Selectmen set tax rate at 0.01545 mils

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by Mary Grow

As anticipated, Vassalboro selectmen have set the 2018-19 tax rate at 0.01545 mils, or $15.45 for each $1,000 of valuation. The new rate is an increase of 90 cents per $1,000 of valuation over the 2017-18 rate. At the Aug. 6 special selectmen’s meeting, Town Manager Mary Sabins said she expects tax bills will go out in mid-August, probably around Aug. 16. By town meeting vote, the first quarterly payment is due Monday, Sept. 24.

The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is Thursday evening, Aug. 23, beginning with a 6:30 p.m. public hearing on conditions at Brock’s Mobile Home Park, as required by dangerous buildings regulations.

Planners approve town’s first medical marijuana storefront

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members have approved the town’s first medical marijuana storefront, in one end of the ABC storage building on Route 3.

Board members also had two shoreland applications on their Aug. 7 agenda. They approved one and tabled the other for more information.
Bryan Moore and Wendy Ostrow explained their plan to rent the apartment area in the former motel building and turn it into a two-room shop where people with prescriptions for medical marijuana can get them filled.

They described in detail the paperwork required to qualify just to enter the medical marijuana area and the limits on their practice as caregivers.
They will not grow or process marijuana, so the store should not produce odors or unusual waste products. There will be no on-premises consumption. Security will be extensive.

They run a similar operation in Trenton, they said. On Aug. 7, Moore said, 55 customers had stopped; he did not say whether the number was low, high or typical.

Planning board members expressed surprise that no neighbors attended the meeting. Given the apparent lack of concern, they decided informally that no public hearing was needed.

After reviewing criteria for a commercial business, they unanimously approved the permit.

Ostrow said no opening date has been set. One shoreland zoning application was from Michael and Lisa Smart to remove and replace a camp at 12 Cote Road in the Webber Pond shoreland. Board members voted unanimously to allow the change.

The second was from Ryan and Jessica Gallant, who applied to relocate a camper and convert it to a camp at 107 McQuarrie Road, also in the Webber Pond shoreland. The Gallants were not at the Aug. 7 meeting, and board members found they needed more information before they could reach a decision. They therefore tabled the application. In an Aug. 14 email, Codes Officer Richard Dolby said the applicants had withdrawn their application.

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Sheepscot Lake Association continues scientific monitoring of water quality

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Alewives by John Burrows (source: mainerivers.org)

by Carolyn Viens
Sheepscot Lake Association

In response to a recent editorial by John Glowa I felt compelled to reinforce to our community the fact-based research and data that support the concern by the Sheepscot Lake Association as well as many local residents regarding the opening of Sheepscot Dam and the waterway. This discussion and the presence of alewives and other migratory fish is not new to Sheepscot Lake. As many will recall, alewives and sea lampreys were present in the past due to IF&W opening the dam. As a result of the detrimental effect of these anadromous visitors becoming land locked due to low water levels, similar to the levels still experienced, the fishway was later closed in an effort to restore sport fishing and eliminate the phosphorous loading from dying fish. The local residents’ concern is not over anadromous fish restoration but rather the implications when those fish become landlocked, as was the case in the 60’s until the dam was closed.

I reference an article in The Town Line from September 2017 regarding Webber Pond and the impact of alewives. It was stated the trapped alewife added to the nutrient load at Webber and the pond “reached a saturation point” for which the alewives were as much a deficit as a benefit. According to this article, “alewife presence in the lake may have exceeded the tipping point in the lake. Specifically, the alewife count in 2010 was 83,905, and 2016 was estimated at 353,470. Charles Backenstose, Webber Pond Association Vice President, questioned how many alewives were too many. “Over population could affect water quality,” he suggested. It is believed that with the number of alewives entering the pond, they may be bringing in more nutrients to contribute to algae blooms than they are taking out in the fall.”

