COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Tariffs to dramatically increase energy burden on Maine families

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by Lucy Hochschartner
Maine Conservation Voters’ Climate and Clean Energy Director

In the early hours of the morning, President Trump enacted 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, with 10 percent tariffs on Canadian energy imports. These tariffs are poised to have a devastating effect on Maine families who are already struggling to keep up with rising energy costs. Half of Maine families rely on oil for heating, and 80 percent of Maine’s heating fuel and gasoline is imported from Canada. Regionally, the New England grid operator anticipates $66 million in import duties to import Canadian electricity that will have to be passed on to customers. These tariffs will affect all energy costs, from heating to electricity to gasoline at the pump.

President Trump’s tariffs are going to hurt us. Whether it is you who is impacted, your family, your neighbors, or your friends – these tariffs will increase energy costs dramatically at a time when we must do the opposite. It is time for all of us to take care of each other, regardless of whether we voted for the same person or share the same views. The only way forward is to lean on each other, and into the future of a clean, Maine-made energy system.”

In the long term, Maine can look to Maine-made renewables like onshore wind, offshore wind, and solar to avoid this kind of dependency on volatile global fossil fuel markets. In the meantime, customers should look to local Community Action Agencies, their town’s general assistance program, or their utility company for help if they are struggling to pay. Mainers can get connected to local assistance programs now by calling 2-1-1.

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Open meeting vs. secret ballot

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by Sheldon Goodine
China resident

There’s a lot of talk around town about having a traditional town meeting with a moderator, with a required quorum in attendance to conduct business, or a day-long secret ballot meeting. Each has its pros and cons. Since I have been a resident of China for more than 60 years, during which the town has grown from less than 2,000 residents to more than 4,000, my perspective may or may not muddy the waters.

In those early years, town meetings were important social events where community business was conducted. Folks looked forward to getting together each spring at the end of a long winter. They could “catch up” with old friends as well as greet new neighbors. They discussed and decided warrant articles until lunch time, then recessed and enjoyed sharing a great lunch prepared by the ladies. After the meal, they completed the warrant articles to end the day. The meeting closed in peace and harmony, and everyone left happy.

At this time, town business was managed by a select board, which met at the home of town clerk Mary Washburn. As the town grew, the brick portion of the town office was built and the select board increased from three to five members. Soon thereafter, a town manager was hired, and the annual town meeting gradually became less important. Fewer voters turned out to conduct the community’s business, and many became upset that only a few people were making the decisions. even though these same people didn’t take the time to participate.

Although I was not in agreement to legislating participation, an article was approved that required 10 percent of town voters (quorum) to be in attendance to both open and conduct the annual meeting. For many years the town met in the multi-purpose room at the China Middle School. When the current RSU (Regional School Union) was created this venue was no longer used since many felt that it was too much of a disruption for the children.

As a result the current secret ballot form of conducting town business was instituted, resulting in many more residents voting on both the warrant articles and the election of town officers. I have been a regular annual participant in each of these legislative methods. During much of this time, it was difficult to stay informed of the ever increasing number of expense of managing town affairs. Fortunately, with new technology this information is now available to all in a variety of ways. Select board meetings are televised, with an opportunity for the public to participate. These are also recorded for anyone to access after the fact. The Town Line newspaper is printed and distributed weekly with excellent articles of each business meeting, prepared by Mary Grow, which are both accurate and comprehensive. The town manager has created a monthly newsletter with other details of town activities.

My question is how many voters are in favor of each of these most recent forms of conducting town business:

a) Return to the in-person annual town meeting, requiring a minimum number of voters in attendance and, possibly, the construction of a building large enough to accommodate the growing number of participants; or
b) Continue with the current system of voting by secret ballot during the day at the town office.

I hope this is useful and, at the very least, encourage more discussion on this topic and a form of government that will best meet the needs of our ever growing and changing community.

With my thanks to all.

Proposed Pine Tree subdivision in Palermo – part 2

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by Jeanne Marquis

(See part 1 of this series here.)

Holden reports that his committee has gathered over 100 signatures to date on a petition against the approval of the proposed Pine Tree subdivision. To participate in the petition, contact Holden at heholden@fairpoint.net.

The proposed Pine Tree subdivision is planned for a 27-acre site on Hostile Valley Road (Tax Map R11, lot 27C) in a sparsely developed Sheepcot River watershed area in Palermo. The Pine Tree subdivision would include 15 buildable lots of varying sizes with each lot required to have separate wells and septic systems.

