Local residents attend iconic night concert

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Ethan Frost and his dad, Floyd, of China, attended his first concert. (photo by Mark Huard, Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

July 26, 2024 brought beautiful summer weather along with an outstanding concert featuring Godsmack, Nothing More, and special guests Flat Black. The Maine Savings Amphitheater and the Bangor Waterfront set an exceptional stage for this iconic night.

The opening band was Flat Black who is led by ex-Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Jason Hook. The audience came alive immediately for Wrex Horton’s vocals. The band had Rob Pierce on drums, Nick Diltz on bass and Hook on guitar. It was just what was needed to open the door for what was to come.

Nothing More took that baton and started running. Jonny Hawkins lit up the stage with vocals and drumming. Alongside him were band members Mark Vollelunga on guitar, Ben Anderson on drums and Daniel Oliver on drums. Some of the highlighted songs to match their impressive lighting and stage effects were: If It Doesn’t Hurt, Go to War, and the emotionally charged “Jenny.”

The crowd was now primed and ready for the main event. That beat started and Bangor Waterfront knew what was coming as they led with When Legends Rise. The undeniable presence of Godsmack, led by Sully Erna was just what the rock n’ roll fans came to see. Captivated by the stage presence and signature sounds of the vocals, concert goers young and old were on their feet and enthralled in the moment. They were rocking out to the timeless hits such as Awake, Voodoo, and Bulletproof. The night had it all including a memorable drum battle but really hit a high with I Stand Alone. The fans were cheering for an encore as to not let this moment end.

The Scars Foundation has been established by Sully Erna, of Godsmack, to help raise awareness of the mental health issues that so many are faced with today. With the rise of suicides, bullying, addiction, abuse and so many other challenges, The Scars Foundation is dedicated to providing resources and tools to educate and empower people on a global level that struggle with these burdens. https://www.scarsfoundation.org.

Erica Clapperton, of Fairfield, said “Godsmack had a palpable impact on the audience. It’s music you can touch and feel. The emotion of the music is felt deeply, and we left the concert looking forward to the next time. Godsmack has always put on an amazing show after seeing them multiple times I’m in awe everytime”. She captured what many felt in the theater that night, a sense of truly rocking and rolling all night with a raw infectious energy.

Lead singer, Sulley, announced that the Maine Savings Amphitheater has one of the top facilities in the country! The crowd responded similarly as young Ethan Frost, of China said, “it was just awesome.” This is Ethan’s first concert and it came to him as a special gift for his 16th birthday. He loves the band and was able to enjoy singing all of his favorite songs along side his father, Floyd.

July 26, 2024, was nothing short of amazing. From the opener all the way through to the headline, the energy was in epic proportions. From the staff, to the fans and the bands, everyone brought their “A” game and made for a memorable night for all.

CHINA: New tax rate to bring in more TIF money than previously anticipated

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by Mary Grow

Members of China’s Tax Increment Financing Committee were pleased to learn that the new China tax rate will bring the TIF program over $44,000 more in 2024-25 revenue than they had anticipated.

After discussion at their Aug. 19 meeting, they decided to start setting aside money for a new project, improving parking at the causeway outside China Village for boaters and other users of China Lake.

Committee members are working on a third draft of China’s TIF plan. They approved the bulk of it at their Aug. 5 meeting (see the Aug. 8 issue of The Town Line, p. 2), but needed final financial information.

An incomplete draft is on the town website, chinamaine.org, under the TIF Committee, the last committee listed under Officials, Boards & Committees.

Committee member Jamie Pitney, who has been updating the document, planned to incorporate the parking proposal in time for review by China select board members at their Aug. 26 meeting. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said items for the Nov. 5 local ballot, including the updated TIF document, need to be ready by then.

The causeway and adjacent boat landing were rebuilt with TIF funds early in the 10-year-old program. The revision approved Aug. 5 includes extending a sidewalk and adding more dock space for fishing and swimming.

The Aug. 19 proposal is to work with Pastor Ronald Morrell, of the China Baptist Church, on improving the large parking lot west of the causeway that belongs to the church but is often occupied by lake users’ vehicles, including boat trailers.

