CFAL committee meets to discuss volunteer needs and efforts

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CFALC members, left to right, Eric Austin, Jeanne Marquis, Christopher Hahn, and Dan McKinnis. Out of frame, Laurie Lizotte, Ann Austin, Irene Belanger, and Theresa Wight. (contributed photo)

by Eric W. Austin

On March 19, the China for a Lifetime Committee (CFALC) met to discuss the best ways to provide assistance to members of the community that are especially vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes high risk individuals like the elderly or those with underlying respiratory conditions which makes possible infection especially dangerous.

Five members of the committee gathered in the main conference room at the town office, sitting at least six feet apart as advised by the CDC, and others logged into a conference call set up for the purpose or watched the meeting live via the town’s live streaming service. The committee was also joined by Dan McKinnis, China Rescue Chief, who advised the committee on important safety measures, and Theresa Wight, from Head Start, who spoke about her work to supply food to needy area families with young children. China town manager, Dennis Heath, watched the meeting live and supplied suggestions via text chat.

McKinnis, who reminded the team that he was not an expert on the coronavirus but relied on best practices set down by the Maine CDC, told the group that it is important that they treat everyone as a potential infection risk. Gloves can be an important safety measure, but the Maine CDC has warned that gloves can also make people less cautious. Gloves need to be changed or washed as often as one would wash your hands, as any contamination on the gloves can then be easily transferred to other surfaces.

McKinnis also spoke of the difficulties of local EMT and first responders, who are on the front lines of the current crisis. Like others, they are fearful of contracting the virus themselves or bringing a possible infection home to their families. In response to the current situation, the dispatch officers who receive 911 calls are now asking qualifying questions to classify people into three possible categories: positive, negative or undetermined. These categories are helping first responders determine the risk level in responding to calls. So far, said McKinnis, China Rescue has not had any calls from likely positive individuals, but they have adjusted their procedures as a cautionary measure. If they do get a call from an individual who could be infected with the virus, they can suit up in gowns and masks for safety, but since these items are disposable and their supplies are limited, they must carefully assess each situation and respond accordingly.

McKinnis recommends that everyone practice social distancing as advised by the CDC, and suggests that those without cleaning supplies can soak a paper towel in a solution of bleach and water to wipe down frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, steering wheels, light switches and eating surfaces. The CDC recommends a solution of five tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of clean water for this purpose.

Rescue Chief McKinnis also recommended to the China for a Lifetime Committee that any food deliveries to needy residents be left on front porches without contact with the resident, that no one go into the house of a resident they are helping, and that transporting anyone – such as to doctor’s appointments – should not be done because of the possible risk of contamination.

Theresa Wight, who works for the local Head Start office, spoke about the food insecurity faced by the families in her program. Currently she works with 14 local families who are finding it difficult to feed their children with local schools closed. This led to a discussion of how to identify local families in need.

The China for a Lifetime Committee has several ways for local residents to get in contact with the committee and let them know what needs they have. Residents who need help may send an email to ChinaforaLifetime@gmail.com or call the China for a Lifetime hotline at 207-200-3704. This is a voicemail-only number, but the messages are regularly checked and you will be called back as soon as possible. Please leave your name, age, phone number and explain your current need.

There are also several active Facebook groups where residents can post requests or suggestions. One is the “Friends of China, Maine” group which is managed through a partnership between The Town Line newspaper and the China for a Lifetime Committee. Another group, started by China resident Sara Casey is called “China Community Emergency Supply Drive” and is set up specifically to organize a collection of food and other essentials for distribution to needy families in China.

At the meeting, the committee identified several immediate needs. Most essential is the need for volunteers. This includes drivers to deliver or pick up items for high risk residents who are housebound for fear of infection. Volunteer drivers should be younger than 60 years of age, with no underlying respiratory health issues. For this and other volunteer opportunities, please contact the committee by sending an email to ChinaforaLifetime@gmail.com or leave a message on the hotline at 207-200-3704.

