Davidson family receives LakeSmart designation

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The Davidson family

The descendants of the Davidson Family have enjoyed a camp on China Lake for five generations. Their property was purchased in the early 1900s from the original settler, Rufus Jones. Like many properties on China Lake, theirs slopes toward the lake. On the lakeside of their property they maintain a thick lawn at least three inches or more tall that has other natural vegetation growing. They have chosen to only cut that lawn once or twice a year to help protect the lake.

Also, because they have a dog, they make sure to pick up all the pet waste so it will not affect the lake quality. At the lake’s edge, their effective buffer is full of tall trees, native shrubs, ground cover and leaves and pine needles. With the entire buffer, they still enjoy a nice view of the lake.

If you would like a free LakeSmart visit from a volunteer to see what you can do to protect the lake, please contact Marie Michaud at ChinaLakeSmart@gmail.com or 207-2020240.

South China Library aided from exhibit of late Howard Comfort II

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Some of the paintings in the gallery.

Martha Comfort, David Kesel, and Laura Coffin, descendants of Howard Comfort II.

Photos & text courtesy of Geoff Hargadon
A barn in South China was the setting for an artist’s retrospective on August 12. The late Howard Comfort II, scholar, cricketeer, painter, and a part of the South China community for decades, was the subject of an exhibition of his paintings. Over 30 paintings, many from South China and elsewhere in Maine, were borrowed from a number of families as far away as Charlotte and Seattle. Nearly 100 visitors enjoyed refreshments as they passed through the gallery on that Saturday evening, including several of Comfort’s descendants.

Comfort lived to the age of 89, and spent many summers with family and friends in South China. His father was a colleague of Rufus Jones while at Haverford College, and it is believed Jones was influential in what has become a five-generation legacy in the town. There were many paintings buildings in South China on view, including Spearon’s General Store and the South China Inn, two buildings that no longer exist.

The exhibit doubled as a fundraiser for the South China Library and its plans to move to Jones Road. Over $2,500 was raised from attendees, with help from a matching grant offered for the occasion.

“We were very pleased with the turnout, to meet new friends, and to see old acquaintances. I am particularly glad we could share this beautiful body of work with the community that could probably appreciate it the most,” said Geoff Hargadon, organizer of the event. “We have long admired Howard Comfort’s work and was excited to be able to see so much of it in one place. But this has also encouraged me to investigate other opportunities in the future that could connect us with South China’s history through the eyes of others.”

Residents visit the gallery.

CHINA NEWS: Erskine announces schedules, bus routes for Fall 2017

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Fall 2017

Erskine Academy schedules and bus routes:

FRESHMEN ORIENTATION will be held on August 28, at 6:30 p.m., in the Erskine Academy gymnasium. Parents and freshmen students are encouraged to attend.

Freshmen parents are reminded that the school does require a current freshmen entrance physical prior to the first day of school. Any questions please call the school nurse at 445-2962.

Tuesday, August 29, – First day of school – Freshmen only;
Wednesday, August 30, – all students will attend;
Friday, September 1, – Erskine will not hold classes;
Monday, September 4, – Labor Day Holiday – no classes;
Thursday, September 14, – school picture day.

NEW STAFF MEMBERS: Megan Childs – Family & Consumer Economics teacher; Katherine Newcombe – English teacher & Ed Tech III; Rebecca Sellers – art teacher.

BUS ROUTES:

Students should be at their pick-up points 5 – 10 minutes before the stated pick-up times for the first few days of school. Bus fare is $10 per week. Parents of freshmen are advised to check the bus schedule at New Student Orientation.

