China board finishes review of proposed town solar ordinance

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members finished review of the proposed town solar ordinance at their Aug. 8 meeting, so co-chairman Toni Wall could send it to select board members before that board’s Aug. 14 meeting.

Wall said she would also forward recommended amendments to the Planning Board Ordinance. Voters could be asked to approve or reject either or both amended documents in November, if select board members decide to put them on a local ballot.

Wall announced that District Four planning board member Walter Bennett has resigned, effective immediately. There are now two vacant seats, District Three (southeastern China) and District Four (southwestern China).

Any resident of either district, as shown on the district map under Planning Board (under Officials, Boards & Committees) on the website china.govoffice.com, may contact the town office to express interest in being appointed.

Planning board members approved two of the three permit applications on their Aug. 8 agenda. They found the third one unready for action.

Approved were:

  • Michael Brown’s application to reopen a general store in the 9 Main Street building, in China Village, that was for many years a general store under successive owners; and
  • Michelle Bourque’s application for the existing Busy Bee daycare associated with Grace Academy, at 363 Route 3, in South China, a primarily administrative change that required planning board action.

Brown is a planning board member. During review of his application, he moved out of his chair among board members, participated in discussion only to answer questions and did not vote.

He said he has an agreement to buy the former store building as soon as the present owner’s new house is ready. His preliminary plan is to run a butcher shop and delicatessen – not a convenience store, not a sit-down café, not immediately a pizza shop.

He will not sell gas, and the underground tanks have been removed. Proposed operating hours listed in his application are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. He plans to keep the residential quarters in the back (west) part of the building, with a separate entrance.

Bourque, Grace Academy’s executive director, explained that the daycare has been licensed through the academy as long as it served only home-schooled youngsters. She wants to add public-school students and therefore needs a Maine state license, which requires a local planning board permit.

The only physical change planned is probable future addition of a fence around the playground behind the building. Operating hours will be regulated by demand.

The permit might not be used, Bourque said. She has accepted a full-time kindergarten teaching position out of town, and will open in China only if she finds qualified people to do the day-to-day work. She is proceeding with the preliminaries anyway.

Planning board members decided neither application needed a public hearing, since neither proposal was new to its neighborhood. They found both projects met all town requirements and approved them unanimously.

The third application was from Valery Flannery, who said she and her husband are selling their 166 Weeks Mills Road property. On the 5.1-acre lot are their house and garage and a separate daycare building. The daycare closed June 2, she said.

Their real estate agent suggested the Flannerys get advance approval to subdivide the property, in case a potential buyer wanted to rent multiple housing units.

Sorry, board co-chairmen Wall and James Wilkens said, “we can’t do that: we need to approve a specific application for a specific plan, not a concept. Should future owners choose to subdivide, they would need to apply to the board.”

The next regular China Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Sept. 12.

CHINA: Town appoints new codes officer; rec. committee member

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Discuss holding in-person town meetings, pre-pandemic

by Mary Grow

China select board members faced a long and varied agenda for their Aug. 14 meeting. They settled some items and postponed others for more discussion.

They unanimously approved the appointment of Zachary Gosselin, of China, as the new codes enforcement officer and health officer. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood, who has been filling the codes enforcement position since Nicholas French left, expressed thanks to French for continuing to answer questions long-distance, and to others who have assisted her, especially deputy clerk Tammy Bailey.

Also appointed was Kevin Freeman as a member of the town recreation committee.

Select board members had planned to consider a November local ballot to present ordinances prepared by the planning board, a new solar ordinance and an amended planning board ordinance. However, Hapgood had not received the expected drafts for them to read.

Board members therefore postponed action to their Aug. 28 meeting. The ordinances will need review by the town attorney and approval by the select board to go to voters on Nov. 7; the deadline for warrant articles is Friday, Sept. 8.

Select board member Janet Preston reminded the others that they previously talked about asking voters whether they prefer the annual town business meeting in the spring to be an open meeting, as in pre-pandemic days, or a written ballot. She and Hapgood will discuss preparing an opinion survey for the polls Nov. 7.

