China select board members sign warrant for the annual town meeting

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“Taxpayers in the Town of China are not gonna be happy this year.”
– Selectman Brent Chesley

by Mary Grow

At their April 8 meeting, China select board members signed the warrant for the June 11 annual town business meeting, at which voters act on the 2024-25 municipal budget (and other items), and heard a presentation on the 2024-25 school budget, which will be voted on separately the same day.

Board member Brent Chesley’s summary: “Taxpayers in the Town of China are not gonna be happy this year.”

Because the Kennebec County budget is not yet final, China taxpayers don’t yet know exactly how unhappy they will be. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood and several select board members planned to attend the April 9 Kennebec County budget meeting that will move toward determining whether a preliminary $238,000 increase will hold.

The municipal budget increase, if voters approve recommended spending, will be $374,495, according to Hapgood.

China is in Regional School Unit (RSU) #18, which also includes Belgrade, Oakland, Rome and Sidney. Superintendent Carl Gartley said the RSU budget will increase by $1,459,447.19, or 3.4 percent.

China’s share of the RSU #18 budget is in two parts, the EPS (Essential Programs and Services) component and additional local funds. The approved budget posted on the RSU #18 website shows the former up by $216,273 and the latter by 228,274 for a total increase of $444,547.

Gartley began his presentation with a comparison of RSU #18 with other central Maine school units. RSU #18 students consistently rank at the top of the list on national language and math tests, he said, and in the bottom half in per-pupil spending.

Select board schedules public hearing on warrant articles for May 6

China select board members have scheduled a public hearing on the articles to be voted on at the June 11 annual town business meeting for 5:45 p.m. Monday, May 6, in the town office meeting room.

Board member Janet Preston’s suggested the hearing be made more prominent – “an event,” she recommended – to attract more voters was modified to a proposal to serve light refreshments.

Because the June 11 town business meeting will be by written ballot, the May 6 hearing will be voters’ only chance to ask questions and get answers from board members and Hapgood about what they are voting on.

Board members acknowledged that some residents want to go back to the pre-Covid open town meetings. No one spoke in favor of doing so. Chairman Wayne Chadwick has repeatedly said that in his opinion, too few people attended the open meetings to fairly represent residents’ preferences.

In reply to select board members’ questions, Gartley explained several of the specific increases. RSU #18, he said, is not facing the “fiscal cliff” that some other school districts are with the end of federal covid funding: the unexpected money was mostly spent for lasting improvements, like re-siding China Middle School, not to hire personnel whose wages and benefits now become local responsibilities.

Select board member Brent Chesley asked about policies on controversial issues like critical race theory and gender. Gartley replied that the RSU board – whose two China members he praised – and he agreed on accepting state-required policies, but not looking for more.

“We don’t get into teaching political opinions,” the superintendent said. The philosophy is to teach students how to think, not what to think, and he believes most teachers adhere to it most of the time.

Gartley said while school expenditures have gone up, RSU #18’s state subsidy has been reduced by $500,000. Subsidies are calculated based on local valuations.

The issue of state changes increasing local taxes had come up earlier in the meeting, when Hapgood told board members most of the legal bill they approved paying was for integrating the 2021 state affordable housing law, still called LD 2003, into China’s Land Use Ordinance.

In other business April 8, select board members unanimously approved the request from Four Seasons Club President Thomas Rumpf to extend approval for ATVs to use about two miles on Bog and Peasant View Ridge roads for another year.

When Rumpf presented the proposal at a May 22, 2023, public hearing, he explained that the roads would substitute for the unusable Beaver or Bog Trail to create a loop trail between southeastern and northeastern China.

Rebuilding the Bog Trail to state standards might cost as much as $700,000, Rumpf said. Because there was so much storm damage to trails throughout Maine this winter, state funds are unlikely to be available this year.

Rumpf and Hapgood said using the roads had generated maybe half a dozen complaints in a year, about issues like late-night traffic and speeding. Rumpf said all complaints he knew of had been settled within a day.

