PHOTO: Success on the ice
James Owens, son of Anne Owens, of Vassalboro, caught this beautiful brown trout, in China Lake, on Saturday, January 18. The trout was 19 inches long and weighed 3 pounds.
China select board OKs kayak, paddleboat rental station
by Mary Grow
The three main issues at the Jan. 27 China select board meeting were town trucks; a proposed kayak and paddleboard rental station; and recreation programs. Board members postponed decision on a new truck for two weeks and, on a split vote, authorized the rental station.
Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood and Director of Public Services Shawn Reed described expensive problems with some of China’s older plow trucks. Two are 10 years old; Reed recommends replacing one this year.
Reed reminded select board members he proposed buying a new truck a year ago. They did not include the purchase in the 2024-25 budget; but they recommended, and voters approved, a $200,000 increase in the public works equipment reserve, bringing it to about $305,000.
Since last spring, Reed said, the price of the Western Star he recommends has increased by $13,000, to close to $300,000 with plow gear. When he suggested the delay had wasted $13,000 of taxpayers’ money, board chairman Wayne Chadwick replied that it also resulted in a newer truck that hadn’t started depreciating. But, Hapgood countered, during the year there had been repair expenses.
“As these trucks age, nothing with them is getting better, and the cost to replace them is going up,” Reed said. He favors a replacement schedule, so town officials won’t find they need several trucks all at once.
As a China taxpayer, he agreed with select board member Blane Casey that raising taxes isn’t desirable. But neither is having too few trucks to keep roads clear and residents safe, he said.
During the most recent storm, he said, one truck quit in the middle of Route 3; another had to be sent to haul it off the road.
After 20 minutes’ discussion, board members postponed a decision to their Feb. 10 meeting.
Sheriff alerts residents of power scams
Kennebec County Sheriff’s Deputy Ivano Steffanizzi shared the department’s message for county residents at the Jan. 27 China select board meeting: if someone shows up at your door offering to lower your electric bill, send him away: it’s a scam.
Official-looking imposters have been collecting electricity bill numbers and credit card numbers or other payment information on the pretext of representing Central Maine Power Company, Stefanizzi said.
He also urged residents to keep an eye on their elderly, live-alone neighbors in winter weather, if possible helping them feel less isolated.
Recreation Committee Chairman Martha Wentworth first presented the rental idea in January 2024. She recommended the town contract with a Michigan company named Rent.Fun.
In return for an upfront fee from the town, the company would provide four kayaks and four paddle boards, with paddles and lifejackets, in a secure cage. People could rent the equipment, using a phone app and a credit card.
Revenue would be split evenly between Rent.Fun and the town. The company would pay for repairs and maintenance, using local labor if the town requested, and for liability insurance.
In October 2024, Wentworth applied for TIF (Tax Increment Financing) money for the town’s share. She said the project was deemed ineligible.
This year, Wentworth said, the town’s fee had increased, from $29,000 to $35,000; she had talked with a Rent.Fun official and negotiated it down to $33,500. Rent.Fun had made other contract changes she thought undesirable, but the official agreed to honor China’s 2024 understanding.
Select board members talked another 40 minutes about all aspects of the plan before voting 3-1, with Edwin Bailey, Casey and Jeanne Marquis in favor, Chadwick opposed and Thomas Rumpf absent, to approve it. In addition to money appropriated last year, they authorized $14,000 from the recreation reserve and $5,000 from the select board’s contingency fund.
Chadwick said he believes the enterprise should be privately, not municipally, funded.
Hapgood said the exact location of the approximately eight-by-eight-foot structure near the China Lake boat launch by the causeway will be determined, considering convenience and safety, minimal interference with already-inadequate parking and winter plowing around it.
In addition to the China Recreation Committee that Wentworth heads, there is a China Recreation Sports Committee, headed by Mike Sullivan. Sullivan attended the Jan. 27 select board to ask for the select board’s support in what he described as a competitive situation with out-of-town interests.
Sullivan and Wentworth disagreed over aspects of the programs. Chadwick recommended investigation before the select board considered any action.
In other business, board members awarded the 2025 mowing bid to the low bidder, Littlefield Lawn Care, of China, for $26,500.
They unanimously authorized Hapgood to sign a 2025-26 State of Maine dispatch contract for emergency services dispatching, for $51,199.
