China selectmen ask for more info from broadband committee

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by Mary Grow

Ronald Breton, Chairman of the China Selectboard, requested and received time on the China Broadband Committee’s March 25 agenda. In return, CBC members ended their meeting by drafting an email request for time on the selectboard’s April 26 agenda.

Breton complained that CBC members are failing to keep him and the rest of the selectboard informed about their activities. What he knows, he reads in The Town Line, he said; and the articles make it sound as though the committee is trying to “sell” a broadband plan to townspeople before consulting the selectboard.

If people are convinced that broadband is “good and great,” and selectboard members find otherwise, he fears “They’ll get their asses kicked” by indignant residents.

Speaking as a selectman, he expressed two concerns: he does not want taxes to increase, and he does not want any broadband system to impose more work, like collecting bills or “running a utility,” on town office staff.

He also questioned the CBC proposal to prepare a letter of intent to continue negotiations with Axiom Technologies, of Machias (see The Town Line, March 25). Breton believes only selectmen, not members of committees appointed by the selectboard, have authority to sign letters of intent.

Committee member Jamie Pitney, who had drafted a nine-point outline of a document the committee could flesh out and present to Axiom president Mark Ouellette, agreed with Breton on the authority question. “Letter of intent” is probably incorrect wording, he said; the idea is to give Ouellette something more than a verbal assurance that he is not wasting time negotiating with the CBC.

At their March 18 meeting, CBC members and Ouellette talked about Axiom helping not only to plan broadband service, but also to develop a community outreach program to present information to the selectboard and residents.

After Breton zoomed out of the meeting, committee members further discussed the outreach program. At one point, Tod Detre and Chairman Robert O’Connor were talking about what residents might want for broadband service: would 25 up and 25 down be enough, or would people insist on at least 100 over 100, or maybe a gig over 100, or gig over gig?

“Can you imagine this discussion in a community meeting?” Pitney protested. “You’ll lose two-thirds of the people in the first 10 minutes.”

Members talked for more than an hour about different facets of providing broadband service, including the option of starting with a partial build-out (for $2 to $3.5 million) instead of going town-wide in one swoop (for $6 million or more); the possibility of cooperating with other central Maine towns, and what legal structures might be needed to do so; and potential grant opportunities.

They ended their two-hour meeting with two decisions: to ask to talk with selectmen on Monday, April 26, and to meet at 7 p.m. each of the first four April Thursdays (April 1, 8, 15 and 22) to prepare for the April 26 meeting.

On April 26, the selectboard is scheduled to hold consecutive public hearings, beginning at 6 p.m., on the Second Amendment to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) document that governs expenditure of TIF funds and on the warrant for the June 8 annual town business meeting (which includes the TIF amendment).

Breton said he expects the hearings to be short enough so the selectboard meeting will begin about its usual time, 6:30 p.m.

China to continue using Waterville dispatch center

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by Mary Grow

At a short China selectmen’s meeting March 29, board members unanimously authorized two actions by Town Manager Becky Hapgood and discussed Selectman Janet Preston’s idea of a China farmers’ market.

Hapgood is authorized to sign a contract to continue using the Waterville dispatch center to dispatch local fire departments and China Rescue, and to write a letter to the Atlantic Salmon Federation assuring them plans for a fishway at the Branch Mills dam will not interfere with town property.

Selectman Wayne Chadwick said he, Hapgood and Public Works Director Shawn Reed had reviewed the federation’s plan on-site and determined it will not affect the town’s right-of-way where Branch Mills’ main street crosses the West Branch of the Sheepscot River.

Preston had previously suggested the town sponsor a farmers’ market. Discussion at the March 29 meeting favored private sponsorship. Chadwick thought town sponsorship might have the potential for liability.

Board Chairman Ronald Breton assigned to Preston the job of finding out whether there is interest among local farmers and residents and whether some group would offer a site, presumably in return for rental fees or other payment from vendors. Interested people are invited to email Preston at janet.preston@chinamaine.org.

The next regular China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 12.

On April 26, selectmen have scheduled a 6 p.m. public hearing on town business meeting warrant articles, on which voters will act on June 8, followed by a selectmen’s meeting.

VASSALBORO: Road complaints bring action by selectmen

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by Mary Grow

VASSALBORO – With roads unusually rough this spring, Vassalboro residents have complained, frequently and loudly.

Vassalboro selectmen have listened, sympathized and come up with a solution: a municipal helicopter service, tentatively named the Vass Fly.

