by Mary Grow

The major topic at the Oct. 8 Vassalboro School board meeting was the difficulty of finding people to drive school buses.

Transportation Director Ashley Pooler presented a written report titled Bus Driver Challenges, starting with the statement that Vassalboro is currently short two drivers. One person retired; another changed jobs to get more hours.

One problem is that driving a school bus is only about a 24-hour-a-week job, Pooler said. Some, but not all, drivers can get more time by doubling as custodians or in other school positions.

Rigorous training requirements may be another deterrent, she said, although Vassalboro and other school departments cover training costs and do as much as they can to help a potential driver complete requirements.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Vassalboro voting will be in the Vassalboro Community School gymnasium, at 1116 Webber Pond Road (at the intersection of Webber Pond and Bog roads), not at the town office. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

School will be open as usual. Vassalboro Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer said he expects only physical education classes and staff parking will need to be relocated for the day.

As of this fall, Pooler said, Vassalboro pays drivers $24.28 an hour, slightly lower than either Waterville or Winslow. That relation will soon reverse, she predicted; Vassalboro drivers are in the final year of a contract that expires in June 2025 and will no doubt negotiate a raise.

The good news Pooler shared is that Vassalboro is installing a computer program called Transfinder that allows her office to track every bus and communicate with drivers. The system improves efficiency, student safety and information for parents.

The driver shortage is state-wide. Unlike some other Maine districts, Pooler wrote, Vassalboro has not yet had to cancel classes for lack of transportation.

Vassalboro, Waterville and Winslow were once a single school unit. They still work together and share administrative staff (including Pooler), and when possible share bus drivers. Vassalboro Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer commented that relations among himself, Waterville Superintendent Peter Hallen and Winslow Superintendent Peter Thiboutot are “almost like mutual aid.”

In other business Oct. 8, Vassalboro Community School (VCS) Principal Ira Michaud reported 424 students enrolled. Assistant Principal Tabitha Brewer said attendance has been excellent so far this fall.

Director of Finance Paula Pooler reported the budget for FY 2024-25 is on track, with nothing unexpected or alarming, and the audit for the previous fiscal year is in progress.

The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at VCS.

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro select board members began their Oct. 3 meeting with a public hearing that drew nine residents to learn about three Nov. 5 local referendum questions.

The first question asks residents to approve matching funds to be available if the town receives grants to help replace the Dunlap Bridge on Mill Hill Road. Specifically, if voters approve it, select board members will be allowed to appropriate $360,000 from TIF (Tax Increment Financing) money or from the town’s undesignated fund (surplus), as they choose.

The second question asks voters to amend the Vassalboro TIF program to allow TIF money to fund “environmental improvement projects” in town.

As Town Manager Aaron Miller explained, the two questions are related. Amending the TIF document under the second question will allow use of TIF money for the Dunlap Bridge under the first question.

Select board member Chris French talked about three alternative bridge plans. The currently preferred option, dependent on more grant money, would cost a total of $1.8 million, of which the town would pay $360,000, he said.

Last summer, Vassalboro received a $200,000 Municipal Stream Crossing Grant to help with the bridge. An application for a larger grant has been filed and is awaiting approval or rejection.

Resident Douglas Phillips asked why the proposed TIF amendment is limited to environmental improvements. Miller replied that authority to use the money for the Dunlap Bridge is needed urgently, because the sructure is in such poor shape. A more comprehensive overhaul of the TIF program would take “a tremendous amount of time.”

Holly Weidner asked for a clearer explanation of local funding. Board members and Miller said they are working on explanatory background documents, and discussed ways of making it easy for residents to obtain them before Nov. 5.

During previous discussions, and on Oct. 3, board members emphasized that approving the bridge funding is appropriating money the town already has, not asking taxpayers for more money.

The third ballot question asks voters to amend the Vassalboro Sanitary District’s charter, specifically how the district’s trustees are chosen, their organization and their duties and responsibilities. There were no comments on this question. Copies of the proposed changes are attached to the local ballot and available from Town Clerk Cathy Coyne.

During the meeting that followed the hearing, select board members talked briefly about the bridge. Board chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico endorsed French’s statement at the Sept. 19 board meeting: board members should postpone further action until they hear from voters on Nov. 5.

Board members made three unanimous decisions.

— They accepted the lower of two prices for a new pole barn for the public works department, $141,140 from All Season Home Improvements, of Augusta. Miller said, in response to concerns about a nearby wetland, that someone from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection had visited the site. Work is not scheduled to start for six to eight months.
— They prepared an instruction for K & K Land Surveyors, of Oakland, expected next week to survey the tax-acquired property on Lombard Dam Road adjoining the transfer station. Board members want them to draw a lot line 25-feet from the property’s westernmost building, unless a well or other structure is in the way. The goal is to maximize the transfer station lot to allow for future expansion.
— They appointed Cara Kent a new member of the Vassalboro Cemetery Committee.

The next Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, Oct. 17.