CHINA: Nine attend select board’s “apple crisp” public hearings

by Mary Grow

The promise of fresh-baked apple crisp with ice cream drew nine people to the China select board’s Sept. 23 public hearings on Nov. 5 local warrant articles and on amendments to the town’s General Assistance Ordinance. Six stayed for at least part of the select board meeting that followed.

The apple crisp was praised.

China’s Nov. 5 voting includes local elections and five referendum questions that were topics of the first public hearing. The municipal ballot is on the town website, chinamaine.org, under the Elections tab in the green box on the right-hand side of the main page.

The referendum question that drew most discussion was the proposed new Budget Committee Ordinance. If approved, it will replace the present system under which four of China’s seven budget committee members are elected, one from each of four districts. Instead, select board members will appoint budget committee members.

Voters approved a similar change for the planning board at the annual town business meeting in June.

The main reason for proposing the change, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said, is the lack of candidates for budget committee seats. On the Nov. 5 ballot, Timothy Basham is running unopposed for re-election from District 4; write-ins (if any) will fill the District 2, secretary and at-large positions.

Write-ins complicate ballot clerks’ lives, Hapgood said. If there is a tie between write-ins, the clerks must contact each person to see whether he or she wishes to serve. Anyone who does not wish to serve must sign a sworn (notarized) oath turning down the office that must be filed with the town clerk.

If more than one person tied for a position is willing to serve, there would need to be another election for the position.

Hapgood said when a town official asks someone to volunteer for a committee position, the answer is more likely to be yes, perhaps because there is no need to collect signatures on nomination papers.

Tod Detre, one of five Nov. 5 candidates for three seats on the select board, and former select board member Joann Austin expressed concern about the five select board members appointing members of all other major town committees.

Current board chairman Wayne Chadwick said he thinks China select board members have never “stacked” committees they’re empowered to appoint on the basis of beliefs, geography or any other factor.

A broader discussion of the lack of civic engagement and related topics followed.

Select board member Brent Chesley said in two years on the board, he’s not received a single call from a resident about town business, though his cellphone number is on the town website.

Austin argued in favor of returning to the pre-Covid open town business meeting in the spring, so voters can ask questions and know what they’re voting on. Detre and Chadwick said a written-ballot meeting lets more people participate.

The second public hearing, on the state-presented amendments to the local General Assistance Ordinance and its appendices, drew no comments. Select board members adopted the amendments at their meeting following the hearing.

Three ongoing issues on the select board agenda were the planned storage vault for town records; the South China boat landing; and the revised solid waste disposal agreement with Palermo.

Sheldon Goodine, chairman of the town’s building committee, outlined Plan No. 4 for the new storage area. This plan calls for an addition to the town office building on the south side, at the east end (farthest from Lakeview Drive) rather than the west end as an earlier plan proposed.

Goodine expects more information in a week or so.

Hapgood said the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has approved a permit for proposed run-off controls at the South China boat landing. The next step, she said, is acquiring the needed concrete planks. One company will have none until spring; she will contact other companies.

Select board members approved the agreement with Palermo to allow that town’s residents to continue to use China’s transfer station. Hapgood said Palermo’s town meeting to act on the revised agreement is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17.

Hapgood announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $51,436.15 to reimburse China for cleaning up roadside debris after the December 2023 storm. She is still talking with FEMA officials about reimbursement for other storm-related expenses.

The manager announced that China’s 2023 town report received an award from the Maine Municipal Association. She thanked Town Clerk Angela Nelson for her work on the report, and Jason Rushing for his cover photo.

MMA’s letter, published with the select board meeting agenda, begins: “I am pleased to announce that China has been selected as the ‘supreme’ first place winner of the 2024 Annual Report Competition in the 2,500 to 4,999 population category.”

The report will be displayed, with other winners, at the MMA convention in Augusta Oct. 2 and 3. Select board members appointed Director of Public Services Shawn Reed as China’s voting delegate at the convention’s business meeting, with Hapgood his alternate.

The next China select board meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, Oct. 7. Hapgood announced other events early in October: absentee ballots for Nov. 5 will be available Monday, Oct. 7; town departments will be closed Monday, Oct. 14, to observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day; and the docks at the boat landing at the head of China Lake’s east basin are scheduled to be removed the week of Oct. 14.