The public works crew is surveying the town for a dozen or more helipad sites, probably including the town office lawn and the recreation fields. Selectmen are negotiating long-term leases on two dozen choppers and arranging to train public works employees as pilots and helicopter mechanics.

A Selectboard member reported that five residents with the necessary licenses have volunteered as pilots pending longer-term arrangements. Selectmen have asked the National Guard for help, once Guard members are done staffing vaccination clinics.

Among road complaints selectmen and town office staff reported receiving:

— A man spent a night in the emergency room after a bump threw him through the roof of his car. He has a concussion and sprained wrists, and can’t drive his car in the rain until the head-sized hole is patched.
— An eleven-year-old girl’s laptop is still lost in the puckerbrush after a violent jolt ripped it from her hands and threw it out the window of her father’s truck.
— Three residents are looking for new vehicles after the bottoms of two pick-ups and a Hummer were torn out when the wheels settled into deep grooves in the pavement. “That was my 2021 Ram – still had the temporary plates,” one man mourned.
— A series of heaves and dips threw a car off the road and over a stone wall into an orchard, where it damaged two Cortland trees. The driver admitted he should have known better than to go as fast as 25 miles an hour on that particular stretch.
— A couple complained that they could not access their driveway, which is near the top of a steep hill. Every time they slowed to turn in, either a trough in the pavement deflected the wheels and they missed the driveway, or a bump sent them back down the hill.
— A woman was carrying her damaged mailbox, which had been struck by a car whose driver was avoiding a pothole, when she stumbled and dropped the mailbox into the pothole. Her garden rake was not long enough to retrieve it.

One day, a selectman related, a town public works truck got hung up on a bump, all four wheels off the ground. Selectmen ordered the road closed, so the town crew put concrete Jersey barriers at each end.

“Made no difference,” the selectman said. “People drove right over the barriers without noticing them, they’re so used to bouncing up and down.”

Selectmen expect a whirlybird update at their April 1 meeting.

GUESS WHAT?

APRIL FOOL if you believed this.

 

 

Vassalboro selectmen meet

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 1, in person at Vassalboro Community School gymnasium. Major items on their agenda include:

  • Continued discussion of renovations at the transfer station, and the impact, if any on the selectmen’s proposed 2021-22 budget;
  • Review of bids for installing a new boiler at the North Vassalboro fire station and perhaps a bid award;
  • Review of bids on the old fire truck the town is selling and perhaps a decision;
  • Review and signing of the Town Manager’s contract for fiscal years 2021 through 2024; and
  • If new information is available, an update from board Chairman John Melrose on negotiations for a land swap with Kennebec Water District.

The Vassalboro Budget Committee will meet immediately after the Selectboard adjourns, also in person in the gymnasium.

Vassalboro planning board meets

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members have four applications on the agenda for their Tuesday, April 6, meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. The meeting will be virtual; it will be available for simultaneous viewing on the website vcsvikings.org.

The applications, in order, are:

  • From Kelley Gooldrup, to combine lots 9 and 10 in the Stone Road subdivision;
  • From Jack’s Place Too, LLC, to expand a deck at 201 Tilton Lane, in the Webber Pond shoreland zone;
  • From Elizabeth Austin to open a juice bar at 913 Main Street, in North Vassalboro; and
  • From Sunvest Solar, Inc., to build a solar facility on David and Jennifer Jones’ land on Webber Pond Road.

Sunvest Solar is presenting a pre-application; company representatives will explain the proposed project, but no decisions are expected.

Vassalboro has two approved commercial solar projects, ReVision Energy’s, on Route 32, and Longroad Energy’s, on Riverside Drive. Another application, from Sebago Technics for a property off Cemetery Street, is pending.

Windsor selectmen authorize road commissioner to sign heavy load limit signs

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by The Town Line staff

At their March 2 meeting, selectmen were informed that the town of Windsor has been notified that, by state law, heavy load limit road signs are to be signed by the municipal officers or their designee. The board unanimously agreed to authorize the road commissioner to sign heavy load limit posters and posted road exemption certificates on behalf of the board of selectmen as needed, and when needed, for the town of Windsor, until such time another road commissioner is appointed.

Selectmen were told that a bolt had been installed incorrectly on the 2021 Western Star truck. When the wing was raised, it hit the door resulting in a dent. H.P. Fairfield, the company that sold the truck to the town has agreed to fix it because it was their error. In other public works discussion, the selectmen seeked how many hours remained on the McGee plowing contract.

