Windsor select board elects William Appel Jr., chairman; introduce Nichole Stenberg as new town assessor

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by The Town Line staff

At the beginning of the June 18 Windsor Select Board meeting, Town Manager Theresa Haskell said the first order of business was to elect a board chairman.

The first count was Thomas McNaughton, two votes, William Appel Jr., two votes and Chester D. Barnes, one vote. A second vote gave Appel three votes and became the board’s new chairman.

Town Assessor Vern Ziegler introduced Nichole Stenberg from Dirigo Assessing who will be the town’s new assessor’s agent. Stenberg worked for Maine Revenue Service in the past and has over 20 years of experience in property tax.

Road Supervisor Keith Hall reported there was money left in the roadside mowing account and will be having Chris Pierce and Nathan Northrup do sections in town. They use different equipment and have different pricing options. Hall also reported the Amish signs have been put in place.

Talks with Lucas Striping indicated the price will be the same as last year: $.07 for white lines, and $.14 for double yellow lines per foot.

Scott Peaslee will be doing the job on the transfer station wall at a cost of $12,000.

Julia Hartwell appeared before the board to ask that a container be allowed at the town office for Boy Scout Pack #609 to collect bottles as a fundraiser. The board approved with the stipulation that it be placed in a location that would not interfere with plowing during the winter.

David Landmann expressed an interest in being a regular member of the planning board for a three-year term.

The board also approved several appointments. Kim Bolduc-Bartlett at back up animal control officer to 2025; Richard H. Gray Jr. and Thomas Reed, to 2027, Cemetery Committee members, Robert Holt and Laurie Thomas to 2027, board of appeals members; Bonnie Squiers and Heather Wilson to 2027, Windsor Educational Foundation and Reed Fund member; Chester D. Barnes Sr. and Adrian Prindle to 2027, Conservation Commission Committee member; Katherine Johnson to 2025, tax collecter; and David Landmann to 2027, planning board member.

Ryan Carver was appointed animal control officer for one year, and Arthur Strout was appointed as building inspector for one year.

Dwight Tibbetts is interested in holdinjg a benefit concert for the American Lung Association in the town hall. There was much discussion on the building use policy and concerns about the limit of 75 people. This was tabled to the next meeting.

Chairman Appel received an anonymous letter from a group called Concerned Citizens of Windsor regarding some concerns they have within the town. Thomas McNaughton said he welcomes comments, while Chester D. Barnes Jr. said he felt threatened. Appel invited anyone with concerns to attend a select board meeting and encourages the involvement to address these conerns with the board members.

Appel said he received a letter from McKee Morgan Law Firm regarding an incorrect designation of a road name, “Landworks Lane”, and would like to have this on the agenda for the next meeting to include all parties involved, including the codes enforcement officer, Arthur Strout, and assistant codes enforcement officer Greg Feltis.

Appel also said the planning board has been getting new site plan review applications and there has been discussion of possibly some solar farm applications, and there would be some training involved.

Finally, Barnes asked when a meeting will be set up with C. B. Haskell Fuel Co., Inc., regarding the town hall heat pumps. According to Haskell, they have been contacted and is waiting for them to set up a date.

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At a special board of selectmen meeting on June 27, Town Manager Theresa Haskell indicated that it looks like the transfer station budget will come up short and that money will need to be moved to cover.

The select board also accepted the resignation of transfer station committee member Barbara Seaver-West.

Most of the rest of the meeting was spent when transfer station committee chairman John Deeds received a letter from the Concerned Citizens of Windsor Group. He stated he has dealt with threatening letters from the state before and asks that this group come and join the transfer station committee to help them as a group. No time was set for the meeting.

Deeds also asked the select board how they can slow down traffic on Rte. 105 heading towards Somerville. Once they enter Hussey’s intersection, “they are going 80 to 90 mph past his house,” and he is the next house near the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department. The select board said they have no authority to slow down people, but anyone can contact the State Police or Sheriff’s Department. Deeds said he has done that and sometimes they even sit at the WVFD, but nothing happens. Haskell said Patsy Crockett, Commissioner for Kennebec County, will attend the July 30 meeting and that issue can be addressed with her at that time.

