Vassalboro school board proposes expanded paving of school parking lot

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro School Board members heard more good news than bad news about the sections of the proposed 2021-22 budget they reviewed at their March 9 special meeting.

They heard a proposal for a major expenditure – and not only supported it, but suggested expanding it.

The proposal was from Shelley Phillips, Director of Maintenance and Grounds, talking about the 2021-22 proposed budget for work at Vassalboro Community School (VCS). She recommended spending an estimated $114,500 to repave the school parking lot for the first time since 1992, plus up to $1,500 for striping.

Within the last half-dozen years, Phillips said, storm drains and curbs have been repaired and the worst holes patched, partly in preparation for a complete repaving.

She said she discussed the project with Eugene Field, Vassalboro’s municipal Public Works Director, and plans to save money by piggybacking on the town’s paving contract for the coming summer.

The immediate reaction from board members was to add more paved parking, maybe 20 or 30 new spaces. There is not enough parking for sports and other events that draw large crowds, they said.

Phillips said she will review the VCS site plan to see if there is an appropriate area free of underground tanks and utilities. If additional parking seems feasible, she will again consult with Field; perhaps the town public works crew could do some of the preparatory work.

Other parts of the maintenance budget are slated to be reduced by a few thousand dollars in 2021-22, Phillips said. Recommendations include less for electricity, because the school, like the town, is getting solar power from a Skowhegan installation; less for fuel, as both price and usage are expected to be below the current year’s; less for custodial supplies, because Covid funds helped stock up; and only $158 more for interior maintenance, because no major renovations seem needed.

Phillips said the VCS air handling system has been maintained and upgraded over the years and is adequate to meet health requirements during the pandemic.

Asked about future major projects, she named two to be kept in mind: seal and repoint as needed the brick exterior of the building, and replace the flat roof on the gymnasium. G & E Roofing, by contract, inspects and reports on the roof every year, she said.

The other budget areas discussed March 9 were transportation; the central office, which used to be the Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) #92 office serving Vassalboro, Waterville and Winslow; and food service.

Transportation Supervisor Ashley Pooler said Covid funds were used to buy four new buses. They come with five-year warranties; the updated fleet should need fewer repairs; and the new buses will be more fuel-efficient. With purchase, repair and fuel costs lowered, she proposes a budget that is more than $45,000 below the current-year budget.

Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer said he, Waterville Superintendent Eric Haley and Winslow Superintendent Peter Thiboutot are reworking the interlocal agreement that replaced the former AOS. Consequently, Vassalboro will replace some of the shared central office personnel with a part-time Vassalboro employee, saving money

Pfeiffer will go from being officially employed two days a week – he claims the pandemic has put him and his colleagues on a seven-day-a-week schedule – to three days a week.

Finance Director Paula Pooler (who is Ashley Pooler’s mother) said the Vassalboro school department continues to reduce the deficit in the food service program. (See Regional School Unit #18 Superintendent Carl Gartley’s explanation of this state-wide problem in the Feb. 25 issue of The Town Line, p. 3.)

Pooler reported that the audit for the previous (2019-20) fiscal year, delayed by Covid-related complications, is now available. School board members intended to accept it formally at their next meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, at VCS.

Public hearing scheduled for March 15th in Palermo

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The Planning Board will be holding a Public Hearing on March 15th at 6:30 p.m.

The Public hearing is for the Murphy Subdivision Revision of Nelson Lane/Marden Hill Road.

Due to COVID restrictions we are limited to how many people can be in the office.

ZOOM meeting info will be posted on the town’s website: www.townofpalermo.org

For more information, contact:

Mary Andrews
Town Clerk, Treasurer, & Registrar of Voters
Town of Palermo
45 N. Palermo Rd
Palermo, Maine 04354
207-993-2296/ fax 207-993-2938
Email: topclerk@fairpoint.net

Waterville Creates to receive 2021 Excellence in Arts Advocacy award

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Waterville Creates (WC) will receive the 2021 Excellence in Arts Advocacy Award from the Maine Art Education Association. A formal, state-wide recognition ceremony will take place virtually on Saturday, March 13, 2021, and will be hosted by the Portland Museum of Art. The Maine Art Education Association is a statewide professional organization whose members are committed to excellence in visual arts education.

“This is a testament to your exemplary contributions to support visual arts education. We applaud your leadership, commitment and service to the support of arts education,” says Lynda Leonas, president of the Maine Art Education Association of Portland.