Robert O’Connor, chairman of China’s broadband committee, gave select board members a letter supporting China’s application for a state grant to expand broadband access and asked them to sign it. They voted unanimously to do so.

O’Connor collected letters of support last fall, before an unsuccessful grant application, and is asking writers to re-sign and re-date them. The deadline for the next application is Sept. 14; awards are to be announced Nov. 17.

China residents who support China’s application for a grant in Cohort 2 of the Maine Connectivity Authority’s “Connect the Ready” program are invited to write letters addressed to China Broadband Committee and send them by email to bob@mainebob.com or by the postal service to Bob O’Connor, China Broadband Committee, 8 Great Oak Ln, South China ME 04358.

Another Aug. 14 select board decision was unanimous approval of the contract with Travis Mitchell for repairs and painting for the town office and associated buildings on Lakeview Drive, postponed from the July 31 board meeting (see the Aug. 3 issue of The Town Line, p. 3). Since the July 31 discussion, Hapgood and Mitchell had added more painting to the contract. Should other changes be needed, Hapgood and Mitchell said they and China Director of Public Services Shawn Reed will continue to work together.

Mitchell was the only bidder for the building repairs, and Hapgood said no one had submitted a bid to build the planned storage vault on the south side of the town office. She, select board members and building committee chairman Sheldon Goodine discussed reasons and options.

Reasons, they agreed, were mostly that local contractors have all the work they can handle, and this summer’s weather has not helped them keep to schedules. A lack of employees is another problem.

Board members will decide at their Aug. 28 meeting whether to seek bids for the foundation soon and the building early in 2023, or to postpone the whole project to 2023. They expect whenever the work is done, the cost will be higher than projected months ago.

Hapgood reported that China’s senior citizens’ fuel fund, which used federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to help senior residents pay fuel bills, needs to be renewed if it is to continue. So far, she said, $36,500 has been spent; $38,500 is left.

Board members supported continuing the program. Hapgood will check with the town attorney to see whether they can renew it or whether voter approval is required.

The manager said the town needs to change its website company. Board members accepted her recommendation to change to A2Z Computing Services, in Oakland, Maine, which she said does the Town of Albion’s website, among others.

Summer intern Bailee Mallett and staff members have been working on a new town logo, Hapgood reported. Select board members chose their favorite from samples she shared; Mallett will continue refining the logo.

In other business, select board member Jeanne Marquis said she attended a Palermo select board meeting at which residents discussed ways to minimize effects of, or perhaps block, the proposed LS power line, planned to bring wind-generated electricity from northern Maine to Coopers Mills. One suggestion, she said, was a town vote on a power line moratorium.

One of two proposed routes for the line would go through Albion, China and Palermo. Information is not yet available on when a final route will be chosen.

Board members took no action. As board chairman Wayne Chadwick pointed out, the issue is two-sided and complicated: people don’t want power lines cutting through their back fields and woods, but they do want power, especially renewable energy.

Kennebec County Sheriff’s deputy Ivano Stefanizzi repeated his usual warnings – beware of scams of all sorts, and don’t speed unless you want a ticket – and added another: don’t leave your car unlocked in the driveway, especially with the keys in it. Several cars have been stolen locally in recent days, he said.

China Lake Association vice president Eric Lind reported that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has conditionally approved the association’s application for a 319 grant (named for the authorizing section of the federal Clean Water Act) to help improve China Lake’s water quality. He commended Hapgood for writing a supporting letter saying the local match would be in kind, not in money, and praised Bruce Fitzgerald for heading up projects.

The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, Aug. 28. Hapgood hopes the agenda will include, in addition to questions postponed from the Aug. 14 meeting, the commitment of 2023-24 local taxes.

Local author publishes book of spiritual poems

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Jim Morris, of South China, displaying his book, Inside Out.

by Roberta Barnes

Inspiring words that flow in a rhythm urge you to look deep within you.

Jim Morris, of South China, has lived in Maine since 1980. This year he was prompted to put his collection of poems into a book by his grandson saying he should write a book.

Inside Out, by Jim Morris, is a collection of his 158 spiritual poems that gently urge readers to look within themselves. Morris hopes his words will lift the reader’s spirits. One of Carl Jung’s quotes reflects looking within; “when you look outside you dream, when you look within you awaken”.

