Bill Berlinghoff
On Sunday, Aug. 16 (rain date Sunday, Aug. 23), at 2 p.m., the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, on Main Street, in China Village, will present folksinger Bill Berlinghoff in an outdoor concert. Everyone is welcome, admission is free. Attendees are required to wear masks. They should bring their own chairs and space them at least six feet from others, and should bring their own refreshments.
Tom Lefferts (left) and Richard Dillenbeck (right) out picking up trash along Lakeview Drive.
The Second Saturday litter pick-up group, established in 2019 by summer resident Richard Dillenbeck, will be resuming their work. The group is dedicated to cleaning up the road sides in China, especially Route 202.
They do so every second Saturday of the month, and they are always looking for volunteers. For more information, contact Richard Dillenbeck at 445-8186 or email rvdillenbeck@knology.net.
Old Rufus Jones homestead in South China.
Rufus Matthew Jones was a South China farmer’s son who became internationally renowned. Here is the story of his early life, mostly as told by himself in two of his many books.
Rufus Matthew Jones was born Jan. 25, 1863, in South China, into a Quaker family. The Encyclopedia Britannica’s online version calls him “one of the most respected U.S. Quakers of his time.” Wikipedia more comprehensively lists him as an “American religious leader, writer, magazine editor, philosopher, and college professor.”
Rufus M. Jones
In two autobiographical books, Finding the Trail of Life (1931) and A Small Town Boy (1941), Jones describes growing up in South China in the last quarter of the 19th century.
The Quakers, or Society of Friends, have been represented in the area, especially in Vassalboro on the west side of China Lake, since the earliest settlers arrived in the 18th century. (Earlier in this series, in the history of Fairfield, printed in the April 16 issue of The Town Line, the connection between the Vassalboro and the Fairfield Friends was briefly described.)
Rufus Jones’ paternal grandparents were Abel and Susannah Jones. Rufus’s father, Edwin, was their youngest son, born in 1828. In 1815, Abel Jones built the family house on Jones Road where his grandson Rufus was born and raised.
Edwin’s oldest brother was Eli Jones, born in 1807. He married Sibyl Jones, from Brunswick, in 1833; the two were famous for preaching and practicing Quakerism in eastern Canada, Europe, Africa and the Middle East in the mid-19th century. They spent enough time in China to be important influences in their nephew’s life. One of his many books is a biography of his aunt and uncle.
Rufus Jones’ family and their religion emerge as the most important influences in his life. The family consisted of his grandmother Susannah (Abel Jones died in June 1853 and is buried in Dirigo Cemetery, one of several Quaker burying grounds in China); his parents, Edwin and Mary (Hoxie) Jones; his father’s sister, Aunt Peace, born in 1815; his older brother, Walter, and older sister, Alice; and a younger brother, Herbert.
Rufus Jones admired and loved the two senior women in the household. He describes his grandmother as a hard-working housewife who still had time to tell her young grandson exciting stories of China in the old days, full of Indians, bears, hard winters and other travails. He sees Aunt Peace as a beneficial influence, kind, wise, sometimes prophetic and mystical, on daily speaking terms with God. He marvels that no man was discerning enough to marry her.
Despite living with these two strong minded older women, Jones’ mother was the head of the household, he says. He describes her as tender, loving, always knowing the right way to make a bad situation better. She was the disciplinarian more than his father, he says; both disciplined by example and words, never with force.
Jones describes a typical family day as beginning with the family gathering to hear his mother read a Bible chapter, followed by a quiet period, a miniature of the old-fashioned Quaker meeting at which everyone sat in silence feeling God’s presence. One of the family would then talk with God on behalf of the group. Although the day’s house and farm work lay ahead, Jones found these shared moments of religious tranquility anything but wasted time.
The community Quaker meetings the whole family attended faithfully were important in Jones’ whole life, and the one-room schoolhouse where he started his education at the age of four was useful. The two other groups he describes in writing about his childhood were the boys with whom he ran and the men who spent their free time talking in the country store.
The boys, as he describes them, were a mixture of Quakers and non-Quakers who did typical energetic country-boy things, swimming and fishing, sledding and skating, playing games outdoors and in barns. Looking back, Jones realized that he was the group’s unofficial leader. If he had farm chores to finish before he could play, his friends would wait for him or help him; when they debated what to do next, he often had the deciding voice.