There is also a need for volunteers at the China Community Food Pantry, as many of its volunteers are older senior citizens who are now in a high risk category. To volunteer at the China Food Pantry, please contact Ann Austin at 968-2421 or email lee.ljaustin@gmail.com.

Anyone with symptoms such as a fever with a dry cough and shortness of breath – the primary indicators of the new virus – should call their local primary care physician or local hospital. Do not physically go to either location, as you could be putting yourself or others in unnecessary danger. Please start with an initial phone call to avoid overcrowding at our hospitals or local physicians’ offices. If you have questions or concerns, you may also call Maine’s information hotline by dialing 211, 1-866-811-5695, or emailing info@211maine.org.

A runny nose, said Rescue Chief McKinnis, does not seem to be a primary indicator of a COVID-19 infection and is most likely just the common cold.

In this time of crisis, the most important thing we can do is pull together as a community. If you are healthy and low risk, please volunteer to help others. If you are aware of elderly neighbors, especially those living alone, please call them and check in on them or contact the CFAL Committee and let us know they need to be checked on. Do not visit anyone “in person” as you could be putting them at risk. Instead rely on phone, email or other means to make contact while maintaining your distance.

To find out more about the China for a Lifetime Committee and for a list of local resources, please visit their website at ChinaforaLifetime.com.

Eric W. Austin writes about local community issues. He can be contacted by email at ericwaustin@townline.org.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide suspends service until further notice

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AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free, volunteer-based tax preparation and assistance service, has announced that it will suspend tax preparation services at all sites effective Monday, March 16, until further notice. The action is due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus. The program’s website, www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide and toll-free number 1-888-227-7669, are the best resources for information and updates regarding changes in service availability.

“Tax-Aide is prioritizing the health of taxpayers, our volunteers, and the communities we serve by suspending service until further notice,” said Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President, AARP Foundation.

Tax-Aide will continue to assess whether some or all sites can re-open during this tax season as regularly scheduled, or during a longer tax season if it is extended.

While Tax-Aide provides free tax preparation and filing services to all taxpayers, many of its clients are over 60, a group considered by health experts at higher risk for COVID-19.

ALBION: Trash, recyclables should be placed at curbside for weekly pick up

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Albion town office. (photo source: Town of Albion Facebook page)

Compiled by Roland Hallee

Jerry Sullivan, owner of Sullivan’s Solid Waste, had been scheduled to give a presentation on trash and recyclables at the February 10 Albion Selectmen’s meeting, but was unable to attend due to illness. However, in a telephone conversation with his son, Jared Sullivan, he informed the board of selectmen that all trash, including recyclables, should now be put in the roadside trash for weekly pick up. The new Coastal Resources facility, in Hampden, now sorts recyclables once the trash reaches them. The last recycle pick up in Albion occurred on March 14.

Albion Fire Chief Andy Clark reported that he has applied for several grants for items needed by the fire department, including a new tank truck and fire hose. When the department receives these grants, said Croft, “it is a great financial benefit to the town and helps to keep taxes down.”

The board also dealt with the following:

  • The selectmen voted to contract with Technology Solutions of Maine, at a cost of $3,500 per year, for IT services for the town office.
  • They set the date for this year’s Albion Clean-up Day for Saturday, May 16. The collection place will be at Lee Brothers lot, at 93 Unity Road, again this year.
  • The selectmen set the budget request meeting for February 11.
  • They moved to pay Codes Enforcement Officer Brian Croft’s mileage in the coming fiscal year.

At their February 24 meeting, selectmen signed the warrants for Albion’s annual town meeting scheduled to be held on March 20-21. Elections will be held on Fri., March 20, 2 – 7 p.m., and the town meeting is set for Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m. Both will be held at the Besse Building, Drake Room.

Road Commissioner Matt Lee noted he has posted weight limit signs on the roads in Albion, and that he is doing some road patching as needed. Also discussed was road work needed in the coming year.