MMA announces Spirit of America Proclamation to municipal clerks and ballot clerks

submitted by Rebecca Hapgood
China Town Manager

MAINE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION SPIRIT OF AMERICA PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Spirit of America Foundation cherishes Municipal Officials’ help with its program and created October as ‘Municipal Officials Appreciation Month’, and in 2024 dedicated it nationally to Municipal Clerks and Ballot Clerks, to express gratitude;

WHEREAS, Municipal Officials make personal sacrifices to serve constituents and deserve more public recognition and respect than they generally receive;

WHEREAS, Municipal Clerks are some of the most dedicated and generous members in our communities, who are almost always involved in a community event or civic organization within a town and most of the time are doing that work on their own personal time;

WHEREAS, Ballot Clerks serve at each polling place throughout Election Day, to ensure the voting process goes smoothly and are vital to democracy;

WHEREAS, the Maine Municipal Association greatly appreciates the services provided by its Municipal Clerks, Ballot Clerks and other Municipal Officials;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the MAINE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION designates October 2024 as “MAINE MUNICIPAL CLERKS AND BALLOT CLERKS APPRECIATION MONTH” and urges citizens to show gratitude to their Municipal Officials, and especially to Municipal Clerks and Ballot Clerks, for all they do to make our communities better.

Beauty from Ashes: Reflecting on 9/11 at China school

From left to right, Everett Packard, Eli Goodwin, Patrick Roberts, James Trojecki, Kennebec Sheriff Deputy Stefanizzi, Chris Berto, Nathaniel Monroe, and Leslie Krajewski. (contributed photos)

by Aimee N. Lanteigne

The searing images of September 11, 2001, will not soon be forgotten by anyone who witnessed the sheer terror of that horrible day. But for some, today’s youth, they have no idea, no context, and no emotion connected to that day that forever changed how Americans live. But they need to know. There are a thousand good reasons why teaching history is so important, but in a nutshell, suffice it to say, “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.” (Robert Heinlein)

Wyatt Kibbin and his mom, Allison, of the Maine National Guard. (contributed photos)

This year, China Middle School seventh and eighth graders learned their history…the details of what happened on 9/11, why it happened, the ensuing War on Terror, and the impact those two hours had on countless innocent lives. They discussed ways to prevent and combat hatred and misunderstandings. Perhaps most importantly, they took it upon themselves to give a little something back to those who gave the last full measure of devotion in the line of duty on 9/11.

Our students hosted a free car wash for First Responders and Veterans in honor of the 23rd anniversary of this tragedy. The support they received was overwhelming. Donations of soap, buckets, sponges, baked goods, and refreshments for our guests came pouring in. Every student made a personalized handmade card thanking them for their service be it in the fire department, the police department, or the military.

They made posters advertising the car wash and happily stood out in the school driveway waving and smiling and cheering any time a car or cruiser would pull into the school yard. They joyfully scurried like busy little bees to escort our guests to the food table, made sure they got a card and a treat, and then commenced spraying and soaping up the cars…perhaps the most fun of all. And before each officer or veteran left, the kids seemed to all shout in unison, “Thank you for your service!” Some of our students even went out of their way to shake hands with our guests and thank them personally.

The appreciation and smiles on their faces as they drove away was all these kids needed to know they had made a difference. It wasn’t a clean car, a cup of coffee, and a cupcake that made the difference. It was the kids’ smiles, their laughter, their joy, their pride in helping, and the simple fact that they had remembered…they had not forgotten. They may not have been alive when the Towers fell, when the planes and all souls aboard vaporized into thin air, or when the fear and darkness that overwhelmed us all that evening began to creep into our hearts. But they remembered. They took time to acknowledge the sacrifice of their brothers and sisters in service for what they lost that terrible day and in the years to follow.

That is how they made a difference.

That is how we keep history alive.

And that is how we can make beauty from ashes.

From left, Colton Oxley, Ellie Soule, and Layla Gunnison wash China Village firetruck. (contributed photos)

New survey shows Maine residents, regardless of age, don’t see aging as a personal barrier

AARP research examines how aging is viewed in the state of Maine

Despite believing older adults are devalued in society, Maine adults of all ages don’t see aging as a barrier, according to new AARP research examining how aging is viewed in the state.

Engagement seems to factor into the optimism. When asked about their views on aging, half of respondents among all three age groups – 18 to 54, 55 to 65, and 65-plus – said as they age, they are becoming more involved in helping others and find that their life offers more possibilities. Mainers generally subscribe to the adage, “With age comes wisdom.” Nearly nine in ten Mainers believe wisdom does indeed come with age, and an overwhelming majority see value in passing it on, with 93 percent placing importance on sharing one’s unique experiences with younger people.