Hapgood issued a reminder that nominations for Spirit of America awards are due by Feb. 1. The agenda says there is an on-line nomination form at https://chinamaine.org/images/PDFs/Spirit_of_America_Award_nomination_form.pdf.
Hapgood suggested people call the town office before submitting a nomination, to find out whether the person previously received the award.
The manager announced a budget workshop at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, in the town office meeting room. She intends to present a draft 2025-26 budget.
The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10.
Applications for 2025 TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds are due by Feb. 28.
Vassalboro transfer station members focus on wetlands
by Mary Grow
Much of the Jan. 23 discussion among Vassalboro Transfer Station Task Force members focused on wetlands.
Task Force members have talked for months about a rearrangement of the waste disposal facility on Lombard Dam Road. Their main goal is to increase safety by traffic changes. They would like to eliminate the need for residents to back up to the waste hoppers and simplify traffic flow.
Town officials intend to buy most of a foreclosed parcel immediately east of the transfer station to provide more space for a redesign. The land includes a right-of-way, wetlands and a small steam.
Town Manager Aaron Miller will try to find out if the right-of-way is still valid; the property it serves to the south apparently now has another access from the east. The extent of the wetlands, and the restrictions imposed, are under discussion with staff from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Task Force chairman Chris French plans to notify DEP that town officials intend to avoid infringing on wetlands.
Task Force members agreed their next step should be to have engineer Jeff Senders, of Senders science, engineering & construction, of Camden, revise plans he prepared in May 2024.
They also talked about adding roofs over open waste containers and pads under waste piles (like compost), projects recommended by transfer station manager Adam Daoust. Miller plans to prepare requests for bids for various projects.
To give Senders time to revise his plan, the next Task Force meeting will not be until Thursday, March 5, at 5:15 p.m., before the select board meeting scheduled for that evening.
Vassalboro trails committee discusses maintenance work
Vassalboro Trails (photo by Laura Jones)
by Mary Grow
Vassalboro Trails Committee members discussed maintenance work for 2025 at a Jan. 21 meeting. At chair John Melrose’s suggestion, they agreed by consensus to ask town voters for a $1,250 budget allocation for 2025-26, the same amount as in the current year.
Melrose said this year’s funds are two-thirds spent, and the rest will be used before the fiscal year ends June 30. Town funds are supplemented by a great deal of volunteer work, assistance from the public works department and gifts.
The meeting agenda listed trails for which the committee is responsible: Town Forest/Red Brook, Seaward Mills, Davidson Preserve, Spectacle Pond, Sturgis Sanctuary, Willow Walk and Vassalboro Wildlife Habitat, plus snowmobile trails.
Individual committee members reported on several trails they had checked recently. They found only minor storm damage and generally good conditions.
Proposed projects include widening parts of some trails by cutting brush; dealing with wet areas in various ways, from adding gravel to building bridges; and adding signs, both trail signs and, if possible, signs identifying different tree species.
Committee members endorsed working with the Kennebec Land Trust to provide additional parking for the Seaward Mills trail. Melrose said public works director Brian Lajoie intends to have the town crew improve parking at the Sturgis Sanctuary later in the spring.
From the audience, resident Dave Richard offered assistance with trail work in general and especially if committee members were interested in allowing mountain biking on some trails.
Committee members did not set a new meeting date. They will schedule a trails work day this spring; Melrose suggested in May.
CORRECTION: The January 30, 2025, issue of The Town Line contained an article on the Vassalboro Trails Committee Meeting. It was mistakenly reported the current appropriation at $1,250 which was reported as stated. The current year is set at $1,100 and that’s what they will be requesting in the upcoming budget. It was a source error.
VASSALBORO: All town voters can vote for sanitary district trustees
by Mary Grow
Vassalboro select board members settled two issues that have been on their meeting agendas since November 2024.
They agreed that all town voters, not just those who live in the area the Vassalboro Sanitary District serves, can vote for VSD trustees. And they approved a handicapped parking space at Hair Builders on Oak Grove Road, in North Vassalboro.
Initially, select board members and Town Manager Aaron Miller believed state law let only people served by a sanitary district elect its board of trustees. However, in the last few weeks two attorneys, the VSD’s and the town’s, have said all voters may weigh in.