Over several years in the ‘60s, as mentioned earlier, Sheepscot suffered the effects of anadromous fishes in the lake. The resulting reduction of sport fishing catch and health of the fish caught during those times was noted by residents. One of the reasons thought to be have caused this was the increased presence of Thiamonase, which destroys Vitamin B-1 in fishes such as lake trout and salmon. It has been shown in studies by the USGS to affect the health of the offspring of lake trout and salmon feeding on large numbers of land locked and anadromous alewives who carry this toxic enzyme. The result is the death of those offspring soon after hatching. This may have contributed to the reduced catches experienced before the fishway was closed, however definitive research simply has not been done. The remedial action of closing the fishway during the spawning migrations took decades to show results but did slowly reduce the incidence of sickly fish and lamprey wounding to today’s healthy level.

The Sheepscot Lake Association regularly monitors lake water quality with world class equipment and certified data collectors in cooperation with the Maine Lake Stewards organization. The purpose of this activity is to establish a database by which we can detect early fluctuations before any situation escalates. This will help ensure any necessary action is identified through direct observation and implemented on a timely basis to protect the lake. Sheepscot Lake has excellent water quality and good sport fishing, and we are all working hard to protect the health of Sheepscot and everything that lives in and around the lake for future generations.

Community Commentary is a forum The Town Line makes available for citizens to express their opinions on subjects of interest to our readers. The Town Line welcomes, and encourages, differing opinions, counterpoints or opposing views. Keep the rebuttals positive, and informative, as submissions containing personal attacks will be rejected.

China Lake Association holds annual meeting

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At their annual meeting on July 28, the China Lake Association presented Scott and Katy McCormac with the LakeSmart Award. In photo, Katy, left, accepts the award from Marie Michaud. (Contributed photo)

Submitted by Scott Pierz

The China Lake Association held its annual summer meeting on Saturday, July 28, at the China Primary School, which included an excellent presentation by Dr. Whitney King, of Colby College. More than 70 people attended.

China Lake Association Director Elaine Philbrook presented awards for this year’s poster contest held for the fifth and sixth graders at the China Middle School. There were amazing posters again this year, created upon the theme of “The Year of the Buffer.” The top award winners were fifth grader Chase Larrabee and sixth grader Stephanie Kumnick.

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Whitney King, from Colby College, who presented the audience with information about the condition and treatment of East Pond. His talk was entitled, “Saving East Pond: A Cautionary Tale.” During this summer, a team of participants and scientists undertook the task of introducing alum, also known as Aluminum Sulfate, into East Pond. The project took 20 days to complete. In proper concentrations, this process is believed to reduce (“lock up”) the phosphorus concentration in the water-body thereby limiting the availability of phosphorus to produce algae blooms. Dr. King’s report also included information about the historical condition of China Lake. There were many interesting and good questions, and Dr. King was very dynamic and knowledgeable in his presentation.

Director Elaine Philbrook talked about the Invasive Plant Paddle Program she is participating in, with a scheduled Plant Paddle to take place on Tuesday August 21, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Four Seasons Club, 570 Lakeview Drive. To register and to find more information about the Invasive Plant Paddle, go to: https://www.mainevlmp.org/invasive-plant-patrol-workshops/

Director Marie Michaud updated everyone on the progress being made this summer with the China LakeSmart Program. She reported that China LakeSmart was in full swing with over a dozen new shorefront buffers already installed this summer. The work is completed by the Youth Conservation Corps operated by the China Region Lakes Alliance. More work is expected to be completed by this season’s end. People were encouraged to join her team of volunteers who assess the shoreline of China Lake property owners who would like a buffer planted. It is a free service to China Lake property owners. Anyone interested can e-mail chinalakesmart@gmail.com. Finally, Katy and Scott McCormac were recognized for achieving a LakeSmart Award, which was presented by Marie Michaud.

The Kennebec Water District was recognized for its contributions, once again donating considerable funds to support China LakeSmart projects. Also, the Kennebec Water District helps support the Courtesy Boat Inspection Program on China Lake. Inspectors can be seen at the Head of China Lake on the weekends. The Kennebec Water District’s representative, Matt Zetterman, made a presentation and reported that China Lake again, for the second year in a row, has had incredibly good water quality based on lake monitoring data.