As soon as he was old enough, Jones used to get the family mail at the general store, where he lingered to listen to the talk around him – jokes and tales, review of national and local events. When he learned to read confidently, he acquired a leadership role there, too. The men would have him stand on the counter and read aloud to them newspapers, political broadsides and, when the world was quiet, favorite authors like Mark Twain and Artemus Ward.
In both books about his youth, Jones describes his tenth year as a turning point in his inner life. That summer he bruised his foot; the bruise became an infection; the country doctor who punctured it with an unclean lancet gave him a more serious infection that almost cost him his foot and his life.
Jones spent nine months as an invalid, the early weeks in constant pain and frequent fear of death. His grandmother, aunt and mother were his as consolers and companions. He credits his grandmother with recommending he read the Old Testament, often out loud while she listened; the two discussed it at length. Aunt Peace offered him the hope he needed when he felt sure he would die. His mother’s love constantly sustained him. And during his hours alone, he became more aware of what he calls the unseen world, of God’s presence, of moral values.
Many Maine Quakers, like Eli and Sybil Jones and later Rufus Jones, traveled widely. Even gentle Aunt Peace made a religious journey to the mid-West when Jones was very young. These local travelers returned at intervals, and other Friends from away came to China. Nonetheless, South China was basically an isolated country village when Jones grew up there.
He praises the chance to live in the outdoors with China Lake and its in-flowing brooks, the views of distant mountains, the wild flowers and the birds. A trip to Augusta in a horse-drawn wagon was an all-day event; and despite the wonders there, like the Kennebec River, the state house and the courthouse, the stone buildings and perhaps a railroad train, young Jones felt sorry for city boys.
When Jones was 14, he spent a term at what was considered a better grammar school in Weeks Mills Village, a six-mile round-trip walk. Here, he writes, for the first time he had a teacher who was able to introduce him to physics and physiology, though without anything resembling a science laboratory.
The next year, 1878, he spent 11 weeks at the Quaker high school then called Oak Grove Seminary, in Vassalboro (the former campus currently houses the Maine Criminal Justice Academy). This school was 10 miles from South China, so Jones was one of many students who boarded there during the week and went home on weekends. At Oak Grove, he wrote, he was able to study Latin, to advance in mathematics and English and to learn astronomy (though without a telescope).
In the summer of 1879 he decided he needed more education and applied to the Friends School, in Providence, Rhode Island. He was accepted and given a full scholarship.
His first year was briefly interrupted when his mother died in April. He describes how this loss almost destroyed his faith, but memories of her love and her faith saved him.
Jones graduated from Providence Friends School in 1881, took a post-graduate year to improve his Greek to college standards and in 1882 entered Haverford College as a sophomore. There he began his life’s work.
Jones, Rufus M., A Small-Town Boy (1941)
Jones, Rufus M., Finding the Trail of Life (1931)
Vining, Elizabeth Gray, Friend of Life: the Biography of Rufus M. Jones (1958)
Websites, miscellaneous
Next week: the rest of the story.
Travis and Lindsay Hill
Maine Made Marketplace, an online store featuring Maine’s artwork and hand crafted products, grew out of necessity when, due to the pandemic, regional arts shows were cancelled. It was the brainchild of Travis and Lindsay Hill, who are leathersmiths of Hashtag Leatherworks.
In the Spring of 2020, the Hills saw art shows being cancelled or postponed one by one and knew how important these seasonal shows are to the income of Maine’s artisans. It had been a longtime concept of Travis to make a collective of artists available in one place, as he is a digital marketer in his career. This year, necessity brought this concept into reality.
Travis and his wife, Lindsay, moved quickly — both optimistically believe in the adage that ‘when one door closes another opens.’ They also knew that craftspeople would need an outlet this year to replace the income from the shows that oftentimes is their sole income supporting both their families and their craft. They reached out to artists as early as the third week in March.
By April 2, their LLC was active and the website went live shortly afterwards. Word-of-mouth grew in the community of Maine artists and craftspeople. They were soon receiving requests for submissions, so to keep the quality high and the product categories evenly stocked standards comparable to a typical art show were established. Maine Made Marketplace was open May 1 in time for Mother’s Day gifts and to send Maine-made artwork to family members who may not be able to travel to Maine this summer.
Maine Made Marketplace is also open for curbside pick up for online purchases on MaineMadeMarketplace.com. They would like locals to pass this information to summer residents who may be looking for an alternative to the art shows this year.
