TIF committee has more financial recommendations to complete

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by Mary Grow

As their Jan. 27 meeting ended, China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee members scheduled another one for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, because they still have financial recommendations to complete.

Committee members are working on what they call the Second Amendment to China’s original (2015) TIF agreement that lists projects and amounts of TIF money to be allocated to each. Voters approved the first amendment in 2017.

Committee members hope to have the Second Amendment ready for the 2021 annual town business meeting. Town Manager and TIF Treasurer Becky Hapgood told them the town meeting warrant must be final by March 15. Committee recommendations need approval by the board of selectmen and review by the budget committee.

TIF funds come from taxes Central Maine Power Company pays on its north-south power line through China and its South China substation. They can be used for economic development projects in, and under the proposed Second Amendment, in one case outside, the Town of China.

If voters approve the revised plan, TIF money will be available to help modify the China Lake Outlet Dam, in East Vassalboro, to allow alewives to migrate into and out of China Lake.

Another proposed change would allow use of TIF money to expand broadband service in town.

More than a million TIF dollars have gone into the causeway project, which involved a new bridge and substantial work on the rest of the causeway across the head of China Lake’s east basin, and improvements to the adjacent boat landing. Part of the Jan. 27 discussion was how much more money the project needs and what share is in the current fiscal year (2020-21) versus next year (2021-22).

As of Jan. 27, it was not clear how much more money the causeway project will need. Also undetermined were what the broadband project might cost and whether it would be a private enterprise or a town project.

With no final figures for those two large projects, committee members consider their recommendations for other TIF activities subject to change.

The projects generating most discussion Jan. 27 included:

  • Recreational trails and related development, including funds for the Four Seasons Club, a private nonprofit organization that maintains year-round trails for snowmobiles and four-wheelers, horseback riders and hikers; Thurston Park; and the school forest behind China Primary School.
  • The new proposal to assist with installing a fishway at Outlet Dam, the final step in a multi-year project to which China and Vassalboro have contributed in the past.
  • The new proposal to assist with expanded broadband service, which remains undefined until a bid is accepted.
  • The use of TIF funds as matching funds for grants.

Committee members were not agreed on whether they have required or if not should require a formal application for TIF funds, or whether a request with an explanation is sufficient. Their Jan. 27 agenda included a discussion of policies that would have covered the issue, but committee members adjourned before they got to it.

Bids for expanded broadband to be opened Feb. 5

Bids for expanded broadband service, solicited by China’s Broadband Committee (CBC), will be opened at the town office on Friday, Feb. 5, beginning at 3:45 p.m. The opening is listed to be available for public viewing on the town Live Stream.

The CBC is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, to review bids. CBC member Jamie Pitney said committee members might work on an application for Tax Increment Financing funds if a bidder asks for support.

North loop closed at China School Forest

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China school teachers get the China School’s Forest ready for students. (photo by Anita Smith)

The North Loop at the China School Forest is closed until fallen trees can be cleared, but all other trails are open, according to the China Connected newsletter.

There is orange flagging tape around the South Loop and along the far end of the main trail by the power line since that area was part of the harvest and it is more open, and trails are not as obvious. The trails are open during daylight hours, including during school days.

People can park at China Primary School or the north end of China Middle School and access the trails.

Also, the story walk from the Primary School bus circle to the open areas past the pond is now open.

Trail brochures are available at the start of that loop.

Town of Fairfield launches a community and waterfront planning survey for residents and businesses

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Fairfield Town Manager, Michelle Flewelling.

The Town of Fairfield, in conjunction with the Fairfield Economic and Community Development Committee (FECDC), has launched a survey to determine current and prospective economic development opportunities regarding Fairfield’s community assets and riverfront amenities.

Initiated by the FECDC, the goal of the survey instrument is to prioritize community and economic development initiatives, identify new potential projects, and evaluate waterfront accessibility within the municipality. The survey will allow residents and business owners to express their opinions directly to the committee and the associated public input will inform future grant funding and project development possibilities.

“Fairfield’s central geography, direct I-95 access, and location within the Kennebec River valley provides the town with several unique growth and recreational opportunities,” explains Fairfield Town Manager Michelle M. Flewelling. “Feedback that is received will be used to prioritize and evaluate development initiatives and quality of life projects, including potential enhancements to riverfront open spaces, downtown vibrancy, and community connectivity. Our community and their suggestions toward bettering Fairfield’s characteristics is the key objective of this survey.”

