CHINA: Information on transfer station articles

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COMMUNITY
COMMENTARY

by Transfer Station Committee
Frank Soares, chairman; Mark Davis, Lynne O’Connor, Paul Lucas, Larry Sikora, Irene L. Belanger, China selectmen member, Cheryl York, Palermo representative, Dan L’Heureux, China Town Manager.

China Residents:

On March 25, 2017, the annual town meeting will be held. Two articles to be considered this year are the Town of China Solid Waste Flow Control Ordinance (Article #44) and the Town of China Solid Waste Disposal Ordinance, (Article #45). We would like to take a moment of your time to give you an overview of each ordinance.

The ordinances which control how we handle waste in China are essentially unchanged since the landfill at the China transfer station was closed in 1992. The Transfer Station Committee (TSC), which as established about a year ago, has worked diligently to bring these documents up to date. In many cases, the sections of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated (MRSA) governing transfer stations has changed over time though our ordinances have never changed to become compliant. The ordinances’ purpose is to protect the public health of China by establishing rules and regulations for the proper handling and disposal of wastes generated in China. Fundamentally, the ordinances set up rules all of us currently follow when we use the China transfer station, for instance, establishing collection locations for cardboard, newspaper, and paint for recycling.

The Town of China Solid Waste Flow Control Ordinance outlines specifically how the China Transfer Station handles solid waste (from receiving waste to ultimate processing) and includes hours of operation, wastes that can and cannot be accepted, authority to enforce regulations, penalties that result from improper disposal, and location of the free for taking items, etc. The Town of China Solid Waste Disposal Ordinance is a general outline for Maine towns to follow that accept solid wastes within their borders.
The ordinances the Transfer Station Committee ask you to approve now are simply updates of the old documents. These updated documents do not place any additional burdens on users of the facilities, nor do they add costs to the town. If the respective ordinances are not updated, the town will be found out of compliance by the State and we could ultimately be penalized.

If you wish to review these documents, copies can be found on the town’s Web site (http://www.china.govoffice.com/). Copies are also available at the town office. We hope, after careful consideration, that you will approve these proposed ordinance revisions at the annual town business meeting, Saturday, March 25, 2017. Thank you for your time.

You are also encouraged to contact any member of the China Transfer Station Committee for a conversation on the proposed changes.

CHINA NEWS: Three topics on agenda for March 20 meeting

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by Mary Grow

Monday, March 20, will be a good evening for China residents to gather at the town office to get information on three different topics, two related to the March 25 town business meeting.

The selectmen’s meeting that evening will be preceded by a 6 p.m. public hearing on proposed amendments to the town’s TIF (Tax Increment Financing) program. The amendments, to be accepted or rejected at town meeting, include adding new areas in town as potential development areas; adding the Central Maine Power Company substation on Route 3 as a new revenue source; and extending the program to 30 years instead of 20 years.

At the 7 p.m. selectmen’s meeting, board members have invited the chiefs of China’s three fire departments and China Rescue to talk about the proposal on the town meeting warrant to appropriate funds to compensate emergency personnel.

Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux has invited a representative of Redzone Wireless, of Rockland, to the March 20 meeting to talk about potential service in town.

China Village fire chief Timothy Theriault attended the March 6 selectmen’s meeting. He told selectmen when he polled his department, all but one member – the chief himself – favored the proposed compensation.

Theriault said his main objection was lack of a plan for distributing funds if voters approve the money. Now he has learned that there will be a plan and supports the idea, which selectmen presented as a way to encourage more people to join the fire departments and the rescue unit. Based on personal experience, he believes “money’s going to make a difference,” he said.

At the March 6 meeting and in anticipation of the Redzone presentation, selectmen appointed a three-person Broadband Committee, consisting of Tod Detre, Robert O’Connor and Raymond Robert. Detre and O’Connor, and audience member Lee Pettengill, talked knowledgeably about the possibilities of competition among internet service providers for China residents’ business.

The March 6 meeting began with a proud demonstration of China’s new police vehicle by officers Michael Tracy and Tracey Frost. The 2017 all-wheel-drive Ford Explorer, plainly marked as the Town of China’s, has front-and rear-facing radar and a state-of-the-art light bar whose multi-colored flashing lights can be turned into a steady white beam to illuminate an accident scene.

Frost said the vehicle gets about 18 miles a gallon and probably can go 140 miles an hour. “It won’t with us in it,” Tracy joked. A grant plus the trade-in for the previous police truck completely paid for the Explorer, which Frost and Tracy expect should last the town 10 years or more.