In a related matter, select board members appointed Donna E. Daviau a member of the VSD board. Like Ericka Roy, appointed in October 2024, she will serve until the next election. Both are eligible to run for election for a full term in June.
Board members also had an attorney’s opinion that they could create the handicapped parking space requested by Hair Builders, and that since it was in an area where parking is allowed, they do not need to hold a public hearing. The handicapped space was approved 2 – 1, with board chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., and Michael Poulin in favor and Chris French opposed.
The space will be in an area where overnight parking is prohibited, from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Miller and board members plan to provide signs that identify the handicapped space and prohibit using it, and adjoining areas, overnight.
Also on the Jan. 23 agenda were continued discussion of town personnel policy and recreation committee bylaws; another discussion of transfer station fees and revenue; and a topic Poulin proposed, expanding uses for Vassalboro’s TIF (Tax Increment Financing) money.
Board members almost finished reviewing the personnel policy. They have been debating options for giving time off for holidays, complicated because some holidays fall on days when not all staff would be working (like the day after Thanksgiving, a Friday when the town office is closed) and some (like Independence Day and Christmas) are tied to a date, not a day of the week.
Denico described other towns’ policies that Miller had collected as “all over the map,” with no consistency.
A draft personnel policy will be reviewed at the next board meeting.
Miller and Recreation Director Karen Stankis had developed draft revised recreation committee bylaws. Stankis plans to seek committee members’ input; she said the next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 10.
The question of transfer station fees was again postponed after a brief discussion. It has two components: as part of the total Vassalboro transfer station budget, and in relation to nearby towns. Station manager Adam Daoust started the discussion, concerned that Vassalboro’s comparatively low disposal fees for some items lead to out-of-towners trying to bring them in.
Poulin had compiled pages of information on other central Maine towns’ TIF plans. Board members discussed the amendment process, which includes a public hearing, tentatively scheduled for their Feb. 20 meeting, and getting approvals from the state Department of Economic and Community Development and from town voters.
Board members will hold their annual workshop meeting on the draft 2025-26 budget at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4. Their next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, Feb. 6, preceded (according to the calendar on the town website, vassalboro.net) by a 5:30 p.m. workshop.
EVENTS: 6th annual China Lake ice fishing derby slated for February 16, 2025
Local angler enjoys setting up ice fishing traps at the China Lake Ice Fishing Derby. This year’s derby will be held on February 16 on China Lake benefiting the China Four Seasons Club and the China Village Fire Department. (photo courtesy of Sandy Isaac)
by Sandy Isaac
The China Four Seasons Club and the China Village Fire Department are co-hosting the the 6th Annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby, scheduled for Sunday, February 16, during Maine’s Free Fishing Weekend.
Building on the success of previous years, the weekend will feature the town-wide “China Ice Days” activities beginning Friday evening. Highlights include a “Bean Suppah” at the China Village Mason’s Lodge followed by a guided snowmobile ride, weather permitting. Additional Friday events include a Silent Disco, at the Middle School, and an Owl Prowl, at Thurston Park.
Saturday’s lineup offers something for everyone: a Pancake Breakfast, at the Dirigo Mason’s Lodge, in Weeks Mills, a Cornhole Tournament, sponsored by Central Maine Power Sports, sledding, at Thurston Park (snow dependent), and snowshoeing, at the School Forest. The China Lake Association will sponsor ice skating at the China Rink by the Town Office, complete with s’mores and a warming fire pit.
Sunday remains dedicated to the main event – the ice fishing derby, with all fishing restricted to China Lake. The derby will conclude with an awards ceremony followed by a spectacular fireworks display by Central Maine Pyrotechnics. All weekend activities are open to the public.
“There is no lack of ice this year,” said China Four Seasons Club President Tom Rumpf. “We just need a little more snow to enhance some of the other activities. We encourage everyone to check our website and the Ice Derby’s Facebook page for updates.”
Reservations are required for the Silent Disco and Cornhole Tournament, both of which have participation fees. The “Bean Suppah” and Pancake Breakfast also have associated costs: $10 for the suppah and $8 for breakfast.
Rumpf added, “The China Ice Days and Annual Fishing Derby offer individuals and families a fantastic opportunity to embrace the outdoors while participating in a cherished local tradition. Each year, we build on the fun and enthusiasm. This year’s event coincides with Maine’s Free Fishing Weekend, which is an added bonus. We will follow all State of Maine ice fishing laws and regulations.”