Finally, there was discussion about having a policy on how public comment at meetings is overseen, and how to move the meetings along. This was tabled to a future select board meeting.

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At their regular meeting on July 2, the Windsor Select Board reviewed a Department of Transportatin proposal for signs to benefit traffic flow along Rte. 17 – Augusta-Rockland Rd. Town Manager Theresa Haskell gave a handout with a map showing the proposed placement of the signs. DOT will purchase the signs if public works places them in the designated area.

As a following up to Dwight Tibbetts’ request to hold a concern to benefit the American Lung Association at the town hall, a copy of the building use policy was distributed to the board. The policy will be reviewed by the board and discussed at a future meeting.

The town attorney recommended the building at 762 Ridge Road be designated a dangerous building. The owner is not currently living on the property. Codes Enforcement Officer Arthur Strout will submit a letter to the select board to state reasons.

Several residents appeared before the board to express their opinions on the Landworks Lane controversy.

Chris Oberg, Johannah Oberg, and Paul Bernier gave their reasons to keep the name. Bernier indicated he has maintained the road for over 20 years and is running his business off the road. All three state they only followed directions when they were asked by the town to name the road.

However, Alan Aronson, a resident of Griffin Road, stated he owns part of what is now Landworks Lane and that he and his wife, Darcy, had no say in naming the road, saying they were not OK with that.

Following lengthy discussion, the board approved placing signage on Griffin Road near the Landworks Lane Road entrance, from both directions, to direct traffic to Landworks Lane. The road sign Landworks Lane will be moved back to the property line of Paul Bernier, and Johannah and Chris Oberg. There will be no name placed for the right of way beginning at Gtiffin Road at this time as there are no homes on the property to warrant naming the section of road.

Nancy Fish spoke again about concerns of the pit on Hunts Meadow Road that borders her land. Nancy was looking for some clarification of the Site Plan Ordinance for pits. Barnes again suggested she bring her concerns to the planning board. CEO Strout was present and said he can check to see if the pit is less than five acres. If it is more than five acres, the state of Maine would need to be involved with her concerns.

In other business the board approved a McNaughton motion to change the pricing on building permits for residential to $75 plus $.05 per square foot and $150 for commercial plus $.05 per square foot, effective immediately.

Haskell made three more appointments, Dan West as a regular planning board member to 2027, Thomas Leonard as an alternate planning board member to 2026, and Richard H. Gray Jr., as a transfer station committee member to 2026.

The board accepted the resignation of Joshua Briggs from the transfer station.

Palermo Library holds annual meeting

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(Photo courtesy of Palermo Community Library)

by Mary Grow

The Palermo Library Board held its 22nd annual meeting at the library on Sunday, July 14.  In addition to accepting annual reports, the board re-elected Chris Diesch chairman; Pam Swift secretary; and Diane Bent, treasurer. Diesch thanked the volunteers who keep the library open.

The library has an ongoing book sale and other events for adults and children.  During the annual Palermo Days celebration in August, library volunteers will raffle off a large quilt, on display in the meeting room.

Diesch said the 3D printer is now working.  She recommended anyone wanting to use it schedule an appointment, as not all volunteers are equally familiar with it.

The Palermo library is at 2789 Route 3, in Palermo; the telephone number is (207) 993-6088.  Its website, Palermo.me.lib.us, lists hours and other useful information.

EVENTS: Learn more about loons and loon restoration at Sheepscot Lake Assn. annual meeting

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The Sheepscot Lake Association will be hosting Maine Audubon Biologist Ethan Daly at their annual meeting Thursday, July 25, to discuss the Audubon’s Loon Restoration Project. Ethan Daly will be discussing Loon Restoration. Ethan grew up in New Hampshire and moved to Maine in 2024. He attended Boston College where he studied environmental science. He’s been working with Maine Audubon’s Loon Restoration Project since March and thoroughly enjoys monitoring loons and working with volunteers. Outside of work he enjoys hiking, cycling, and his guitar.

Please bring a dessert to share at the potluck dessert table. The meeting will be held July 25, at 6:30, starting with a dessert potluck social. It will be held at the Palermo Consolidated School, on Route 3.

Planners begin discussions on two new proposed town ordinances

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members began discussion of two proposed new town ordinances at their July 9 meeting. Chairman Toni Wall expressed the hope that they would be ready for submission to town voters by the Nov. 5 state and federal election day.