Selectmen Beverly Bradstreet and Kevin Bradstreet were in attendance at both meetings.

Vasalboro public works foreman presents budget request

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Budget Committee members spent most of their March 12 meeting talking with Public Works Foreman Eugene Field about his 2020-21 plans and budget request, a major piece of the annual municipal budget.

Also considered was a request from the Vassalboro Historical Society for the usual $2,500 appropriation plus $5,000 toward a $45,000 metal storage building to be set behind the barn on the Main Street property formerly owned by Betty Taylor.

An email from society president Janice Clowes said the building will be used to house and display “large items from Vassalboro,” like wagons and farm and boating equipment.

Committee members talked again about major culvert projects (see The Town Line, March 12) on Gray and Cross Hill roads. Field listed several other culverts that will need replacement soon and explained that if fish or other wildlife live in the brooks running through them, environmental regulations will require extensive work.

Selectman John Melrose, point man on the culverts because of his former job as state Commissioner of Transportation, said engineer Jim Foster helped Vassalboro get a grant to pay part of the estimated cost of the Cross Hill Road culvert. Melrose suggested the town crew do some of the work; Field protested mildly that the time would need to be taken from other summer work.

The Gray Road project started, on state requirements, as a 30-foot bridge replacing the current six-foot pipe, and has been reduced somewhat in size and cost. As of March 12, Melrose said, the state departments of transportation and environmental protection disagreed about how to proceed and the Selectboard had authorized hiring an engineer to create a plan both would accept. Melrose said the Army Corps of Engineers’ approval is also needed.

Discussion included a suggestion to do Cross Hill in 2020 and postpone the more complicated Gray Road project, and ideas for financing the Gray Road work.

Field outlined paving plans, saying in current global financial conditions he expects the cost of paving materials will be lower than expected a month ago. Melrose pointed out that after several years when few roads were paved or repaved, Vassalboro is beginning to catch up on needed work.

Field asked for higher wages for the public works crew than recommended by Town Manager Mary Sabins. He presented hourly rates for employees doing comparable work in area towns as the basis for his request.

Budget committee members made no decisions on spending recommendations. They canceled their March 24 joint meeting with the school board, because, Chairman Rick Denico said, school officials notified him they will not be ready.

Sabins reported March 16 that the selectmen’s and budget committee meetings scheduled for Thursday, March 19, were both cancelled. As of March 16, selectmen planned to meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 2. A March 31 budget committee meeting with the school board, requested by the latter, was not confirmed.

Recycling suspended 14 days in China

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Recycling operations suspended for 14 days at the Town of China Transfer Station effective immediately. This brief suspension should not create too much of a burden on users, but we appreciate everyone’s patience. We will update as appropriate.

CHINA: Self-storage facility gets approval

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by Mary Grow

China Codes Officer William Butler reported the planning board, meeting March 10, approved Jamie Nichols’ application for a self-storage facility on Vassalboro Road.

Nichols amended his application by adding more phosphorus treatment and reducing the amount of impervious surface to bring the facility into compliance with China’s phosphorus run-off regulations.

The board approval is conditional on Nichols getting two state Department of Environmental Protection permits.

The next China Planning Board meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 24. Butler said the agenda has two items, review of an application for Phase Two of the causeway project at the head of China Lake’s east basin and continued discussion of SunRaise solar projects near Route 3.

The second phase of the causeway project involves changes to the shoreline and boat landing east of the new causeway bridge, which was the heart of the first phase. SunRaise has approval for a solar array off Windsor Road (see The Town Line, March 5, p. 3), with further discussion of the surety bond for decommissioning and restoration of the property pending, and has applied for a second solar development farther east on Route 3.

China annual town meeting rescheduled to May 2

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by Mary Grow

At their March 16 meeting, China selectmen unanimously approved Town Manager Dennis Heath’s recommendations for balancing staff and residents’ safety with necessary town services in the coronavirus age.