Holden, an abutting property owner to the proposed Pine Tree subdivision, said, “We are not against development – Palermo must keep up with the rest of the world, but this area is the wrong place.”

Melissa Cote, Sheepscot River Watershed Manager from the Midcoast Conservancy, wrote the following statement concerning the location of the proposed Pine Tree Subdivision in Palermo, Maine:

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There is a right place and a wrong place for most things, and this valuable ecological habitat is the right place to protect the fragile Sheepscot River ecosystem. We are specifically concerned about its proximity to the mainstem of the Sheepscot River. There is a brook that the parcel borders that leads directly into the mainstem Sheepscot River which runs into Sheepscot Lake, so water quality is a concern here. The parcel is currently forested, and forests help keep water clean, especially along streams. Forests filter pollutants from the surrounding landscape and also help to shade rivers and streams which helps to keep water cool in our warming climate. The developer is proposing 15 new lots all with individual septic systems. Septic systems are designed to remove bacteria, which is a human health concern, but not nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, which can lead to algal blooms in nearby water bodies.

My understanding from the Sheepscot Lake Association is that the water quality in the Lake is fairly good and this subdevelopment could potentially threaten the water quality of the brook, river, and the lake. If you look at the Beginning With Habitat Map viewer, you can see that the parcel is part of a 1,557 acre undeveloped habitat block, has mapped deer wintering habitat, is less than 500 feet from an aquifer, and is also near federally endangered Atlantic salmon habitat in the mainstem Sheepscot River. It’s also less than a quarter mile from an even larger undeveloped forest block (5,703 acres) which is where Midcoast Conservancy has 1,100+ acres of preserved land with hiking trails. Developing within an undeveloped habitat block leads to habitat fragmentation, which is when large blocks of habitat are cut into smaller pieces and leaves wildlife with less space and freedom to move about their habitat. Overall, there are a lot of environmental concerns here, and something we’d like to communicate to people is that healthy watersheds = healthy communities. Once water quality is impaired it is very difficult and costly to restore. We think there are better places for a subdevelopment to be located than this parcel on Hostile Valley Road.

The board of the Sheepscot Lake Association expressed their concern for the preservation for the lake as well and their trust in the planning board in their statement regarding the proposed Pine Tree Subdivision:

As the board of a lake association, Sheepscot Lake Association’s focus concerns the health and preservation of the lake and watershed. We continue to encourage proper buffers to reduce erosion and restrictions on fertilizers and any runoffs that would affect this, and any water body. And we certainly want development to follow code and work closely with the local regulatory agencies. We support the planning board’s approach to the situation as they are knowledgeable about the requirements, respect the process of controlled development, and base approval on current ordinances.

After the first article on the proposed Pine Tree Subdivision, Cameron Maillet, chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, felt there was confusion as to what documents would govern the approval process of the proposed subdivision. Maillet explained, “The Comprehensive Plan for the town of Palermo was written over 30 years ago and is not a binding document. The ordinance written in 2002 that does pertain to the proposed subdivision is the Subdivision Ordinance of the Town of Palermo.” The Comprehensive Plan is currently being updated. Meeting times and dates for the Comprehensive Plan Committee will be posted on the Town of Palermo website.

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The Subdivision Ordinance, which can be found on the Town of Palermo website here, is also currently being reviewed by the planning Bbard. The board’s next meeting to review this document is scheduled Tuesday, January 28 at 6 pm at the Town Office.

COMMUNITY: Golden Agers seniors group continues to grow, room for more

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by Sheldon Goodine

The first meeting of the China Area Seniors, a/k/a “Golden Agers”, was held on May 4, 2022, with 10 folks attending. We now have 67 names on our weekly sign-up sheet. Our weekly attendance ranges from the high 20s to low 30s. We still have room for you!

Some of the activities we have enjoyed I’ll list for your information:

October 4, 2022, trip to Fryeburg Fair;
November 5, 2022, Santa train ride from Unity Railroad;
July 21, 2023, Cruised Moosehead Lake with Cyr Bus Lines;
August 9, 2023, First cookout lunch & BBQ;
August 27, 2023, Cabbage Island Clambake with Cyr Bus Lines;
December 20, 2023, First Christmas gift swap and luncheon;
February 12, 2024, Lunch at the Great Wall Buffet;
May 6, 2024, Isle of Shoals Clam Bake and boat tour;
August 14, 2024, Second cookout lunch and BBQ;
August 22, 2024, Lunch at MAJEK, Seafood and Grill;
October 1, 2024, Second trip to Fryeburg Fair;
October 10, 2024, Second lunch at MAJEK, Seafood and Grill;
December 2024, Planning second annual Christmas gift swap and luncheon.