Also, Road Supervisor Keith Hall spoke to Avery Glidden regarding the concrete on the garage by the town office that is crumbling and needs to be fixed. Avery will provide the town with a quote for repairs, as well as a quote on flooring for the storage room at the back of the food bank.

At the transfer station, it was noted that two street lights are not working. Town Manager Theresa Haskell has notified Central Maine Power Co., and is awaiting a response as to when they can come out to fix them.

Discussion also continued on the sand that residents can get and how to close that area in for weather purposes. Interim Transfer Station Supervisor Sean Tekeema is going to look at Whitefield’s transfer station to see how they handle the problem.

Because of a Waste Management issue with the hydraulics on their truck, the recycling sat for an extra day until they could come to get it.

Haskell informed the selectmen that direct deposit will now be an option for employees. However, there is a process in setting that up with Kennebec Savings Bank, which the town uses. The town account needs to be set up as an Automated Clearing House (ACH) for the direct deposit to happen. The board unanimously approved for the town manager, as the town treasurer, to set up the ACH with Kennebec Savings Bank.

At this point in the meeting, Selectmen Andrew Ballantyne moved to suspend the board of selectmen meeting and reconvene as the board of assessors. There are applications before the board for abatement of property taxes presented that will be discussed at the March 16 selectmen’s meeting, and a tree growth withdrawal penalty presented for Colby D.Whynot on Map 4 Lot 22, in the amount of $1,600. The board unanimously approved the abatement to Whynot in the amount of $1,600. The board of assessors then adjourned and reconvened as the board of selectmen.

In other business, it was noted there is one position on the planning board, and one alternate position, available in 2021, and that, apparently, two residents are interested in the positions.

The first payment for the new 2021 Western Star truck is not due until the 2021/2022 budget, however, a payment was included in the 2020/2021 budget. Haskell would like to submit the payment this year so that it can be fully applied to the principal balance. The board unanimously approved the payment of $28,000 this year.

The next board of selectmen meeting was scheduled for March 16 at the Windsor Town Hall.

China broadband committee not yet committed to Axiom; discussions amicable

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by Mary Grow

China Broadband Committee (CBC) members had an amicable March 18 zoom discussion with Mark Ouellette, president of Machias-based Axiom Technologies, their currently preferred choice for improved broadband service in China.

Committee members reviewed proposals from Axiom and two other companies before deciding to talk first with Axiom. They made it clear that they are not yet committed to contracting with Axiom.

Their goal is broadband service that will serve every household and business in town, including those not currently served; that will be stronger and more reliable at all times than services now available; that will easily adapt to future technologies; and that will cover the estimated $6 to $7 million installation cost, plus maintenance, without enormous bills for either subscribers or taxpayers.

Ouellette thinks his company can deliver. He thinks reliability is more important than price, within reason: “People want to be sure they can do what they want to do 24/7.” Axiom would provide bandwidth to cover maximum use at any time, and would hire a local service representative for prompt customer service.

He also promised adaptability, “generational service that’d serve your kids and your grandkids,” and keep China attractive to businesses needing top-grade internet.

Ouellette reminded committee members that they need to strike a balance between maximum service and minimum cost. Axiom is a profit-making business, and he expects to make money in the long run.

For now, Ouellette is satisfied to work with CBC members and the rest of the town on a handshake agreement. He told CBC members, “I’ll get my payment when I start to serve [China] customers with the best internet you can get in the world.”

Committee members agreed their next step is to publicize what they are doing and why they are doing it. They began planning an education campaign to discuss with town voters the advantages of superior broadband service for residents and for the local economy.

Ouellette and committee members cited several advantages: every resident’s ability to work from home, whether required by the pandemic or not; extras for local businesspeople, like the auto mechanic who could have Axiom help him install and maintain free WiFi in his waiting room; and the potential to attract a major institution, like a research laboratory, that would provide jobs and pay taxes.

One suggestion was to prepare a question-and-answer document to cover anticipated questions about services, costs and anything else they can think of. Another was to hold a series of community meetings, in person if conditions permit. Ouellette is willing to help, including joining committee members in an informational work session with the selectboard if one is scheduled.

CBC members also intend to draft a letter of intent or similar document with Axiom, an agreement that gives both parties increased certainty, though either party can withdraw if negotiations fail.

The next CBC meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 25, and the one after that for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 1. Ouellette is unable to zoom in on March 25 but is expected again on April 1.