In other business April 8, board members unanimously appointed Rachel Anderson a member of the Transfer Station Committee. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 16.

Speaking for Director of Public Services Shawn Reed, Hapgood said the high water level in China Lake is delaying putting in the docks at the boat landing by the causeway.

From the transfer station, Hapgood said the annual drug take-back day is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and a paper shredding machine will be available Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Items postponed to a future meeting included:

— A proposal from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office to share the antenna at the China town office, pending legal review.
— Discussion of buying a new public works truck, while awaiting a second price quote as requested by the budget committee. [See budget committee meeting story also in this issue.]

The next regular China select board meeting will be Monday evening, April 22.

China budget committee endorses select board proposal

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by Mary Grow

China Budget Committee members have endorsed the select board’s proposed 2024-25 budget, to be presented to voters at the June 11 annual town business meeting.

At their April 3 meeting, committee members also supported buying a new town truck, at a cost not to exceed $296,715, with a condition and a suggestion.

Twenty-one of the 32 articles on the June 11 warrant need, and have, budget committee recommendations. There were no dissenting votes; on some of the articles, a member abstained, for example to avoid a conflict of interest.

There was almost no discussion except over the truck purchase.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said Director of Public Services Shawn Reed recommends buying a Western Star truck from O’Connor Motors, in Augusta. The recommendation is for a wheeler, rather than a single-axle truck, because the wheeler is more versatile – two budget committee members agreed ­– and costs only $16,000 more.

The purchase price is to come from the equipment reserve and from the 2024-25 budget, if voters approve it on June 11. An older truck will be traded in or sold to make up for a small part of the expenditure.

Commenting on the truck body, the plow gear, the extended warranty, the delivery delay (December 2024 or later) and other factors, Hapgood observed, “It’s hard to believe it’s this hard to buy a vehicle.”

Budget committee members had no objection to the choice; but they made their endorsement conditional on the select board getting at least one more price quote, “just to see what the number might be,” as committee member Timothy Basham said.

Taryn Hotham suggested town officials try negotiating with O’Connor for a better price.

Activities abound at RSU #18 schools

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National Pancake Day

 

Top, Mr. Moody and Mrs. Ridgeway treated China Primary School staff to a yummy pancake breakfast for National Pancake Day! What are your favorite toppings?

Surfrider Foundation Donation

Above, China Primary School’s fourth graders were recently engaging in a persuasive writing unit, and during the unit one student passionately wrote about how their school should have a fundraiser to raise money to help support a cleaner ocean. Mrs. Jacobs’ class organized a popcorn fundraiser with the support from the China PTO. They raised over $400 to donate to the Surfrider Foundation in Maine.

March Making a Difference Award

Congratulations to Maren O’Connell, left, and Christine Meader for receiving the March Making a Difference Award at Williams Elementary School’s recent Be the Light Assembly, in Oakland. The school appreciates all they do each day to support the students at Williams Elementary School.

Sharing Nonfiction Writing

Mrs. Couture’s second grade student, Eli, at the Atwood School, in Oakland, read his nonfiction writing piece about wolves to Superintendent of Schools, Carl Gartley. Eli shared, “I felt a little bit nervous but mostly honored to read to Mr. Gartley.” Gartley enjoyed Eli’s sophisticated word choice and fun facts. After Eli left central office, he said, “This was the best afternoon ever!” Eli’s work was definitely Atwood awesome.

Mobile Science Lab

China Middle School’s fifth through eighth grade students had the opportunity to work in the Mobile Science Lab! Two different programs were offered to students. Some students learned about balancing ecosystems with invasive species. They developed tools to mitigate the effects of the invasive species. Other students participated in the Micropipette Challenge where they practiced measuring and transferring liquids using a pipette. CMS was the first school the new Mobile BioLab visited. Sixth graders at China Middle then attended the kick-off event for Educate Maine and the Maine Mobile BioLab, at the State House, in Augusta!