Some 70 percent agree the likelihood of older adults wanting to learn new things increases with age. Cultivating social connections and personal friendships continues with advancing age. The 65-plus age group was most likely to agree that friends are becoming a bigger part of their lives as they grow older.

Beyond the positive feedback, most Mainers think older adults become less visible (64 percent) and are treated with less respect (54 percent). Mainers aged 55-plus believe younger people have more advantages in society, 70 percent note we live in a youth-oriented society and 69 percent say employers prefer younger workers over older workers.

Another 57 percent agree older workers are excluded from employment or promotion opportunities. Sixty-six percent believe age discrimination exists in the workplace, and most point out age bias begins in your 50s and 60s.

Further, Mainers believe the fear of getting old is very real for Americans. Of those surveyed, 75 percent agree Americans are afraid of getting old and 72 percent believe advertising and media negatively impact how Americans view aging. Ninety-one percent think older adults are more likely to become targets of fraud or scams and 72 percent agree older adults have trouble keeping up with technology. In terms of the financial implications of growing old, 57 percent believe older adults rely on Social Security and Medicare to cover their needs and 49 percent agree older adults have difficulty living in their own home.

While half of those surveyed were optimistic about aging, there also exists a real fear in growing old. Education is needed to dispel the myths about aging, as well as to put an end to workforce age bias and stereotyping. Although we may live in a youth-oriented society, steps need to be taken to increase the value placed on older adults.

“AARP Maine is dedicated to improving the lives of Mainers aged 50 and older, as well as their families,” said Noël Bonam, AARP Maine State Director. “Through state-specific surveys such as this, we gain valuable insights into the needs and desires of older adults in Maine. Our research bolsters our efforts to advocate for fair utility rates, fight elder fraud, seek support for Maine’s 166,000 family caregivers and provide resources on health and retirement security.” AARP Maine also offers a variety of wellness classes, social programs, educational opportunities, and initiatives to advance age-friendly community enhancements.

The online and phone survey of Maine residents age 18 and older was conducted from October 3 to November 2, 2023. Data were weighted by age, gender, and education to reflect Maine’s 18 and older population.

To learn more about AARP and its work in Maine, visit www.aarp.org/me and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram @aarpmaine.

OPINION: Town elder concerned about seniors in China

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by Sheldon Goodine

The Rise of Senior Homeless in Maine?

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

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

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

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

Good luck and God bless.

Novel Energy granted one-year extension on project

by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members approved one request at their Sept. 10 meeting and postponed action on another, probably to Sept. 24.

Novel Energy, represented virtually by Ralph Addonizio, received a one-year extension to begin construction of a solar development on the section of Parmenter Hill Road called Moe’s Mountain.

Board members approved the project at their Nov. 28, 2023, meeting. Codes Officer Nicholas French said it expires Nov. 28, 2024, if the project has not started.

Addonizio explained that a redesign (which planning board members approved at their July 30 meeting) and “supply chain delays” were holding up beginning work. He expects another 10 months’ wait.

“We want to start, believe me,” Addonizio said.

The other application was from Ironwood Maine LLC, doing business as The Ridge RTC, represented by Wade Bedsaul and Alexander Blackstone. They applied to add two small buildings and expand parking on their property at 24 Pond Hill Road, between Route 3 and Three Mile Pond.

The property is a residential facility for teenagers needing therapy and support as they deal with mental, behavioral and emotional health issues. The planning board approved it in April 2018.

Blackstone said a 12-by-10-foot trailer would be used to store tools and sports equipment. A 12-by-20-foot one would provide extra meeting space. The proposed additional parking area would be about 6-by-20-feet.

Because a resource protection district is involved, board members decided they needed additional information on setbacks and tree removal (for the parking area) and a map. Bedsaul and Blackstone indicated they should have the information in time for a revised application at the board’s next meeting, scheduled for Sept. 24.

China transfer station committee discusses relations with Palermo

by Mary Grow

Relations between China and Palermo were a major topic discussed, in a friendly way, at the Sept. 10 China Transfer Station Committee meeting. Only one of Palermo’s two committee members, Bob Kurek, was present.

He reported that the Palermo select board is “all set” with the draft revised agreement between the two towns, but town voters need to accept it. He hoped a special town meeting could be scheduled in October. (See the Sept. 12 issue of The Town Line, p. 2.)