One ordinance is tentatively titled a Mass Gathering Ordinance. The purpose is to regulate events that draw large crowds, to maximize safety and minimize risks and annoyances.

Board members had as a model an ordinance that Vassalboro voters rejected by a narrow margin in November 2021. Vassalboro officials prepared it because a resident had proposed hosting a country music show. It covers two types of topics, external effects and attendees’ health, safety and comfort.

The former includes things like requirements for notice to neighbors, not necessarily only direct abutters; traffic and parking management; and noise limits. The latter covers such issues as water supply, portable toilets and emergency response plans.

The second ordinance is a site review ordinance that Wall said would be the basis for reviewing non-residential development applications. Codes Officer Nicholas French said it would provide more specific definitions of criteria in current town ordinances.

Board members intend to continue discussion at their next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday evening, July 30 (postponed from the usual second Tuesday of the month).

China select board pays bills at abbreviated meeting

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Over half a million dollars in miscellaneous payments

by Mary Grow

China select board members met for barely over a quarter of an hour July 15, using the time to hear reports from town employees and spend more than half a million dollars.

The spending came first, when they approved two weeks’ worth of bills: more than $520,000 in miscellaneous payments plus over $42,000 for the town payroll.

Deputy Town Manager Jennifer Chamberlain shared five other employees’ reports.

— Kelly Grotton, assistant to the assessing agent, said select board members might have the figures they need to set the 2024-25 tax rate by their Aug. 12 meeting. Once board members approve a rate, office staff can mail out local tax bills. The first half payment is due by the close of business Monday, Sept. 30 (by town meeting vote).
— Director of Public Services Shawn Reed said the town public works crew has been repairing road shoulders washed out by heavy rains and preparing for summer paving. He announced that transfer station staff will inspect every vehicle at the entrance during the week of July 23, part of an effort to evaluate and improve enforcement of regulations.
— Codes Officer Nicholas French reported as of mid-year, he had issued 22 permits for new residences in China, compared to 30 for all of 2023. He plans to move back to China the end of July, and thanked Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood and Deputy Clerk Tammy Bailey for their help as he worked long-distance for the last several months.
— Summer intern Gracie Stagnito reported on economic development activities and plans for the annual China Days celebration, which begins Thursday evening, Aug. 1, with a walk in the China School Forest and ends Sunday afternoon, Aug. 4. Select board member Jeanne Marquis asked that Aug. 3 field events include a booth for board members to talk with residents, with a display on which to record comments and questions for public viewing.
— Town Clerk Angela Nelson said nomination papers for local elective offices will be available Monday, July 29. Signed papers must be returned by the close of business Friday, Sept. 6, for candidates’ names to appear on the Nov. 5 local ballot.

Nelson said the following incumbents’ terms end this year: on the select board, Blane Casey, Brent Chesley and Janet Preston; on the budget committee, Taryn Hotham (District 2), Timothy Basham (District 4) and Elizabeth Curtis, at-large member, and there is a vacancy for the secretary’s position, also elected from the town at large; and for one of China’s two Regional School Unit #18 board positions, T. James Bachinski.

In addition, Nelson said, there are vacancies on appointed boards: the planning board, board of appeals, board of assessment review, recreation committee and comprehensive plan implementation committee.

Residents interested in more information about any of these positions are invited to call or email the town office.

The July 15 select board discussion included one item not on the agenda. Before the meeting began, board chairman Wayne Chadwick displayed the diagram of the South China boat landing prepared for the state Department of Environmental Protection as part of an application to improve the access road (see the July 11 issue of The Town Line, p. 2). During the meeting, Blane Casey reported he had visited the landing two weekend afternoons recently and found it deserted.

The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, July 29.

Vassalboro road discussions dominate select board meeting

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by Mary Grow

Two road projects dominated discussion at the Vassalboro select board’s June 27 meeting.

Town Manager Aaron Miller summarized Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans for work on two stretches of Route 32 (Main Street) this summer. Longer-range, board members shared information on replacing the Mill Hill Road bridge over Seven Mile Stream, in southwestern Vassalboro.