Local residents named to Clark Univ.’s dean’s list

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The following local residents were named to Clark University’s Fall 2023 dean’s list, in Worcester, Massachusetts:

Sam N. Golden, of South China, was named to second honors.

Maya L. Patten, of Mercer, was named to second honors.

Frankie D. Roberts, of Unity, was named to second honors.

China select board approves 32-article warrant at special meeting

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by Mary Grow

At a short special meeting April 1, China select board members approved the 32-article warrant for the June 11 annual town business meeting.

Budget committee members were scheduled to meet April 3 to make their recommendations on proposed expenditures. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood plans to have the official warrant ready for signing at the next regular select board meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 8.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood intends to propose dates for a public hearing at which she and board members will answer residents’ questions about the articles.

At that meeting, Hapgood intends to propose dates for a public hearing at which she and board members will answer residents’ questions about the articles.

The June 11 business meeting will be by written ballot. Polls will be in the former portable classroom behind the town office. The meeting moderator will be elected at 6:55 a.m., and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Articles include proposed municipal expenditures for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2024; procedural issues, like setting the 2024-25 tax due dates and authorizing the select board to accept grants, negotiate contracts, buy equipment and conduct other town business; and approval or rejection of three ordinances.

Art. 29 asks if voters want to replace the 2008 Planning Board Ordinance with a new one. Art. 30 asks acceptance of Land Development Code amendments, needed to make China compliant with state law. Art. 31 asks acceptance of a new ordinance to regulate commercial solar development in town.

Copies of the ordinances are on the website, china.govoffice.com, under the Elections heading on the left side of the home page.

Select board votes to approve the articles were unanimous, except that one board member abstained on one article.

The municipal warrant does not include the 2024-25 school budget, which will be presented to voters separately.

China road committee prepares list of roads to be repaved

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by Mary Grow

China road committee members met March 26 and prepared a preliminary list of roads to be repaved in 2024, money permitting. The proposed work, according to committee member and China deputy clerk Jennifer Chamberlain, totals 5.27 miles.

The three longest stretches are 1.3 miles on Deer Hill Rd., from South Road to Lane Road; the 0.89-mile-long Kidder Road, between Route 32 (Windsor Road) and Weeks Mills Road; and 0.79 miles on Dirigo Road, approximately from McClellan Road to Tobey Road.

The rest of the list includes Achorn Lane, Morrill Drive, Shuman Road, West Tobey Road, Mayflower Lane, Pond Hill Road, Smith Road, Bradford Lane, Chadwick Hill Drive, Golfers Xing and Horseback Road.

Director of Public Services Shawn Reed said some of the short, dead-end roads are in such poor condition that they are difficult to plow.

Committee members discussed trying to reclaim some of the worst areas, a process that involves digging up the road and redoing it. Reed was doubtful; not many companies do the work, he said, and it is expensive.

Reed has no firm figure yet on 2024 paving mix prices. The prices will determine how many miles China can afford to do this year.

Committee members discussed paving options – where, if anywhere, less expensive chip-seal can be used, and what depth of material will be needed on different roads.

They did not disagree with Reed’s proposal to resume the crack sealing program for older paved roads, to prolong the life of the paving. He recommended inspecting roads last paved in 2021 and deciding which most need the treatment.

Reed explained to committee members that the speed limit signs the public works crew has been removing were posted by local order, before the present town manager took the position. However, he said, speed limits are set by the state Department of Transportation (MDOT), not by local officials.

Legislation is pending that might change the state’s procedure, Reed said.

Road committee members set no date for an inspection tour or next meeting.

China planners endorse proposed ordinance changes

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by Mary Grow

At their March 26 meeting, China planning board members unanimously endorsed three proposed ordinance changes that select board members are considering presenting to voters at the June 11 annual town business meeting.

They are:

— A new Planning Board Ordinance;
— Amendments to chapters 2, 3 and 11 of China’s Land Development Code; and
— A new Chapter 8 for the Land Development Code, titled “Solar Energy Systems Ordinance.”