The goal of the proposals Heath, Emergency Preparedness Committee members and others developed is “to not create mass hysteria, but show people that we’re being thoughtful and responsible,” the manager said.

To that end:

  • The annual town business meeting that was scheduled for April 4 has been rescheduled, for now at least, to 9 a.m. Saturday, May 2, with the two pre-meeting informational sessions planned for March moved to April 26 and 29.
  • Meetings of all town committees are suspended until further notice, with two exceptions: the Selectboard will continue to meet alternate Mondays for essential town business only, and the Thursday, March 19, China for a Lifetime Committee meeting will be held to continue to advise on appropriate emergency measures.
  • The transfer station will remain open the usual hours, except the Free-for-the-Taking building, which will be closed. Transfer station users should keep a safe distance from staff members and from other users.
  • Town office staff will continue to work normal hours, but with limited person-to-person contact. Those needing town office services are encouraged to do their business on-line or to call the town office for over-the-phone discussions. Beginning soon, probably March 23, the office doors will be locked and only people who have made an appointment and whose business must be done face-to-face will be admitted. Tax payments due March 27 can be left in the box outside the office door or mailed.
  • A new coronavirus page on the town website will continue to provide updated information.

China’s website is china.govoffice.com. The town office telephone number is 445-2014; the email address is info@chinamaine.org.

Selectmen and Heath do not know how long emergency measures will be in place. They will monitor news and advice about the pandemic and act accordingly.

Former Selectman Robert MacFarland asked whether the town had plans to provide supplies to housebound residents if necessary. Heath said that was one of the issues the China for a Lifetime Committee was working on, and one reason its meeting was not cancelled.

There will be limits to what the town can do, he said. That day he had asked staff to try to get a supply of disinfectant wipes: none are available, none can be ordered.

Selectmen authorized Heath to use money from their contingency fund to assist residents during the coronavirus emergency.

In other business March 16, selectmen appointed Trishea Story secretary of the Tax Increment Financing Committee.

As of March 16, the next China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, March 30.

Vassalboro planners OK re-opening repair garage

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by Mary Grow

After a thorough review and detailed information from applicant Olin C. Charette, Vassalboro Planning Board members unanimously approved his application to reopen his Riverside Drive repair garage, with vehicle sales and a state inspection station.

Charette’s Weeks Mills Garage at 1499 Riverside Drive already has a junkyard permit that Codes Officer Paul Mitnik recommended and selectmen issued in January. A neighbor who attended the March 10 planning board meeting commented that Charette had “done a good job” cleaning up the part of the property visible from the road, as required by junkyard regulations.

The building had previously been a repair garage, but the permit expired while the garage was not operating.

Charette provided information on access, internal traffic movement, screening, lighting, signage and other relevant characteristics of the property.

He said access from Riverside Drive is normally through the north gate; the south gate is opened mostly for tractor-trailers heading behind the building. It is not blocked by parked vehicles, however, so it is available for emergency access. Keeping the south gate clear was the only condition board members attached to their approval.

A paved area in the large front yard will display vehicles for sale; Charette plans to have no more than 10 at a time. There is adequate space for customer parking and for access to the garage doors on the south side.

The back part of the property is screened by earth berms with trees growing on top, the front part by fencing. Charette said there is a motion light on the front of the building. He does not plan to add more lights.

There is a sign on the building and, as required by the state for inspection stations, a small sign listing operating hours by the gate. Charette plans to be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and part of the day Saturdays. He said work will be done inside the garage, and there will be no evening or night work that might bother neighbors.

Charette and board Chairman Ginny Bracket and member Doug Phillips interjected bits of the history of the building, which Brackett said she has reviewed at least twice for prior owners’ permits.

Charette believes the building belonged years ago to a trucking company. He bought the property at auction and was then informed that it was a hazardous waste site and he had become responsible for clean-up.

“I was surprised,” he said.

The clean-up included soil removal, installation of run-off ponds and construction of the berms. It appears to have been successful; Charette said he was surprised again more recently when water from his and the neighbor’s wells tested safe for drinking.