On the first few pages of Inside Out, Morris introduces the depth of what will follow. Morris wrote, “If by chance as you are reading this and you start to wonder, Wait a minute, is this . . . Did he? I can tell you now, It’s true. I wrote this. . . for you.”

While studying engineering in college Morris learned how mechanical parts fit together to make a machine work. When he left college, he began thinking about how people work together to make our world work. As I interviewed Morris outside, he talked about our world as a whole. Surrounded by plants, a chipmunk and birds that stopped by, and the original internet of the roots of plants under our feet, it represented the oneness reflected in Morris’ poems.

Our world as a whole, is reflected in many of the poems in Inside Out. In the poem Beauty, Morris wrote, “Its magic is when we can come together and see it as Whole”. © Jim Morris 2023.

Some of Morris’ poems were created by the energy of his own life’s journey and some were created by the life’s journey of others. As you read through the pages you can see how he looks at even simple things from all sides.

Morris sees his book Inside Out as being an advocate for hope by helping people to focus on the moment and appreciate what they see/hear/feel in that moment. When appreciating the moment, you can go within and appreciate what you find within. Morris wrote at the end of one poem, “you’re the reason the sun shined”, and at the end of another “Go ahead and have fun”. © Jim Morris 2023.

On the back cover of Inside Out you will see, “A journey deep inside the self to look for God and a truth discovered on the way out. Inspired by everyone and everything around me. I wrote a book. The universe is filled with love. May you find some comfort here”. © Jim Morris 2023.

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Music in the Kennebec Valley – Part 3

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Typical 19th century brass band.

by Mary Grow

Band music

Another type of music in the central Kennebec Valley from early days of European settlement was band music. It was often, but especially in later years not inevitably, associated with military organizations; and like other forms of music, got limited attention in most local histories.

* * * * * *

James North, in his Augusta history, sometimes mentioned parade music, presumably provided by a band, as in his description of former president George Washington’s funeral procession in Augusta on Feb. 22, 1800.

North wrote that the procession was headed by a military escort. It included an infantry company, followed by musicians with “drums muffled, instruments in mourning,” followed by an artillery company.

By 1805, North wrote, Augusta had two military companies, and a group of young men persuaded the legislature (still in 1805 the Massachusetts General Court) to authorize a light infantry company.

The Augusta Light Infantry, which appears frequently in North’s history, was organized in the spring of 1806. North listed its officers and its musicians: fifer Stephen Jewett (the same Stephen Jewett who played the bass viol in church beginning in 1802? – see the July 27 issue of The Town Line) and drummer Lorain Judkins.

Some of the women connected with infantry members created and presented a company standard, with the motto “Victory or Death.” North described the Sept. 11, 1806, presentation as followed by a parade and a ball (presumably at least the ball and probably the parade included musicians).

By the time the Light Infantry was part of the local Federalist party’s July 4 parade in 1810, there was definitely a band. North wrote that its members politely stopped playing as the parade passed the house where Judge Nathan Weston was addressing the rival Democratic party celebration.

Another association between music and the military is the lists of men who fought in the War of 1812. Kennebec County historian Henry Kingsbury and many local historians listed soldiers (in 1812 and later wars) by name and rank, including musicians.

Most 1812 companies had either two or three musicians, though Kingsbury listed only one apiece for two of Vassalboro’s companies. The majority are described unspecifically as “musicians,” but Kingsbury mentioned a drum major and a fife major from Augusta.

By July 4, 1832, North again described two separate parades by two political parties, with multiple bands and military units. The National Republicans’ parade included “the Hallowell Artillery and Sidney Rifles, each with a band of music,” and the Hallowell and Augusta band, which he said was “one of the best in the State.” The Democrats’ parade included some of the Augusta Light Infantry and a band from Waterville.

There was an Augusta band in 1854, when Augusta city officials (the town became a city in 1849) decided the annual July 4 celebration should include recognition of the 100th anniversary of the building of Fort Western. Events included an extremely elaborate parade, with the Augusta Band providing the music.

