by Mary Grow

At their Aug. 26 meeting, China select board members approved the final version of a Nov. 5 local ballot that will include asking voters to adopt or reject several documents.

In a series of unanimous votes, board members approved asking for voters’ action on:

— A “High-Impact Electric Transmission Line Moratorium Ordinance” that, if approved, would ban new electric transmission lines through China for 180 days, renewable by the select board for another 180 days.
— Amendments to Chapter 2 of the Land Development Code, a 69-page section titled “Use Ordinance” that says it “shall apply to all land uses and structures within the Town of China with special emphasis on the shoreland area.”
— Amendments to Chapter 11 of the Land Development Code, titled “Definitions.”
— The development district map that relates to ordinance changes approved in June to conform to the revised state law on affordable housing.
— The third amendment to China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program.

The moratorium ordinance was inspired by the LS Power transmission line, proposed in 2022 to bring wind-generated electricity from Aroostook County to a substation near Windsor. The project is currently on hold.

A public hearing at the beginning of the Aug. 26 China meeting attracted half a dozen people. Select board and audience members agreed the moratorium is a good idea, and voters should have a chance to enact it.

It is intended to provide time to develop and approve a local ordinance that would set standards and guidelines for future electric utility lines in town. Several towns along LS Power’s proposed route have already approved moratoria and developed ordinances.

Joshua Kercsmar, of Unity, vice-president of Preserve Rural Maine, called such ordinances ways for towns to regulate transmission lines, not to ban them. For example, he mentioned national best practices that recommend burying lines wherever possible, and locating them along highways.

China resident Joshua LaVerdiere recommended new lines use existing transmission corridors.

Preserve Rural Maine is a nonprofit organization founded in the summer of 2023 in response to the LS Power plan. Kercsmar said its members help towns develop appropriate ordinances, and offered to provide copies China could adapt.

The land use amendments were prepared primarily by China Planning Board members, especially board chairman Toni Wall. The TIF amendment was drafted by TIF Committee member Jamie Pitney and endorsed by the committee. Select board member Brent Chesley led expressions of appreciation to Pitney for his many hours of work that “saved the town a boatload of money.”

A public hearing on Nov. 5 warrant articles is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 23, in the town office meeting room.

In addition to election preparations, select board members talked again about the long-discussed new secure storage space for official town records. They, building committee chairman Sheldon Goodine (who was expected at the Aug. 26 meeting, but did not attend) and others have considered an addition to the south side of the existing office building, or a remodeling of the old garage behind the old town house.

At the Aug. 26 meeting, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said funds are available to pay for an addition to the town office, at the earlier price of $267,489. The bulk of the money would come from the federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) money that China needs to commit by the end of the year (or return it to Washington).

However, the price is probably outdated; and select board members are interested in potentially saving money by further exploring using the garage building. Hapgood said when she discussed with other staff members storing documents in a separate building across the parking lot, their reaction was, “Do you know how many times we access those records?”

Board members asked Hapgood to prepare up-to-date summaries of options and costs for a future discussion.

Weeks Mills Fire Chief William Van Wickler attended the Aug. 26 meeting to brief select board members on his department’s need for a new tanker. When their 1988 former oil truck was last inspected, the news was unexpectedly bad, he said – so bad that the department promptly sold it (for $2,000, having paid $3,500 for it).

Van Wickler is exploring one used-truck option, a 1996 vehicle currently owned by Chelsea. He intends to look into grant possibilities, though he said writing grant applications is not his specialty and he is not optimistic.

Nomination papers must be returned by Sept. 6

China’s local elections are Nov. 5. Signed nomination papers must be returned to the town office by the close of business Friday, Sept. 6, for candidates’ names to appear on the ballot.

China Town Clerk Angela Nelson reported Aug. 26 that there are still no candidates for a seat on the Regional School Unit #18 board of directors, or for three budget committee positions: District 2 (northeastern China), the secretary and the At Large representative (both elected from anywhere in town).

For three select board positions currently held by Blane Casey, Brent Chesley and Janet Preston, Edwin Bailey and Thomas Rumpf have turned in signed papers and Chesley, Tod Detre and Shawn McGlew are circulating papers.