In other business March 6:

  • Selectmen appointed Toni Wall to the China for a Lifetime Committee and appointed board members Irene Belanger and Ronald Breton to the Regional School Unit #18 cost-sharing committee, which Belanger said is beginning its work over again. The same two selectmen represented China on the prior cost-sharing committee.
  • Theriault, who is also a state Representative, said the bill he introduced to charge Kennebec Water District customers a fee to help with China Lake clean-up is dead for this legislative session. However, he said, it had two useful consequences: the water district is again supporting the clean-up effort financially, after a lapse, and water district customers have been educated about where their water comes from.

A season of success and championships

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The China Middle School girls varsity basketball team experienced a fantastic season, capped off by a win in the SVAC championship game against Vassalboro Community School. Both China and Vassalboro had only one loss each during the regular season, to each other, with both games decided by one point. On February 17, the two teams met for a third time for the conference championship with the China girls pulling out a thrilling three-point victory. Schools participating in the SVAC are China, Windsor, St. Michael’s, of Augusta, Vassalboro, Palermo, Chelsea, Temple Academy, of Waterville, and Whitefield. China team members include, front row, from left to right, Courtney Paine, Mackenzie Roderick, Hayden Hoague, Madison Lully and Sarah Praul. Back row, Samantha Golden, Catherine Durant, Katie Bourque, Coach Ryan Reed, Acadia Senkbeil, Madyx Kennedy, Julia Barber, Emily Clark, Lili Lefebvre, and assistant coach Mike Crommett. Absent from photo, Emma Jefferson.
Contributed photo

The Winslow Youth Wrestling team went through another successful season. Front row, from left to right, Ben Thomas, Hunter Bussell, Liam McKenney, Kael Segars, Ryder Rodrigue, Ethan Larrabee, Owen Vigue and Noah Young. Back, coach Kris Segars, Morgan McKenney, Gunner Bussell, Ian McKenney, Troy Hachey Chase Larrabee, Benjamin Ireland and coach Frank Ouellette.
Photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography staff

The Central Maine Youth Hockey Association Bantam Hornets won the gold medal at the MHD March showdown tournament, posting a 4-1 record during the event. Front, goalie Thomas Thornton. Front row, from left to right, Wyatt Grenier, CJ Larson, Tyler Harris, Ethan Timmins, Joel Parker, Owen Evans and Chase Cuevas Bumps. Back row, Coach Evans, Dominic Burgoyne, Nathan Miller, Nicolas Fontaine, Dominic Rodrigue, Coach Rodrigue, Abigail Ross, Katie Bailey, Connor Evans, Thomas Fortin and Coach Gendreau.
Contributed photo

CHINA NEWS: Land development issue to go before voters

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by Mary Grow

Proposed changes to China’s Land Development Code, presented as a single article in November 2016, now make up articles 46 through 55 in the March 25 town business meeting warrant. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. – if there is a quorum – Saturday, March 25, at China Middle School.

Planning board members, who unanimously endorsed passage of the articles related to land use regulations at their Feb. 28 meeting, hope dividing the questions will make them easier to understand and will allow people to reject specific provisions they dislike while approving others.

Board members plan to attend town meeting to answer voters’ questions. Codes Officer Paul Mitnik has prepared an explanatory handout, which is on the town web site, listed on the left of the main page under the title “Ordinance Revisions March 25, 2017 Annual Town Business Meeting.” Mitnik’s document starts by listing the changes covered in Art. 46 that are required for China’s ordinance to conform to minimum state standards. These changes deal with clearing vegetation and trees, docks and similar structures, campgrounds and signs.

Art. 47 deals with expansion of non-conforming structures. A non-conforming structure is a building in the shoreland zone that does not meet ordinance requirements, usually because it is too close to the water or on a lot that is smaller than the ordinance allows or lacks required water frontage.

Art. 48 deals with seasonal conversion, the change in use of a shoreland building from a seasonal camp to a year-round residence. Mitnik’s explanation says the change, if approved, would repeal China’s current rules and rely on the state’s seasonal conversion regulations to issue or deny a conversion permit. State rules, he wrote, require an adequate septic system; current town rules add lot size, water frontage and building setback standards.

Art. 49 asks voters to add a new section to the ordinance, conforming to but not required by state regulations, allowing exceptions to limits on clearing in the shoreland.