TIF funds come from taxes Central Maine Power Company pays on its power line through China and its South China substation. The money is spent as authorized by local voters, with approval from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. TIF Committee members oversee expenditures.

The committee currently consists of five members, two having resigned at the beginning of the current fiscal year. New volunteers are welcome; interested residents are invited to contact the town office, or any committee member: Brent Chesley, Lucas Adams, Karen Morin, Jamie Pitney or Benjamin Weymouth.

Committee members scheduled their next regular meeting for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.

China transfer station committee continues improvement talks

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by Mary Grow

Members of China’s Transfer Station Committee and station manager Thomas Maraggio discussed plans for continued improvements at their Aug. 13 meeting.

An ongoing issue is items for which the station charges a fee, because it costs the town extra to get rid of them. The list (which is on the town website, chinamaine.org) includes furniture; refrigerators and other appliances that contain freon; computers and other electronics; lamps; and brush.

Users leave some of these items at the free for the taking building, and are annoyed when they are asked to pay the appropriate fee anyway. Maraggio said if someone takes the item while the prior owner is still there, the fee is refunded.

But, he said, not all items are in demand; and, building volunteer and committee member Rachel Anderson added, space is limited. Maraggio said staff clean up the area twice a week; obviously unusable items go immediately to the appropriate disposal area, doubtful ones are left for two weeks to find a new owner.

Anderson did not think a larger building was a solution; it would only attract more junk. She suggested outside display shelves or tables from spring through fall.

Anderson and others recommend people consider donating large items to Goodwill, or putting them on front lawns with a “Free” sign.

Committee chairman J. Christopher Baumann recommended more signage closer to the entrance, and better publicity through the China Connected newsletter and other sources, telling people what they need to pay for, and why, before or as they arrive.

Committee member Benjamin Weymouth suggested an informational handout distributed with annual transfer station stickers. Maraggio and Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said there are existing handouts.

Maraggio plans a building near the entrance for the sand that China residents are allowed in winter storms; he suggested informational signs on the building. (The town website says China residents may take two five-gallon buckets of sand per storm. Palermo residents get sand from their sand/salt shed on North Palermo Road.)

Reporting on recent developments, Maraggio said the three days staff checked access passes at the gate found general compliance, did not lead to delays and annoyed only a few people. Staff plan spot checks in the future.

The lighting at the free for the taking building, and the new concrete compost pad, are installed, Maraggio said. The compost policy has been revised: compost will still be free, but, due to potential liability, staff cannot help China and Palermo residents load it.

Hapgood and Palermo committee member Robert Kurek said they are “making progress” on a revised agreement to let Palermo residents continue to use China’s facility. A draft revision is almost ready for review by the two towns’ attorneys.

Hapgood sent Palermo the required year’s notice of intent to dissolve the current agreement last fall, after a series of problems with Palermo residents, mostly their refusal to buy and use the required blue bags.

She and Kurek, and the respective town office staff members and transfer station staff, continue to spend time tracking down offenders, but the situation has improved. Committee members briefly discussed ways to deal with repeat offenders, agreeing that in most cases, fines were preferable to denying access to the facility.

Transfer station committee members scheduled their next meeting for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10.

China select board sets tax rate at 11.7 mils

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by Mary Grow

Lower than last year, but property owners should expect larger tax bills

China select board members set the 2024-25 tax rate (in their role as town assessors) and lined up several local referendum questions for Nov. 5 at a busy Aug. 12 meeting.

The tax rate they chose, based on assessor William Van Tuinen’s figures and recommendation, is 11.7 mils, or $11.70 for each $1,000 of valuation. This rate is lower than the 2023-24 rate, which Van Tuinen said was 12.26 mils.

However, local property-owners should expect their 2024-25 tax bills to be larger than last year’s.

Van Tuinen explained that town expenses will be higher in three areas: the Kennebec County tax, the municipal budget voters approved at the June town business meeting and the Regional School Unit #18 school budget.