We have 32 seats for Bingo, 12 seats for cribbage and six seats for other card games. So, you can see we have plenty of room for you. Please join us each Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

You can contact Sheldon Goodine at 215-9780.

P.S.: Jo Orlando had a perfect cribbage hand of 29, want to try to match hers?

TEAM PHOTO: Fairfield PAL senior champions

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Front Row, from left to right, Jacobi Peaslee, Kayden Lachance, Hunter Lochart and Ryker Miklos. Middle row, Stella Curtis, Chase Bonney, Brock Richards, Levi Brann, Owsley Richardson, Malcolm Gilliland, Jackson Hanson, Bryce Faulkner, and Jackson Curtis. Back, coaches Peasle, Clement, Miklos and Richards. (photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography)

OPINIONS: Make sure your vote counts on Nov. 5

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by André Chassé
AARP Maine Volunteer State President

One of the core American freedoms is the right to cast a ballot on election day, whether you’re voting for your local school board or having your say on who will run our country for the next four years. With the clock ticking down toward one of the most crucial and contentious elections in our nation’s history, now is the time for Mainers to make sure they have the information they need to make their voices heard and their votes count.

It’s a fact: Voters aged 50-plus decide elections. In 2024, that means they’ll decide who controls Congress and the White House. This powerful voting bloc, made up of people like me, wants to know what solutions the candidates are proposing on key issues that impact them and their families. If elected, what will they do to support family caregivers and protect Social Security?

AARP is mobilizing America’s more than 48 million family caregivers, including 166,000 here in Maine to fight for commonsense solutions that will save them time and money while supporting their efforts to care for their loved ones. Family caregivers are the backbone of a broken long-term care system. They help with everything from buying groceries and managing medications to bathing and dressing – often putting their own finances and jobs at risk.  Family caregivers provide more than $600 billion in unpaid labor each year, saving taxpayers billions by keeping loved ones at home and out of costly nursing homes. Maine’s family caregivers contribute more than 155 million unpaid care hours each year, valued at approximately 2.9 billion.

Family caregivers make up one in five voters. Smart candidates know that reaching these crucial voters and supporting policies that help them are essential steps on the road to victory.

Voters age 50-plus are also focused on the future of Social Security. We’ve worked hard for years and paid in, and we expect to get the money we’ve earned. If Washington doesn’t take action in about 10 years to protect and save Social Security, it could be cut by 20 percent, an average of $4,000 a year. For many Mainers a cut like that would be devastating. Voters 50-plus like me want to know what the candidates are proposing to protect Social Security not only for us but for our children and grandchildren as well.

As the nation’s largest organization for older Americans, AARP provides trusted up-to-date information on where, when and how to vote. We don’t tell our members or anyone else who to vote for, but we are committed to making sure all voters have the information they need to make their voices heard.

AARP Maine’s voter guide is now available online at aarp.org/mainevotes. It contains what voters of all ages need to know to cast a ballot in the 2024 general election. Several voting regulations have changed since the last election. That’s why it is so very important to know the rules here in Maine and to make a plan for casting your vote.

The stakes are very high this and every single election year. Make sure your vote counts on November 5.

The views of the author of this column are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.

OPINIONS: Open letter to Vassalboro residents

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by Christopher French
Selectboard member Town of Vassalboro

To the respective Voters of the Town of Vassalboro:

In addition to the Presidential election this upcoming November the [Vassalboro] selectboard has presented three referendum questions for your consideration and support. The purpose of my letter focuses on the two questions seeking permission to allocate funds towards a bridge repair.

In the Fall of 2023 engineers connected with the State of Maine alerted the town of the most recent inspection report of the “Dunlap” bridge located on Mill Hill. This culvert-style bridge traverses Seven-mile Brook connecting Webber Pond to the Kennebec River. The report stated, “The culverts are deteriorating at an accelerated rate, and they have dropped from fair condition to serious condition in just a couple of years.” The engineers strongly recommended that the town take action to replace the bridge. Additionally, the engineers advised the town that it may be necessary to “post” the bridge or restrict the maximum weight to as low as “3-tons”. Due to the minimum amount of traffic on this bridge it does not qualify as a state responsibility and replacement falls squarely on the shoulders of the Town.