Art. 50 would repeal local regulations on timber harvesting and replace them with statewide standards.

Art. 51, Mitnik explains, makes it clear that water-dependent uses, like fishing or boating, on town or public land do not need to meet water setback standards. If approved, one effect of the change would be to remove any question of the legality of the proposed boardwalk at the head of China Lake’s east basin. The boardwalk is part of the Tax Increment Finance Committee’s recommended project for which Art. 8 in the warrant requests funding.

Art. 52, Mitnik wrote, proposes a rewritten version of conditional use standards (requirements for opening or significantly expanding a business). Currently the Land Development Code requires an applicant to prove a project will not have a list of undesired effects, negative wording the planning board has worked on revising.

Art. 53 deals with signs. If adopted, Mitnik, wrote, the new version grandfathers signs existing in 2010, exempting them from all requirements “except turning off lighted signs at night and digital signs from 10 PM to 6 AM.”

Art. 54 deals with other minor changes, mostly for consistency within the ordinance. Art. 55 amends definitions in China’s ordinance to match state guidelines and adds a definition recommended at a planning board hearing before the November 2016 vote.

CHINA NEWS: Voters to consider ordinance changes

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by Mary Grow

At the March 25 town business meeting, China voters will decide on replacement or amended ordinances on three different topics, cemetery management, solid waste disposal and land use.

Article 34, dealing with the 1985 cemetery ordinance and a proposed replacement, is new. Solid waste and land use ordinance changes are being presented again after voters rejected them in November 2016.

Under Art. 34, voters are asked to repeal the 1985 Cemetery Administration and Maintenance Ordinance and replace it with the longer China Cemetery Ordinance.

The 1985 ordinance states its purpose is to create a three-person board of trustees appointed by town selectmen to be in charge of administering and maintaining town cemeteries. The trustees are to appoint a superintendent and determine his pay; sell lots and accept trust funds for maintaining lots and other monetary gifts; and under the selectmen’s supervision spend cemetery funds.

The superintendent has “authority to supervise all burials, interments, disinterments, maintenance and care of public cemeteries.”

The proposed replacement ordinance vests authority over town cemeteries in the town manager and a cemetery committee of at least three people appointed annually by the selectmen. The committee is responsible for spending cemetery funds. A superintendent appointed by the town manager with the selectmen’s approval is to “superintend the digging of all graves, the burial of all bodies from said cemeteries, or from place to place in said cemeteries.”

The ordinance specifies that remains must be in a casket and a cement vault, with no more than one casket and up to three cremains in each plot. The selectmen set lot prices and regulations.

The ordinance would allow regulated hours of access, and contains a list of activities prohibited in cemeteries, including consuming intoxicating beverages, disorderly conduct, hunting, vandalism, letting pets roam at large and failing to pick up dog feces.

The proposed amendments to the Solid Waste Flow Control Ordinance and the Solid Waste Disposal Ordinance are in warrant articles 44 and 45. Major changes, repeated from November, include:

  • In the Flow Control Ordinance, substitution of the planned Fiberight facility for the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company’s Orrington facility as the destination for the town’s combustible and biodegradable waste, and addition of a definition of “volunteers.”
  • In the Solid Waste Disposal Ordinance, allowing disposal of out-of-town waste in accordance with agreements signed by the selectmen, like the agreement with Palermo that came into effect Jan 1. The revised ordinance also changes the transfer station days of operation from Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Authority for selectmen to make that and future schedule changes was and still is in the ordinance; selectmen have already changed the days, effective in early December 2016.

Solid Waste Disposal Ordinance provisions that have been reworded without changing their meaning include:

  • the attendants’ authority to ban anyone who does not comply with the ordinance or with their orders, to reject hazardous waste or waste not separated as the ordinance requires and if necessary to call for police assistance;
  • the requirement to obtain and display a decal from the town office; and
  • mandatory recycling of metal, newsprint, magazines and cardboard.

Planners to discuss possible land use changes

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members intend to spend the first half hour of their next several meetings talking about possible changes in town land use ordinances and board procedures, and to begin hearing applications at 7 p.m.

The board meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, with the next meeting scheduled for March 14.

At their Feb. 28 meeting, members discussed potential topics for their workshop-type discussions, including the board’s mission and responsibilities; the criteria for granting conditional use permits for new businesses; and the standards for measuring compliance with the criteria.