Planning board and select board members have worked on versions of an ordinance to regulate commercial solar development in China for years. As of March 28, the latest draft is available for review on the town website, china.govoffice.com, under the Elections tab on the left side of the home page.

Besides the addition of Chapter 8, the other amendments to the Land Development Code are intended to implement the new state law promoting affordable housing by allowing higher housing density. The proposed revised ordinance is on the website twice, under Elections and under the planning board, which is under the title Officials, Boards and Committees on the right side of the home page.

The changes are comprehensive, adjusting several sections of the ordinance to encourage more residential units. They include addition of a South China Development District along Route 3 and Route 32 south as far as Weeks Mills Road.

An explanation at the beginning of the draft reminds readers that China’s 2020 comprehensive plan recommended such a district, “for additional housing and development.”

The new Planning Board Ordinance is available under Elections on the town website.

In other business March 26, planning board members unanimously approved Chris Harris’s four-lot subdivision on the south side of Route 3 not far east of South China Village, after finding that it meets all criteria in the town subdivision ordinance.

Harris presented his initial application at the board’s Oct. 24, 2023, meeting, where board chairman Toni Wall summarized the process of applying for a subdivision.

The March 26 meeting began with public hearings on the Land Development Code changes, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and on Harris’s subdivision, scheduled for 7 p.m. The anticipated interest in the ordinance amendments did not appear; no one attended the hearing.

Wall therefore moved directly to Harris’s hearing, which likewise brought no comments. When an abutter to Harris’s land arrived at 7 p.m., Wall invited comments, and received no objections to the subdivision plan.

The next regular China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9. Codes Officer Nicholas French said as of March 26, he had no applications pending.

China board of appeals grants site size variance for apartments

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by Mary Grow

The China Board of Appeals has granted Carrol White’s application for a variance from lot size requirements to allow him to seek planning board approval to convert the former Silver Lake Grange Hall in China Village to apartments.

The action still needs two more steps: under China’s Appeals Ordinance (Chapter 9 of the Land Development Code), the board must meet again within 14 days to approve the written decision. Once finally approved, the variance must be recorded at the Kennebec County Registry of Deeds within 90 days.

White presented an application for the conversion to the China Planning Board at its Jan. 23 meeting, and a more complete application at the Feb. 13 meeting. On Feb. 13, board members voted that White’s project meets all ordinance criteria except for lot size; the Main Street lot is too small for the planned four-unit apartment building.

White therefore applied for the variance from the lot size requirement. He explained that he had obtained variances in the 1990s, but for various reasons, none was properly recorded and accepted (see articles on p. 3 of the Feb. 1 and Feb. 22 issues of The Town Line).

White wants a current, valid variance so that, when the planning board grants a permit for the conversion, he can sell the property to Daniel Coleman.

Coleman, who lives farther south on Main Street, said he has experience as a landlord. He intends to create four two-bedroom apartments in the 4,600-square-foot building, two on the ground floor and two on the second floor.

He said he likes China Village, appreciates the need for housing in Maine and plans to seek tenants who will contribute to the area.

Ronald Morrell, who lives farther north on Main Street and owns the empty lot across from the Grange Hall, supported the project. He hopes Coleman will preserve the historic appearance of the building, which dates from 1908.

Linda Morrell asked about parking. White said it will be behind the building.

White and Coleman said they have not yet done final plans for either the interior or the septic system. An architect has sketched a four-apartment plan, and test pits have been dug out back where the septic system will go.

Board of Appeals members had to rule on four criteria for granting a variance. The first, and most discussed, was that the property “cannot yield a reasonable return” without a variance.

White said the former Grange Hall has been for sale for years and no one has even asked to inspect it, though it could legally be a single-family home or an appropriate business. Several people commented that people wanting a 4,600-square-foot house would probably want more spacious grounds.

Appeals board member Robert Fischer dissented on the vote on that criterion. It was approved 4-1-1, with newly re-elected board chairman Spencer Aitel abstaining, as he always does unless his vote is needed to break a tie.

