The Vassalboro Business Association’s Scholarship applications are now available. They should be in local high school’s guidance offices or they can be emailed or mailed to you directly by calling or texting 207-631-3303 with your address. They are due April 15.
They are $500 scholarships for post-secondary programs of study. Recipient(s) must have been a resident of Vassalboro for the past two years. This scholarship rewards community service experiences.
by Mary GrowVassalboro Fire Chief Walker Thompson and semi-retired lieutenant/board of directors vice-president Michael Vashon joined town selectmen at their Feb. 4 virtual meeting to discuss a proposal to contract with Cost Recovery, a firm that seeks compensation for firefighters’ expenses from insurance companies.
Vashon said the department would submit estimates of firefighters’ and truck time for every fire or other incident. Cost Recovery would bill the appropriate insurance company, keeping 20 percent of amounts recovered. The rest would go to the fire department, which is separate from the town.
Town residents would be exempt from the program, Vashon said, except if they damaged department property, for example by running over a fire hose.
About 50 other Maine fire departments already contract with Cost Recovery, Vashon said; the company’s recovery rate is from 60 to 70 percent. Vassalboro could cancel the contract at any time.
Vashon and Thompson plan to keep half the money for firefighters’ supplies that traditionally are bought through donations and fundraisers. They proposed giving the other half to the town, hoping selectmen will add it to the fire department reserve fund, set aside to buy firetrucks and other major equipment.
Selectmen approved the idea, with board member Robert Browne adding the proviso that the bookkeeping not be too complicated. Town Manager Mary Sabins thought it would not be.
Thompson reported that the “old and brittle” boiler at the North Vassalboro fire station sprung a leak in January. It was patched and should last the winter; the fire department budget request includes $17,500 to replace it.
The chief also reported that so far in 2021, the fire department has responded to 20 calls, compared to seven calls by the beginning of February 2020. He thanked the town public works crew for clearing snow and fallen trees during recent storms – “They do a great job.”
After the firefighters signed out of the virtual meeting and Town Attorney Kristin Collins signed in, selectmen continued discussion of the revised draft marijuana ordinance. Several minor revisions and clarifications were proposed.
The draft ordinance prohibits new marijuana businesses in Vassalboro after its effective date, which will be not the date of enactment, but the date selectmen give their approval. Its eight pages of definitions and regulations apply to businesses in operation or approved before that date.
Registered caregivers are not affected by the ordinance, unless they are operating a cultivation facility, defined as a growing facility larger than 1,000 square feet. Sabins said state officials told her Vassalboro has 20 registered caregivers, but cannot provide names, addresses or information on the size of operations.
Businesses affected by the ordinance must be licensed every two years, must pay a licensing fee (to be determined – Collins said Maine municipalities’ current fees range from $500 to $5,000) and must continuously conform to the regulations and standards in the ordinance.
The latest version of the ordinance is available on the town website, www.vassalboro.net, in the center column under the third heading, “What’s New in Vassalboro.” Selectmen plan to continue discussion at their Feb. 18 meeting.
In the same section of the website is the schedule of budget committee meetings, in preparation for the June 7 annual town meeting. Selectmen discussed the budget at an in-person workshop Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 9, and plan a final review of their version on Feb. 18. The first budget committee meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4, after a 6 p.m. selectmen’s meeting.
The other major topic at the Feb. 4 meeting was continued discussion of Conservation Commission member Holly Weidner’s proposed resolution on a carbon tax that would be paid by fossil fuel companies and returned to state residents. Assisted by Peggy Horner, she explained the environmental benefits of such a plan.
Weidner proposes the selectboard adopt the resolution and send it to the state legislature, the Congressional delegation, Governor Janet Mills and President Joe Biden. After a discussion of how state, regional and national plans interact, selectmen for the second time postponed a decision.
In other business, board members agreed they should ask for a meeting with a state Department of Transportation official, the commissioner, if possible, to try to get the North Vassalboro section of Route 32 higher on the department’s repair and maintenance priority list. Board Chairman John Melrose said he and resident Ray Breton talked about flooding problems; the road surface and sidewalks also need attention.
Melrose, a former Maine Commissioner of Transportation, believes the state’s present plan is to resurface Route 32 with so-called skinny mix, a thin layer that he said some people call “black paint.”
Browne and fellow board member Barbara Redmond approved Melrose’s proposal for an engraved granite marker at Monument Park, in East Vassalboro, where the Civil War soldier’s statue stands between the China Lake boat landing and the Vassalboro Historical Society building.
The granite will come from a collection at the public works garage. Provost Monuments, in Benton, will engrave the words “Monument Park” for $825 – a discounted price, Melrose said, as bills for other park improvements have been discounted. Road Commissioner Eugene Field and landscaper Steve Jones recommend a crushed stone underlayer rather than a more expensive cement base.
A second discussion of the theme for the 2020 town report, covering the period from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, led to the tentative decision to combine historical connections between the State of Maine, created March 15, 1820, and the town of Vassalboro, incorporated April 26, 1771, with contemporary effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Selectmen planned to continue discussion at their Tuesday, Feb. 9, afternoon budget workshop. Residents’ suggestions and information are welcome and may be sent to msabins@vassalboro.net.
The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm. Thursday, Feb. 18.