FECDC’s community planning questionnaire examines various topics with regard to the surrounding water bodies, public boat launch accessibility, the enhancement and maintenance of the playground on Mill Island, and the construction of a concert venue space. Currently, Mill Island park is owned and managed by the town for public-use during the day, and can be reserved for various purposes, including recreational activities, after-school programming, and family gatherings.

Garvan Donegan

“Public engagement and robust community input data are vital to designing projects and implementing the long-term success of development initiatives,” says Garvan Donegan, Director of Innovation, Planning, and Economic Development at Central Maine Growth Council. “This survey will allow FECDC to broaden public input from the community across key planning themes and will assist in identifying prospective projects and grant possibilities.”

The Town Council and FECDC hope to use the survey results to prioritize (re)development plans, which will result in attracting, expanding, and/or encouraging businesses and residents to participate in the town’s development efforts. All Fairfield residents and business owners are encouraged to respond to the planning survey, which can be found here.

“We greatly appreciate the feedback from residents, and we look forward to incorporating their views into our community and economic development planning efforts,” says Flewelling.

About the Fairfield Economic and Community Development Committee (FECDC)

The Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee is a “citizens” committee with open membership to all Fairfield residents, business owners, and educators who have a vested interest in community development. Meetings are open to the public, and the committee typically meets monthly at the Fairfield Community Center; go to Fairfield’s online calendar of events for a meeting schedule.

Northern Light begins Covid-19 community vaccinations

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Connie and Ray Winship, a retired Waterville couple, were among the first to be vaccinated at the January 26 clinic. photo courtesy of Northern Light Inland Hospital

Northern Light Inland Hospital kicked off its first community vaccination clinic on January 26 for community healthcare workers and people age 70 and older in collaboration with Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) in Fairfield. 92 doses were administered on the first day at the KVCC vaccination site. Ongoing clinics will be added as the hospital learns of its vaccine allotment from the state each week.

“We are very excited to be moving into this phase of community vaccinations,” said Terri Vieira, hospital president. “We have started dose two of the vaccine with our own staff, and we’re pleased to be moving onward to vaccinate more people in the communities we serve. It’s progress, it’s hope. At the same time, we have to be patient as the vaccine supply is still significantly lower than we had hoped.”

To be able to make these mass vaccination clinics a reality, Inland Hospital needed a community partner to provide a large space, and KVCC stepped up to the plate in a big way.

“We are very grateful that KVCC is giving Inland, and our community, the support that is needed for these clinics,” noted Vieira. “They have long been our partner in healthcare, training many of our staff who work at the hospital and our medical practices.”

The college has opened its Carter Hall Multi-Purpose Center for the location of the community clinics.

“KVCC is so pleased to become part of the solution to the pandemic in our region,” stated Richard Hopper, KVCC president. “Besides providing the space, we are looking at how our students and faculty can play a role in helping at future vaccination clinics for second-round doses and the expansion of Northern Light’s program. Northern Light has been and continues to be a trusted partner of KVCC.”

Connie and Ray Winship, a retired Waterville couple, were among the first to be vaccinated at the January 26 clinic. Connie said, “We’re getting vaccinated because we want to be able to visit our kids and grandkids this summer – it’s been more than a year since we were together.” Ray commented, “Getting the vaccine gives us hope and makes us feel good that we are doing our part to get things back to normal.”

Vaccine Registration

Individuals must pre-register to take part in a vaccination clinic. Due to the high demand as well as the logistics around handling the vaccines, walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Community members should not show up at the KVCC site without an appointment. Each week, after receiving their vaccine allotment from the Maine CDC, Inland will open new clinics at KVCC based on that availability. The hope is to hold at least one clinic each week, but vaccine availability will determine how they can proceed.

Registration is available at covid.northernlighthealth.org/publicvaccine. For those who do not have internet access, call 207.204.8551 to reach the Vaccine Registration and Information line seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. Due to the strong community interest and very low vaccine supply, slots are few and filling up very quickly.

Preparing for Registration

When preparing to register, whether by phone or online, people are asked to have their insurance or Medicare information ready, and the name and phone number for an emergency contact person. The vaccine itself is free but a small charge to cover the cost of administration will be billed to people’s insurance.

At this time, community clinics will be for those 70 or over and community healthcare workers only per Maine CDC guidance.