The other criteria, approved by 5-0-1 votes, are:

— The need for the variance is due to the property’s “unique circumstances,” not to “the general conditions in the neighborhood”;
— Granting the variance will not “alter the essential character of the locality”; and
— The need for a variance is not “the result of action taken by the applicant or a prior owner.”

Aitel commented that the final criterion always gives him pause, because obviously many years ago a prior owner did something that did not meet 2024 regulations.

The Grange Hall fails to meet another contemporary requirement: it is seven feet from the north line of the property, instead of the required minimum 10 feet. Codes Officer Nicholas French said the building is “grandfathered” for this requirement, comparing it to buildings around China Lake closer to the water than would be allowed for a new building. Aitel added that such buildings can be modified as long as changes do not increase the non-conformity.

After Aitel was re-elected board chairman, member Michael Gee volunteered to be secretary and was promptly chosen.

Board members did not schedule their next meeting.

Erskine Academy second trimester honor roll (2024)

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(photo credit: Erskine Academy)

Grade 12

High Honors: Tristan Anderson, Leah Bonner, Heather Bourgoin, Elizabeth Brown, Nolan Burgess, Nathalia Carrasco, Elise Choate, Marshall Clifford, Caleigh Crocker, Brielle Crommett, Noah Crummett, Skyler Danforth, Isabella Day, Keira Deschamps, Hailey Estes, Kaylee Fyfe, Aaralyn Gagnon, Meilani Gatlin, Caleb Gay, Tucker Greenwald, Nathan Hall, Natalie Henderson, Anna Jarosz, Hannah Kugelmeyer, Henrique Leal Ribeiro, Landon Lefebvre, Aidan Maguire, Liberty Massie, Holden McKenney, Akela Mitchell, Lucas Mitchell, Austin Nicholas, Jeremy Parker, Nathan Polley, Jessica Pumphrey, Evelyn Rousseau, Max Sanborn, Jamecen Stokes, Reese Sullivan, and Baruch Wilson. Honors: Abigail Adams, Lacey Arp, Duncan Bailey, Isabella Boudreau, Kellsie Boynton, Robin Boynton, Wyatt Bray, Kaleb Brown, Carol Caouette-Labbe, Makayla Chabot, Timothy Christiansen, Simon Clark, Alexia Cole, Connor Coull, Thomas Crawford, Gavin Cunningham, Jesseca Eastup, Hunter Foard, Cole Fortin, Brayden Garland, Julius Giguere, Nathan Grenier, Sammi Jo Guptill, Tara Hanley, Jessica Hendsbee, Trinity Hyson, Stephanie Kumnick, Mackenzie Kutniewski, Logan Lanphier, Sophie Leclerc, Jack Lyons, Abigail Miller, Royce Nelson, Alejandro Ochoa, Alyssa Ouellette, Keith Radonis, Christine Smith, Giacomo Smith, Adam St. Onge, Kinsey Stevens, Gavin Turner, Ryan Tyler, Jack Uleau, Haley Webb, Elijah York, and Maddison Zepeda.