Pat Vigue – Bus 13 (Palermo Area)

6:25 – Palermo School
6:30 – Turner Ridge Road
6:35 – Banton Road
6:40 – Level Hill Road
6:45 – North Palermo Road
7:00 – Weston Ridge
7:15 – Tobey’s
7:20 – Frontier Village
7:25 – Leave Frontier Village
7:30 – Arrive at Erskine Academy

Sheila Wescott – Bus 11 (Chelsea/Windsor Area)

6:12 – Leave Erskine to Tyler Road
6:17 – Weeks Mills Road
6:20 – Legion Park Road/

Lamson Road (turn-a-round)

6:23 – Barton Road
6:25 – 105 to Spring Road
6:50 – Chelsea School
6:53 – Wellman Road
6:55 – Route 17 to Windsor
7:00 – Hunts Meadow Road
7:10 – Route 126
7:15 – Vigue Road
7:20 – Route 17 to Route 32 Windsor
7:25 – Route 32 (Rideout’s Store)
7:35 – Arrive at Erskine Academy

Wayne Lacey – Bus 1 (Whitefield-Jefferson Area)

6:25 – Leave Country Corners Store
6:30 – Travel down Route 215
6:35 – Route 126 to Jefferson
6:40 – Jefferson Post Office
7:00 – Intersection of Route 32 & 17
7:10 – Intersection of Route 17 & 206
7:20 – Intersection of Route 105 & 32
7:23 – Choate Road
7:25 – Windsor Neck Road/South Road
7:30 – Kidder Road
7:30 – Arrive at Erskine Academy

Janice Cook – Bus 16 (Windsor/Whitefield/Coopers Mills Area)

6:18 – Leave Erskine- Rte 32 South
6:26 – Maxcy’s Mills Rd
6:28 – Griffin Road
6:33 – Vigue Road
6:37 – Townhouse Road
6:44 – 218N/194N
6:46 – Heath Road
6:50 – Hilton Road
6:52 – 218N //Mills Road
6:59 – Coopers Mills Main Street
7:00 – Windsor Road/Coopers Mills
7:02 – Erskine Road
7:04 – Wingood Road
7:08 – Erskine Road
7:09 – Windsor Road/Coopers Mills
7:15 – Route 105 to Rte 32
7:18 – Route 32 to Erskine Academy
7:30 – Arrive at Erskine Academy

Routes, drivers and bus numbers subject to change

Kostrons receive LakeSmart recognition

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Ron and Sandra Kostron, of China, are awarded the LakeSmart Award for their undeveloped lot on China Lake. They have owned the property for 18 years and have kept it completely natural. The shoreline is composed of rocks along with vegetation covering the entire length of the shore. There are five layers of buffer on the property including duff (leaves and pine needles left on the ground), ground cover, shrubs, understory (young trees) and canopy (mature trees). All the plants are native. Native plants have a better chance to survive especially during times of extreme weather. For more information about the LakeSmart Program go to the China Lake Association website or contact chinalakesmart@gmail.com.

Historic presence of alewives in China Lake’s Outlet Stream reconfirmed

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Original letters written by Stacy Blish and others, of Vassalborough, in 1799, submitted to the Massachusetts legislature. The decision of the governing body sealed the fate of the stream for more than 200 years, as numerous mills and factories were located along the banks of Mile Stream and little attention paid to its ecological health or fisheries. Photo of the letters from the State Archives, in Boston.

Submitted by Landis Hudson, executive director Maine Rivers.
Documents recently found in Massachusetts Archives have shed light on the early history of China Lake’s Outlet Stream, reconfirming the historic presence of native alewives. Petitions and letters, signed and dated from 1798 and 1799, state that alewives were known to make their way up the stream to China Lake, but the presence of sawmills and grist mills prevented the migratory fish from completing their journey to spawning areas. The letters and petitions were written requesting that the Outlet Stream be exempted from fish passage laws to allow water-powered industries to flourish.

As was typical for the colonial period, smaller waterways like Outlet Stream were harnessed for power first because their flows were easier to control. Later, as the technology advanced, dams were built on larger rivers, like the former Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River, first built in 1837.

Letters and petitions from residents along the Outlet Stream were submitted in response to fish passage laws enacted in Massachusetts requiring dam owners to provide fish passage, due to local concerns about the declining populations of migratory fish, notably salmon, shad and alewives. In 1797, just one year before the residents along Outlet Stream sent in their letters and petitions, a law was passed requiring fish passage in Cumberland and Lincoln Counties. Maine was then a part of Massachusetts; records from this period can be found in Massachusetts State Archives, in Boston.