Waterville Creates develops and delivers a wide array of arts education and outreach programs that serve Waterville area residents and their families. WC works with a host of organizational partners to maximize its reach and ensure access for a broad array of community members. “Waterville Creates envisions a community where everyone has access to – and takes part in – high quality and lifelong learning experiences in the arts. This recognition from the Maine Art Education Association is a tremendous acknowledgment of our programmatic efforts,” says Shannon Haines, President + CEO of Waterville Creates.

Led by Education + Outreach Coordinator, Serena Sanborn, WC reimagined existing programs and developed new initiatives to keep the community connected and engaged in the arts through the pandemic. Sanborn virtually hosted numerous art classes and camps through WC’s Facebook page, spearheaded the collaborative Art Kits for All program, which has distributed over 3,500 art kits to area families, and hosted WC’s video series, On the Road.

Specialty crop grants now available

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The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry’s (DACF) Bureau of Agriculture seeks Specialty Crop Block Grants (SCBG) program applications from Maine’s specialty crop industry to present for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). DACF anticipates awarding at least $500,000 in 2021.

The SCBG program is specifically designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.

Funds are awarded to programs through a competitive review process. Grant awards are for a one-year term. Applications may be resubmitted for consideration for additional funding in subsequent years.

Priority areas for the 2021 SCBG program include: enhanced food safety education, primarily concerning FDA rules regarding improved handling and processing of specialty crop; soil and biotic health to improve pest management and biodiversity; marketing Maine specialty crops to diversified and expanded markets, or that research potential market expansion efforts and strategies; or improving adaptation and increased resilience to climate-related crop disturbances in support of long-term farm business vitality and productivity.

“Our goal with this grant program is to help strengthen and grow Maine’s specialty crop production while nurturing local farming and food businesses,” said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal. “During the pandemic, demand for Maine-grown and produced food products increased markedly. This competitive grant opportunity will help farmers and food producers continue to meet ongoing demand.”

“The SCBG is also an excellent vehicle to advance important research about Maine crops, whether it be cropping systems or resiliency in the face of climate change,” said Nancy McBrady, Director of the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources. “We are excited to see what this new round of applications brings forward for advances in research.”

Agricultural organizations, educational institutions, commodity groups, municipalities, producers, and state agencies may download the 2021 SCBG application online. The application deadline is March 30.

Maine’s 2020 SCBG awards supported numerous projects, including expanding Maine’s berry industry to improve farm profitability, integrated pest management for Maine’s $500 million potato industry, using foliar fertilizers and soil amendments to enhance wild blueberry production and resilience, and others.

Please consult the RFA for more information, and contact Leigh Hallett, Agricultural Resource Development Director, at SpecialtyCropBlockGrant@Maine.gov with questions or for additional information.

https://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Portal+News&id=4256435&v=article-2017

Windsor selectmen deny request for community food sovereignty ordinance

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by The Town Line staff

At the February 16 Windsor selectmen’s meeting, Windsor resident Sherri Talbot sent an inquiry about the possibility of having a food sovereignty ordinance drafted for the town. She provided information for the board to review. Town manager Theresa Haskell read the proposal and stated that if the board had any question, they could call Talbot during the meeting.

Haskell then distributed information she received from the Maine Municipal Association legal department which included details about local food sovereignty and what the municipal liability could be. Selectman Ronald Brann made a motion, under the advisement of legal counsel, that creating the ordinance could potentially put the town at an unnecessary legal risk. The board denied the request to put the issue on the upcoming town meeting warrant.

The board also stressed they are very supportive of local agriculture. It was noted the town is not qualified to see if it is safe and they do not have the training or skill sets, nor the desire to do this. They suggested a farmers market.

In other business, the board was informed that the transfer station has started using coin trays to help with the close out at the end of the night. It seems to help with organizing the counting of all the coins collected that day.

Sean Teekema, interim transfer station supervisor, said he will seek measurements for a new bucket for the salt container. They may also get a cover the container. Other possibilities at the transfer station include new lights and a new sign.

Haskell said the town received a snowmobile reimbursement in the amount of $1,039.34. That amount will be divided between the WJW Snowmobile Club, 75 percent or $779.51, and the remaining 25 percent, in the past, has been divided between the Windsor Boy Scouts, Windsor Brownie Troop and the Windsor Youth Association. That amounts to $86.61 for each of the three organizations.