Nate Gray of the Maine Department of Marine Resources gave an excellent update on the Alewife Restoration Initiative (ARI). He spoke on the progress being made on the ARI project, including last year’s removal of the Masse Dam, and the upcoming scheduled removal of the Lombard Dam, in Vassalboro. He commented that conceptual fish passage designs continue to be developed for the Ladd and Box Mill Dams, in North Vassalboro, along with an engineered design of a fish passage at the Outlet Dam, in East Vassalboro.

Director Bob O’Connor wrapped up with the loon count for China Lake this year, reporting a decrease in the number of loons observed: 20 adult loons but only one new loon chick seen. This loon count is conducted early in the morning the Saturday before the annual meeting for a very short period of time, and in specific locations around the lake. This is the established way in which the loon count takes place, however, other local reports set the number of observed new loon chicks to be four.

Finally, Registered Agent Jamie Pitney conducted the business of renewing some of the director’s terms and the slate of officers will remain the same for another year until the next annual meeting in 2019. These include Scott Pierz (President), David Preston (Secretary), Tim Axelson (Treasurer) and James Pitney (Registered Agent).

For additional information about the China Lake Association or for anyone interested in becoming a member go to the China Lake Association’s website at http://chinalakeassociation.org/ or check things out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/China-Lake-Association.

Selectmen approve new schedule at transfer station

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by Mary Grow

Starting this fall, the China transfer station will be open five days a week, from Tuesday through Saturday, instead of the current four days.

At their Aug. 6 meeting, selectmen approved a new schedule under which the facility will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, “the long day”; and from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Station Manager Tim Grotton said the half-hour earlier Saturday opening is because on Saturdays people are often waiting at the gate well before the current 7 a.m. opening. Selectmen agreed to begin the new hours Tuesday, Sept. 4, unless something unexpected requires a delay.

Board Chairman Robert MacFarland said the station should never be closed three days in a row, for example over Thanksgiving or when Christmas or Independence Day falls on a Tuesday or Saturday. Grotton objected, saying other town employees get either three days off when appropriate or compensation.

Selectmen charged the Transfer Station Committee, whose members endorsed the new hours, with working out a holiday schedule that would avoid three-day closings.

Two controversial issues were discussed at the Aug. 6 meeting, one new and one on-going since late in 2017.

Residents John and Mary Benziger used the public comment period included on selectmen’s agendas to ask about new Town Manager Dennis Heath, in light of a weekend Central Maine newspapers article about his personal views on same-sex marriage, Islam, the role of women and other hot-button topics.

John Benziger was concerned that outsiders would see opinions that Heath expressed or endorsed on social media in the past as representative of the town. He asked MacFarland if the selectmen would have hired Heath if they had read the posts that staff writer Emily Higginbotham quoted. “Yes,” MacFarland replied. “A man’s personal beliefs are his own.”

Selectman Neil Farrington heatedly defended Heath’s right to have and express personal views. Audience member Jean Conway agreed, and said the new manager seems to have the town’s interests at heart.

Heath said Higginbotham had not reported everything he said in their conversation. He said he would never treat people differently because their beliefs and his differ. Asked by Benziger if he had ever encouraged town clerks in Oklahoma, where he previously worked, to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, he said he had not, adding, “The law [allowing same-sex marriage] is the law.”

The Neck Road fire pond was re-discussed at length. It was built in November 2017 after voters approved funds for it and, selectmen agree in hindsight, built wrong, too close to the road and with too steep sides. Selectmen had agreed that Heath would obtain an easement from landowner Tom Michaud and a release from abutter Leo Pando and would then seek bids to rebuild the pond farther from the road and with safer sides (see The Town Line, June 25, p. 6).

Heath reported he had oral approval from Michaud, but Pando refused to sign without additional stipulations that were unacceptable.