Fishing derby weigh-ins will take place at 4 p.m., on Sunday. All entries must be in line at the Fire Station, on Causeway Road, by 4 p.m. to qualify for prizes. Awards will be presented in the following fish categories: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown trout, brook trout, and pickerel. In the children’s category, prizes will be awarded to the top five participants who catch the most perch. The derby’s top honor sponsored by Diesel Dan, the “lunker of the day,” will go to the angler with the largest fish overall.
The first 100 children to visit the China Village Fire Station will receive complimentary ice fishing bait buckets filled with goodies, courtesy of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, The Maine Audubon Society, and other generous donors. The buckets will be available, starting at 5 a.m., on derby day. Additionally, Central Church will be set up on the ice near the Fire Station to assist children new to fishing, and Traps for Kids of Maine will provide free traps to children, while supplies last.
“We’ll also be giving away over 50 door prizes,” Rumpf noted. “These include a double portable Nordic Legend Aurora Ice Shack from Central Maine Camper Rentals, a StrikeMaster Electric Ice Auger from Wings Tree Service, 100 gallons of heating fuel from Augusta Fuel Company, pumping services from B&B Septic, an Amphibious Cooler from Hannaford Supermarket, $500 cash from Vacationland Rentals, and Lakeview Lumber donated five separate prizes for the raffle. Many other fantastic prizes and gift certificates have been donated by local businesses. Our door prizes have really created quiet a following of their own.”
Tickets prices have not changed; $5 each or three for $10 and are available at local retailers, including China Variety & Redemption, Greg’s Restaurant, Harvest Time Bait, Lakeview Lumber, and the China Town Office. Members of the China Four Seasons Club and the China Village Fire Department also have tickets available for purchase.
For more information on door prizes, sponsors, and ticket details, visit the China Lake Ice Fishing Derby’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/China-Lake-Ice-Fishing-Derby or the official website at www.chinalakeicefishingderby.com.
SNHU announces Fall 2024 president’s list
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2024 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.
Ascher ter Kuile, of Vassalboro, Rebecca Cherish, Blake Laweryson, of North Anson, River Garling, of Madison, Zachary Eggen, of LIBERTY, Allison Nickerson, of Fairfield, Jacob Colson, of Albion, Sierra Winson, of Winslow, Andre Coachman, of Waterville, Joseph Slater of Winslow, Duncan Sawyer, of Waterville, Oase Erkamp, of Waterville, Trevor Lovely, of Winslow, Andrew Cronk, of China, Jennifer Anastasio, of Jefferson, Jaimie Thomas, of Sidney, Krista Neal, of Augusta, Ivette Hernandez Cortez, of Augusta, Krista Knight, of Augusta, Kristopher Mank, of Augusta, and Jamison Bragdon, of Augusta.
Oakland woman named Maine Mother of the Year
Monica Wilcox Charette
Monica Wilcox Charette, of Oakland, has been named 2025 Maine Mother of the Year. Charette will be recognized and represent Maine at the 90th National Convention of American Mothers, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in April, where one honoree will be named American Mother of the Year.
A native of Aroostook County, Charette is a graduate of Presque Isle High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Maine at Orono. She has lived in Oakland, Kennebec County, for the past three decades with her husband Randy, and their children, Cassidy and Colby.
She is a journalist, photographer, author, and podcast creator/host. Charette has a 35-year professional career working in the nonprofit sector, including serving as director of public relations for the former Mid-Maine Medical Center, fund development director at Mount Merici Academy, and she served the last 10 years as communications director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine.
Charette is the founder and executive director of ShineOnCass Foundation, a nonprofit created 10 years ago to carry forth the legacy of her 17-year-old daughter Cassidy Charette, a longtime community volunteer and advocate for children, who died in a Maine hayride accident in 2014. According to American Mothers, Inc., Charette has used this platform to champion youth mentoring, animal welfare, youth literacy, provide scholarships for athletics, music and art, and establish multiple community scholarships and awards for service-focused high school students in central Maine. She also helped inaugurate multiple youth mentoring programs in her community and created free lending libraries for children at Boys/Girls Clubs and YMCAs in Waterville and Augusta. She and her son Colby co-host Holding the Light Podcast to support bereaved families of child loss.