In the wake of the report the town has taken the following steps.

• Established a committee of local citizens to assess our options.
• Opened communication with our partners at the state level.
• Allo­­cated American Rescue Plan Act funds and hired an engineer to present bridge replacement options.
• Option #1: $1.8 million full span bridge, designed to last 75 years.
• Option #2: Dirigo Timberland design estimated cost $700,000.
• Option #3: Replace the bridge with the existing twin culvert style estimated cost $500,000 and expected to last 30 years.
• The selectboard and budget committee recommended establishing a capital expense fund budgeting $40,000. This request was approved at the annual town vote in June.
• Secured a $200,000.00 grant. This grant may only be used if the town chooses to construct either option #1 or option #2.
• Applied for additional grants, including Federal based.
• Public works removed debris and cut back any jagged or distorted portions of the culverts
• The town has negotiated a contract in the amount of $58,000 with a local engineer pending voter approval.

In June/July 2024 our state partners identified Seven-mile Brook as a crucial spawning ground for migratory fish, to include Salmon and Alewives, catapulting our grant request to the top of consideration. A qualifying factor requires the town to have access to the matching $360,000 in funds which cannot be spent until Vassalboro accepts and signs the grant paperwork.

Referendum #1 authorizes the selectboard to spend up to $360,000 from funds already collected through taxation.

Referendum #2 makes a minor change to the 2014 TIF ordinance that allows for the selectboard to divert existing TIF dollars (currently in the ballpark of $170,000) to environmental projects.

Supporting the selectboard recommendations will provide the town with the necessary financial support to move forward with bridge replacement without negatively impacting the property taxes.

The voters can expect the following distribution of town funds

• $115,000 in accrued interest from our surplus account,
• $170,000 from the TIF account
• $40,000 from the bridge capital expense account
• $200,000 in allotted grant funding.

The total amount of $525,000 will satisfy the required grant match and allow the selectboard to hire the engineer to begin necessary groundwork ahead of construction. If we are not successful in receiving the grant we will be in a healthy position to move forward with option #2.

It is important that the town assumes a proactive position with the replacement of the DUNLAP bridge. I hope you will support the selectboard’s recommendation of voting yes. I would encourage anyone who has questions or requires further information to contact the Town of Vassalboro at 207-872-2826 or email the Town Manager Aaron Miller AMiller@vassalboro.net.

OPINION: Town elder concerned about seniors in China

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by Sheldon Goodine

The Rise of Senior Homeless in Maine?

We cannot let this happen in the China area. Maine folks are tough and try to go with the flow as long as possible, then it may be too late to solve the problem.

We tell our young children and adolescents, that if they see something wrong or are bullied themselves to “tell somebody”. That should apply to seniors as well. It may be very difficult to talk with a family member or maybe they don’t have a family member to talk to. “Tell Somebody”, the help you need may be as close as the town office. China Town Manager Becky Hapgood has agreed to act as a soundboard on a temporary basis and she can get you the help that is needed. Talk to her, tell her your problem and she will listen and find a solution. Some of the problems may be as follows:

Homelessness, elder abuse, food insecurity, transportation issues, medication, energy assistance, balance checkbook or paying bills, companionship and scams.

The list is long and varied. So do not carry the problem alone. “Tell Somebody”. Bottom line, you are not alone, there is help out there – start with Becky!

Good luck and God bless.

OPINIONS: It’s time to change Somerset’s register of deeds to an appointed position

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by The Somerset County Commissioners

On Tuesday November 7, voters in Somerset County will be asked to consider changing the position of Register of Deeds from elected to appointed. One quarter of Maine’s counties have already established the Register of Deeds as an appointed position. In Somerset, this position is currently unfilled.

In accordance with Somerset’s County Charter Section 4, the County Commissioners can ask for the change to be put on the ballot. The question will read as follows: “Shall the position of an elected Register of Deeds be abolished and replaced with a Register of Deeds appointed by the Board of Commissioners?”

The Commissioners unanimously agree the time is right for the Register of Deeds to be appointed for the following reasons:

Expertise and Qualifications: Land record management and legal aspects related to property transactions require specialized knowledge. Appointing the Register of Deeds allows for a more deliberate selection process, which can prioritize individuals with relevant qualifications, experience, and expertise in real estate, land records, and legal matters. This can lead to more effective management of land records while maintaining a high level of customer service.