And on April 18, 1861, as the Civil War began, North wrote that “the Augusta Band, playing patriotic airs” (including Yankee Doodle), led Augusta’s Pacific Fire Engine Company as members marched to the homes of leading citizens to ask their reactions to the rebellion.

(Their visits started with Governor Israel Washburn, Jr., and included his predecessor, former Governor Lot M. Morrill. North commented that Republicans and Democrats alike expressed support for the federal government.)

By August 1863, either there was another band or the Augusta Band had a second name. North described the return of two volunteer regiments whose members’ nine-months enlistments were up.

The 24th Regiment got to Augusta at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 6, by train; a large number of dignitaries and ordinary citizens and the Citizens’ Band escorted the soldiers to the State House for a welcome and a banquet (after which they slept on the State House floor, too exhausted to continue to Camp Keyes). The 28th arrived around noon Aug. 18; their welcoming parade included the Citizens’ Band and the Gardiner Brass Band, and their refreshments were served on the lawn south of the State House.

In 1864, according to North, it was the Augusta Band that on June 3 escorted the first trainload of wounded men to the new military hospital at Camp Keyes, in Augusta.

* * * * * *

In the village of Weeks Mills, in the southern part of the town of China, there was in the latter half of the 19th century an all-male brass band that the China history says “was more a marching band than a dance band,” because its concerts were mostly outdoors.

Sometimes there were concerts in “a town public hall” that was the second floor of a building on the east side of the Sheepscot, north of Main Street (which is called Tyler Road on the contemporary Google map). There was also a bandstand, “with a flagpole,” that band members built at the junction of North Road (now Dirigo Road, perhaps?).

Quoting a former resident named Eleon Shuman, some of whose family were in the band, the history adds, “Few of the band members could read music, and the band director transcribed their pieces into a simpler notation called the tonic sol fa method which they could follow.”

Oakland also had a town band by the late 1880s. In her history of Sidney, Alice Hammond wrote that the organizers of the 1890 Sidney fair spent most of their money to hire the Oakland Band.

She explained that in the absence of television and Walkmans (never mind smartphones), “To hear the band playing as you strolled around the fair grounds, or went into the hall and sat down to take a break was a treat.”

There were also dances some afternoons – “Anyone who wished to dance paid for one dance at a time.” In 1890, the fair was not lighted, so there was no evening music or dancing.

Hammond’s history included reproductions of two posters.

One advertised a Feb. 5, 1892, exhibition of “The marvels of the modern phonograph,” which would “Talk, Laugh, Sing, Whistle, Play on all sorts Instruments including Full Brass Band.” After Professor R. B. Capen, of Augusta, finished his demonstration, there would be a Grand Ball, with music by Dennis’ Orchestra, Augusta, for dancing until 2 a.m.

The second poster announced an Aug. 15, 1898, Grand Concert by the Sidney Minstrels. The program included vocal and instrumental (guitar, banjo and tamborine solos); it was followed by a “social dance” with music by Crowell’s Orchestra.

John Philip Sousa’s inaugural playing of The Stars and Stripes Forever, in Augusta

John Philip Sousa

An on-line site called Military Music says John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever was played for the very first time by Sousa’s Band in the new (opened in 1896) city hall, in Augusta, Maine, on May 1, 1897. Because at that time the march had no title, some historians inaccurately date the first performance to a May 14 concert in Philadelphia.

Contributor Jack Kop­stein wrote that Sousa composed the march as he was returning from Europe late in 1896. His original version called for “Piccolo in D-flat, Two Oboes, Two Bassoons, Clarinet in E-flat, Two Clarinets in B-flat (1-2), Alto saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Three Cornets (1-3), 4 Horns in E-flat (1-4), Three Trombones (1-3), Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion.”

Augusta’s Museum in the Streets (on line) says by May 1, 1897, Sousa’s Band was “the most famous in the land,” and Sousa was “America’s ‘March King.'” The afternoon concert presented some of his earlier compositions; “Sousa’s band enthralled the Augusta audience with spirited music, and his first encore was a new untitled march” – the one that became The Stars and Stripes Forever.

On-line sites give different versions of the words for the march. The one attributed to Sousa begins, “Let martial note in triumph float / And liberty extend its mighty hand….”

