OPINIONS: Open letter to Vassalboro residents

/0 Comments/in , , /by

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY

by Christopher French
Selectboard member Town of Vassalboro

To the respective Voters of the Town of Vassalboro:

In addition to the Presidential election this upcoming November the [Vassalboro] selectboard has presented three referendum questions for your consideration and support. The purpose of my letter focuses on the two questions seeking permission to allocate funds towards a bridge repair.

In the Fall of 2023 engineers connected with the State of Maine alerted the town of the most recent inspection report of the “Dunlap” bridge located on Mill Hill. This culvert-style bridge traverses Seven-mile Brook connecting Webber Pond to the Kennebec River. The report stated, “The culverts are deteriorating at an accelerated rate, and they have dropped from fair condition to serious condition in just a couple of years.” The engineers strongly recommended that the town take action to replace the bridge. Additionally, the engineers advised the town that it may be necessary to “post” the bridge or restrict the maximum weight to as low as “3-tons”. Due to the minimum amount of traffic on this bridge it does not qualify as a state responsibility and replacement falls squarely on the shoulders of the Town.

In the wake of the report the town has taken the following steps.

• Established a committee of local citizens to assess our options.
• Opened communication with our partners at the state level.
• Allo­­cated American Rescue Plan Act funds and hired an engineer to present bridge replacement options.
• Option #1: $1.8 million full span bridge, designed to last 75 years.
• Option #2: Dirigo Timberland design estimated cost $700,000.
• Option #3: Replace the bridge with the existing twin culvert style estimated cost $500,000 and expected to last 30 years.
• The selectboard and budget committee recommended establishing a capital expense fund budgeting $40,000. This request was approved at the annual town vote in June.
• Secured a $200,000.00 grant. This grant may only be used if the town chooses to construct either option #1 or option #2.
• Applied for additional grants, including Federal based.
• Public works removed debris and cut back any jagged or distorted portions of the culverts
• The town has negotiated a contract in the amount of $58,000 with a local engineer pending voter approval.

In June/July 2024 our state partners identified Seven-mile Brook as a crucial spawning ground for migratory fish, to include Salmon and Alewives, catapulting our grant request to the top of consideration. A qualifying factor requires the town to have access to the matching $360,000 in funds which cannot be spent until Vassalboro accepts and signs the grant paperwork.

Referendum #1 authorizes the selectboard to spend up to $360,000 from funds already collected through taxation.

Referendum #2 makes a minor change to the 2014 TIF ordinance that allows for the selectboard to divert existing TIF dollars (currently in the ballpark of $170,000) to environmental projects.

Supporting the selectboard recommendations will provide the town with the necessary financial support to move forward with bridge replacement without negatively impacting the property taxes.

The voters can expect the following distribution of town funds

• $115,000 in accrued interest from our surplus account,
• $170,000 from the TIF account
• $40,000 from the bridge capital expense account
• $200,000 in allotted grant funding.

The total amount of $525,000 will satisfy the required grant match and allow the selectboard to hire the engineer to begin necessary groundwork ahead of construction. If we are not successful in receiving the grant we will be in a healthy position to move forward with option #2.

It is important that the town assumes a proactive position with the replacement of the DUNLAP bridge. I hope you will support the selectboard’s recommendation of voting yes. I would encourage anyone who has questions or requires further information to contact the Town of Vassalboro at 207-872-2826 or email the Town Manager Aaron Miller AMiller@vassalboro.net.

LETTERS: Will someone do something!

/0 Comments/in , /by

To the editor:

The view outside my picture window is anything but picturesque. It is a dump – not a land fill ­ ­– but junk, garbage, trash and a disgusting dump that is breeding rats.

No one at the town level or state level seems to be at all concerned about the rats invading our neighborhood. No one lives at the address as it is uninhabitable. The owners live several houses up the street. They receive their mail at the dump site but no one lives there. I have witnessed them adding to this nasty mess – but never taking anything away. The building is falling apart, blowing in the wind and coming apart through weather, rot, and neglect. This has been going on for a few years now.

I have contacted the town codes enforcement officer, Jason Lorrain, and the state CDC and the Department of Environmental Protection – and still no one has done anything. Myself, and my neighbors are trying to keep the rat population down, but I think the rats are winning. Please can’t something be done? Soon?

Marilou Suchar
Vassalboro

EVENTS: Fall Fest in Vassalboro

/0 Comments/in , /by

Eileen Ronco, left, and Nancy Adams, both of Vassalboro, are among those who are planning and will be baking for the “Fall Fest”, at Vassalboro Methodist Church, on Saturday, October 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (contributed photo)

by Dale Potter-Clark

A “Fall Fest” will be held at Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC), on Saturday, October 26, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., when crafts and homemade pumpkin and apple baked goods will be for sale. During the same hours, a variety of “To Go” hot soups, chili and mulled cider will be available to take home. The “To Go” food items will be available to purchase by folks who drop by as well as to shoppers attending the crafts and bake sale. Two of the planners and cooks, Eileen Ronco and Nancy Adams, both of Vassalboro, des­cribed the Fall Fest as a great time to start early holiday shopping and to buy special sweet treats for your family and weekend guests.

FMI about Vassalboro United Methodist Church and their Sunday services, activities and programs visit their Facebook page; phone Pastor Karen Merrill at (207) 873-5564 or email info.vumc@gmail.com.