Mike Crommett orders at Back’s Dairy Bar drive-thru in South China. contributed photo
Back’s Dairy Bar, 390 Route 3, South China, has been a summer icon in South China since 1989. However, this spring it was clear that this summer was going to be different. As they were opening in the beginning of the season, the owners learned of the new retail protocols: keeping customers 6 feet apart and the recommendation for masks. They opened for a few weeks, and learned quickly how difficult it would be to encourage customers to adhere to the new procedures. They voluntarily closed not wanting to be part of the problem. During Back’s brief closure, the owners worked with a contractor and brainstormed an ideal solution: a drive-through window.
This may seem like a simple fix, but it was more complicated than just adding a window. It meant re-configuring how they operated inside the building with a realignment of equipment and additional staff. The owners drove around the parking lot to plot out the ideal traffic flow for customers. This planning paid off making their reopening a success and a smooth transition to their drive-through operation.
Full Fork Farm adapted early on to the retail challenges of Covid by establishing a self-service, roadside farmstand. The farmstand features modern conveniences of refrigeration, freezer space and the digital capability to swipe your credit card.
Customers are able to safely purchase farm fresh produce from Full Fork and other local sources. Their intention, according to their website, is to make the stand as close to a one-stop shop as possible. In addition to the fruits and veggies grown on their own land, they offer maple syrup, meat, bread, artisan flours, milk, cheese and eggs from regional producers.
Adaptation and sustainability come naturally to Full Fork farm as they practice full circle farming. They preserve the nutrients of the soil with organic techniques and protect the quality of future crops through seed stewardship, saving the seeds from the very best plants. To them nutrition is full circle — healthy soil means more nutritious produce. In keeping with their philosophy of sustainability, it makes sense that Full Fork was able to quickly adapt to the new needs of their local customers. Their farmstand is located at 154 Dutton Road, in China.
by Mary GrowChina Planning Board members are scheduled to review two potential ordinances at their July 28 meeting, set for 6:30 p.m., in the town office meeting room. They are a Recreational Marijuana Ordinance and a Local Food and Self Governing Ordinance.
Interested residents are welcome at this first open planning board meeting since early March, if they wear masks and observe social distancing. Those without masks will not be admitted. The meeting will be live-streamed as it happens and archived for future viewing.
photo: China School’s Forest Facebook
I am coordinating a work day at the China School Forest for Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Helpers can come for part or all day. There are many projects that can be done with social distancing in place or in family groups. All volunteers should wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water to drink. Many people are enjoying the trails this summer and the schools may be using the forest areas a lot this fall, when school is back in session. Would you please share this with anyone in your group who might be willing to help? I can be reached at 968-2255 or chinaschoolsforest@gmail.com.
We need volunteers for the following projects –
If people are not able to help on the 25th, but want to help at another time, they can also contact Anita Smith.
by Mary GrowAt their July 20 meeting, China selectmen approved new Town Manager Becky Hapgood’s proposed town office hours, emphasizing her plan to review them after a few months’ trial.
The new schedule, effective Saturday, Aug. 1, will be as follows: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday the office will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday hours, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and on the first Saturday of each month, beginning Aug. 1, the office will be open from 8 to 11 a.m.
Wayne Chadwick dissented on the decision, because Hapgood proposes reinstating Saturday morning hours only one Saturday a month, instead of every week as in pre-pandemic days.
Chadwick and Board Chairman Ronald Breton pointed out that in an advisory referendum in November 2019, China voters endorsed Saturday hours. The referendum question asked voters if they preferred to have three town office hours from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, or from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays. The result was 490 votes for continuing the then-current Saturday schedule and 180 votes for changing to a late closing on Thursdays.
Donna Mills-Stevens recommended accepting Hapgood’s plan as a temporary Covid-19 measure, to be reconsidered at an appropriate future time.
The other major discussion July 20 was about China Lake’s water quality. Tom Michaud and Scott Pierz came to the meeting to talk about water quality programs in the age of Covid-19; they have received questions about whether the lake is turning green.
Pierz said Kennebec Water District Director of Water Quality Robbie Bickford said Secchi disc readings showed the lake water is nowhere near as clear as it was this time last summer. Pierz cited experts from Colby College and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection who blame the unusually hot weather for poor water quality.
