State of Maine will pick up the tab after the federal funds that allow free school meals expire next year.

On the Vassalboro school website, vcsvikings.org, an Oct. 21 letter from Pfeiffer reminds parents to fill out the Economic Status Form. These forms, originally applications for free or reduced-price meals, are still essential in determining how much federal money VCS receives for different programs, Pfeiffer explained.

Pfeiffer expressed appreciation to Pooler and the other staff members at the former AOS central office who have added federal programs to their usual workload over the last 20 months. Pooler said the amount of money flowing through her office has almost doubled, from around $40 million a year pre-pandemic to around $78 million now, with a more-then-corresponding increase in required documentation.

Pfeiffer also thanked Trask for his service as president of the Vassalboro Education Association and introduced his successor in the position, first-grade teacher Stacey Feyler.

Board members approved appointment of librarian/media specialist Melora Norman as director of the Gifted and Talented Program. Pfeiffer said it will be revived, after a pause caused by a lack of applications and by the impact of the pandemic.

Principal Megan Allen updated board members on VCS’s anti-bullying and social/ emotional health programs, the latter being run cooperatively with the Maine Department of Education.

Half a dozen parents of VCS students attended the meeting to again object to and ask questions about the school’s mask mandate. They also had questions about pool testing, which they said has become “cool” among students, and about quarantine requirements.

One parent, who identified herself as an employee at another school, said pool testing “really does work.”

Another letter from Pfeiffer on the opening page of vcsvikings.org, dated Oct. 12, provides information about pool testing.

The next Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Nov. 16.

VASSALBORO: Officials, residents present ideas for future town improvements

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro select board members, Town Manager Mary Sabins and other residents presented ideas for future town improvements at the select board’s Oct. 21 goal setting session.

Board Chairman Robert Browne summarized the three proposals that he thinks should be considered first as:

  • Surveying residents to see whether opposition to zoning is as strong as it was earlier in the century, when zoning ordinances were rejected and the state-mandated town comprehensive plan was retitled a strategic plan, including only state-required zones. Currently, Browne pointed out, town officials and voters are doing piecemeal zoning, through ordinances that regulate locations of activities like medical marijuana facilities.
  • Expanding the town recreation program in many directions, with possibilities including providing more open space for outdoor activities and perhaps building a recreation center; adding more adult activities; creating the park on town-owned land on Outlet Stream that Sabins recommends (“Mary’s fishing hole,” Browne called it); adding lighted outdoor basketball and tennis courts (another suggestion from Sabins); and hiring a new town employee whose responsibilities would include directing a recreation program.
  • Developing a financial plan with short-term and longer-term components that would let town officials continue to pay competitive salaries to employees, update equipment and deal with unexpected expenses like the Gray Road culvert, all without going into debt.
    Other suggestions included:
  • From select board members Barbara Redmond and Chris French, more control over and limits on solar development, especially on farmland. Both support solar power, but want a balance with other values.
  • From Redmond, a transition plan for Sabins’ retirement (which Sabins said she plans in mid-2024). Others said the proposal might lead to hiring a new town employee to take over grant-writing and tax work, who might also be the recreation program head and, Browne suggested, work with school officials.
  • From French, a more stringent procurement policy for town purchases, including services, perhaps with budget committee involvement.
  • From Sabins, an increase in the codes officer’s hours, now 20 a week. She gave two reasons: in the spring, building permit applications take a great deal of time; and she would like incoming codes officer Ryan Page to have more hours and benefits as an incentive to stay in Vassalboro.

She said Page has already committed to work for the town for a year, in return for his training under Paul Mitnik. Mitnik, who has retired repeatedly and returned to work when no one replaced him, hopes to retire for good at the end of December.

Sabins and audience members mentioned other issues town officials are facing.

Sabins reported the new fishway at the Outlet Dam, in East Vassalboro, was finished Oct. 20. A temporary boardwalk across the stream is to be removed, because although the bridge is sturdy, the railings are unsafe. And, she said, the dam, which belongs to the town, is leaking.

Former Town Manager Michael Vashon advised abandoning the dam. The Kennebec Water District would be highly likely to take over maintenance, he said, since China Lake is the district’s water supply.