One letter written by Stacy Blish in January 1799 states:

“Stacy Blish, of Vassalborough, in the County of Lincoln, of lawfull age testify and say that I have lived near a Stream called Mile brook which empties itself into Sebasticook river for eighteen years last past that before any mills were built on said Stream Alewives used to pass up said Stream into a pond out of which it flows but no Salmon or Shad ever frequented it and for fifteen years last past since mills have been erected on it no alewives have been known to pass up into the pond.”

Another petition signed by 40 individuals noted, “the carrying on and Improvements of those Mills Are the principle if not the only means upon which a large number of respectable and industrious citizens depend on for acquiring property… That formerly the fish called Alewives (only) used to pass up said stream but for more than ten years None have been seen to pass up said stream…”

The letters and petitions were successful and resulted in the passage of a law titled, “An Act Exempting Mile Stream in the Towns of Vassalborough, Winslow and Harlem from the Operations of All Laws Regulating the Salmon Shad and Alewife Fisheries in Said Towns.” This act sealed the fate of the stream for more than 200 years, as numerous mills and factories were located along its banks and little attention paid to its ecological health or fisheries.

China police log for June 2017

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Friday, June 2

9 a.m., harassment complaint, Village Rd.

Saturday, June 3

4:30 p.m., property check, Neck Rd.
4:45 p.m., property check, Old Waterville Rd.
5:10 p.m., business check, Lakeview Dr.
5:30 p.m., business check, Dunton Rd.
6 p.m., property check, Thurston Rd.
6:50 p.m., radar detail, Dirigo Rd.
8:10 p.m., business check, Vassalboro Rd.

Monday, June 5

9 a.m., traffic complaint, Weeks Mills Rd.

Friday, June 9

2:20 p.m., assist Rescue, Tyler Rd.
2:45 p.m., property dispute, Village Rd.
3:15 p.m., property check, South China boat landing
3:30 p.m., radar detail, Vassalboro Rd.
5:10 p.m., business check, Vassalboro Rd.
5:20 p.m., business check, Rte. 3.
5:30 p.m., business check, Rte. 3.
6:05 p.m., property check, Branch Mills Rd.

Sunday, June 11

8 a.m., animal complaint, Bog Rd.

Wednesday, June 14

2 p.m., civil dispute, Nana’s Way.

Thursday, June 15

3 p.m., hit and run complaint, Windsor Road.

Friday, June 16

8:30 p.m., neighborhood dispute, Colwell Boulevard.

Saturday, June 17

4 p.m., traffic stop, Aldere Park Road, warning for registration violation.
4:15 p.m., traffic stop, Dirigo Road, speeding warning.
5:10 p.m., traffic stop Dirigo Road, warning for inspection violation.
5:30 p.m., traffic stop, Weeks Mills Road, warning for stop sign violation.
7 p.m., property check, Neck Road
7:20 p.m., property check, Old Waterville Road.

Monday, June 19

4:40 p.m., traffic stop Rte. 3, warning for inspection violation.
4:58 p.m., traffic stop, Lakeview Drive, speeding warning.
5 p.m., business check, Rte. 3.
5:45 p.m., business check, Lakeview Dr.
5:55 p.m., property check, Causeway Road
6:30 p.m., property check, Nana’s Way
6:45 p.m., intoxicated male, Causeway Road. Warning for disorderly conduct, transported home.

Wednesday, June 21

10 a.m., criminal mischief, Main Street.

Friday, June 23

4:40 p.m., traffic stop, Rte. 3, speeding warning.
4:51 p.m., traffic stop, Rte. 3, speeding warning.
5:04 p.m., traffic stop, Rte. 3, speeding warning.
5:30 p.m., traffic stop, Lakeview Drive, summons for speeding.
5:45 p.m., traffic stop, Lakeview Drive, warning for expired inspection sticker.
6:17 p.m., trespass by motor vehicle complaint, Old Waterville Road.
6:45 p.m., traffic complaint, Cross Road.

