China TIF committee discusses third amendment to program

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by Mary Grow

Three members of China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee discussed the third amendment to the town’s TIF program, which they intend to ask the select board to present to voters at the Nov. 5 local election.

China’s TIF income is from taxes Central Maine Power Company pays on its transmission line through China and on its South China substation. The town’s 2024-25 tax rate will determine how much the TIF fund receives in the current fiscal year.

China select board members expect to have the information they need to set the tax rate at their Aug. 12 meeting. TIF committee members therefore scheduled an Aug. 19 meeting, expecting to have final figures for the revised plan.

The draft plan calls for TIF funding for one new project, seven on-going ones and matching funds for grants.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood explained that the new project, labeled “Causeway, Phase Two,” will follow up on changes made at the head of China Lake’s east basin with earlier TIF funding. Those included a new bridge with sidewalks, improved boat docks and more parking.

A second phase would include extending the sidewalk farther west and adding one or more docks where people can fish and swim away from the boat landing. Currently, committee members said, people fish from and swim around the boat docks, creating a potentially dangerous situation.

The projects scheduled to continue to receive TIF funding are: improvements at the South China boat landing, aimed at reducing erosion into China Lake; economic development programs; economic development events, like the just-completed China Community Days celebration; marketing China as a business location; environmental improvements; trails maintenance and improvements; and expanded broadband service.

Committee member Jamie Pitney, who drafted the revisions, said state rules allow TIF dollars to be used to match “certain grants.” Since China has not used this category, he is unsure what types of grants are included.

The revised plan deletes funding for two underused and unused projects, the revolving loan fund intended to assist small businesses and the job training program.

Resident Joann Austin attended the Aug. 5 meeting to ask about TIF-supported cultural events. Committee members could not immediately think of any such projects that would meet state TIF requirements.

Committee chairman Brent Chesley and member Lucas Adams thanked Pitney for drafting the 57-page plan. Assuming voters approve it in November, it will be forwarded to state officials in the Department of Economic and Community Development for their approval. If accepted, it will replace China’s current Second Amended TIF Program, approved in 2021.

China planners have new mass gathering ordinance ready for select board

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members decided at their July 30 meeting that they have a proposed new town ordinance ready to forward to select board members.

The document is titled “Mass Gathering Ordinance” and is intended to regulate events that bring 500 or more people to a site, in order to protect nearby residents and participants. Board members began discussion at their July 9 meeting (see the July 18 issue of The Town Line, p. 2).

Board chairman Toni Wall said the title is based on state law. Board members are working from an ordinance that Vassalboro voters narrowly rejected three years ago, adapted to fit China.

Much of the July 30 discussion focused on the application process – what information someone planning to hold a large gathering, like an outdoor concert or a road race, needs to provide. Planners agreed requiring an application three months before the event was scheduled to start was reasonable.

They included a required public hearing to collect comments before acting on an application.

The ordinance, if recommended by the select board and approved by voters (perhaps on Nov. 5), would not apply to pre-existing venues where gatherings are normally held.

The ordinance, if recommended by the select board and approved by voters (perhaps on Nov. 5), would not apply to pre-existing venues where gatherings are normally held. Board members agreed it would not affect most ongoing events, from church fairs and fire department fund-raisers to the annual China Community Days celebration.

Vassalboro’s ordinance was drafted in response to a planned country music festival on private property. The festival was never held.

Wall said she would forward the draft ordinance to town attorney Amanda Meader for her review before it goes to the select board.

Planning board members had one other piece of business July 30, a revised plan for Novel Energy Systems’ solar development on Parmenter Hill Road, approved last fall. Codes Enforcement Officer Nicholas French said Novel Energy has had to buy a different type of solar panel, which requires a different configuration.

There is no change in the size of the area panels will cover, or in buffers or other aspects of the project that affect neighboring lots, French said.

Board members unanimously approved the revised plan.

The next regular China planning board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13.

CHINA: Town revaluation puts property values near 100 percent

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by Mary Grow

China select board members heard information at their July 29 meeting that they hope will let them set the 2024-25 local tax rate at their Aug. 12 meeting.