The water level is also high, in China Lake and, Chadwick commented, in other area lakes. Michaud thinks the high water might be a factor, and he questions whether last fall’s drawdown was enough to drain off a significant amount of the phosphorus that feeds algae blooms.
Pierz suggested that China selectmen consider exploring the possibility of acquiring the East Vassalboro outlet dam, which controls the water level, from the Town of Vassalboro. Breton said a first step would be to seek legal advice on buying property located in another town.
Michaud’s report on lake issues was that two programs, gravel road work and Lakesmart recognition for landowners with effective run-off controls, are continuing in modified form this summer, despite Covid-19.
For the Tax Increment Finance Committee, he reported that two bids were received for Phase Two of the causeway project at the head of the east basin and TIF members, Hapgood and others will begin discussions with the low bidder. Phase Two involves shoreline protection and a walkway to complement the new causeway bridge.
In other business July 20, selectmen:
The next regular China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, Aug. 3.
China town manager Rebecca Hapgood. (photo by Eric W. Austin)
As China’s new town manager, Becky Hapgood is taking over the position at one of the most challenging times in the town’s history. With big projects on the horizon, like the Causeway Phase 2 construction planned for later this summer, and the COVID-19 pandemic making all aspects of life more complicated, Hapgood is facing a host of responsibilities right out of the gate not usually associated with being a small-town manager.
Thankfully, Hapgood has a number of factors in her favor. She’s worked at the China town office for nearly three decades and was recognized for 25 years of service in a ceremony last year. During that time, she has served under three town managers in China and watched at least that many come and go in nearby towns. This experience has given her a perspective on the job not possessed by most who take up the position. I asked her what she has learned.
“Always be open and transparent,” she says. “Have conversations. Listen to what people say. Those are my big things. Transparency is key. Having communications — not only with the townspeople, but with the employees, because the employees are what back you up. They are your support system.”
Luckily, she’s feeling pretty good about her team at the town office. “I love our people,” she gushes enthusiastically. “We have some very top-notch people.”
It helps that she already thinks of the town of China as home. Growing up here, her parents opened and operated the Back’s Dairy Bar, in South China, for many years. After high school, she attended Thomas College, in Waterville, and graduated with a degree in business management. With this experience and education, one thing she understands is the importance of supporting local businesses.
“My father always used to drive home that it was sometimes difficult to do business in China,” she recalls. “It was something that I always remember as a kid growing up. When you have a business, there are always hurdles, but to have somebody work in conjunction with you … or just help you to access things you need to start up a business or to help your business grow [is an important part of the town manager job].”
The COVID-19 pandemic has also created new difficulties not encountered by most of her predecessors. The risks posed by the virus have turned mundane activities and services offered by the town office into new and unique challenges.
It doesn’t help that the town office is busier than ever, partially because one staff person is currently out on leave, which has left the office shorthanded, but also because the demands on the town office staff have increased in the two and a half decades Hapgood has been there.
“The community is far busier,” she says. “We just can’t keep up. We can barely do our day-to-day stuff. We’ve got an election coming up in July and there’s no time to breathe! [With] the election, and Dennis [Heath, current town manager,] getting done, we’re just keeping our heads above water.”
And in the current health crisis, the recent election presented a special challenge. Since the annual business meeting was canceled because of the pandemic, all of the items normally decided at the meeting were on the written ballot instead.
“[We’re] trying to figure out how to get a mass amount of people into a voting booth when we now have a written ballot that is four pages — and that’s just the municipal ballot,” she says.
The pandemic creates other, unique challenges for town offices holding elections. Officials handing out ballots will need to stand behind Plexiglass shields, and volunteers manning the voting machines need to maintain a safe distance at all times. Residents waiting to vote will need to be kept out of the sun while still observing proper social distancing. All of this adds additional complications to an already hectic day.
Things weren’t exactly easy even before the current crisis. “The amount of time needed to invest in what we do to prepare for an election is so much more than it was even ten years ago,” says Hapgood.
One of the other trends that Hapgood has observed over the last several decades is a drop in local community involvement. Volunteers are harder to find than they used to be. Town committees are sometimes sparsely populated and filling vacancies is more difficult. Hapgood has been in a unique place to observe this alarming trend, in her position as town clerk, as a volunteer coach for China youth athletics, and as one of the founders of the China Community Days event, which was skipped this summer for the first time in 17 years.