Saturday, June 24

6 p.m., civil dispute, Nana’s Way.

Sunday, June 25

12:15 p.m., neighborhood dispute over unsafe gunfire, Fire Road 54.

Wednesday, June 28

4 p.m., suspicious vehicle, Main Street.
4:30 p.m., traffic complaint, Causeway Road.

Friday, June 30

2 p.m., traffic complaint, South Road.
3:55 p.m., traffic complaint, Neck Road.

China VFD thanks supporters

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The China Village Volunteer Fire Department extends a sincere “Thank You” to the folks that participated in their annual Chicken BBQ & Raffle on Saturday July 8.

They were again blessed with a beautiful Saturday and very pleased to see all the people that came out to the BBQ – bringing friends and family, smiles and memories – which made for a another memorable day for us. They also extend a heartfelt appreciation to their spouses, who unselfishly donated their time, again.

They enjoyed seeing many friends again and sincerely appreciated the kind words, shared on Saturday. For all the fire department folks, events like this are a pleasant reminder of the caring and giving people in the community.

They also thank all the business that donated to the raffle: Maine Boat Rental, Wildwood, LaVerdiere’s, Circle K, Lakeview Lumber, Toby’s, The Landing, Cedar Springs golf, MJEK Seafood & Grill, Boivin’s Plumbing, Bob’s Glass, Adams Insurance, New England Imports, China Lake Auto, Raider’s Sugar Shack, Courtney’s Hot Dogs, and KFC Waterville.

China Days this weekend, August 4-6

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Pie eating starts at 11:30AM for 14 and under! Photos courtesy of China Days facebook

by Eric Austin
Over its 14-year history, China Community Days has grown from a small, local festival to something that pulls in residents and tourists from all over Central Maine. This year looks to up the ante with dozens of activities, vendors, and a new community-driven event dubbed “The Bazaar” – where any resident can bring their own table and display items for sale.

The festivities kick off on Friday, August 4, with a chicken barbecue at the South China American Legion at 4:30 p.m. Then bring your inner artist over to the China Primary school bus circle where there will be a parking lot art contest at 5:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., take your kids to the Youth Wiffle Ball Game up between the elementary and middle schools at the China Recreation Ball Fields.

Nearly 20 Organizations and Vendors will have booths set up on Saturday

Saturday, activities ramp up bright and early at 10 a.m. Start your day off with a little exercise at 10:30 a.m. at the China School Forest table, where Elaine Philbrook, on behalf of the Town Forest at China Schools, will be giving walking tours.

Forget to feed the kids? They’ve got you covered! There’ll be a pie eating contest for ages 14 and under at 11:30 a.m., up at the China Recreation ballfields. The 15 to 18-year olds will get a chance at pie-eating at 1 p.m., while 18 and over adults will go last at 2 p.m. If you plan to participate, you should sign up at the China Community Days booth. Registration is $3 and there is space for up to 10 participants in each of the age groups. While you’re there, buy a raffle ticket to win a hand-carved bear by local artist Ron Carlson!

For those not planning to fill up on pie, food will be available from multiple vendors, including the China Four Seasons Club, MAJEK’s Seafood and Full Fork Farm. While you’re waiting for your food, you might want to browse the booths of nearly 20 community organizations and vendors who will be in attendance.

Kids should find no end of entertainment with nearly a dozen different activities, including an Obstacle Course, Joust competition, Dunk Tank and Bounce House. Make sure they have a little spending money for cotton candy and snow cones ($1 each)! A number of organizations, including our local Rescue & Volunteer Fire departments, will have vehicles there for children to explore. Has your child ever held a fire hose with water shooting out of it at 80 miles an hour? This is their chance!

This unique chainsaw bear carving by local artist, Ron Carlson, will be up for Raffle!