Assessor William Van Tuinen said state officials had approved his revaluation of China property. By increasing land values by 10 percent and building values by 20 percent across the board, he brought China’s valuation close enough to actual prices to count as the 100 percent valuation the state wants.

Mobile homes Van Tuinen said he treated differently. Since they had not been revalued for some time, he increased their valuations more, though he kept in mind the lower value of older mobile homes.

With this work done and approved, Van Tuinen said he probably can give selectmen the information and tax rate options they need before their next meeting.

The valuation adjustments do not mean that tax bills will increase by 10 and 20 percent; higher valuations allow a lower tax rate. However, increased expenditures this fiscal year over last year will raise local taxes.

Nomination papers now available

Nomination papers for China local elective offices became available Monday, July 29. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood presented a list of those whose terms expire this year:

— On the select board: Brent Chesley, Blane Casey and Janet Preston;
— On the budget committee: secretary (vacant), District 2 (Taryn Hotham), District 4 (Timothy Basham) and at large (Elizabeth Curtis); and
— RSU #18 Director: T. James Bachinski.

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

On another topic, a petition presented at the July 29 meeting asked for a public meeting to discuss and vote on a moratorium on high-voltage transmission lines or corridors passing through the town. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said the petition was started in October 2023 and recently received the required number of signatures.

The three board members present, Jeanne Marquis, Brent Chesley and chairman Wayne Chadwick, discussed whether to schedule a special town meeting, hoping the required 100 voters would show up, or whether to put a transmission line/corridor moratorium ordinance on a Nov. 5 local ballot. On Chadwick’s recommendation, they postponed action until a full board is present.

Hapgood said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved one of China’s three requests for storm damage reimbursement, authorizing a grant of more than $48,000 to cover costs of cleaning up roadside brush and debris. State officials are reviewing the grant, she said. There has been no action yet on the other grant applications.

She presented a brief report on a violation of China’s solid waste ordinance: a seasonal resident entered the transfer station on a Monday, a day it is closed, to leave trash before returning to his year-round
home.

The man self-reported, Hapgood said, perhaps because an attendant saw and recorded him.

The maximum penalty could have been a $700 fine, Hapgood said. Board members considered that it was a first offense and self-reported and imposed a $100 fine.

Board members unanimously approved a renewal license for Wildwood Pawn, Inc., on Gunshop Road north of China Village.

They approved more end-of-fiscal year business, allocating money unspent before June 30 to 2024-25 accounts or reserve funds. They approved contracts for town functions, as Hapgood recommended.

Hapgood reported that Julia Gagnon, Maine’s American Idol contestant earlier this year, will sing at the barbecue that is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, at the ballfields by China Middle School, on Lakeview Drive. Barbecue tickets were almost sold out by July 29.

The Aug. 1 – 3 China Community Days schedule is available on line on the China Community Days Facebook page and on the town website, chinamaine.org.

August China select board meetings are scheduled for Monday evening, Aug. 12, and Monday evening, Aug. 26.

Planners OK water district shoreland zoning permit in 15 minutes

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members needed only a quarter-hour-long July 23 meeting to approve the Kennebec Water District’s application for a shoreland zoning permit on Outlet Stream near the KWD plant on Route 32.

KWD General Manager Roger Crouse and Water Quality Manager Robbie Bickford had presented the plan to the select board in June (see the June 20 issue of The Town Line, p. 3). They filed a planning board application that Bickford and Project Engineer Max Kenney reviewed briefly at the July 23 meeting.

The permit is for a pipeline under Route 32, from the plant on the west side of the road, that will carry used filter-cleaning water into Outlet Stream. Bickford and Kenney explained that KWD needs to dig up the road and wants to do it before the Maine Department of Transportation rebuilds parts of it and repaves this summer.

“We just need to be under the road before they pave it,” Kenney said. Waiting to dig up fresh pavement would be significantly more expensive.

To accent the point, MDOT crews were working on the road in front of the town office as the planning board met.

Tunneling was a less safe option than opening the pavement, Bickford said, because there are already under that section of road a water main, a sewer main and two fiberoptic cables.