Vassalboro school leaders give cautious, optimistic report

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

At their March 16 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members heard cautious optimism from three administrators. All three expect a gradual return to something closer to normalcy before the end of the school year.

For Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer, the state emphasis on vaccinating school staff is “a game-changer.” For Principal Megan Allen, the revised national CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guideline allowing students’ desks to be three feet apart, instead of six feet apart, will allow more in-school instruction.

Saying Vassalboro Community School (VCS) will “reopen” is the wrong wording, Pfeiffer said, because the school hasn’t closed completely, except for a few brief intervals. However, more students will spend more time in the same room with their classmates and teachers.

The CDC requires students and adults to be masked. The new rule does not apply where masking is impossible, as in lunchrooms, where six-foot separation is still required; and adults are expected to continue to stay six feet apart.

Allen said how many students return for how long will depend on class and classroom sizes. About 55 students have chosen to learn fully remotely, she said, and one of her goals is to make sure they do not lose out as classroom education is re-emphasized. She hopes there will be space for them to rejoin their classmates for the last few days of the school year, if they want to.

Assistant Principal Greg Hughes said winter sports, basketball and cheerleading, will continue through March. He expects to start baseball and softball indoors with students remaining in their cohorts, to mingle groups when play moves outdoors and perhaps to resume games against other schools.

Pfeiffer will not be surprised if there are more federal and state policy changes before the semester ends.

The superintendent expects more than $500,000 in new stimulus funds. Part of the money will be used for “learning recovery,” additional time and additional staff to help students make up for what they were unable to learn under pandemic conditions.

Looking to the 2021-22 school year, Allen said if there is enough interest, a second pre-kindergarten class will be added. The class would need a teacher and an aide, increasing personnel costs; but, Finance Director Paula Pooler added, the state subsidy would also increase.

School board members reviewed the regular education section of the proposed 2021-22 school budget, which is projected to increase as it does every year with salary increases, new equipment and program adjustments. They did not review the proposed special education budget. Because their budget review was unfinished, the planned March 23 meeting with the town budget committee was canceled.

The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, a second Tuesday rather than the usual third Tuesday to avoid meeting during school vacation week.

Vassalboro budget committee focuses on transfer station, public works

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by Mary Grow

Meeting on March 18 right after that evening’s selectmen’s meeting, Vassalboro Budget Committee members focused on the transfer station and the public works department.

A majority of the selectmen had just agreed on two transfer station priorities, replacing the aging compactor and upgrading the electrical system. Budget committee members talked about other elements of engineer Al Hodsdon’s recommendations, which include adjusting the compactor site to make room for a second one and to make the traffic pattern safer, roofing disposal containers and building a second driveway off Lombard Dam Road.

Their reactions ranged widely. William Browne asked, “Why fix it if nothing’s wrong?” Committee Chairman Rick Denico asked if someone should direct traffic during peak hours; Michael Poulin advised consulting the town attorney about liability if the suggestion was adopted. Douglas Phillips thinks that, “The selectmen ought to look long-range.”

Selectmen chimed in on the argument over whether the current traffic pattern, which requires backing up to disposal containers, is dangerous. Board Chairman John Melrose said station Manager George Hamar could talk about close calls and damaged cars. Rob Browne retorted that no rearrangement would be 100 percent safe, because “You can’t eliminate danger with people involved.”

Many of the questions budget committee members prepared in advance of the March 18 meeting dealt with public works, and Town Manager Mary Sabins shared information from Road Foreman Eugene Field.

Field’s budget for asphalt for summer road work is based on an expected price of $70 to $80 per ton of paving material, but he fears the estimate could be low. He and China Public Works Director Shawn Reed intend to seek bids for both towns together, as they have done in past years, Sabins said.

In reply to a specific question about “the road ruts in the Lombard Dam Road,” Field intends to repave it, with a shim coat to fill in the low places and a layer of asphalt, but not to tear it up and rebuild it.

Given the two major culvert replacements required recently, there was a question about bridges and culverts. Sabins said Field and state employees inspect them regularly, but no formal risk assessment is done. Phillips recommended an inventory.

Melrose informed budget committee members of minor adjustments in the selectmen’s draft 2021-22 budget since the two group last met.

Budget committee and school board members had planned a March 23 joint meeting, but it was cancelled because the school budget is not ready. Budget committee members left the question of a March 25 meeting unresolved, after Phillips said he wanted to see the school budget before making decisions on the municipal budget.