The assessor did a comprehensive upward revision of property values, land and buildings, this spring. Because the values are higher, a lower tax rate will raise enough more money to cover higher expenses.

Tax bills should go out promptly. By town meeting vote, the first half payment is due at the town office by the close of business Monday, Sept. 30.

Potential Nov. 5 referendum issues include amendments to China’s Land Use Ordinance; an amended Tax Increment Financing (TIF) document; an amended Budget Committee Ordinance; and a map of the development district in South China (to complement the description voters approved in June).

Depending partly on the outcome of an Aug. 26 public discussion, there might also be a question requesting a moratorium on high-voltage power transmission lines through China. Board members received a petition to discuss the moratorium; they invite interested residents to participate at their Aug. 26 meeting, which will be in the town office meeting room at 6 p.m.

Many have requested nomination papers

As of Aug. 12, China Town Clerk Angela Nelson reported the following people had taken out nomination papers for local elective office:

— For the select board, incumbent Brent Chesley, Edwin Bailey, Tod Detre and Thomas Rumpf. Incumbent Janet Preston has announced she is not seeking another term; Blane Casey’s term also ends this year.
— For the budget committee, District 4 incumbent Timothy Basham. The other openings on the budget committee are for the secretary (currently vacant), District 2 (northeastern China; incumbent Taryn Hotham) and the At-Large position (incumbent Elizabeth Curtis).
— For one of China’s two seats on the Regional School District #18 board of directors, no one. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said at the Aug. 12 select board meeting incumbent T. James Bachinski does not intend to run for another term.

Signed nomination papers must be returned to the town office by Friday, Sept. 6, for candidates’ names to appear on the Nov. 5 local election ballot.

In other business Aug. 12, select board members and Recreation Committee chairman Martha Wentworth discussed a proposed dog park on the town-owned lot south of the town office, near the red barn.

Wentworth had an estimate of $7,648.52 for 150 linear feet of fencing, with double gates, from Maine Fence of China. The recreation budget can cover the cost, she said.

Board and audience members considered whether the park would be large enough. Wentworth proposed asking local dog-owners for donations and seeking grants for a larger area.

Wentworth said since dogs already use town trails, there would be no extra insurance considerations. Maintenance would include mowing and trash pick-up as needed; dog-owners would be expected to clean up after their pets.

She presented the dog park as a place for residents and their dogs to socialize. Her committee proposes moving the ice rink to the same lot, and she talked of picnic tables and areas for cornhole and similar games.

Select board chairman Wayne Chadwick, a dog owner himself, questioned the need for a dog park in a rural area where most people have room for their dogs to play. He was also concerned about disease transmission among dogs. And he said he was opposed to creating another town park without voter approval.

After 40 minutes’ discussion, board members voted 4-1, with Chadwick opposed, to authorize Wentworth to continue to plan and to seek additional funding, with the understanding they were not making an appropriation for the project.

Other Aug. 12 decisions included:

— Authorizing a little over $14,000 for Provost Monuments, of Benton, to repair headstones in the Branch Mills cemetery;
— Accepting a bid from S. D. Childs & Sons Excavation, of Palermo, for $12,850 for trail work in Thurston Park;
— Accepting bids for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) remediation at the transfer station and public works garage, from Radon Technologies and EverClean Water, in Fairfield, for $9,530, after discussion of water usage and options. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood praised the company’s earlier installation of a system in a nearby private home and said the remedial technology should eliminate the staining and odor that have bothered staff at the facilities.
— Appointing resident Dwaine Drummond to fill a vacancy on the planning board until Nov. 5; board member Blane Casey, the town’s alternate representative to the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (board member Janet Preston is the representative); and codes officer Nicholas French to represent the town at China Region Lakes Alliance board meetings, in response to a request from CRLA.

Hapgood reported on Maine’s blue envelope program, which provides legal-sized blue envelopes for drivers for whom encounters with police might be challenging – those diagnosed with autism, Down Syndrome or anxiety, for example. The China town office has envelopes to distribute.