Grade 11

High Honors: Daphney Allen, Emmett Appel, Emily Bailey, Noah Bechard, Rylan Bennett, Octavia Berto, Jayda Bickford, Brooke Blais, Olivia Brann, Carter Brockway, Keenan Clark, Hannah Cohen-Mackin, Andra Cowing, Lauren Cowing, Gabrielle Daggett, Trinity DeGreenia, Aidan Durgin, John Edwards, Ryan Farnsworth, Keeley Gagnon, Hailey Garate, Ellie Giampetruzzi, Echo Hawk, Serena Hotham, Kailynn Houle, Alivia Jackson, Walker Jean, Ava Kelso, Sophia Knapp, Jack Lucier, Owen Lucier, Eleanor Maranda, Jade McCollett, Abigail McDonough, Shannon McDonough, Madison McNeff, Colin Oliphant, Makayla Oxley, Noah Pelletier, Carter Rau, Elsa Redmond, Lillian Rispoli, Laney Robitaille, Carlee Sanborn, Joslyn Sandoval, Aislynn Savage, Kyle Scott, Jordyn Smith, Zoey Smith, Larissa Steeves, Kaylee Tims, and Clara Waldrop. Honors: Haileigh Allen, Jeffrey Allen, Ava Anderson, Bryana Barrett, Brody Campbell, Paige Clark, Madison Cochran, Dylan Cooley, Aydan Desjardins, Brady Desmond, Lucas Farrington, Addison Gagne, Kaylene Glidden, Jonathan Gutierrez, Trent Haggett, Brandon Hanscom, Landen Hayden, Emma Henderson, Rion Kesel, Kaiden Kronillis, Bodi Laflamme, Chase Larrabee, Shelby Lincoln, D’andre Marable, Kaeleigh Morin, Gavyn Paradis, Ava Picard, Alyssa Pullen, Victoria Rancourt, Justin Reed, Nathan Robinson, Achiva Seigars, Emily Sprague, Parker Studholme, David Thompson III, Grace Vashon, and Adrianna Vernesoni.

Grade 10

High Honors: Connor Alcott, Emily Almeida, Kylie Bellows, Addyson Briggs, London Castle, Nathan Choate, William Choate, Drew Clark, Lillian Clark, Madeline Clement-Cargill, Sylvia Davis, Joshua Denis, Audryanna DeRaps, Charles DeSchamp, Lauren Dufour, Madison Gagnon, Madison Griffiths, Mia Hersom, Halle Jones, Kasen Kelley, Kayle Lappin, Jacob Lavallee, Ava Lemelin, Nathaniel Levesque, Jack Murray, Elijah Nelson, Jordyn Parise, Ruby Pearson, Elijah Pelkey, Isabelle Pelotte, Emily Piecewicz, Taisen Pilotte, Hannah Polley, Desirae Proctor, Michael Richardson, Owen Robichaud, Leahna Rocque, Jackie Sasse, Edward Schmidt, Kathryn Shaw, Madelynn Spencer, Kayla Stred, Gentry Stuart, Abigail Studholme, Donovan Thompson, Kammie Thompson, and Addison Witham. Honors: Savannah Baker, Gavin Bartlett, Brock Bowden, Kolby Caswell, Saunders Chase, Timothy Clavette, William Ellsey Jr., Jacob Faucher, Solomon Fortier, Stephen Gould, Brandon Haley, Aiden Hamlin, Willow Haschalk, Evan Heron, Easton Houghton, Aidan Huff, Jacob Hunter, Alexus Jackson, Timothy Kiralis, Savannah Knight, Brayden McLean, Parker Minzy, Tucker Nessmith, Phoebe Padgett, Jacoby Peaslee, Abigail Peil, Jackson Pelotte, Kameron Quinn, Eli Redmond, Alexander Reitchel, Autumn Sawyer, Jaelyn Seamon, Benjamin Severy, Nichala Small, Benjamin Sullivan, Phoebe Taylor, Addison Turner, Charles Uleau, Isaac Vallieres, Finnegan Vinci, Oryanna Winchenbach, Brody Worth, and Maddilyn York.