VASSALBORO: Lack of school bus drivers major concern

/0 Comments/in , /by

Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

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.

2025 Vassalboro community calendars are coming

/0 Comments/in , /by

Cindy Shorey (left), John McLean and Pastor Karen Merrill are among the volunteers who are preparing to deliver Vassalboro Community Calendars this month and next. (contributed photo)

For 19 years, members of the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) have prepared and delivered a community calendar on which birthdays, anniversaries and memorials can be listed at no cost. A church member updates those listings and three others secure ads from local businesses to cover the printing costs. This year there were thirty-four sponsors.

In late September, 2,200 calendars were delivered to VUMC. John McLean of Vassalboro has spearheaded the project for about ten years. He was one of ten volunteers who soon after gathered in the church fellowship hall to place each one in a bag along with a letter of introduction and a donation remittance envelope.

“The next and final step is to deliver them door to door to every home and business in Vassalboro,” said McLean. That takes a lot of time and a lot of volunteers. We can always use more of those – they don’t have to be members of the church. We’ve got a few residents who help us out every year.”

The town population was 4,520 in 2020 and there are 137 roads and streets in Vassalboro according to geographic.org. Cindy Shorey, VUMC trustee and retired medical assistant said, “The community calendar is probably our biggest undertaking every year. It does bring in donations but we also consider it part of our mission because it gives us a chance to spread the word about VUMC. Calendars will be delivered through October and November as time allows. FMI about sponsoring or helping make deliveries contact John McLean or Cindy Shorey at VUMC (207) 873-5564 or info.vumc@gmail.com.

PHOTO: Steeple down, but saved at Vassalboro United Methodist Church

/0 Comments/in , /by

photo by Dale Potter-Clark

Sadly, the steeple on the 36-year-old Vassalboro United Methodist Church was removed by Burke Roofing, of West Gardiner, on Thursday. Leaks had caused water damage and rot in several areas of the roof decking, and the steeple itself had deteriorated and was leaking in several places as well. The steeple was saved and will be added to the church memorial garden at a later time. More photos and videos of its removal can be seen on the Vassalboro United Methodist Church Facebook page.

Text and photo by Dale Potter-Clark

CAMPAIGN 2024: Candidates address issues concerning Maine voters (Part 1)

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by
Read more

Vassalboro Legion to collect holiday gifts for veterans

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Veterans Administration facility at Togus. (Internet photo)

During the holiday season for the last three years, members of American Legion Post #126, Vassalboro, gathered personal care products, puzzle books, and snacks for veterans at Togus Veterans Home, in Augusta.

The members of American Legion Post #126, Vassalboro, are inviting you to join them as they collect. Once again, the Sew for a Cause group at St. Bridget Center have made and donated more than 250 Christmas stockings for this project. They will fill the stockings on December 9, 2024, at St Bridget Center, 864 Main St., North Vassalboro. All are welcome to sort and fill the stockings. The filled stockings will be delivered to Togus Veterans Home by December 12, 2024. To volunteer and/or make a donation call 207 616-3148.

Vassalboro planners OK ReVision Energy plan for community solar farm

/0 Comments/in , /by

by Mary Grow

The four Vassalboro Planning Board members at the Oct. 1 meeting unanimously approved ReVision Energy’s plan for a community solar farm on Eileen Flanagan’s property, at 1026 Webber Pond Road.

As first presented in November 2023, the plan required a waiver from boundary setback requirements. A revised plan, submitted at the planning board’s February 2024 meeting, relocated the solar panels so no waiver was needed.

At the Sept. 3 meeting, ReVision spokesman Annalise Kukor said a final plan should be ready for Oct. 1. By then, she said, ownership might have changed; and it did.

The applicant is now Community Solar of New England, LLC (CSNE). This organization, Kukor said, is staffed and run by ReVision Energy employees; its eight community solar farms include one on Main Street, in Vassalboro.

Planning board members found that the application met all requirements in Vassalboro ordinances, including the recently-added amendments tailored specifically to solar farms.

The project still needs four out-of-town approvals, Kukor said:

— A new Maine Department of Transportation highway entrance permit, because although the solar farm will use an existing driveway onto the property, the purpose has changed.
— From the state Department of Environmental Protection, a stormwater permit and a decommissioning permit.
— From Bangor Savings Bank, confirmation of a letter of credit to cover decommissioning costs.
Board members made their unanimous approval of the community solar farm conditional on receipt of these four documents, plus a copy of the lease that allows CSNE to use the land.

Kukor expects construction to begin in the spring of 2025.

The decommissioning plan was the only requirement discussed at length by planning board members. Several thought the estimated cost, $33,714, low.

Dan Bradstreet wanted assurance that “removal” of components once their useful life ended included taking them off the property, as the ordinance requires. Others discussed recycling possibilities. Kukor said she would find the answer to Bradstreet’s question.

Town Manager and acting Codes Enforcement Officer Aaron Miller reminded board members that the letter of credit was only a back-up to fund decommissioning, in case CSNE and ReVision were out of business or otherwise unable to cover the costs.

The town ordinance says the financial guarantee is to be 125 percent of the estimated decommissioning cost. It is to be updated after seven years and every five years thereafter.

VASSALBORO: Nine residents hear select board on three local ballot questions

/0 Comments/in , /by
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.