The next regular China select board meeting will be Monday evening, Aug. 26, with the agenda including the discussion of a power line moratorium.

China TIF committee discusses third amendment to program

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by Mary Grow

Three members of China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee discussed the third amendment to the town’s TIF program, which they intend to ask the select board to present to voters at the Nov. 5 local election.

China’s TIF income is from taxes Central Maine Power Company pays on its transmission line through China and on its South China substation. The town’s 2024-25 tax rate will determine how much the TIF fund receives in the current fiscal year.

China select board members expect to have the information they need to set the tax rate at their Aug. 12 meeting. TIF committee members therefore scheduled an Aug. 19 meeting, expecting to have final figures for the revised plan.

The draft plan calls for TIF funding for one new project, seven on-going ones and matching funds for grants.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood explained that the new project, labeled “Causeway, Phase Two,” will follow up on changes made at the head of China Lake’s east basin with earlier TIF funding. Those included a new bridge with sidewalks, improved boat docks and more parking.

A second phase would include extending the sidewalk farther west and adding one or more docks where people can fish and swim away from the boat landing. Currently, committee members said, people fish from and swim around the boat docks, creating a potentially dangerous situation.

The projects scheduled to continue to receive TIF funding are: improvements at the South China boat landing, aimed at reducing erosion into China Lake; economic development programs; economic development events, like the just-completed China Community Days celebration; marketing China as a business location; environmental improvements; trails maintenance and improvements; and expanded broadband service.

Committee member Jamie Pitney, who drafted the revisions, said state rules allow TIF dollars to be used to match “certain grants.” Since China has not used this category, he is unsure what types of grants are included.

The revised plan deletes funding for two underused and unused projects, the revolving loan fund intended to assist small businesses and the job training program.

Resident Joann Austin attended the Aug. 5 meeting to ask about TIF-supported cultural events. Committee members could not immediately think of any such projects that would meet state TIF requirements.

Committee chairman Brent Chesley and member Lucas Adams thanked Pitney for drafting the 57-page plan. Assuming voters approve it in November, it will be forwarded to state officials in the Department of Economic and Community Development for their approval. If accepted, it will replace China’s current Second Amended TIF Program, approved in 2021.

China planners have new mass gathering ordinance ready for select board

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members decided at their July 30 meeting that they have a proposed new town ordinance ready to forward to select board members.

The document is titled “Mass Gathering Ordinance” and is intended to regulate events that bring 500 or more people to a site, in order to protect nearby residents and participants. Board members began discussion at their July 9 meeting (see the July 18 issue of The Town Line, p. 2).

Board chairman Toni Wall said the title is based on state law. Board members are working from an ordinance that Vassalboro voters narrowly rejected three years ago, adapted to fit China.

Much of the July 30 discussion focused on the application process – what information someone planning to hold a large gathering, like an outdoor concert or a road race, needs to provide. Planners agreed requiring an application three months before the event was scheduled to start was reasonable.

They included a required public hearing to collect comments before acting on an application.

The ordinance, if recommended by the select board and approved by voters (perhaps on Nov. 5), would not apply to pre-existing venues where gatherings are normally held.

The ordinance, if recommended by the select board and approved by voters (perhaps on Nov. 5), would not apply to pre-existing venues where gatherings are normally held. Board members agreed it would not affect most ongoing events, from church fairs and fire department fund-raisers to the annual China Community Days celebration.

Vassalboro’s ordinance was drafted in response to a planned country music festival on private property. The festival was never held.

Wall said she would forward the draft ordinance to town attorney Amanda Meader for her review before it goes to the select board.

Planning board members had one other piece of business July 30, a revised plan for Novel Energy Systems’ solar development on Parmenter Hill Road, approved last fall. Codes Enforcement Officer Nicholas French said Novel Energy has had to buy a different type of solar panel, which requires a different configuration.

There is no change in the size of the area panels will cover, or in buffers or other aspects of the project that affect neighboring lots, French said.

Board members unanimously approved the revised plan.

The next regular China planning board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13.