Select board chairman Wayne Chadwick offered to join Van Wickler in an inspection of the Chelsea truck. Van Wickler intends to keep select board members updated on his search. Meanwhile, he said, his department still has two trucks, though it is without its main water supply.

In other business, Hapgood said she plans to end the 911 municipal sign program that provides residents with conspicuous house numbers by Nov. 30. Select board members approved.

The manager reminded those present that all town departments will be closed Monday, Sept. 2, for the Labor Day holiday.

The next regular select board meeting will be Monday evening, Sept. 9.

by Mary Grow

Members of China’s Transfer Station Committee and station manager Thomas Maraggio discussed plans for continued improvements at their Aug. 13 meeting.

An ongoing issue is items for which the station charges a fee, because it costs the town extra to get rid of them. The list (which is on the town website, chinamaine.org) includes furniture; refrigerators and other appliances that contain freon; computers and other electronics; lamps; and brush.

Users leave some of these items at the free for the taking building, and are annoyed when they are asked to pay the appropriate fee anyway. Maraggio said if someone takes the item while the prior owner is still there, the fee is refunded.

But, he said, not all items are in demand; and, building volunteer and committee member Rachel Anderson added, space is limited. Maraggio said staff clean up the area twice a week; obviously unusable items go immediately to the appropriate disposal area, doubtful ones are left for two weeks to find a new owner.

Anderson did not think a larger building was a solution; it would only attract more junk. She suggested outside display shelves or tables from spring through fall.

Anderson and others recommend people consider donating large items to Goodwill, or putting them on front lawns with a “Free” sign.

Committee chairman J. Christopher Baumann recommended more signage closer to the entrance, and better publicity through the China Connected newsletter and other sources, telling people what they need to pay for, and why, before or as they arrive.

Committee member Benjamin Weymouth suggested an informational handout distributed with annual transfer station stickers. Maraggio and Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said there are existing handouts.

Maraggio plans a building near the entrance for the sand that China residents are allowed in winter storms; he suggested informational signs on the building. (The town website says China residents may take two five-gallon buckets of sand per storm. Palermo residents get sand from their sand/salt shed on North Palermo Road.)

Reporting on recent developments, Maraggio said the three days staff checked access passes at the gate found general compliance, did not lead to delays and annoyed only a few people. Staff plan spot checks in the future.

The lighting at the free for the taking building, and the new concrete compost pad, are installed, Maraggio said. The compost policy has been revised: compost will still be free, but, due to potential liability, staff cannot help China and Palermo residents load it.

Hapgood and Palermo committee member Robert Kurek said they are “making progress” on a revised agreement to let Palermo residents continue to use China’s facility. A draft revision is almost ready for review by the two towns’ attorneys.

Hapgood sent Palermo the required year’s notice of intent to dissolve the current agreement last fall, after a series of problems with Palermo residents, mostly their refusal to buy and use the required blue bags.

She and Kurek, and the respective town office staff members and transfer station staff, continue to spend time tracking down offenders, but the situation has improved. Committee members briefly discussed ways to deal with repeat offenders, agreeing that in most cases, fines were preferable to denying access to the facility.

Transfer station committee members scheduled their next meeting for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10.

by Mary Grow

Lower than last year, but property owners should expect larger tax bills

China select board members set the 2024-25 tax rate (in their role as town assessors) and lined up several local referendum questions for Nov. 5 at a busy Aug. 12 meeting.

The tax rate they chose, based on assessor William Van Tuinen’s figures and recommendation, is 11.7 mils, or $11.70 for each $1,000 of valuation. This rate is lower than the 2023-24 rate, which Van Tuinen said was 12.26 mils.

However, local property-owners should expect their 2024-25 tax bills to be larger than last year’s.

Van Tuinen explained that town expenses will be higher in three areas: the Kennebec County tax, the municipal budget voters approved at the June town business meeting and the Regional School Unit #18 school budget.