Meanwhile, he, China Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood and staff in both town offices continue to contact Palermo residents who do not abide by regulations, mostly by not using the required blue bags. Kurek reminded the group that requiring Palermo residents who use the China facility to buy and use special bags is a measure of fairness to the many residents who use dumpsters or other alternatives.

Kurek, as he has done at previous meetings, summarized conversations with residents identified by the transfer station staff or security camera recordings and reported to him.

Committee member James Hsiang, resenting the staff time spent on a few individuals, proposed increasing Palermo’s annual payment to China in compensation, to cost Palermo taxpayers and “put peer pressure on the cheaters.”

James Hines doubted the plan would work – “Some people just can’t change,” he said. Benjamin Weymouth preferred China try to be a good neighbor to Palermo. And committee chairman Chris Baumann pointed out that the issue is not systemic; only a small minority of Palermo residents are uncooperative.

At previous meetings, committee members have noted that an occasional China resident challenges regulations, too.

Hapgood added that town officials can ban repeat offenders from the transfer station.

“I think some of your stories investigating this stuff are the best part of the [committee] meetings,” Hines told Kurek.

In other business, transfer station manager Thomas Maraggio reported two summer projects, lighting in the free-for-the-taking building and an improved compost area, are essentially complete. More signs promoting and explaining recycling have gone up, and still more are planned.

Hapgood is planning the 2025 transfer station stickers that will be required for vehicles registered in China or Palermo to enter the transfer station beginning Jan. 1. The new ones, she promised, will adhere properly to windshields, unlike the 2024 ones that generated many complaints.

Committee members scheduled the rest of their 2024 meetings for 9 a.m., the second Tuesday of each month, Oct. 8, Nov. 12 and Dec. 10.

PUBLIC NOTICES for Thursday, September 12, 2024

TOWN OF CHINA

Notice of Public Hearing

The Municipal Officers of the Town of China will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., in person or via Zoom regarding the November municipal ballot. For the link to the Zoom meeting, go to www.chinamaine.org.

Article 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.

Article 2. To elect all necessary Municipal Officials – three Select Board members who also serve as Municipal Assessors (two-year term), one RSU 18 Director (three-year term), and four Budget Committee members (two-year term) – using the secret ballot, as directed, and provided by statute.

Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the Third Amended Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District Development Program and the Findings, Terms and Provisions Relating to that Program.

Select Board Recommends: YES with a vote of 5 ayes / 0 nays
Budget Committee Recommends: YES with a vote of 5 ayes / 0 nays

Copies are available from the town office or at www.chinamaine.org.

Article 4. Shall the voters of the town repeal the ordinance entitled “Budget Committee Ordinance” revised June 13, 2006, and enact an ordinance entitled “Town of China Budget Committee Ordinance”?

Select Board Recommends: YES with a vote of 5 ayes / 0 nays

Article 5. Shall the voters of the town adopt an amendment to the Land Use Map entitled the “Development District Map?”

Select Board Recommends: YES with a vote of 5 ayes / 0 nays
Planning Board Recommends: YES with a vote of 4 ayes / 0 nays

Article 6. Shall amendments to the ordinance entitled “Town of China Land Development Code, Chapter 2. Land Use Ordinance and Chapter 11.
Definitions” be enacted?

Select Board Recommends: YES with a vote of 5 ayes / 0 nays
Planning Board Recommends: YES with a vote of 4 ayes / 0 nays

Article 7. Shall an ordinance entitled “Town of China High Impact Electric Transmission Line Moratorium Ordinance” be enacted?

Select Board Recommends: YES with a vote of 5 ayes / 0 nays

Notice of Public Hearing
Town of China

The Municipal Officers of the Town of China will hold a public hearing regarding the State General Assistance Ordinance Appendices at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23, 2024 in the meeting room. The link to the public hearing is posted on the calendar on the town’s website www.chinamaine.org. Any comments or questions prior to the meeting can be sent to info@chinamaine.org.

TOWN OF CHINA, MAINE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Regarding Third Amended Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program Notice is hereby given that the Town of China will hold a public hearing on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 571 Lakeview Drive, China, Maine 04358 For The Public, Remote Participation Will Be Available Via Zoom.The Public Hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m.

The purpose of the public hearing is to receive public comments on the Third Amended Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District Development Program (the “Third Amended Program”) pursuant to 30-A MRSA §5221 through §5235, being Subchapter 1 of Chapter 206 of Title 30-A of the Maine Revised Statutes, as amended. The proposed Third Amended Program provides (i) modified descriptions and TIF Revenue spending projections for seven (7) ongoing projects, (ii) descriptions of, and TIF Revenue spending projections for, two (2) new projects, (iii) discontinuance of four (4) prior projects and iv) revision of the “Tax Increment Revenue and Tax Shift Calculations” which are included in the Third Amended Program.