Charette also volunteers as a weekly coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters ShineOnCass youth mentoring program at Messalonskee, serves on the Oakfest, Maine Committee, and is a member of the Waterville Area Women’s Club.
“It is an honor to represent all Maine Moms, and especially my fellow bereaved mothers, at the national convention this spring,” Charette said. “I am humbled to be chosen to represent our beautiful state and many mothers for whom I have tremendous respect and admiration. I’ve never been more inspired, or prouder, to be a Mainer.
Every year, mothers from around the country are selected by a national committee from American Mothers, Inc. to represent their respective state as Mother of the Year. The mission is to recognize mothers and their positive impact in their families and communities. To support this year’s Mother of the Year through the Maine Chapter of American Mothers, contact Lisa Newall at Lisa.Newell@va.gov. For information about American Mothers, Inc., visit americanmothers.org.
New librarian at ACB Library
Alexis Burbank
by Birdie
The new librarian at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Librarian, in China Village, is Alexis Burbank. She initiated her tenure in October 2024 and is devoted to fostering the library’s growth and development. She has been working diligently on introducing family-friendly activities, including the ongoing 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge.
Furthermore, she hosts multiple craft nights and is developing a summer reading program. Her favorite literary genre is folklore. Additionally, she is a talented artist.
Alexis graduated from the University of Maine Machias in 2014 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts. She has been actively engaged in artistic pursuits since childhood. Alexis collaborates with fellow artists to create illustrated books, which are subsequently published. She also designs leather masquerade masks, which are shipped globally through her online business, Faylander Studios. Her artwork has been featured in Downeast magazine, and she won the poster contest at the Windsor Fair last year for her poster of pulling horses.
If you haven’t had the chance to meet her yet, I highly recommend visiting our exceptional library and introducing yourself to her!
CHINA: Most residents agree with $2 stickers at transfer station
by Mary Grow
China transfer station staff and Palermo representatives on China’s Transfer Station Committee agree that the majority of residents of both towns are cooperative about paying $2 for their 2025 transfer station windshield stickers.
As usual, some complain, they reported at the committee’s Jan 14 meeting.
The point of requiring the stickers on the windshields of vehicles registered in China or Palermo is to prevent China taxpayers from paying to dispose of out-of-town trash. Palermo and China have an agreement under which Palermo contributes money annually to the China facility and Palermo residents use special trash bags that they pay for.
China Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood explained that the sticker requirement sometimes gets complicated. A not uncommon case, she said, is when an older China resident (and taxpayer) has an out-of-town family member – whose vehicle is ineligible for a China sticker – transport the resident’s trash.
Committee member Benjamin Weymouth asked how often these sorts of issues arise.
“More than you’d expect,” Hapgood replied.
Transfer station manager Thomas Maraggio agreed, estimating irregular situations several times a week.
Before vehicle stickers were reinstated, transfer station users had placards to hang on their rearview mirrors, which could be removed and shared. Maraggio said trash volume went down after the change to stickers.
Stickers are available at both town offices and at the transfer station. Town office staff can look up vehicle registrations; transfer station staff cannot, and need to see the document.
Hapgood and Maraggio mentioned pending projects, possible grants to help fund some of them and preliminary suggestions for the 2025-26 budget request.
Maraggio said the station’s scales, used to weigh demolition debris and brush, are 20 years old and have an expected lifetime of 20 years. He has no cost estimate for new ones.
Hapgood said the transfer station staff consists of three full-time employees and one part-time employee. Public works staffers help when needed.
She and committee chairman J. Christopher Baumann emphatically rejected the apparently-overheard comment that employees “stand around” doing nothing. Baumann said he stops by frequently, and always finds them busy.
Director of Public Services Shawn Reed praised employees for keeping the transfer station clean and saving taxpayers money, for example by taking furniture apart to salvage recyclable metal parts.
“They do an amazing job,” Reed said.
Palermo representative Chris Diesch suggested the committee review the transfer station mission statement, last updated in the fall of 2021. After a brief discussion, the issue was postponed to a future meeting.
On Baumann’s recommendation, the China town office later sent committee members a list of half dozen ordinances, policies and other relevant documents that are on the town website, chinamaine.org.
The next China Transfer Station Committee meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, in the town office meeting room.