MDOT submitted requests to transport overweight equipment over municipal roads, if necessary, for two Route 32 projects. One begins 1.14 miles north of the Gray Road intersection and extends about three-quarters of a mile. The other begins about a quarter mile north of the Getchell Corner Road intersection and runs for a little more than two miles.

On Miller’s recommendation, select board members approved the overweight documents. The manager expects work to begin sometime after the July 4 holiday.

The failing culvert on Mill Hill Road has been discussed repeatedly. Select board members learned last fall that although it is MDOT engineers who are evaluating the culvert, replacing it is the town’s responsibility.

The state Department of Marine Resources is also interested, because an improved stream passage will benefit alewives and other migratory fish.

A letter to Miller from DMR Resource Management Coordinator Lars Hammer estimated the cost of replacing the culvert at $3.6 million. Hammer wrote that grants would be expected to cover 80 percent of the cost; another $721,940 would have to come from “the town or another non-federal source.”

Miller said the town is applying for grants. Two applications are due in July.

Three area residents attended the June 27 meeting. Their main concern is how long the dead-end road will be closed.

Vassalboro resident and DMR employee Nate Gray said the closure period would vary, and could be non-existent; the contractor might be able to keep the present road open while building beside it.

Gray does not expect the work to be done before 2026.

In other business June 27, board members set their summer meeting schedule. They will hold one July meeting, on Thursday, July 25, and one August meeting, on Thursday, Aug. 8.

Beginning Thursday, Sept. 5, they plan to go back to the usual two meetings a month.

China select board pays bills at short June meeting

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by Mary Grow

China select board members held a short special meeting Friday afternoon, June 28, to pay end-of-fiscal-year bills (a little under $66,000 worth), make a few more local appointments and do minor business.

Most of the appointments were reappointments left over from the board’s June 17 meeting.

Business including authorizing Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood to sign the annual contract with the City of Waterville for emergency services dispatching (approved and funded as part of the 2024-25 budget) and approving a transfer of funds from the old town hall maintenance reserve fund to cover work done in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

The board held a regular meeting Monday evening, July 1.

SELECTBOARD: South China boat landing topic of July 1 meeting

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South China boat launch. (photo by Roland D. Hallee)

by Mary Grow

China select board members and a dozen South China Village residents spent almost an hour and a half of the July 1 select board meeting discussing the South China boat landing.

The landing at the south end of the east basin is one of three public boat launches on China Lake. The others are at the head of the east basin near China Village, and near the west basin outlet, in East Vassalboro village.

South China’s lake access is by Town Landing Road, a gravel road running downhill that is a source of erosion into China Lake. Turning and parking space is very limited, and there is no room for expansion.

The landing is currently open to all watercraft, including, neighbors said, very large boats. A previous engineering study recommended limiting use to hand-carried canoes and kayaks.

Select board members reviewed a plan to pave the road, with the paving sloped toward ditches with riprap and vegetation that will absorb pollutants from run-off.

Several residents preferred the hand-carry plan; why, they asked, allow people, mostly out-of-towners, to continue to overuse an undersized area? Even if the run-off problem is solved, they said, limited room to launch boats and lack of designated parking remain problems.

Board chairman Wayne Chadwick said repeatedly his threefold goal is to enhance water quality, preserve access to the lake (which is owned by the State of Maine, he pointed out) and minimize future maintenance costs.

China Lake Association President Stephen Greene reminded board members that the association recently received a grant that includes money for the landing. He recommended a temporary closure until improvements are made.

Several people asked for a return to the carry-in plan, or continued study to come up with an alternative that would involve less intrusion on neighbors.

There was some support for signs limiting boat size or banning parking. Janet Preston, the select board member most vocal in expressing doubts about paving, thought people might heed them.

Neighbors agreed there should be no sign encouraging use by identifying the landing. However, board member Blane Casey’s suggested “Dead End Road No Turn-Around” drew an immediate offer of lawn space.

Casey believes if word spreads that people can launch their boats from trailers only by backing down a narrow road, use will decrease.

Board members voted 4-1, with Preston opposed, to forward their plan to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection with a request for approval.

In other business July 1, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood summarized plans prepared by Recreation Committee chairman Martha Wentworth to use the town-owned lot at the corner of Lakeview Drive and Alder Park Road, south of the town office complex.