After considerable discussion of possible results of various courses and of comparative costs, board members voted 3-1 to have Heath proceed as planned without Pando’s signature. Neil Farrington voted against the motion, preferring to fill in the pond; Jeffrey LaVerdiere was absent.

On another ongoing issue, the causeway project at the head of China Lake’s east basin, Heath said a representative of the state’s boat landing division told him parking on the east side of Routes 202 and 9 would not be acceptable, for safety reasons. The Tax Increment Finance Committee that is spearheading the project to provide a new causeway bridge, an expanded boat landing and more lake access had already learned that the state would not invest in the boat landing without more parking.

The committee has been investigating buying property on the east side of the highway.

The goal, Heath said, is 10 to 15 parking spaces, each 12 feet wide by 50 feet long. In other business, Heath reported he already has two requests for local ballot questions for Nov. 6. One, presented by MacFarland, would ask voters to approve a consolidated public safety building to serve fire, rescue and police services. The other, requested by town office staff, would repeal China’s quorum ordinance, which requires about 120 voters be present for a town meeting to be held.

Office staff spend many hours before the March town business meeting twisting arms to get people to come, Heath said. Selectman Irene Belanger reminded everyone that the quorum ordinance was adopted because without it, a handful of people could and often did make decisions for the whole town.

Audience member Wayne Chadwick asked if it would be possible to make the March business meeting a written-ballot affair, so that people could vote as their schedules permitted and go home, instead of spending a Saturday morning doing town business.

The deadline to submit proposed ballot questions is Friday, Sept. 7, Heath said. Sept. 7 is also the deadline for submitting signed nomination papers for local office. To be elected this year are three selectmen; planning board members from districts 2 and 4 plus the at-large member; and budget committee members from districts 2 and 4 plus the secretary and the at-large member. Nomination papers are now available at the town office.

Conway, as chairman of the Comprehensive Planning Committee, asked for and received approval to contract with Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) for a maximum of $20,500 for assistance in revising China’s comprehensive plan. Selectman Irene Belanger, a KVCOG board member, abstained on the vote.

Conway and Planning Board Chairman Tom Miragliuolo said an early step in the planning process will be a visioning session, at which all interested residents will be invited to talk about China’s present and future. They hope to schedule the session in September or October.

Farrington and Heath reported progress toward reaching an agreement with Hussey Communications, in Winslow, to provide wireless service in China, starting with lakeshore residents who currently have no service (unless they spend thousands of dollars to run cable down fire roads) and expanding to other unserved and underserved areas.

Heath had asked five town departments – the town clerk, the transfer station, public works, fire and rescue and the police – to bring or send selectmen reports on current activities. He plans to include department reports on each future selectmen’s agenda, he said.

He also gave selectmen a summary financial report for July, promising one each month.

At future meetings, Heath would like board members to talk about a revised permit fee schedule he and Codes Officer Paul Mitnik are considering; China’s Land Use Ordinance; accepting a request to help manage the Heritage Tour Scholarship Fund on behalf of China Middle School; changing internal financial controls, like requiring two signatures on every check the town issues; and the town manager’s bond, which Heath believes should be higher than it is now even though a higher bond is more expensive.

The next China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, according to the town’s website.

Nelsons celebrate long family history with reunions

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In the Spring of 1862 church bells rang out over the land, as President Lincoln called for volunteers. In Palermo, Maine, Erastus Foote Nelson was hoeing potatoes. He stuck his hoe in the row he was hoeing and walked to the Branch. When he returned home he told his wife, “Eliza, war has been declared. I have enlisted and am to go to Augusta tomorrow.”

Eliza was left with a farm and four children to care for. Wesley was seven years old, Prince was five, Oville was three, Harriet was two and a new baby on the way. As Eliza recounted to her granddaughter, “I put my wool on my shoulders and carried it to the Branch, had it carded and went to work spinning and knitting. We got along real good. The boys helped real good. When I wrote Erastus that I had a baby boy the day after Christmas, he wrote back on a piece of brown paper, “Name the boy Yeaton Dutton for my two tentmates who have been shot besides me.”