The Third Amended Program is the proposed development program for the Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District which was established in 2015, was enlarged in 2017 and now consists of approximately 29 lots having a total area of approximately 380 acres.

Such 29 lots are located generally (a) from north to south along or adjacent to Lakeview Drive (US Route 202 and State Route 9) and China Lake beginning at the northerly end of the east basin of the Lake to the intersection of Lakeview Drive and the Augusta-Belfast Road (State Route 3), (b) from west to east along Route 3 beginning at the CMP Substation (Map 17, Lot 47-F) approximately 1.5 miles to a point adjacent to Route 3 (665 Route 3, Map 28, Lot 001-A), (c) beginning at a point in the line between Windsor and China northerly more than 10 miles along a strip of land approximately 80 feet wide on which has been erected CMP’s 345 KV transmission line to a point in the line between China and Albion and (d) along Branch Mills Road in the Branch Pond area.

Copies of (a) the Warrant, dated August 26, 2024, for the November 5, 2024 municipal election which includes Article 3 related to the Third Amended Program, (b) certain Findings, Terms and Provisions related to Article 3 and (c) the proposed Third Amended Program (collectively, the “Ballot Materials”) are on file at the Town office and available for review during normal business hours in advance of the public hearing.

The Ballot Materials are also available at https://chinamaine.org and can also be obtained by calling 207-445-2014, option 3 during normal business hours and requesting that a copy be mailed to you. Normal business hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 7:30 am until 4:30 pm and first and last Saturday of each month, 8:00 am until 11:00 am.

All interested persons are invited to participate in the public hearing and will be given an opportunity to be heard. The Town will be conducting the hearing via Zoom. To access the hearing, please use the following internet or telephone information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82423752385?pwd=M0R1bldEbDdhc2NyOG0yeVM4L3liZz09
Meeting ID: 824 2375 2385, Passcode: 187277
or call +1 929 436 2866 and enter Meeting ID: 824 2375 2385 followed by Passcode: 187277

Public comments will be taken at the hearing and written comments should be identified as “Ballot Questions – TIF” and submitted by email to info@chinamaine.org or by U.S. mail or hand delivery to the Town Office, 571 Lakeview Drive, China, Maine 04358. Written comments will be accepted until 4:00 pm, Monday, September 23, 2024.

Town of China, Maine

/s/Angela Nelson
By: Angela Nelson
Town Clerk,
Duly Authorized
Dated September 9, 2024

Town of Somerville Public Hearing

The Municipal Officers of the Town of Somerville will hold a public hearing to hear public comments on state amendments to:

What: General Assistance Model Ordinance & Appendices 2024-2025
When: October 2, 2024 @ 6:00PM
Where: Town Office 72 Sand Hill Road Somerville ME

All interested citizens are invited to participate and comment

China budget committee approves 56-page CMP, TIF program

by Mary Grow

The five China Budget Committee members at the Sept. 3 meeting unanimously endorsed the 56-page Third Amended Central Maine Power/China Lake Tax Increment Financing District and Development Program, which will be on the Nov. 5 ballot for voters’ action.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood summarized the changes from the second amendment, approved in 2021.

The major change is the addition of a new project on the west end of the causeway at the head of China Lake’s east basin. It will extend the existing sidewalk westward; add docks for fishing and swimming that will be separated from the docks at the boat launch farther east; and contribute toward improving the China Baptist Church parking lot, which provides parking space for people using the waterfront facilities.

The third TIF document deletes two underused and unused projects, a revolving loan fund for small businesses and a job training program. It adjusts funding for several ongoing projects.

China’s TIF program is funded through taxes paid by Central Maine Power Company on its transmission line through China and its South China substation. Hapgood explained that the revised town TIF document will ensure all of each year’s income is allocated, as the state requires.

If voters approve the revision, it will be submitted to the state Department of Economic and Community development for its review and hoped-for approval.

The Third Amended TIF document is on the town website, chinamaine.org., under the TIF Committee, which is under the heading Officials, Boards & Committees, and also on the Elections page.

China’s Nov. 5 voting will be in the former portable classroom behind the town office on Lakeview Drive. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots will be available beginning Monday, Oct. 7.