Your writer’s personal favorite begins “Be kind to your web-footed friends / For a duck may be somebody’s mother.” (The web attributes these words to radio comedian Fred Allen [1894-1956].)

Augusta’s 1896 city hall was designed by John Calvin Spofford (Nov. 25, 1854 – Aug. 19, 1936), a Maine-born, Boston-based architect well-known for designing public buildings in New England. In addition to municipal offices, the building included a city auditorium.

Kopstein, writing in 2011, said the building served its municipal function until 1987; it then became an assisted living facility. An on-line description of the Inn at City Hall says it now has “31 apartments with its historic decor preserved throughout the complex.”

Main sources

Grow, Mary M., China Maine Bicentennial History including 1984 revisions (1984)
Hammond, Alice, History of Sidney Maine 1792-1992 (1992)
Kingsbury, Henry D., ed., Illustrated History of Kennebec County Maine 1625-1892 (1892)
North, James W., The History of Augusta (1870)

Websites, miscellaneous.

LAKE LIFE TODAY: part 8

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Screenshot taken from the China Lake watershed presentation.

by Elaine Philbrook

Lake Life Today is a series of articles that are hoped will inspire you to see how, by taking just a few steps, you can make a difference and help preserve the quality of water in our lakes for future generations.

These articles have been collected and organized by LakeSmart Director Elaine Philbrook, a member of China Region Lake Alliance (aka “the Alliance”) serving China Lake, Webber Pond, Three Mile Pond, and Three-Cornered Pond. The Alliance would like to thank our partners at Maine Lakes and Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) for information to support this article.

Infiltration Steps

The previous article provided information on how to properly design pathways to benefit the lake. Pathways designed properly will slow the flow of stormwater, giving runoff time to be absorbed into the soil which prevents pollutants from entering our lakes and ponds.

Infiltration Steps is yet another way to slow the flow of stormwater from entering our waterbodies. Infiltration steps can be used where foot traffic is causing erosion to take place, and are used where there is a moderate slope, usually less than 45 degrees. These infiltration steps minimize the potential for erosion and runoff from a footpath that is often used. As a result, infiltration steps prevent excess nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants from entering the lake. Rainwater falling on the infiltration steps ultimately soaks into the ground and is filtered by the soil, trapping unwanted pollutants, and helping improve the overall health of our waterbodies.

Infiltration Steps are built with timbers. Geotextile fabric is anchored into the “bottom” of the step, and then backfilled with crushed stone to slow runoff and allow water to soak into the ground. Existing steps may be retrofitted into infiltration steps in some instances.

Installation:

  • Remove several inches of soil from the location of each step. Dispose of excavated soil in a place where it will not wash into the lake or other resource.
  • Line the bottom and sides of the excavated area with geotextile fabric. This fabric allows water to infiltrate through it and will separate the stone from the underlying soil.
  • Backfill the hole with washed 3⁄4-inch crushed stone (or pea stone) so the tread is level, or it just slightly slopes up to meet the step above. Paving stones can also be set into crushed stone to provide a smooth surface for bare feet-as long as ample crushed stone is exposed to allow infiltration, but there must be adequate spacing between the pavers to allow for the infiltration of stormwater.
  • To firmly secure the wooden framework, drill 1⁄2-inch diameter holes 6 inches from the ends of each timber. Then drive 1⁄2-inch diameter, 18-inch long steel rebar through the holes with a sledgehammer. For gentle slopes, wooden stakes or large rocks can also secure the timbers.

LETTERS: The health of China Lake benefits everyone

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To the editor:

On July 31 there was a public hearing at Town Hall so residents could share their thoughts on the future of the South China Town Landing.

A wide range of opinions were expressed, but the one that stood out for me came from former select board member Joann Austin, who concluded, “We should leave these decisions up to the engineers.” I wholeheartedly agree. Luckily, engineers have already been consulted and reported to the town Manager Becky Hapgood on their findings.

In their report, dated May 2023, the engineers wrote, “Our recommendation for this site is to keep it as a gravel road and make improvements to help eliminate or minimize the run-off to the lake. Although the town would like to see a maintenance free facility [paving], it may not be the best thing for the lake.” Furthermore, the report stated, “We recommend that the town make the site a carry-in site only, and develop nearby off-site parking for the people that will use the site.”