When Tom Michaud proposed adding teeth to the ordinance by, for example, setting specific noise limits for a business, Milton Dudley expressed a preference for minimal rules aimed at issues like protecting water quality in China Lake. Chairman James Wilkens added the need to protect everyone’s peaceful enjoyment of his or her property, citing references in the current ordinance to protection from noise, odors, dust, glare and other annoyances.

Michaud and Wilkens both live near Parris and Catherine Varney, whose controversial application to use their barn commercially for wedding receptions and similar events is now before Superior Court.

Codes Officer Paul Mitnik wants an ordinance that has measurable standards that he can enforce.

Board members said that in the fiscal year covered in the pending town report, they reviewed 13 permit applications and approved 12, contrary to what they believe is a public perception that the board never lets anyone do anything.

The other topic discussed briefly at the Feb. 28 meeting was the March 25 town meeting. The planning board is presenting again the proposed Land Development Code amendments that voters rejected in November, this time as 10 separate questions.

Wilkens said people ask him why they’re being asked to vote again on the same things. Mitnik said some of the changes are required by the state.

Board member Tom Miragliuolo said splitting the question into 10 parts was a significant change.

The board voted unanimously to recommend that voters approve the amendments, which appear as articles 46 through 55 in the March 25 town meeting warrant.

China voters asked to decide on $3.5 million warrant

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by Mary Grow

China voters will decide on almost $3.5 million in proposed expenditures at their March 25 town business meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. at China Middle School on Lakeview Drive.

Of the total, about $1.59 million is to come from real estate and personal property taxes; about $853,000 is requested from the Development Program Fund or TIF fund; more than $262,000 will come from the town’s Unrestricted Fund Balance (UFB), commonly called surplus; and more than $740,000 for the highway budget will come from a state grant and excise taxes.

Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux told selectmen and budget committee members that voters will not increase their tax rate if they approve proposed spending. However, the municipal budget is only part of the total budget; taxes also contribute to the school budget, which voters will act on in June, and the Kennebec County budget.

Not all of the money requested March 25 will necessarily be spent. For example, selectmen are asking permission to spend up to $55,000 from surplus to match grants if the town receives any (Art. 36) and another $55,000 for unexpected expenses and emergencies (Art. 38).

Most of the proposed expenditure requests appear every year – town administration, solid waste disposal, road maintenance, fire, police and rescue services, insurance. As usual, costs for insurance have increased. This year, the transfer station budget is also higher because Palermo residents are using it, but L’Heureux expects Palermo’s annual contribution and per-bag fee will offset the higher costs.

The one new expenditure request is in Art. 20, which asks voters to appropriate up to $40,000 from surplus to compensate emergency services personnel. Conceived by Selectman Neil Farrington as a possible way to gain new members for China Rescue and the town’s three volunteer fire departments, the proposal is supported unanimously by the budget committee.

The March 25 warrant includes six separate requests to spend TIF money, in articles 6 through 11. The money comes from taxes paid by Central Maine Power Company (CMP) on its expanded power line through town. L’Heureux said the revenue is about $260,000 annually, and the TIF fund now stands at about $337,000.

Art. 5 asks voters to amend the current TIF agreement to extend it from 20 to 30 years and add a second revenue source, the new CMP substation off Route 3. L’Heureux expects the substation will add about $60,000 a year to the TIF fund. If voters approve Art. 5, they will also increase the areas of town available for economic development with TIF money. L’Heureux said TIF-eligible areas will include the recently-acquired subdivision off Lakeview Drive opposite the former Candlewood Camps; two previously designated Pine Tree zones, the FairPoint property on Route 3 and the former Gazelle property at the intersection of Routes 202, 9 and 137; and land at the base of Branch Pond.

Expenditures proposed to town meeting voters are as follows:

Art. 6: $8,000 toward the town administration budget for TIF-related work, $38,169 for China’s FirstPark fee, $15,000 for the China Region Lakes Alliance, $2,500 for China Community Days, $500 for Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce dues and $5,000 toward compensation for a bicentennial events coordinator.

Art. 7: Up to $50,000 for engineering and planning work associated with economic development projects selectmen might plan and propose to voters.

Art. 8: Up to $750,000 for three fiscal years (July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020) for the causeway project at the head of China Lake’s east basin.

Art. 9: Up to $25,000 to establish a revolving loan fund to assist town businesses, managed by the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments.

Art. 10: Up to $20,000 for ARI, the Alewife Restoration Initiative aimed at bringing alewives back to China Lake.