KWD’s application provided detailed plans for the pipe, which will open into an outfall channel between Route 32 and Outlet Stream. Bickford explained to the planning board, as he had to the select board, that the water from the plant will add no contaminants and no significant volume to the stream; it might slightly increase the oxygen level, he said.

If China Lake and Outlet Stream were to flood again, KWD could reduce its discharge, he said, and being completely underwater would not harm the discharge channel.

Planning board members conditioned their unanimous approval on receiving for their files a copy of the easement allowing KWD to cross the lot between the road and the stream. Bickford promised it.

Since Vassalboro is now without a codes officer, Town Manager Aaron Miller filled in as secretary for the planning board. He said David Savage, from Oakland, is assisting with essential codes enforcement duties while Vassalboro seeks applicants to fill the position. The arrangement is working well, he said.

The next regular Vassalboro planning board meeting will be Tuesday evening, Aug. 6. Miller said as of July 23, there was one pending application.

Vassalboro first responders receive $17,500 grant from blue ribbon commission

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by Mary Grow

Money was a major theme at the July 25 Vassalboro select board meeting, and for once, some was coming in instead of going out.

Vassalboro First Responders Chief Dan Mayotte was the first person with good news (and a request): the First Responders recently received a $17,300 grant, part of the recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission the Maine legislature created in 2023.

Plans to use the money include providing tuition for members who want to get advanced EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) training, and paying a member to spend a few hours a week doing paperwork, checking gear and doing other managerial tasks.

Mayotte said Vassalboro has the most First Responders of any area town. With a successful group and a grant, he asked select board members to support an application to move to a higher license level, from EMT to Advanced EMT. Part of the grant money would be used for the application process and for some additional equipment.

The higher license would let members perform additional life-saving services when needed, for instance if an ambulance were delayed, Mayotte said.

He foresaw no additional major expenditures if the unit were licensed as Advanced EMT. He told Town Manager Aaron Miller the change would not affect insurance costs.

The two select board members present July 25, chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., and Chris French, authorized Mayotte and Miller to work on getting the new license.

At the end of the select board meeting, Recreation Director Karen Hatch displayed another result of a successful grant: in the meeting room was one of the raised garden boxes that will be set up in front of the town office. The project is funded with a Community Challenge Grant from AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons); see the July 18 issue of The Town Line, p. 8, for more information.

Between those two pieces of good news, Miller and board members talked about:

— The on-going multi-party discussion of the China Lake water level and the outlet dam in East Vassalboro;
— Plans to replace Dunlap Bridge on Mill Hill Road, an expensive project that involves the town and its engineering firm, Calderwood Engineering, of Richmond, and the state Department of Transportation; and
— Next steps in dealing with two foreclosed properties, at 14 Priest Hill Road and 159 Lombard Dam Road.

Board members approved Miller’s list of town manager’s appointments. They appointed Bruce Lancaster to the Vassalboro Trails Committee, and Jordan Cayouette as the Recreation Committee member heading the soccer program.

They agreed by consensus to offer for sale a 12-by-16-foot gazebo, bought by a past recreation director some years ago and never taken from its box and assembled. Miller recommended sale proceeds be set aside in a fund for a similar project should Hatch so recommend.

The manager reported that the Delta Ambulance board of directors is considering asking towns it serves for a 2025 fee of $35 per resident. No decision was made, he emphasized.

By town meeting vote, Delta is receiving $25 a head for fiscal year 2024, up from $15 in FY 2023. During budget discussions, there was talk of a possible 2025 fee as high as $45.

Miller reported on proposed measures to slow traffic approaching the East Vassalboro four corners, which he said should be in place by the end of August. The plan was worked out by the local East Vassalboro Village Project Team and the state Department of Transportation, whose cooperation Miller praised.

Also earning praise, from Miller and from public works department spokesman Brian Lajoie, was Lucas Striping, of Readfield, for donating pavement striping at the newly-paved Vassalboro Historical Society parking lot.

Lajoie told board members the public works department is seeking bids for its new building. He hopes the building will go up this fall.

The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, Aug. 8.

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.

* * * * * *

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.

* * * * * *

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.