“We’re finding out more now that people aren’t necessarily into volunteering and participating,” she says. “We used to see a lot of volunteers, whether it be for athletics or things here [at the town office]. Our volunteer numbers are dwindling. People have other focuses in their lives.”
And that was before the current complications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Just as a coach in youth [athletics] over the years…the numbers have decreased steadily. That’s why, back in the day, we started China Community Days,” she explains, “because we could see that [civic engagement] was slipping, and this gave us an avenue to bring everybody together.” Even that effort is struggling though. “It’s evident within the China Community Days volunteers,” she admits with a sigh.
More than anything, Hapgood would like to see that trend reverse. “I am all about the community,” she says. “This is where I grew up…and [I’m] very invested in the community. I like to see where the kids go off to school and see them return [and] watch their kids grow up…and welcoming people back to town when they move back. Those are the important things. Those are the connections we need here — we need more of them!”
After her many years dedicated to the town of China, it’s no surprise that Hapgood is taking over the town manager position with a great deal of community support. In my research for this article, I invited local residents to leave comments on Facebook about their interactions with Becky over the years. Here are a few of the things they shared. (The following comments have been lightly edited for spelling errors and readability.)
“Becky Hapgood always has a ‘positive can-do and super helpful’ manner in approaching any question I have ever posed to her at the town office,” says Christine Castner, a South China resident who grew up in China Village. “That attitude has been the over-riding impression I have had with any interaction with Becky.”
“Hunted and vacationed in China for years,” comments Paul Lucas. “When the opportunity came in 2006, we bought a home and moved to China. On our first visit to the China town office, Becky introduced herself and helped us by explaining what we needed to do to register vehicles, where to vote, about the Homestead Act, and directions to the Registry of Motor Vehicles for driver’s licenses. When my wife, Jane, and I left the town office that day, we knew we had made the right decision moving to China. Becky is always polite, professional and helpful. She will always take a moment to smile and say hello. A wonderful choice for town manager. Congratulations.”
Wendy Paine says, “Becky has always taken calls, texts, and private messages on weekends and after hours. She totally didn’t need to do this but always has! And [she has] always encouraged people to reach out to her anytime!”
For Becky Hapgood, the town of China is her life and she’s always on duty. “If we’re in Hannaford, people stop me all the time and ask questions — and it’s no big deal!” she insists. “Whether it’s ten o’clock at night or eight o’clock in the morning, that’s what I’m here for.”
The lengths she will go to seem, in fact, to have no bounds. Bunny Caldwell told me, “Becky has always been great to do business with. She helped us register our Maine dogs from Florida, and one year even chipped in a couple of bucks of her own that we owed in our taxes. We paid her back as soon as we got home. She always is friendly and has a big smile for everyone.”
Resident Kim Leighton Matthews expressed similar sentiments: “She has always gone [above and] beyond to help solve any problems we may have had with voter registration, a work permit for [our] teenage daughter, registering our dog, etc…” she says in a comment. “It has always felt less like dealing with bureaucracy and more like neighbor helping neighbor with Becky.”
Another resident, Michelle Bourque, saw Matthews’ comment and agreed wholeheartedly: “You nailed it: ‘More like neighbor helping neighbor with Becky.’”
Jeanne Marquis, who lives in China Village and serves as volunteer coordinator for the China for a Lifetime Committee, a local group that supports community activism, confirms Hapgood’s commitment to helping others. “Becky has connected local residents who need a little help to the China for a Lifetime Committee,” she says. “It is always in confidence so I can’t tell you the details, just that the individuals are very appreciative. She has a big heart!”
Another resident, Terrie Farris, remembers her time in China youth athletics under Coach Hapgood. “Becky was my J.V. basketball coach at China schools,” she recalls, “and she is someone I will never forget. She was always patient, supportive, understanding, caring and compassionate. She put her all into helping us become better players. She was always upbeat, positive — a can-do attitude with so much love in her heart to share with us all. I think it’s important for a coach to be able to connect with her players on a personal level and she was always tuned into us all as individuals. Becky is someone I’ve never forgotten or lost touch with as I’ve grown into an adult and a mother. She is just fabulous and I love seeing her expand on her career path.”