Art. 11: Up to $40,000 for trail and entrance improvements at Thurston Park, the town-owned preserve in northeastern China. China’s TIF committee and budget committee recommend voters approve all the TIF articles

China school to hold eighth forest day

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by Anita Smith

On May 29, the entire student body, staff members of China Primary and Middle schools took to the woods for Forest Day 2015. They were joined by many parents and community members for a fun-filled day of activities and lessons by over 30 volunteer presenters. Volunteers represented many different groups including the Maine Forest Service, Project Learning Tree, The Society of American Foresters, Maine Master Naturalists and other friends of the school forest.

The day began around 6:30 a.m., as presenters began arriving at school for the big day. After the various presenters were shown to their activity locations, the students, staff and parent helpers ventured outside to begin the day. Each group of students participated in 5-7 different activities throughout the day. Most activity sessions lasted about 30 minutes, allowing students and staff to participate in a wide variety of lessons. Students returned to the schools for lunch and recess and then headed back into the forest for additional activities before their final dismissal at the end of the day.

Activities at the primary level included learning about the functions of various tree parts by making “edible trees” and identifying wild flowers including lady slippers near the primary school pavilion. Students listened to a story about fairy houses and then tried their hand at building their own fairy houses using small branches, rocks, pinecones and other natural items from the forest. Other activity sessions focused on recycling and worm farming, eating healthy snacks and living an active lifestyle, and discovering plants and animals in the forest near the school. Smokey Bear made an appearance to teach the students about preventing forest fires and caring for our forest lands.

For students in grades 3-6, several groups learned about tick safety and how to protect oneself from tick-borne illness. Another session taught about adaptations as students used various household items to simulate bird beaks while trying to catch different types of “food” items. They learned it’s not easy being a bird!

Students got down on the ground to create “mini-kingdom” sketches of the forest floor and learned to identify some of the plants found in the forest. Students were able to observe some safe tree cutting techniques and climb onto a skidder. Catching pond life with dip nets was a popular station. The kids found dragonfly nymphs, leeches, salamanders and water beetles. Painted turtles watched from a distance while sunning themselves on a floating log and frogs also kept a safe distance from the nets. Other sessions focused on basic camping survival skills, learning about the life of a tree by counting its tree rings and doing comparative field studies of several habitats within the school forest.

Activities for the older students included studying soil samples, searching for soil contamination from the “Acme Lemonade Factory” and practicing their map and compass skills. Several active games had students role play birds searching for “worms” in a camouflage game and others role playing the challenges faced by Atlantic Salmon as they migrate upstream. Students were able to learn about the new alewive initiative for China Lake as well as hear stories about the old logging days as part of Maine’s history. Other sessions included role playing forest management strategies, measuring tree heights and diameters, learning how to do a forest inventory and discuss the benefits and challenges of various types of forest management.

China Schools can be proud of their school forest. It is a model for school forests around our state. In the past, visitors have participated in the forest day activities and have then implemented their own forest days using China school as a model in Litchfield, Belfast, Portland, Gorham and others. Visitors this year from western Maine and Wayne want to start their own forest field days.

In all, over 450 students, plus staff and community members participated in the day. Over 35 people volunteered their time to bring hands-on learning to the students. It was a glorious, sunny day with a mild breeze to keep the bugs away. Based on feedback from the kids, they had a few requests. More of them wanted to build fairy houses and participate in the pond studies. They loved the active games and activities. They wanted more time outside. Many of them commented that they didn’t want to go inside at the end of the day. Staff even commented on how much they learned about our forest. One of the most frequent comments from students was that they wished we held Forest Day every year. Based on the abundant smiles, it was a very good day to take to the woods!

To learn more about summer day camps, family and community walks, maintenance work days and other school forest events, visit our facebook page: China School’s Forest-China, Maine or contact Anita Smith at chinaschoolsforest@gmail.com.

CHINA NEWS: TIF discussion on head of lake proposal draws nearly three dozen residents

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by Mary Grow

The China Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Committee’s public hearing on the largest proposed TIF expenditure on the March 25 town meeting warrant drew close to 20 interested residents Feb. 27.

The issue is the committee’s recommendation that voters appropriate up to $750,000 over the next three fiscal years for improvements to the causeway at the head of China Lake’s east basin. Improvements would be intended to improve environmental conditions, further pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety, improve recreation and promote economic development.

Discussion focused on priorities, in two different ways.