Discussion on the employee manual was wrapped up with the finalization of the retirement match. The board unanimously passed the motion as presented with changes being made to the Valic Retirement match.

At the previous meeting, the board of selectmen were given a draft of COVID procedures to be followed by the best of everyone’s ability. That measure passed by a vote of 4-1, with Selectman Richard Gray Jr. the lone dissenter.

Nomination papers became available on February 26.

The new office space caused the town hall equipment account to be overspent, however, it will not affect the town overall budget because there were other funds available in other town hall expense accounts that were underspent.

In another matter, Selectman Andrew Ballantyne shared that Elwin Hussey gave him information about the town of Windsor, dating back to the 1700s. He has offered it to the town office to make a copy for public viewing.

The next board of selectmen meeting was scheduled for March 2.

China selectmen unanimously approve warrant

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by Mary Grow

China selectmen held a brief special meeting Monday afternoon, March 8, at which they unanimously approved the warrant for the June 8 annual town business meeting.

Another unanimous vote authorized Town Manager Becky Hapgood to create and mail to all residents an explanation of the questions to be voted on. The mailing will be in addition to the twice-a-month mailings from the town office; the cost is estimated at between $500 and $600.

Hapgood plans to send out the special mailing the first or second week in April, so residents can read it before the April 26 public hearing on the June 8 ballot questions. The mailing will include instructions for participating remotely in the public hearing.

Hapgood plans also to put information on the town website, china.gov.office.com.

The June 8 vote will be by written ballot. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the former portable classroom behind the town office. Instructions for voting by absentee ballot will be available well in advance of the meeting.

The next two regular China selectmen’s meeting are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Mon

China budget committee approves selectmen spending recommendations

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by Mary Grow

China Budget Committee members approved selectmen’s spending recommendations for the 2021-22 fiscal year at an hour-long meeting March 2.

Most votes were unanimous; two appropriations were recommended by votes of 5 to 1.

Tom Rumpf dissented on the vote to appropriate $26,471 to support FirstPark, the Oakland-based business park to which China and 23 other area municipalities contribute. The FirstPark question is Article 15 in the 26-article warrant.

Elizabeth Curtis dissented on Art. 26, the request to authorize spending for each category to continue at the current year’s level if town meeting voters reject the proposed 2021-22 amount. She asked if the article meant that voters would have no chance to have the question explained, objections answered and a revote held.

Town Manager Becky Hapgood replied that depending on the question, a revote could be scheduled. Because of requirements for written-ballot voting, it would take a couple months to organize a second vote.

Some committee members abstained on votes to avoid possible conflicts of interest. For example, three fire department members abstained on the vote to recommend $107,500 for community support organizations, because the total includes what used to be called firefighters’ stipends and are now considered gifts in appreciation of service.

Rumpf, president of the China Four Seasons Club, abstained on two votes related to snowmobiling, and Tim Basham abstained on the vote to fund cemetery maintenance and improvements, because Basham’s Tree Service often gets contracts to take down dangerous trees in cemeteries.

Having completed their review of the warrant, the budget committee adjourned without setting another meeting date.

Voters will act on the proposed expenditures, policy issues and other items by written ballot on Tuesday, June 8. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the former portable classroom behind the town office.

A public hearing on the town meeting warrant is tentatively scheduled for Monday evening, April 26. Hapgood plans to put as much information as possible on the town website and Facebook page and in the twice-a-month mailings from the town office.

China broadband committee: after two hours, they conclude more information needed

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by Mary Grow

China Broadband Committee members spent almost two hours March 4 trying to get their chickens and eggs in the right order – as they repeatedly expressed their dilemma – and came to what has become their usual conclusion: they need more information and another meeting.

Their next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 11.

The committee’s assignment is to expand and improve broadband service in China. Consultant John Dougherty, of Mission Broadband, reminded them why the task is important, especially with more people working from home: neither new residents nor new businesses will be attracted to a town that provides inferior broadband connectivity.

Committee member Tod Detre shared Dougherty’s view. Before earlier localized improvements increased internet access at his house on China Lake, he and his wife had seriously discussed whether they would have to move out of town to continue working, he said.

Committee members agreed on two important factors: the service they recommend must cover all households in town, and it must be able to adapt to technological changes.

The committee has responses from three companies – Axiom Technologies, Sertex Broadband Solutions and Spectrum Community Solutions – to the request for proposals they issued in late December 2020. Committee members discussed the possibility of getting in touch with other companies.