PHOTO: Summer beauty

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Emily and James Poulin, of South China, photographed this female black swallowtail butterfly.

EVENTS: China Community Days schedule of events Friday, August 2 – Sunday, August 4

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2024 China Community Days Schedule (click to open in new window) PDF

China Historical Society Museum open to public Saturday during China Community Days

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The interior of the China History Museum.

To help promote this year’s China Days celebration, the China Historical Society’s Museum will be open for exploration on Saturday, August 3, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This facility, located in the old town hall, on Lakeview Drive, contains for the present time the society’s collection of artifacts, documents and memorabilia, and is a vast treasure of the town’s history. Any and all are welcome to visit and they will be pleased to show you the space and its contents. You may even discover a part of your own family’s past. Hope to see you there!

CHINA: Town revaluation puts property values near 100 percent

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by Mary Grow

China select board members heard information at their July 29 meeting that they hope will let them set the 2024-25 local tax rate at their Aug. 12 meeting.

Assessor William Van Tuinen said state officials had approved his revaluation of China property. By increasing land values by 10 percent and building values by 20 percent across the board, he brought China’s valuation close enough to actual prices to count as the 100 percent valuation the state wants.

Mobile homes Van Tuinen said he treated differently. Since they had not been revalued for some time, he increased their valuations more, though he kept in mind the lower value of older mobile homes.

With this work done and approved, Van Tuinen said he probably can give selectmen the information and tax rate options they need before their next meeting.

The valuation adjustments do not mean that tax bills will increase by 10 and 20 percent; higher valuations allow a lower tax rate. However, increased expenditures this fiscal year over last year will raise local taxes.

Nomination papers now available

Nomination papers for China local elective offices became available Monday, July 29. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood presented a list of those whose terms expire this year:

— On the select board: Brent Chesley, Blane Casey and Janet Preston;
— On the budget committee: secretary (vacant), District 2 (Taryn Hotham), District 4 (Timothy Basham) and at large (Elizabeth Curtis); and
— RSU #18 Director: T. James Bachinski.

Signed nomination papers must be returned to the town office by Friday, Sept. 6, for candidates’ names to be on the Nov. 5 local ballot.

On another topic, a petition presented at the July 29 meeting asked for a public meeting to discuss and vote on a moratorium on high-voltage transmission lines or corridors passing through the town. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said the petition was started in October 2023 and recently received the required number of signatures.

The three board members present, Jeanne Marquis, Brent Chesley and chairman Wayne Chadwick, discussed whether to schedule a special town meeting, hoping the required 100 voters would show up, or whether to put a transmission line/corridor moratorium ordinance on a Nov. 5 local ballot. On Chadwick’s recommendation, they postponed action until a full board is present.

Hapgood said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved one of China’s three requests for storm damage reimbursement, authorizing a grant of more than $48,000 to cover costs of cleaning up roadside brush and debris. State officials are reviewing the grant, she said. There has been no action yet on the other grant applications.

She presented a brief report on a violation of China’s solid waste ordinance: a seasonal resident entered the transfer station on a Monday, a day it is closed, to leave trash before returning to his year-round
home.

The man self-reported, Hapgood said, perhaps because an attendant saw and recorded him.

The maximum penalty could have been a $700 fine, Hapgood said. Board members considered that it was a first offense and self-reported and imposed a $100 fine.

Board members unanimously approved a renewal license for Wildwood Pawn, Inc., on Gunshop Road north of China Village.

They approved more end-of-fiscal year business, allocating money unspent before June 30 to 2024-25 accounts or reserve funds. They approved contracts for town functions, as Hapgood recommended.

Hapgood reported that Julia Gagnon, Maine’s American Idol contestant earlier this year, will sing at the barbecue that is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 2, at the ballfields by China Middle School, on Lakeview Drive. Barbecue tickets were almost sold out by July 29.

The Aug. 1 – 3 China Community Days schedule is available on line on the China Community Days Facebook page and on the town website, chinamaine.org.

August China select board meetings are scheduled for Monday evening, Aug. 12, and Monday evening, Aug. 26.