Saturday evening, activities shift to the Causeway at the north end of China Lake, with a street dance in the China Baptist Parking Lot starting at 6 p.m. The band The Resistance will be playing live, so come and boogie-woogie with other residents! That will certainly work up your appetite, so grab a burger at the China Baptist Hamburger booth.

Then at 9 p.m., is the show everybody’s waiting for – FIREWORKS! The team is planning a stellar display to make up for the stumbles encountered last year. Be sure to arrive early to ensure a good spot, or come by boat and enjoy the best seat in the house!

Sunday sees two of our favorite activities return from years past. From 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., is the Youth Fishing Derby for ages 15 and under. Fishing will occur along the Causeway at the north end of the lake.

Then at noon, there will be a competitive Scavenger Hunt. Teams can be made up of children and adults, and should meet in the parking lot of the China Baptist Church at noon sharp. You’ll be given a list of 100 items and a deadline of two hours. Winners will be the team that finds the most items and returns by 2 p.m.

The Economic and Community Development Committee of China has really outdone itself this year, and they hope everyone will come and enjoy the celebrations! Be sure to check out the full Program of Events here. For questions, to volunteer (they still need lots of help!), or to inquire about a vendor booth (it’s not too late!), contact Kelly at the China Town Office at 445-2014 or kelly@chinamaine.org.

Residents should take note that the Causeway at the north end of China Lake will be closed to vehicles Saturday, August 5, from 4 – 11 p.m., for the street dance, and on Sunday, August 6, from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., for the Youth Fishing Derby.

The Bounce House, a festival favorite, is back this year!

China Lake Association celebrates its 30th anniversary

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Fifth and sixth grade students who received awards for their entry in the China Lake Association’s annual poster contest. Photo courtesy of Scott Pierz

Submitted by Scott Pierz

The China Lake Association held its annual meeting on July 22 at the China Primary School, celebrating its 30th anniversary with an excellent program for its membership. The meeting was attended by over 75 people.

China Lake Association Directors Elaine Philbrook and Marie Michaud presented the awards for this year’s poster contest held for the fifth and sixth graders at the China Middle School. There were some amazing posters this year, created upon the theme of one of China Lake’s most precious resources, the Maine Loon. Susan Gallo, of Maine Audubon, presented information to the students on loons, and she was also the keynote speaker at the annual meeting delivering a power-point presentation called “The State of Maine’s Loons” covering the lifespan of the Maine Loon.

Director Bob O’Connor gave the loon count for China Lake this year, reporting 22 loons and with four new loon chicks observed. A second keynote speaker, Betsy Barber (a PhD candidate at the University of Maine) presented her thesis on “Modeling the Nutrient Budget for Alewife in China Lake.” These were two high quality presentations and the audience was engaging, asking many questions about both topics.

Selectman Irene Belanger spoke to the association, highlighting the Spirit of America Award that was presented to LakeSmart Coordinator Marie Michaud and the LakeSmart volunteers for their achievement on installing buffers on lake-front properties around China Lake. Marie Michaud updated everyone on the progress being made this summer, with over a dozen LakeSmart buffers already installed with the help of the Youth Conservation Corps. More work is to be completed by season’s end. Volunteers are welcome to step forward to be trained and to help with evaluating shorefront properties. Anyone interested can get more info by e-mailing chinalakesmart@gmail.com.

The association recognized the considerable contributions made by the Kennebec Water District that donated funds to be used to purchase materials for the LakeSmart projects. Also, the Kennebec Water District donated a truck to be used by the Youth Conservation Corps and the Courtesy Boat Inspectors (who are responsible for inspecting boats to check for invasive aquatic plant species). The courtesy boat inspectors can be seen at the Head of China Lake on the weekends. The Kennebec Water District’s representative Matt Zetterman stated that the district monitors China Lake’s water quality at three different (deep hole) locations every two weeks. He reported that on July 14 this year the water clarity in the west basin was the best it has been since 1981, showing a Secchi disk reading of 7.55 meters (over 24 feet!).