After approving Charette’s permit, board members turned to Mitnik’s recommendation for minor amendments to Vassalboro’s Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. They will require voter approval. Later, Mitnik emailed that there is time to get the amendments on the June 1 town meeting warrant, and proposed a public hearing on them at the Tuesday, April 7, planning board meeting.

CHINA: Local Actions Update for COVID-19

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Update from Dennis L. Heath, CMM Town Manager
Posted 03/17/2020

This update provides actions approved for local implementation to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. While not all-inclusive, we are taking specific actions that will help our residents and town employees to be better prepared as the outbreak becomes more present. While we understand that not all our residents have access to the Internet, we encourage as many as can to consult the town website at https://china.govoffice.com/ for the latest updates on our local actions. Watch for a COVID-19 link that will take you directly to the information.

The following actions are effective immediately:

Town Meeting

Postponed to May 2, 2020 at 9 am
Postponed public budget hearings to Apr 26 and 29, 2020

Town Committees

Suspend Meetings indefinitely (few exceptions)

Transfer Station

Remains Open
No physical or close contact with employees
Free-for-Taking Building is closed until further notice
Not taking recyclables for two weeks.

Town Office

Remains Open
Maximum use of online services
Use drop-box for property tax payments
Prepare for appointment-only/call-in service (begin immediately)

Support to homebound

China for a Lifetime Committee (CFALC), in coordination with China Rescue, China Food Pantry, and the Town Office, is preparing to assist those that are incapable of leaving their homes or at greatest risk of infection

Town Office is attempting to acquire paper products and disinfecting supplies for distribution to those in greatest need; CFALC will be the arbiter/distributor

On the reverse of this information sheet is a useful chart you can use to help determine if you are showing the likely symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. Many may exhibit the symptoms of either the common cold or influenza (flu). If you have any concerns that you may be symptomatic, please stay home, keep cohabitants at home as well, and consult with a medical professional.

 

 

Embden residents oppose CMP corridor at annual town meeting

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On Saturday, March 7, 2020, Embden residents voted overwhelming, 50-10, to oppose the CMP corridor. The town also passed an Elective Electrical Moratorium Ordinance as a result of residents voting to support the ordinance with the necessary two-thirds majority.

Embden becomes the fourth town along the corridor route, joining Caratunk, Wilton, and New Sharon, to enact an electrical transmission moratorium ordinance, which serves as a pause in any electricity transmission corridor development in a town for 180 days. Twenty-five towns have rescinded support or formally oppose the destructive project.

This vote has been long anticipated in Embden after the town’s select board refused to schedule a special town meeting for this vote when town residents submitted the citizen’s petition for a town vote on these articles in September 2019.

“Embden’s vote to oppose CMP’s corridor is another example that Mainers do not want this destructive to harm Maine’s environment, economy, and way of life. We appreciate that Embden residents thoughtfully considered the negative aspects of this project and enacted the moratorium, giving the town additional time to fully review CMP’s application and not feel pressured to make permit decisions in haste since CMP is trying to ram this transmission corridor through the heart of western Maine,” Sandi Howard, director of Say NO to NECEC said.

“Other towns are in discussion of enacting moratorium ordinances. Mainers simply don’t trust CMP to build this for-profit project when CMP can’t adequately serve rate payers, correct their billing errors, and when the company is hiring private investigators to follow corridor opponents. The level of trust is at an all-time low,” Howard continued.

To date, CMP has not received approval from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Army Corps of Engineers, and the DOE/Presidential Permit. CMP is asking towns for provisional permits, which would take full effect only after the state and federal permits are secured. It is important to note that the U.S. EPA has raised serious concerns about CMP’s permit applications. CMP is under multiple investigations by state energy regulators right now, so allowing any municipal permitting to go ahead puts the town at risk.

Submitted by Sandi Howard, director, Say NO to NECEC.