Wentworth’s plan includes moving the ice-skating rink there from its present location at the ballfields by China Middle School; fencing in a 30-foot-by-50-foot dog park; and perhaps adding amenities like a community garden or a lawn games area.

Select board members agreed unanimously to authorize Wentworth and Hapgood to seek cost estimates for a fence for the dog park.

Board members also unanimously hired Portland-based Purdy Powers and Company to audit the town’s books for another year.

Hapgood suggested board members consider having a booth at the Saturday, Aug. 3, part of the Aug. 2-4 China Days celebration, where residents could meet and talk with them.

The July 15 select board meeting is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. Hapgood anticipates a light agenda.

Former China Dine-ah to become daycare

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China Dine-ah on Lakeview Drive in China.

by Mary Grow

The former China Dine-ah, on Lakeview Drive (Route 202), which was closed by the pandemic in the spring of 2020, is moving toward becoming a daycare called Grace’s Busy Bees, directed by Grace McIntyre.

McIntyre, building owner Norman Elvin and architect David Landmann described plans to the China Planning Board at its June 25 meeting and received prompt and unanimous approval.

Board members considered the minimal external changes, the lack of impacts on neighbors and the local publicity the change has received and decided no public hearing was needed. They found the plan meets all ordinance requirements.

Board chairman Toni Wall issued the usual reminder that the decision is subject to appeal within 30 days.

The daycare will add a playground behind the building, away from Route 202. Elvin intends to build a six-foot cedar fence between the playground and the neighboring house.

Another change he plans is clearing brush along the road to improve visibility from the driveway.

Landmann said the fire alarm system has been upgraded and additional exits provided. He pointed out that state requirements the building met for a restaurant – like the septic system, which Elvin said had been thoroughly checked recently – were even more strict than requirements for a daycare.

The commercial kitchen in the building will be removed as part of a comprehensive interior renovation. Elvin said before the China Dine-ah opened, the building had been gutted, removing anything that might contain asbestos or lead.

The business needs approval from the state Department of Human Services and the state Fire Marshal. Landmann said both applications are pending.

McIntyre hopes to open Grace’s Busy Bees when school starts in the fall. She has applied for a maximum of 65 children to start, tentatively planning for up to 100 children in the future. Hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The June 25 planning board agenda included review of two existing ordinances and proposals for three new ones. Board members postponed continued discussion of China’s Land Use Ordinance and an update of the town’s marijuana ordinance.

Also scheduled for future discussion, as Wall and others collect more information and samples from other Maine towns, are:

— A Condemning Places ordinance that would allow town officials to determine a building unfit for human habitation;
— A Mass Gathering ordinance to define and regulate temporary events that draw large crowds; and
— On town attorney Amanda Meader’s recommendation, a Site Plan Review ordinance.

The next China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, July 9.

Vassalboro school board hears positive reports for end of year

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

At their June 18 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members heard positive reports about the end of the current school year and continued planning for the next one.

Principal Ira Michaud said end-of-school events, including field trips, the spring concert, a field day and the eighth-grade promotion exercises, went very well. He and Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer thanked multiple non-school people who helped.

Michaud said three weeks of summer school are scheduled beginning July 8. Classes will run Mondays through Thursdays.

Pfeiffer, speaking for Finance Director Paula Pooler, said the 2023-24 budget is expected to be in the black when the fiscal year ends June 30.

Later in the meeting, board members gave final approval to the 2024-25 school budget that Vassalboro voters approved at their June 3 town meeting and re-approved in a June 11 referendum, in the amount of $9,522,114.82.

Board members started spending some of the money: they authorized Pfeiffer to negotiate and sign a letter of intent with Energy Management Consultants, Inc., of Portland “to perform an energy audit and HVAC [heating, ventilation and air conditioning] infrastructure analysis of the Vassalboro Community School,” for not more than $15,000.

Pfeiffer expects the work to extend over several years and to cover multiple aspects of energy use at VCS. The first changes might be made as soon as the next school year, he said.

School board members plan no July meeting. They voted to move their regular meeting night from the third Tuesday of the month (which ran into conflicts this past year) to the second Tuesday, and scheduled their next meeting for Tuesday evening, Aug. 13.