Grade 9

High Honors: Isaac Audette, Olivia Austin, Jeremiah Bailey, Linnea Bassett, Luke Blair, Jackson Blake, Silas Bolitho, Madeline Boynton, Delaney Brown, Liam Burgess, Emma Casey, Olivia Childs, Hunter Christiansen, Khloe Clark, Owen Couture, Jilian Desjardins, Robin Dmitrieff, Logan Dow, Isabella Farrington, Adalyn Glidden, Cody Grondin, Addison Hall, Madison Harris, Eva Hayden, Reid Jackson, Ivy Johns, Callianne Jordan, Chantz Klaft, Gaven Miller, Annie Miragliuolo, MacKenzie Oxley, Bryson Pettengill, Caylee Putek, Tayden Richards, Jessika Shaw, Lailah Sher, Bryson Stratton, Gabriel Studholme, Sabrina Studholme, Kaleb Tolentino, Cayden Turner, Carter Ulmer, Isabella Winchenbach, and Eryn Young. Honors: William Adamson IV, Ariana Armstrong, Ashton Bailey, Delia Bailey, Benjamin Beale, Hailey Boone, Cassidy Brann, Logan Chechowitz, Tyler Clark, Connor Crommett, Ryley Desmond, Kiley Doughty, Nolan Dow, Kelsie Dunn, Bella Dutilly, Wyatt Ellis, Gavin Fanjoy, Danica Ferris, Madison Field, Gianna Figucia, Scott Fitts, Audrey Fortin, Colby Frith, Nicholas Gould, Paige Greene-Morse, Lilly Hutchinson, Evan James, Channing Kelly, Peyton Kibbin, Maverick Knapp, Bryson Lanphier, Sawyer Livingstone, Jack Malcolm, Jasai Marable, Kate McGlew, Gage Miller, Alexis Mitton, Jacoby Mort, Emi Munn, Madeline Oxley, Molly Oxley, Layla Peaslee, Teagan Pilsbury, Sovie Rau, Samuel Richardson, Colton Ryan, Lucas Short, Braeden Temple, Mackullen Tolentino, Tyler Waldrop, and Brayden Ward.

China select board continues prep work for June 11 town meeting

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by Mary Grow

At their March 25 meeting, China select board members continued preparations for the June 11 annual town business meeting. They scheduled a special meeting Monday evening, April 1, to review the town meeting warrant (if Brent Chesley, who was absent March 25, is able to attend); their regular meeting April 8 is the deadline for a final warrant.

As of March 25, the draft warrant includes three ordinance revisions: amendments to the Planning Board Ordinance; changes to chapters 2, 3, and 11 of the Land Development Code, prepared by town attorney Amanda Meader to meet new state affordable housing requirements; and a new solar ordinance that, if approved, will become chapter 8 of the Land Develop­ment Code.

As of March 25, the draft warrant includes three ordinance revisions: amendments to the Planning Board Ordinance; changes to chapters 2, 3, and 11 of the Land Development Code, prepared by town attorney Amanda Meader to meet new state affordable housing requirements; and a new solar ordinance that, if approved, will become chapter 8 of the Land Development Code.

In other business March 25, select board members awarded the bid for a new storage vault attached to the town office to the lower of two bidders, Ralph McNaughton Construction, of Corinna, Maine, for more than $267,000.

Sheldon Goodine, chairman of the building committee, reminded board members that the high price includes a lot of “mechanicals” to keep the addition lighted and heated.

Board chairman Wayne Chadwick commented that delaying a decision would not bring the price down. Goodine said the project has been under discussion for four years.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said the town does not have $267,000 to spare at the moment. She and board members discussed funding sources, like the board’s voter-approved contingency fund; the town’s undesignated fund balance (informally called surplus); or perhaps, with voter approval on June 11, reallocated Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

Board members authorized Hapgood to discuss with the McNaughton company reducing the cost by having China’s public works crew do some of the groundwork.

Hapgood warned board members of another large pending expenditure: the proposed 2024-25 Kennebec County budget would raise China’s county tax by 39 percent, an increase of $238,000.

The public hearing on the draft county budget was scheduled for Wednesday evening, March 27. Hapgood planned to attend; Chadwick said he would if he could.

Board members postponed action on two agenda items, a request from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office (KSO) to put an antenna on the radio tower at the China town office and a proposed easement over land at the Branch Mills dam.

Hapgood said attorneys were discussing liability issues that might come up if KSO shared the town’s tower. She proposed offering use of the tower for free, since expanding KSO’s range would be a public service. Chadwick and fellow board member Blane Casey, with the proposed county budget fresh in their minds, leaned toward asking for payment.

The manager said there were still unanswered questions about the proposed easement.

In addition to final action on the June 11 meeting warrant, Hapgood expects the April 8 meeting agenda to include a presentation on the town’s valuation from assessor William Van Tuinen.