For More Information

Community members are encouraged to visit covid.northernlighthealth.org/publicvaccine each Monday to learn about clinics that may be scheduled for the week. Or visit the Maine CDC website (www.Maine.gov) to see all vaccination sites across the state and any open appointments.

Inland Hospital leaders are asking individuals to please not call their primary care office or the hospital to try to register. The two options for registering at this time are on the website or the special registration phone line.

Submitted by Sara Barry, Director, Regional Marketing and Communications

Vassalboro planners will not meet in February

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Codes Officer Paul Mitnik has announced that due to a lack of applications, the Vassalboro Planning Board will not meet in February. The next regular Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 2.

Windsor selectmen turn down Chelsea offer to purchase solar power

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by The Town Line staff

The Windsor Board of Selectmen took up a few items during their January 5, 2021, meeting.

Town manager Theresa Haskell informed the selectmen she had been contacted by Chelsea Town Manager Scott Tilton, inquiring as to whether Windsor would be interested in purchasing solar power. After some discussion, the board declined the offer at this time.

Haskell also read the Parke Property Forest Management Woodland Exam which stated nothing is recommended at this time. There was a brief discussion of possibly removing some of the pines near the fence line to be added to next year’s budget.

Again, at this meeting, there was much discussion of the employee manual. That will be continued to the next board of selectmen meeting.

Road supervisor Keith Hall informed the board that during the last snow fall, they had three trucks out of service. Besides the McGee truck, which suffered a flat tire, the 2007 International lost its transmission. It was repaired. Nothing was reported on the third truck. Hall also said 560 pounds of “stuff” had been picked up from the side of the roads.

Monthly transfer station figures for December showed there was $5,285.50, which is down by $1,465.70 from the same time last year at $6,751.20.

In other business, Selectman William Appel Jr. stated he had reached out to Ryan Carver, Windsor Youth Sports basketball commissioner, regarding the request for the board of selectmen to submit a letter in support of the Windsor Youth sports program, regarding the use of the gym at the Windsor Elementary School. The access to the gym has been denied because of Covid-19 safety concerns. Appel suggested the president of the Windsor Youth Association write a letter and then have the board of selectmen review, and add to it, if necessary. Haskell said she would contact Howie Tuttle, RSU #12 superintendent, to get more information.

The next meeting of the Windsor Board of Selectmen took place on January 19, at the Windsor Town Hall.

Vassalboro selectmen discuss scaled-down marijuana ordinance

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by Mary Grow

At their Jan. 21 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen discussed a seriously scaled-down marijuana ordinance that would allow only medical marijuana operations in town.

Instead of the complex document discussed at their Jan. 7 meeting (see The Town Line, Jan. 14), they are considering a local ordinance based on the Town of Turner’s. One objection to the previously-discussed ordinance was that it would require too much permitting, inspecting and other work for town employees. Eliminating all but medical marijuana would simplify the town’s role.

Town Manager Mary Sabins said she had received many comments on the Jan. 7 draft, prepared by Town Attorney Kristin Collins. None expressed enthusiasm for non-medical facilities.

The state Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) suggested the Turner ordinance as a useful model, she said. She had talked with the Turner town manager, and had forwarded the ordinance and his comments to Collins.

Selectmen agreed that if they decide to recommend a medical-only ordinance, they should seek public comment again.

Sabins added that the OMP has licensed 20 medical marijuana caregivers in Vassalboro. Selectmen were not aware there were so many.

The other major topic Jan. 21 was the Gray Road culvert replacement. Selectmen expect they will be able to get the new culvert needed to replace the failing one in time for the work to be done this summer, if town meeting voters approve it.

At their earlier Jan. 7 board meeting, selectmen considered the possibility that voters would not approve money for the project. But if they waited until after town meeting to order the culvert, it would probably not come in time for summer 2021 work.

Project engineer Eric Calder, of Calderwood Engineering, in Richmond, said Dirigo Timberlands, in North Anson, from whom Vassalboro officials bought the new Cross Hill Road culvert, will build the culvert before Vassalboro voters act.

Dirigo and Benton-based Nitram Excavation and General Contractors, chosen at the Jan. 7 meeting to carry out the project, will work out details and sign a contract for the culvert. Nitram will be responsible for seeing that it is built and delivered as specified.

Selectmen approved the plan and unanimously authorized Sabins and Calderwood to proceed with a contract with Nitram.