China Lake Association directors Elaine Philbrook and Marie Michaud presented the awards for this year’s poster costest held by fifth and sixth graders at China Middle School. Photo courtesy of Scott Pierz

Matt Streeter, the Project Manager for Maine Rivers and the Alewife Restoration Initiative (ARI), spoke on the progress being made on the ARI project. He said that engineering designs continue to be developed for several of the locations that will provide access for the alewives, including the design of an engineered fish passage at the Outlet Dam, in East Vassalboro. Most of the ARI’s recent efforts have involved obtaining the state permit to remove the Masse Dam this year, and the ARI expects the permit to be issued very soon. The Youth Conservation Corps contributed by planting buffers on properties above the Masse Dam to stabilize and protect the shoreline adjacent to the Outlet Stream.

Elaine Philbrook talked about the Volunteer Lake Moni­toring Pro­gram she is participating in along with Ken­nebec Water District personnel. The Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program is designed to train and certify people to monitor a wide range of water quality concerns, especially looking for and identifying invasive aquatic plant species. Anyone who would like to participate in this program can reach out through the association’s website or Facebook.

The association’s president, Scott Pierz, asked members to consider approving two items, the first dealing with funding appropriations and other fiscal matters deemed to be in the best interest of the association; the second item involved seeking a recommendation from the China Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee for additional funding to support and operate LakeSmart. The association membership voted to approve both measures.

The association’s Registered Agent Jamie Pitney conducted the business of renewing some of the director’s terms, and also welcomed two new directors, Dale Worster and Jeff Zimmerman. In addition, the slate of officers will remain the same for another year until the next annual meeting in 2018. These include Scott Pierz (President), David Preston (Secretary), Tim Axelson (Treasurer) and James Pitney (Registered Agent).

For additional information about the China Lake Association or for anyone interested in becoming a member go to the China Lake Association’s website at http://chinalakeassociation.org/ or check them out on Facebook.

CHINA: Board approves codes officer’s request for fines

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by Mary Grow

China Codes Officer Paul Mitnik recommended and selectmen, at their July 24 meeting, accepted guidelines for monetary penalties for ignoring the state’s Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) requirements.

Mitnik’s major problem – which he said is infrequent – is that contractors or homeowners fail to call him for the inspections MUBEC requires at different stages of a building, like the foundation, the framing and the insulation.

When Mitnik finds a violation has occurred, the law empowers him to take down enough of the new construction to do the inspections. He prefers not to use this option, he said; he is more likely to ask questions to try to determine if the work was done to code and to ask selectmen to approve a consent decree with a monetary penalty.

The guidelines are intended to make monetary penalties more consistent. The maximum Mitnik recommends is $500 for an uninspected foundation; the minimum, no fine at all if he can do an after-the-fact inspection, for example for a garage with framing still visible.

If Mitnik believes the violation is deliberate he can double the penalties; and some penalties, notably the $100 for ignoring a stop-work order, are imposed every day of the violation, rather than being one-time. Board members unanimously approved the guidelines.

In other business July 24, selectmen unanimously accepted the higher of two bids for the woods truck formerly used by the Weeks Mills volunteer fire department, $3,500 from a Madison resident.

On a 4-1 vote, with Ronald Breton opposed, they pre-approved an additional tract in Thurston Park for selective timber harvesting, conditional on the Thurston Park II Committee recommending the additional work. The committee and the selectboard previously approved cutting in four areas, totaling about 39 acres; the new area, as shown on a map distributed at the meeting, appears to be about five acres.

The map indicates that the work is about half done. Income from the harvest will go into a fund to support park expenses.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee member Tom Michaud told selectmen the committee asked three engineering firms for designs for a replacement bridge on Causeway Road at the head of China Lake. He hopes to have designs before the selectmen’s Aug. 7 meeting.

Selectmen unanimously appointed Dawn Castner a member of the China for a Lifetime Committee.

They signed the annual state road certification form, promising that $54, 200 in state road funds will be used for capital improvements. Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux said China annually spends several times that amount on paving and other capital expenditures.