They see three main issues on which they need more information to come up with a recommended plan that will meet town needs at a reasonable price.

  • They need to compare the three vendors more adequately. So far they have discussed Spectrum’s offer at most length, and have found a major obstacle.
  • They need to get more information on costs and returns and consider how to cover costs.
  • And they need to find out with reasonable accuracy how many China residents would sign up for and pay for better service.

They see the three as so interdependent that they could not decide which to attack first. The quality of service will help determine the number of users; the number of users will be a major determinant of income; income will affect costs and how they are paid; costs will affect the number of users; and so the circle goes.

Another point of agreement was that at future meetings, committee members should focus on a single topic. Committee members Detre and Neil Farrington suggested, in no particular order, discussion with Axiom representatives; discussion with Sertex representatives; plans for a community education program; and funding.

Committee member Jamie Pitney, a lawyer, pointed out the problem with Spectrum’s proposal: the town would be expected to fund it through a bond issue, but Spectrum would continue to own the lines, and in Pitney’s opinion state law does not allow a town to bond something it would not own.

The expected revised proposal from Spectrum had been received, but it offered no solution to the legal issue.

Several committee members, without doubting Pitney’s expertise, proposed getting an opinion from Town Attorney Amanda Meader as a more official statement. Janet Preston, the committee’s ex officio member representing the selectboard, volunteered to ask Town Manager Becky Hapgood if there is money left in the current year’s legal account to reimburse Meader.

Vassalboro selectmen schedule special meeting

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen have scheduled a special in-person meeting at 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 16, in the town office conference room. Because the only agenda item is the annual evaluation of the town manager’s job performance, the meeting will be in executive session.

Vassalboro planners approve fishway construction

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members have unanimously approved construction of a fishway at the China Lake Outlet Dam in East Vassalboro.

At the March 2 planning board meeting, Matt Streeter, Alewife Restoration Initiative (ARI) Project Manager for Maine Rivers, explained what will be done at the dam as part of the plan to allow alewives to migrate from the Atlantic Ocean into China Lake, via the Kennebec and Sebasticook rivers and Outlet Stream.

ARI has been removing dams or installing fishways on Outlet Stream for several years, with financial support from the towns of Vassalboro and China. A main assumption is that when alewives leave China Lake in the fall to return to the ocean, they will take with them unwanted phosphorus from the lake water.

Also, Streeter promised, during spring and fall alewife migrations people living near the stream will see “eagles, great blue herons, all kinds of new wildlife” eager to feed on the small fish.

The only remaining obstacle is the Morneau dam between East and North Vassalboro, Streeter said. He is in negotiations with the dam owners.

Maine Rivers Executive Director Landis Hudson said in an email that the Outlet Dam fishway was designed by the engineering firm of Vanasse Hangen Bruslin (VHB), based on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service staff’s concept. Streeter showed planning board members detailed plans.

The concrete fishway will be along the east side of the stream. A small new gate on the west end of the dam will “cushion the path downstream for the alewives” in the fall, Streeter said.

The plan includes protection of an area where the state Historic Preservation Commission is concerned about buried Native artifacts, erosion and sedimentation control measures and revegetation over two years with native plants and shrubs.

ARI has its permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, which is involved because a very small portion of the work will be below the high-water line. Streeter said the Maine Department of Environmental Protection does not require a Natural Resources Protection Act permit.

The plan does not include a viewing area where people can watch alewives, nor a harvesting area, Streeter said. Town officials preferred encouraging people to watch the fish in North Vassalboro. Harvesting is best done as far downstream as possible, where the fish are most numerous, because some die during the swim upstream.

The town supposedly owns the streamside land that would be affected by the fishway. Streeter said lots were first defined in the 1700s, and titles are clear until the early 1950s, when the American Woolen Company and subsidiaries gave many lots to the town without listing them individually.

Consequently, he found some pieces of land are recorded as belonging to private owners. The town attorney advised not spending money to clear the titles unless someone challenges town ownership, he said.

Planning board members decided not to make land ownership an issue and approved the permit without conditions.

In other business, Codes Officer Paul Mitnik talked briefly about pending issues with abandoned buildings and reminded board members that the April 6 meeting will be the last before he retires, for the third time.

He will continue to serve as alternate codes officer if needed, he said, but “My plan is to just have a lot of fun.”

Board members approved.