The health of China Lake benefits everyone in the town. Let’s choose the responsible course of action and listen to the experts.

Geoff Hargadon
South China

Page appointed China LPI

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At a short special meeting Thursday, Aug. 3, China select board members appointed Ryan Page the town’s licensed plumbing inspector (LPI).

The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, Aug. 14. Comments on the South China boat landing are due at the town office by Friday, Aug. 11 (see The Town Line, Aug. 3, p. 3).

PHOTOS: China Community Days enjoys another successful year (2023)

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(contributed photos)

Folks enjoyed the festivities on Saturday night.

14 teams entered the scavenger hunt.

85 cars participated in the car show.

64 children took part in the fishing derby, even though she caught a turtle.

One of the many cardboard boats.

Vendors displayed their wares at the ballfields.

There were 44 teams entered in the cornhole tournament.

 

Residents criticize current South China boat landing

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South China boat launch. (photo by Roland D. Hallee)

by Mary Grow

A long, well-attended, amicable and informative July 31 discussion of the boat landing in South China Village revealed a lot of overlapping issues and a variety of opinions.

Several of the almost two dozen residents who spoke criticized the present landing, at the foot of the dirt road named Town Landing Road that runs from Village Street to the lake. The area is full of mud and accumulated leaves; vehicles get stuck in the road, or damage nearby trees as they try to maneuver with limited room; there is inadequate space to park; and run-off down the road is polluting China Lake.

The last point was emphasized repeatedly, on environmental and economic grounds – China Lake is an asset to the town in both respects.

South China fire chief Richard Morse pointed out that the problem is not new. The landing has been full of mud and leaves the 50 years he’s been in town, he said. In 2007, he thought town officials had agreed to engineer the road to divert run-off.

Select board chairman Wayne Chadwick agreed there had been pollution-control measures, like plunge-pools, installed; but the town failed to maintain them “and they’re gone.”

Opinions on improving the situation varied widely. Three options are closing the landing completely; limiting use to carry-in canoes and kayaks (and swimming); or improving the area for use by all boaters, including owners of large party boats that one person said are already being launched there.

Speakers pointed out that China Lake has two other landings, in the west basin at East Vassalboro and off the causeway outside China Village at the head of the east basin. Completely closing the South China landing was not a popular idea, however – two speakers said it would be “a shame.”

The July 31 China public discussion was intended to inform select board members; no action was expected and none was taken. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood welcomes additional comments, written or emailed, submitted by Friday, Aug. 11.

Several people, including some who now put their motorboats into the lake from the landing, recommended limiting access to hand-carried canoes and kayaks. The advantages they cited included fewer large vehicles both on Town Landing Road and in the village, less need for parking and more compatibility with swimming.

Morse was among those who considered it unfair to make residents of southern China drive to East Vassalboro or China Village to put their powerboats in the lake. He and others who agreed the landing should be open to all types of boats suggested ways to limit pollution from the access road; recommended continuing not to publicize the landing so it wouldn’t get as overbusy as the one at the north end of the lake; and talked about the driving distance from southern China to either other lake access point.

South China resident Robert Fischer’s emailed comments suggested doing something about the “prop-killing rock” not far off-shore.

If the landing is to remain open to all boaters, the next question was the road. People referred to an engineering study done this spring and to still-uncertain boundaries of the town-owned land as they discussed parking and especially whether to pave the road.

The majority said not to pave. Among them were China Region Lakes Alliance executive director Scott Pierz and Fire Road 54 resident Wayne Clark. Clark called a paved roadway “a runway for the water to go right into the lake.”

Alternatives like what Pierz called “crushed ledge,” used in camp road rehabilitation projects, or permeable pavers were recommended.

The lone proponent of paving was Chadwick, who argued that “Dirt needs constant maintenance” or pollution will not be abated. He recommended paving sloped toward the ditch on each side with a hump at the bottom to finish diverting water. A paved road, unlike a dirt one, won’t develop ruts channeling run-off into the lake, he added.