Calderwood said it is time for the town and his firm to develop a Phase Three contract that will cover Calderwood’s oversight of the construction. He said the contract will be based on an hourly rate, not a flat fee, and people from his firm will be on site only as needed.

In a brief discussion of another project, Steve Jones’ request to restore the coldwater pool that housed brook trout before the Cross Hill Road culvert was replaced, Sabins said she still hopes a volunteer will be able to get a permit at no cost to the town. If the permit is obtained, she thinks the town public works crew can do the work.

Vassalboro’s 2021 town meeting is currently scheduled as an open meeting on Monday, June 7, followed by written-ballot elections (and other questions if needed) on Tuesday, June 8. Selectmen and Sabins talked briefly about whether they should try to convene an open meeting, as they did in 2020, or vote entirely by referendum, as many other towns are doing in response to Covid-19.

They discussed a theme for the 2020 town report. Sabins said the report dated 2020 is published in the spring of 2021, and covers the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020.

Until the pandemic, selectmen had intended to recognize Maine’s 200th anniversary of statehood (March 15, 1820) in the 2020 report and Vassalboro’s 250th anniversary of incorporation (April 26, 1771) in the 2021 report. With limited state and town celebrations to report, they are reconsidering.

Two of the selectmen, Barbara Redmond and Chairman John Melrose, approved annual liquor license renewals for Natanis Golf Course. The third board member, Natanis owner Robert Browne, abstained on the vote.

Sabins plans to distribute a first draft of the 2021-2022 town budget at the Feb. 4 selectmen’s meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., virtual only. Board members decided to follow the Feb. 4 review with an in-person budget workshop at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the town office meeting room.

China selectmen hold special meeting

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by Mary Grow

Ronald Breton, Chairman of the China Selectboard, led board members through continued review of the draft 2021-22 budget at a special budget workshop Jan. 25.

The meeting lasted almost three hours, and the review covered major town functions: administration, public safety, waste disposal and public works.

Selectmen began by agreeing to continue Town Manager Becky Hapgood’s contract, her probationary six months having been satisfactory.

They postponed action on her proposal for an across-the-board three percent pay increase for town employees. They did discuss principles for employee pay, like step increases, which Breton advocated; merit pay; and increases for additional skills, for example if a public works employee earns a higher class driver’s license.

They discussed the idea of an addition to the town office building to provide more storage space for documents Maine municipalities are required to keep. “We need it yesterday,” Hapgood said.

They discussed the request for funds for a building in the town forest behind China Middle School and decided to leave it in the budget. The request covers only the building; proponents plan to ask for more money to add heat and lights in the following year. Selectmen emphasized that if they and voters put up the building, approval of second-year funding for amenities is not guaranteed.

The selectmen’s meeting began with a virtual meeting with Kennebec County Sheriff Ken Mason and Lieutenant Chris Read to talk about providing additional law enforcement services by contracting with a sheriff’s deputy for 40-hour-a-week coverage. Breton also plans a private discussion with current part-time town Police Chief Craig Johnson to see whether he could provide additional coverage.

Review of transfer station operations included consideration of whether the 2020 increase in demolition debris, assumed to be a result of people having time for home repair and renovation projects, is likely to continue in 2021-22.

Breton and board member Blane Casey would like to get rid of the town-owned 1981 grader, and Public Works Director Shawn Reed agreed. With only one gravel road in town, the grader is seldom used; contracting grader work would save money, he believes.

Reed was less content with selectmen’s inclination to cut back on road paving for the second year in a row. He said early in the century, town roads were repaved, on average, on a seven- or eight-year cycle. By 2015, the average repaving came after 10 or 11 years; and doing only four miles in 2020 extended the cycle to an average of 12 years.

The next regular China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, and will include additional budget discussion. Another special meeting could be held Monday evening, Feb. 8, if needed. Hapgood’s goal is to have the final budget, approved by the budget committee and the selectboard, ready by March 15.

The sound quality for the Jan. 21 meeting was much improved over previous in-person selectmen’s meetings. Hapgood credited Jeremy Mahns from API Technologies, in Gardiner, for suggesting and implementing changes.

The meeting record is available on the town website, china.govoffice.com, under Live Stream.

China selectmen review proposed budget; OK five appointments

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by Mary Grow

At their Jan. 19 meeting, China selectmen began review of the proposed 2021-22 town budget and made five committee appointments.