Many audience members wanted to know specifically what the committee intended to do and in what order, so they would know exactly what they were voting on March 25. The project includes improving parking for people using the boat landing, improving the landing itself, rebuilding the 1930 bridge across the inlet to the lake and adding a pedestrian walkway and fishing platforms. The walkway and platforms depend on remaking the shore of the lake by installing some kind of vertical facing instead of the present slope dotted with boulders.

Committee members have already spent some money on engineering to get preliminary ideas and cost estimates. Answering many of the questions raised will require more engineering work; committee Chairman Amber McAllister said the group did not want to be faulted for spending too much money on preliminary work before voters decided whether to approve the project.

If voters approve the money, priority questions still loom. Boat landing parking is likely to happen first, because Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux said the town has almost completed buying the additional land voters approved last November. However, whether the bridge, the pedestrian ways or the fishing areas should come next, or whether all need to be done more or less simultaneously, remains to be decided.

McAllister said if voters approve funding on March 25, the committee will begin setting priorities, with input from residents. When Justin Gaudet interpreted her words as promising more public hearings, McAllister accepted his interpretation.

No one who spoke at the hearing opposed the idea of expanded recreational facilities at the boat landing and causeway.

Gaudet urged committee members to consider possible long-term impacts of the project, like what increased boat traffic could do to water quality and shoreline erosion.

China Lake belongs to the state, not the town, committee member and Selectman Irene Belanger said, so town residents cannot control what happens on it. She added that a major bass tournament, larger than any held so far, is scheduled for this summer.

The TIF Committee is charged with recommending to selectmen economic development projects that can be funded with tax money from the expanded Central Maine Power Company power line that runs through the town. A separate article in the March 25 town meeting warrant asks voters to add the new CMP substation off Route 3 as another TIF revenue source. Voters will also act on other proposed expenditures of TIF funds.

The next TIF Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, March 13. Interested residents are welcome at all committee meetings.

CHINA NEWS: Committee endorses selectmen’s spending plan

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by Mary Grow

China Budget Committee members have endorsed the selectmen’s spending recommendations for the March 25 town business meeting, in all but one case by unanimous votes.

The largest proposed expenditures in the warrant budget committee members reviewed at their Feb. 16 meeting were, as usual, for road maintenance, town administration, insurance and the transfer station. Budget committee members supported all of them after a few questions. The transfer station budget has increased over the current year because Palermo residents now bring their trash to China, but Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux said Palermo’s annual contribution plus the per-bag fee charged to Palermo residents will cover the increase. Two new items to be presented to voters required budget committee action, a request for up to $40,000 for stipends to volunteer emergency services personnel (Art. 20) and a request to authorize selectmen to repurchase China’s interest in the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company (PERC) (Art. 56).

The proposed stipends, suggested initially by Neil Farrington, chairman of the selectboard, are intended to encourage more people to join China’s three volunteer fire departments and China Rescue. If voters approve, any money used would be taken from China’s Unrestricted Fund Balance (UFB, familiarly called surplus) and disbursed according to policies to be developed by selectmen and emergency services volunteers.

China’s current contract with PERC ends in 2018 and will not be renewed. In March 2016, voters authorized selectmen to switch to the new Fiberight facility being developed in Hampden. L’Heureux told budget committee members the town should get about $17,000 back from PERC.

The article on which one budget committee member abstained – the rest supported it – was L’Heureux’s request to move $150,000 from surplus to the capital and equipment reserve (Art. 14). The manager argues that should an expensive piece of town equipment break down beyond repair, selectmen could use the reserve to replace it without calling a special town meeting and without borrowing money.

In November 2016 voters rejected L’Heureux’s request to move $100,000 from the UFB into the capital reserve account by a vote of 911 in favor to 1,354 opposed.
Budget committee member Tom Rumpf declined to support the recommendation for the March 25 meeting because he thinks the amount is too high.
Budget committee members – and the manager – want China to maintain a healthy surplus, because it improves the town’s financial standing and is a benefit in case the town should need to borrow money. L’Heureux’s point is that money in a designated fund, like the capital and equipment reserve, still counts toward overall financial health.

China’s town business meeting begins at 9 a.m. – or as soon thereafter as a quorum of 126 registered voters assembles – Saturday, March 25, at China Middle School.

L’Heureux said if voters approve all municipal expenditures as recommended, they will not increase the property tax rate. However, property taxes also support the school budget, which will be voted on in June, and the Kennebec County budget, over which town voters have no direct control.