Consistency and Stability: An appointed Register of Deeds may provide more stability in the office, as they are not subject to the fluctuations of election cycles. This can contribute to consistent management of land records and a smooth operation of the office. Furthermore, this stability will allow for implementation of technology and processes to improve accessibility, accuracy and efficiency in maintaining and accessing land records.

Reduced Political Influence: While the County Charter states that all elected positions are “non-partisan”, the fact remains that elected officials often have to engage in political campaigns and fundraising, which can lead to concerns about the influence of
special interests. Appointed Registers of Deeds are not susceptible to such political pressures, allowing them to focus on the technical and administrative aspects of their
role.

The Commissioners believe appointing a Register of Deeds is the correct path forward to best provide for the needs of our communities. Please join with us in voting “Yes” to change the Register of Deeds from an elected official to an appointed one.

OPINIONS: Thoughts about high impact transmission lines through central Maine

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COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by Thomas Bolen
Albion resident

Historically when the citizenry finds itself in a position where they perceive their elected officials have failed them in pursuit of a larger goal, citing “For the common good” common folks like me, regardless of political stripes, find themselves pushing back and asking for pause to reassess their decision. The proposed High Impact Transmission Line approved in a “bipartisan” vote by the Maine Legislature early this year is that inflection point. The T-line touted as “progress towards decarbonization” was approved by the MPUC and awarded to LS Power of New York earlier this year.

But is it progress? When I think of “Progress” relative to this issue I think of utilizing new proven and relatively mature technology that will mitigate impacts to the environment and socio-economic wellbeing of the people both directly and indirectly impacted by the line in addition to setting us up for future successes. LS Power proposed building out the High Impact Transmission lines prescribed in the PUC term sheets, at 345kv AC (alternating current) utilizing 140-foot towers. However, I may have missed it but nowhere in the statute or term sheets does it say specifically, Overhead or 345kv AC”.

It simply states in numerous places throughout the sheets and statute 345kv. With the understanding, identified in the LS Power Day Mark study on page 21, that these new lines WILL NOT CONNECT Northern Maine’s Grid administered by NMISA to the ISO NE Grid. Their energy will still come from New Brunswick for the foreseeable future.

Much of the T-line right of ways will be cut through forested lands, across organic farms and generational farms leaving Homes, Farms, Woodlots, Sugarbushes, etc… contending with an aftermath of avoidable consequences had our PUC been more mindful of total impacts and mitigation through the use of newer technologies. Consequences such as: lower real-estate values, organic farms/dairies and sugarbushes at risk of losing organic certifications, Apiary’s/pollinators (personal and commercial) being significantly impacted thereby further degrading the socio-economic infrastructure of this rural and poorer part of the state.

To be clear, I, nor the Albion, Me Transmission Line Committee which I chair, are opposed to the Aroostook Connect project. We are, however, opposed to the methodology being deployed! Buried HVDC requires approximately 5+ foot wide ROW vs. 150 feet wide for AC overhead.

Utilization of ROW’s of existing roadways in Maine is not new. Look at HP1274, LD 1786 of the 124th Maine State Legislature and you’ll find provisions for this. Why not look forward and amend this Statute to allow other road ROW’s beyond what is already outlined to better serve Maine and began to use them.

In 2022 the State of Minnesota DOT undertook a comprehensive feasibility study, entitled NextGen Highways (found here: https://nextgenhighways.org) conducted by NGI consulting of Seattle, Washington. A subset of the study findings are:

– Transmission and Fiber are being sited in the interstate and highway ROW across the United States
– Buried HVDC transmission can be compatible with interstate and highway ROW;
– Buried HVDC transmission is comparable in cost to overhead AC transmission while providing additional reliability and resilience benefits;

  • Historically Utilities have discounted the use of underground transmission citing the cost of AC transmission often at 7-10 times more than overhead AC transmission lines. Many utilities, including LS Power cite those numbers without considering the technological advances HVDC cable and Converter stations over the past decade.
    Notable study takeaways.
  • Buried HVDC transmission projects are cost competitive with traditional overhead AC transmission projects;
  • Buried HVDC transmission costs have fallen over the past decade.
  • Together, DOT ROW and buried HVDC transmission can deliver billions of dollars in societal benefits.
  • Buried HVDC transmission supports transportation decarbonization.

As we move forward in Maine trying to meet decarbonization goals we need to be mindful of how we do it. Negatively impacting the beauty of the State and the fragile socio-economic infrastructure is not my definition of progress.

Thank you Representative Scott Cyrway and Senator David Lafountain for your ongoing support and also the many other Senators and Representatives who are listening.