A chart Melrose prepared for the March 4 budget committee meeting shows that 80 percent of 2021-22 property taxes are projected to go to the school budget. The municipal budget uses 12 percent and the Kennebec County budget the remaining eight percent.

VASSALBORO: Advisor assures selectmen investments are in good shape

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen heard a report on town finances and continued town meeting plans at their March 18 meeting.

Investment advisor Matt Weaver, senior vice-president at First National Wealth Management’s Damariscotta branch, assured board members their investments are in good shape. The portfolio’s value continued to increase over the past year, he said, and he is moderately optimistic about the future, despite continuing uncertainty.

Weaver recommended no changes in Vassalboro’s investment policy. Selectmen unanimously renewed the policy.

Selectmen continued to make final adjustments to their budget recommendations and to the warrant for the annual town meeting.

Main topics March 18 were a decision on hiring a wage consultant and continued discussion of proposed changes at the transfer station.

Town Manager Mary Sabins sought approval to contract with LBouchard and Associates, Human Resources Consultants, based in Jefferson, to develop a wage and salary plan for town employees. Company owner Laurie Bouchard was recommended by two unrelated sources, she said.

Sabins wanted to have Bouchard develop a plan to be implemented in the coming fiscal year. She proposed a town meeting warrant article authorizing up to $3,800 from surplus for Bouchard’s work, plus a to-be-determined figure to increase wages in fiscal year 2021-22, if needed. She plans no pay decreases, even if Bouchard finds that some Vassalboro employees earn more than their peers in similar towns.

Selectmen voted unanimously to authorize Sabins to contract with Bouchard, to have the study done in the fall of 2021 and to implement results in fiscal year 2022-23, funding the process as part of the administration budget.

Additional consideration of the much-discussed transfer station project led to a consensus that at a minimum, two things should be done promptly: the electrical system needs a complete upgrade, and Vassalboro needs either a new compactor or major repairs to the current one.

Other components of the plan developed by Al Hodsdon, of A. E. Hodsdon Engineers, of Waterville, include siting a new compactor at an angle, to allow adding a second compactor and to improve the traffic pattern; putting trash containers under cover so the town will no longer pay to have rainwater hauled with its trash; and adding a second transfer station driveway off Lombard Dam Road.

Selectboard members Robert Browne and Barbara Redmond leaned toward a new compactor and an electrical upgrade for the coming year, with the possibility of a second phase of improvements later. Browne thinks a roof to keep the rain out is a good investment

Board Chairman John Melrose proposed Sabins ask Hodsdon for an estimated price for a new compactor and an adequate electrical system.

Selectmen have limited time to agree on what they want done if they are to ask town meeting voters to fund the work in 2021-22.

In other business March 18:

  • Sabins said China has offered to let Vassalboro share its April 24 on-site paper shredding program, for $100. Selectmen did not object. On April 24, Vassalboro residents may bring confidential documents that should be shredded to the China transfer station between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Selectmen authorized Road Foreman Eugene Field to buy a new generator for the town garage from Augusta Fuel for $11,050, installed. Funds will come from appropriations voters approved in March 2019 and March 2020.
  • Melrose reported briefly on on-going discussions about a land swap with the Kennebec Water District.
  • Sabins said she has been asked to rejoin the Maine Municipal Association Board of Directors, to fill the past president position after the incumbent resigned, and wanted to make sure selectmen did not object. They did not.

The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 1, at Vassalboro Community School.

Town meeting set for June 7

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro’s 2021 town meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 7, at 6:30 p.m. It will be in person at the Vassalboro Community School gymnasium, as it was last year.

On Tuesday, June 8, polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the school for written-ballot voting: annual municipal elections and decisions on three referendum questions.

To be elected this year for three-year terms are one selectman (John Melrose’s term ends) and one school board member (Jolene Clark Gamage’s term ends).

Candidates must submit nomination papers signed by at least 25 registered Vassalboro voters to the town office by noon Friday, April 9, to have their names on the ballot. As of the morning of Monday, March 22, Town Clerk Cathy Coyne said the following people were circulating nomination papers: for the Board of Selectmen, Michael C. Poulin; and for the School Board, Chris French, incumbent Gamage and Poulin.

The June 8 referendum questions ask voters if they want to:

  • Adopt the new “Town of Vassalboro Marijuana Business Ordinance,” which would replace the 2017 “Ordinance Prohibiting Retail Marijuana Establishments”;
  • Affirm the 2021-2022 school budget approved the previous evening; and
  • Continue the school budget validation referendum process for three more years.