The assessor did a comprehensive upward revision of property values, land and buildings, this spring. Because the values are higher, a lower tax rate will raise enough more money to cover higher expenses.

Tax bills should go out promptly. By town meeting vote, the first half payment is due at the town office by the close of business Monday, Sept. 30.

Potential Nov. 5 referendum issues include amendments to China’s Land Use Ordinance; an amended Tax Increment Financing (TIF) document; an amended Budget Committee Ordinance; and a map of the development district in South China (to complement the description voters approved in June).

Depending partly on the outcome of an Aug. 26 public discussion, there might also be a question requesting a moratorium on high-voltage power transmission lines through China. Board members received a petition to discuss the moratorium; they invite interested residents to participate at their Aug. 26 meeting, which will be in the town office meeting room at 6 p.m.

Many have requested nomination papers

As of Aug. 12, China Town Clerk Angela Nelson reported the following people had taken out nomination papers for local elective office:

— For the select board, incumbent Brent Chesley, Edwin Bailey, Tod Detre and Thomas Rumpf. Incumbent Janet Preston has announced she is not seeking another term; Blane Casey’s term also ends this year.
— For the budget committee, District 4 incumbent Timothy Basham. The other openings on the budget committee are for the secretary (currently vacant), District 2 (northeastern China; incumbent Taryn Hotham) and the At-Large position (incumbent Elizabeth Curtis).
— For one of China’s two seats on the Regional School District #18 board of directors, no one. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said at the Aug. 12 select board meeting incumbent T. James Bachinski does not intend to run for another term.

Signed nomination papers must be returned to the town office by Friday, Sept. 6, for candidates’ names to appear on the Nov. 5 local election ballot.

In other business Aug. 12, select board members and Recreation Committee chairman Martha Wentworth discussed a proposed dog park on the town-owned lot south of the town office, near the red barn.

Wentworth had an estimate of $7,648.52 for 150 linear feet of fencing, with double gates, from Maine Fence of China. The recreation budget can cover the cost, she said.

Board and audience members considered whether the park would be large enough. Wentworth proposed asking local dog-owners for donations and seeking grants for a larger area.

Wentworth said since dogs already use town trails, there would be no extra insurance considerations. Maintenance would include mowing and trash pick-up as needed; dog-owners would be expected to clean up after their pets.

She presented the dog park as a place for residents and their dogs to socialize. Her committee proposes moving the ice rink to the same lot, and she talked of picnic tables and areas for cornhole and similar games.

Select board chairman Wayne Chadwick, a dog owner himself, questioned the need for a dog park in a rural area where most people have room for their dogs to play. He was also concerned about disease transmission among dogs. And he said he was opposed to creating another town park without voter approval.

After 40 minutes’ discussion, board members voted 4-1, with Chadwick opposed, to authorize Wentworth to continue to plan and to seek additional funding, with the understanding they were not making an appropriation for the project.

Other Aug. 12 decisions included:

— Authorizing a little over $14,000 for Provost Monuments, of Benton, to repair headstones in the Branch Mills cemetery;
— Accepting a bid from S. D. Childs & Sons Excavation, of Palermo, for $12,850 for trail work in Thurston Park;
— Accepting bids for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) remediation at the transfer station and public works garage, from Radon Technologies and EverClean Water, in Fairfield, for $9,530, after discussion of water usage and options. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood praised the company’s earlier installation of a system in a nearby private home and said the remedial technology should eliminate the staining and odor that have bothered staff at the facilities.
— Appointing resident Dwaine Drummond to fill a vacancy on the planning board until Nov. 5; board member Blane Casey, the town’s alternate representative to the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (board member Janet Preston is the representative); and codes officer Nicholas French to represent the town at China Region Lakes Alliance board meetings, in response to a request from CRLA.

Hapgood reported on Maine’s blue envelope program, which provides legal-sized blue envelopes for drivers for whom encounters with police might be challenging – those diagnosed with autism, Down Syndrome or anxiety, for example. The China town office has envelopes to distribute.

The next regular China select board meeting will be Monday evening, Aug. 26, with the agenda including the discussion of a power line moratorium.