According to longtime resident Martha Wentworth, the new town manager also has a mischievous sense of humor. “Becky is a great prankster,” she says. “That has got to make your article. I have a story for you if you need one, but I’m only one in a pool of many China residents that have been schooled by this fine lady. I have yet to get her back.” Let’s just say, one of the stories involves wanted posters plastered all over a parking lot and another involves cars filled with packing peanuts!
Angela Nelson, who has worked for municipalities in Palermo and Sidney, and is now taking over the town clerk position in China, remembers leaning on Hapgood’s experience over the years. “When I first started in the municipality world in March of 2012,” she says, “Becky was the friendly voice on the other end of the phone, eager to help in any way she can. She even stopped by my office to help me with my first ever accounts payable warrant. Now, here we are eight years later and I have the privilege to work with her every day! Her vast knowledge of China and municipal government is irreplaceable. Congratulations, Becky.”
Michelle Laweryson Presby seems to summarize the broad community feelings about Becky Hapgood when she commented: “Becky was always a talented and much-appreciated high school sport photographer – not only for her athletes, but for the entire team. Becky always goes above and beyond in everything she does personally and professionally!”
As you have probably concluded already if you’ve read this far, Becky is facing a tough time ahead as China’s new town manager, with big projects on the horizon, an uncertain future with COVID-19, and a trending lack of civic engagement that is impacting many small towns in Maine and around the country – but she’s also taking on the position with an overwhelming and unprecedented level of local community support.
Contact the author at ericwaustin@gmail.com.
by Mary GrowChina voters approved the entire warrant for the 2020 annual town meeting at the polls July 14, including the 2020-21 municipal budget and related items. This year’s voting was by written ballot because the town’s quorum requirement of 118 registered voters is incompatible with coronavirus-mandated limits on the number of people assembled in one place at the same time.
Town Clerk Becky Hapgood said the most popular item was funding for China’s three volunteer fire departments and China Rescue, approved by 876 voters with 76 opposed. Only one other question got more than 800 supporting votes: the question authorizing the town manager and selectmen to apply for grants and to use Tax Increment Finance funds for matching money when required got 809 votes, with 132 voters opposed.
Least popular was the annual appropriation for FirstPark, the Oakland-based regional business park that China joined when it was first created. It was authorized by 525 voters, with 459 voting no.
Voting was conducted in the former portable classroom behind the town office, with a large white tent outside to protect those waiting in line. Hapgood said the tent did not collapse during the heavy rain in the late afternoon and early evening.
China voters, along with voters in Belgrade, Oakland, Rome and Sidney, were asked to confirm or reject the Regional School Unit 18 budget for 2020-21 approved at a June open meeting, and to authorize the RSU to issue bonds for school renovations. Hapgood did not have the local count on that ballot as of almost midnight; an hour later, the town’s website showed each question was approved by a margin of more than 500 votes.
by Mary GrowAt their July 6 first-in-the-month meeting, China selectmen heard town department reports, submitted in writing and summarized by retiring Town Manager Dennis Heath.
The major news from the town office is that people may now enter the building to transact business. No more than two people are allowed in at the same time; masks are required; and the area is disinfected between visitors. Monday was the first day; Heath said things went smoothly.
The system is set up with a bell outdoors to let people notify those in the office that someone is waiting. Other signs give additional instructions, including a request to be patient if no one responds immediately to the bell: everyone inside might be on the phone.
The public works report said paving had started on Mann, Plummer and South roads. The crew had removed a beaver dam on Ingraham Road.
Transfer station employees have been very busy now that more services, including recycling, have reopened.
On behalf of the assessor, Heath reported enough new construction to make him “cautiously optimistic” the town’s valuation will increase when assessing is complete.
In his capacities as manager and treasurer, Heath said, “We did very well” in FY 2019-2020. Property tax collection was at 99.7 percent, he said. Revenues exceeded projections and expenditures were under budget.
He quickly added, “You’d best use caution going into this next fiscal year, because that’s when you really may see the hit on revenues.”
Heath will have retired and Becky Hapgood will have succeeded him before the next regular China selectmen’s meeting July 20. The July 6 meeting included a brief handing-over ceremony modeled on the military transitions familiar to Heath.
Heath and Selectboard Chairman Ronald Breton presented Hapgood with a personalized bison-hide padfolio made by China craftsman Travis Hill, and the three exchanged thanks and good wishes. A cake made by town office staffer Angela Nelson followed.
Hapgood intends to use her gift to “keep papers organized for meetings.”