A related issue was access to the lake for the South China volunteer fire department. When select board member Janet Preston asked Morse, who is fire chief, how often the department used the landing, Morse replied, “Whenever there’s a fire down there.” So far, he said, he can remember only one instance.

Morse said the ideal situation for his department would be installation of a dry hydrant, a major undertaking because the hydrant would need access to water under the ice in winter and shallow water extends far from shore.

Two people asked about fire department access at Jones Brook (or Turtle Brook), which goes under Village Street a short distance west of the landing. Morse said his department would consider any options.

Three points garnered near-unanimous support:

  • Something effective needs to be done soon to improve the landing, in order to protect water quality and give boaters and nearby residents a more pleasant experience;
  • Whatever is done will need to be maintained; and
  • Improving the landing and maintaining the improvements will cost money.

Greene said the China Lake Association has applied for a state grant for work at the landing. He checked before the meeting and grant awards have not yet been announced.

Select board members will continue discussion of the issue at future meetings.

China Historical Society seeks to improve use of old town house

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by Mary Grow

At the July 31 China select board meeting, the China Historical Society (CHS) took another step toward reestablishing itself after a period of inactivity, getting support, though not full formal approval, for continued and improved use of the old town house.

Society president Scott McCormac said the organization leased the main floor of the building across the driveway from the town office years ago, and contributed money toward repairs. Now, the group would like to reaffirm the lease, and to arrange more and better storage space in the basement.

Treasurer Joann Austin has made sure The Town Line newspaper management has no problem with sharing its basement headquarters.

Select board members and Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood wanted to make sure there were no insurance issues with a charitable organization storing property in and inviting visitors to a town-owned building. Board members also questioned whether the furnace in the basement is properly insulated from the rest of the premises.

Board members voted unanimously to support the CHS’s continued use of the main floor, and to look into the insurance and furnace issues.

McCormac and Austin said CHS has its own bank account and post office box and about 20 members. The July 13 public discussion of local history in the China Baptist Church drew about 50 people, McCormac said.

McCormac said the CHS intends to fund any storage improvements, like dehumidifying part of the basement, with its own funds – although, he added, if select board members chose to add town money, it would be accepted with thanks.

In other business July 31, board members approved several appointments:

  • As China’s new animal control officer, Joshua Barnes, of China;
  • For a renewed three-year term on the Appeals Board, Robert Fischer;
  • As codes enforcement officer, to succeed Nicholas French, Hapgood;
  • As China’s continuing representative to the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments General Assembly, select board member Janet Preston.

Travis Mitchell, of Mitchell’s Property Management, in Vassalboro, was the only bidder for repairs to the town office building, old town house and garage, Hapgood said. She asked for more time to review the scope of the work with Mitchell and Director of Public Services Shawn Reed. Select board members postponed action to their Aug. 14 meeting, and agreed the proposed contract can be amended to extend deadlines for finishing the work if necessary.

Kennebec County Deputy Sheriff Ivano Stefanizzi urged residents to report anything that seems suspicious to the sheriff’s office. And, he said, anyone who accidentally hits 911 on a phone should stay on the line to explain and apologize, because calls are located automatically and an unexplained one will bring a law enforcement officer to the door.

He offered two other pieces of advice:

  • Beware of scams, on line and in person.
  • When driving, do not speed, and watch out for other drivers who ignore that advice. KSO has issued many tickets recently, he said.

Resident Fred Wiand brought to board members’ attention the proposed LS Power transmission line. (See the July 27 issue of The Town Line, p. 1.) If developed as planned, he said, it will go through his Wing Road property in southeastern China.

Wiand advocated an underground line using existing power line rights-of-way. Board member Preston said she heard at least one state department recommends using existing routes. Board member Jeanne Marquis said town officials should continue to monitor LS Power plans.

Hapgood reminded those present that Causeway Street at the north end of China Lake’s east basin will be closed for China Community Days events Saturday, Aug. 5, from 3 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 6, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Complete Community Days schedules are available on the website, china.govoffice.com, under China Community Days in the left-hand column, and at the town office and other public places.

The China select board’s August meetings are currently scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14, and Monday, Aug. 28.