Town Manager Becky Hapgood summarized the town’s current financial position and she and selectmen discussed future expenditures. Board members deliberately made no decisions, postponing their recommendations until the end of the review.

The discussion covered town administration, including Hapgood’s recommended salary increases; repairs the town office building needs; town committees’ fund requests; dues for organizations to which the Town of China belongs; and other topics.

The draft budget includes a proposal to increase local law enforcement resources by making an agreement with the Kennebec Sheriff’s Office. Proposals to hire a full-time town policeman or to contract with the sheriff’s department were deleted from the 2020 warrant for the town business meeting when Covid-19 forced a change from an April open meeting to a July written ballot.

The committee appointments were:

  • To the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee, former Selectman Robert MacFarland as a member and former TIF Committee secretary Trishea Story as an alternate.
  • To the Revolving Loan Fund Committee, Thomas Rumpf, Robert Batteese and Janet Lully.

After an executive session discussion of Hapgood’s position, selectmen took no action.

Board members scheduled a special meeting for continued budget review for Monday evening, Jan. 25. Their next regular meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1.

A recording of the Jan. 19 meeting is available on the town website, www.china.govoffice.com. To watch it, open Live Stream (bottom left of the home page) and under Recent Events click on January and then on the meeting. The variable sound quality makes it difficult to follow some of the discussion.

Maine ranks first in personal freedom

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(photo by Eric W. Austin)

Falls to 39th in overall freedoms

Freedom in the 50 states, published by the Cato Institute, scores all 50 states according to how their public policies affect individual freedom.

The Cato Institute recently released the latest edition of Freedom in the 50 States, which ranks each U.S. state by how its public policies promote freedom in the fiscal, regulatory and personal freedom spheres. To determine these rankings, authors William Ruger and Jason Sorens examine state and local government intervention across a range of more than 230 policy variables – from taxation to debt, eminent domain laws to occupational licensing, and drug policy to educational choice.

Ruger and Sorens score all 50 states on their overall respect for individual freedom, and also on their respect for three separate dimension of freedom: fiscal policy and regulatory policy (which are combined to create the economic freedom score) and personal freedom. The index ranks Maine as the 39th freest in the nation in the overall rankings. By individual category, Maine scores 40th in fiscal policy, 44th in regulatory policy, and first in personal freedom. You can view the state’s full rankings, a descriptive analysis of its freedom situation, and policy recommendations to increase its freedom rankings at www.Freedominthe50states.org/overall/maine.

Maine has long been one of the freest states in the country personally and one of the least free economically. Between 2011 and 2014, the state declined even further on fiscal policy, which contributed to a relative decline in overall freedom.

Maine’s taxes have long been high, crushing taxpayers overall at 11.7 percent of adjusted personal income and earning the state rankings in the bottom 10 for both state and local taxes. Fortunately, government debt is low, at 14.7 percent of income, and government employment is down to 11.8 percent of private employment (from a peak of 12.9 percent in 2010).

Maine has been a consistently poor state on regulatory freedom since 2000, always staying in the bottom 10. It is one of the most regulated states for land use, and also has one of the most extreme renewable portfolio standards in the country. Different measures of occupational freedoms give a conflicting picture of that policy, but there is no doubt that Maine allows more scope of practice to second-line health professions than just about any other state. Freedom from abusive lawsuits is above average in Maine and has improved steadily over time.

Maine is a leading state for criminal justice. It has very low incarceration rates and a better-than-average civil asset forfeiture law. Maine is a progressive state with sound gun laws (including concealed carry without a permit), marijuana rights (recreational use became legal for adults over 21 years of age in 2017) and same-sex marriage (legalized by ballot initiative in 2012). It is, in brief, a very civil libertarian state.

To improve on its freedom ranking, the authors suggest several remedies, including: cutting spending on public welfare and housing and community development. Maine is one of the most free-spending states on public welfare in the country, and it also spends much more than average on housing and community development; cutting individual and corporate income taxes; rolling back exclusionary zoning ordinances that limit housing supply; selling off the state liquor stores and replacing the markup with a transparent ad valorem tax, as Washington has done. Maine will never be able to compete with New Hampshire prices anyway; perhaps it can compete on convenience.

Nationally, Florida, New Hampshire,, Indiana, Colorado and Nevada sit at the top of the rankings. New York again has the dishonor of being the least free state, preceded by Hawaii, California, New Jersey and Vermont.

The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization — a think tank — dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.