Erastus served with the 19th Maine Infantry from 1862 to 1865. He returned to Palermo and the farm on the hill that is currently the home of Keith Nelson and his sister Jacqueline. The family of Erastus and Eliza grew to include nine children, all of whom were born in Palermo. Erastus Nelson died of pneumonia in 1885. His wife Eliza died in 1921.

The first organized Nelson Family Reunion was held at the home of Erastus son, Frank, on the Western Ridge Rd., in Palermo. This reunion has been held every year since then. Some years it has been held in New Hampshire or Vermont where some of the family settled. This year, the 93rd annual Nelson reunion will be held on Saturday, August 11, at the home of Bob and Marion Foster, in Albion. Marion is the great-great-granddaughter of Erastus and Eliza.

The family of Erastus and Eliza Nelson, circa 1814.

Groundbreaking for new South China Library

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From left to right, Aiden Pettengill, Librarian Cheryl Baker, Ian Maxwell and Xavier Colfer perform a ceremonial groundbreaking on August 6 at the new location for the South China Library. (Photo by Eric Austin)

Shine-on Oakland Day benefits food pantry

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Colby Charette (and his dog Sadie) sit among the over 150 boxes of cereal collected at Oakfest’s first “ShineOn Oakland Day” in support of local kids.

Avery Charland, of Fairfield, was among hundreds of kids who painted positive messages on rocks to hide in the community to spread kindness as part of the July 28 “ShineOn Oakland Day” at Oakfest.

Oakland’s first “ShineOn Oakland Day” July 28 collected over 150 boxes of cereal, bringing awareness to child food insecurity and feeding local families who receive support through the Oakland Food Pantry. The ShineOnCass Foundation partnered with the Town of Oakland’s summer festival “Oakfest” which featured three days of community events including a street dance, farmer’s market, triathlon and a parade, where parade goers dropped boxes of cereal into shopping carts pushed by area students involved in ShineOnCass initiatives.

Anya Fegal helps collect cereal boxes in one of the ShineOnCass shopping carts.

Monica Charette, who organized the event with Foundation volunteers, said she hopes this will become an annual event to support the Oakland Food Pantry, local families in need and offer opportunity for children to participate in an activity that gives back to the community. The ShineOnCass Foundation also hosted “Oakland Rocks” where kids painted positive messages on over 200 rocks to place in their community to help spread kindness. All who participated received “ShineOnCass Kindness Matters” wristbands.

The ShineOnCass Foundation was created to honor the spirit, continue the work, and encourage others to live the legacy of Cassidy Charette, whose kindness and passion for others Shines On. Cassidy was a 17-year-old Messalonskee scholar and athlete, and a devoted community volunteer who died in a hayride accident in 2014. The organization’s mission is to educate, inspire and empower youth to make their world a better place through volunteer charitable activities.

Planners OK McCormick plan at former diesel truck facility for offices, farmers & flea markets

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by Mary Grow

China Planning board members approved the only application on their July 24 agenda, giving Judith McCormack permission to re-use the former diesel truck facility at 1144 Route 3 as a residence, office space, a farmers’ market and a flea market.

McCormack said she plans to live on the second floor, which has a finished apartment. The lower floor will become office space and flea market booths; outdoor flea markets, weekends only, will occupy part of the grounds.

McCormack said she expects the marketers to sell crafts, antiques, seasonal local produce and similar portable, non-polluting items. She plans eight events this year, in September and October and again before Christmas.

She said there are about 50 parking spaces on the grounds; she sees no need for parking along Route 3.

She will provide a dumpster and, for 2018, plans to rent portable toilets for weekend events, since there is no handicapped-accessible toilet on the ground floor. Codes Office and Plumbing Inspector Paul Mitnik said portable toilets are legal for temporary use, as she plans.

Board members attached one condition to the permit: if the business succeeds and continues into 2019, McCormack must install an appropriate toilet facility by the end of 2019.