Sabins said Matt Streeter, who managed the fishway project for Maine Rivers, will look into options for dam repairs. A new method of injecting material from the top might be reasonably inexpensive, she said.

Public Works Foreman Eugene Field said the state-owned, weight-limited Cushnoc Road bridge is a burden on the public works department. The only truck he has light enough to plow it is designated for primary use in North Vassalboro; the bridge is in the south end of town.

Field predicts the state will gradually lower the weight limit and eventually close the bridge, rather than rebuild it.

Another problem, he said, are the “terrible” sidewalks in North Vassalboro, a comment that led to discussion of the sewer manhole covers that are lower than the new pavement. Vashon called them “an accident waiting to happen” as drivers swerve toward oncoming traffic to avoid them.

North Vassalboro resident and former select board member Lauchlin Titus said a state Department of Transportation inspector told him next year, the state will add new curbing and sidewalks, and another layer of pavement.

Sabins said because the federal and state governments have created a new holiday, Juneteenth (celebrated on June 19 each year), Vassalboro’s staff handbook needs to be revised. It says staff get state and federal holidays off and lists the holidays; Juneteenth needs to be added.

Titus suggested other changes that might be considered while the topic is open. Sabins said select board members and staff need to approve all changes.

The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. There will be no meeting Oct. 28 or Nov. 4.

Windsor selectmen hear request for medical marijuana business

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by The Town Line staff

At the October 12 meeting of the Windsor select board, the members heard from Baylee Dresser who appeared before the body to inquire about renting a piece of property from the town to open a medical marijuana store front for sales, and seek the process to do so. He was informed by the board that Windsor is not an “opt in” town, and he would have to go through a petition type process. Dresser prepared and presented a draft for the select board to review.

In other business, the public works department reported on numerous complaints regarding the aggressive cuts on the Choate Road, where several survey and property line pins have been damaged. Town Manager Theresa Haskell responded, in the absence of Public Works Director Keith Hall, that the markers have been found and marked with orange paint, as well as having spoken with property owners.

Damage was also reported to the Central Maine Power Substation entrance on the Maxcy’s Mill Road. It looks like they are loading and unloading equipment and using a low trailer, scraping the new pavement and have tried to put back the new pavement. However, that has caused irregularities and raised bumps. Hall will contact the paving company to get a quote for repairs. Attempts to find who is responsible for the damage have been fruitless.

The revenues at the transfer station were down from last year in September ($1,621.45) and are also down for the year ($897.48).

Haskell presented a Department of Transportation letter for the 2022 Maine DOT Pavement Preservation Project which states that Route 17 will be paved from Augusta to Jefferson. The town manager’s concern was that it would be a problem if this occurred during the time of the Windsor Fair. She will forward that concern to the DOT.

Several suggestions were made regarding the distribution of the ARPA funds from the federal government. One idea is to use the funds to purchase radios for the Windsor Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department, to replace old analog radios with digital. Also suggested was purchasing personal protective equipment throughout all departments. The process to disburse the funds would come in the form of a warrant at town meeting.

Haskell reported the collection of 2022 real estate taxes are coming in at a 52.79 percent rate, with 394 accounts paid in full, and the 2022 personal property taxes being paid at an 87.13 percent rate. In all, 21 accounts have been paid in full.

China committee considers options for added town office space

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by Mary Grow

Members of China’s Municipal Building Committee (MBC) spent their Oct. 28 meeting again considering options for additional space at the town office, primarily for storage of town records.

MBC Secretary Terry DeMerchant’s minutes say Chairman Sheldon Goodine and Codes Officer Jaime Hanson provided measurements on space needed and suggestions for providing it.

Committee members considered issues like whether the new space should be a separate building or an addition to the present building; whether town office staff need work spaces in the records storage area; and whether a third furnace should be part of the plan.

They decided they should have a report to the China select board by the end of November, so their proposal can be considered early in the preliminary discussions of the 2022-23 budget.

The next MBC meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. Goodine and Hanson will continue to refine their proposals and share new drafts with the rest of the committee before the meeting.