Connie and Ray Winship, a retired Waterville couple, were among the first to be vaccinated at the January 26 clinic. photo courtesy of Northern Light Inland Hospital
Northern Light Inland Hospital kicked off its first community vaccination clinic on January 26 for community healthcare workers and people age 70 and older in collaboration with Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) in Fairfield. 92 doses were administered on the first day at the KVCC vaccination site. Ongoing clinics will be added as the hospital learns of its vaccine allotment from the state each week.
“We are very excited to be moving into this phase of community vaccinations,” said Terri Vieira, hospital president. “We have started dose two of the vaccine with our own staff, and we’re pleased to be moving onward to vaccinate more people in the communities we serve. It’s progress, it’s hope. At the same time, we have to be patient as the vaccine supply is still significantly lower than we had hoped.”
To be able to make these mass vaccination clinics a reality, Inland Hospital needed a community partner to provide a large space, and KVCC stepped up to the plate in a big way.
“We are very grateful that KVCC is giving Inland, and our community, the support that is needed for these clinics,” noted Vieira. “They have long been our partner in healthcare, training many of our staff who work at the hospital and our medical practices.”
The college has opened its Carter Hall Multi-Purpose Center for the location of the community clinics.
“KVCC is so pleased to become part of the solution to the pandemic in our region,” stated Richard Hopper, KVCC president. “Besides providing the space, we are looking at how our students and faculty can play a role in helping at future vaccination clinics for second-round doses and the expansion of Northern Light’s program. Northern Light has been and continues to be a trusted partner of KVCC.”
Connie and Ray Winship, a retired Waterville couple, were among the first to be vaccinated at the January 26 clinic. Connie said, “We’re getting vaccinated because we want to be able to visit our kids and grandkids this summer – it’s been more than a year since we were together.” Ray commented, “Getting the vaccine gives us hope and makes us feel good that we are doing our part to get things back to normal.”
Individuals must pre-register to take part in a vaccination clinic. Due to the high demand as well as the logistics around handling the vaccines, walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Community members should not show up at the KVCC site without an appointment. Each week, after receiving their vaccine allotment from the Maine CDC, Inland will open new clinics at KVCC based on that availability. The hope is to hold at least one clinic each week, but vaccine availability will determine how they can proceed.
Registration is available at covid.northernlighthealth.org/publicvaccine. For those who do not have internet access, call 207.204.8551 to reach the Vaccine Registration and Information line seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. Due to the strong community interest and very low vaccine supply, slots are few and filling up very quickly.
When preparing to register, whether by phone or online, people are asked to have their insurance or Medicare information ready, and the name and phone number for an emergency contact person. The vaccine itself is free but a small charge to cover the cost of administration will be billed to people’s insurance.
At this time, community clinics will be for those 70 or over and community healthcare workers only per Maine CDC guidance.
Community members are encouraged to visit covid.northernlighthealth.org/publicvaccine each Monday to learn about clinics that may be scheduled for the week. Or visit the Maine CDC website (www.Maine.gov) to see all vaccination sites across the state and any open appointments.
Inland Hospital leaders are asking individuals to please not call their primary care office or the hospital to try to register. The two options for registering at this time are on the website or the special registration phone line.
by Mary GrowVassalboro Codes Officer Paul Mitnik has announced that due to a lack of applications, the Vassalboro Planning Board will not meet in February. The next regular Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 2.
by Mary GrowAt their Jan. 21 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen discussed a seriously scaled-down marijuana ordinance that would allow only medical marijuana operations in town.
Instead of the complex document discussed at their Jan. 7 meeting (see The Town Line, Jan. 14), they are considering a local ordinance based on the Town of Turner’s. One objection to the previously-discussed ordinance was that it would require too much permitting, inspecting and other work for town employees. Eliminating all but medical marijuana would simplify the town’s role.
Town Manager Mary Sabins said she had received many comments on the Jan. 7 draft, prepared by Town Attorney Kristin Collins. None expressed enthusiasm for non-medical facilities.
The state Office of Marijuana Policy (OMP) suggested the Turner ordinance as a useful model, she said. She had talked with the Turner town manager, and had forwarded the ordinance and his comments to Collins.
Selectmen agreed that if they decide to recommend a medical-only ordinance, they should seek public comment again.
Sabins added that the OMP has licensed 20 medical marijuana caregivers in Vassalboro. Selectmen were not aware there were so many.
The other major topic Jan. 21 was the Gray Road culvert replacement. Selectmen expect they will be able to get the new culvert needed to replace the failing one in time for the work to be done this summer, if town meeting voters approve it.
At their earlier Jan. 7 board meeting, selectmen considered the possibility that voters would not approve money for the project. But if they waited until after town meeting to order the culvert, it would probably not come in time for summer 2021 work.
Project engineer Eric Calder, of Calderwood Engineering, in Richmond, said Dirigo Timberlands, in North Anson, from whom Vassalboro officials bought the new Cross Hill Road culvert, will build the culvert before Vassalboro voters act.
Dirigo and Benton-based Nitram Excavation and General Contractors, chosen at the Jan. 7 meeting to carry out the project, will work out details and sign a contract for the culvert. Nitram will be responsible for seeing that it is built and delivered as specified.
Selectmen approved the plan and unanimously authorized Sabins and Calderwood to proceed with a contract with Nitram.
Calderwood said it is time for the town and his firm to develop a Phase Three contract that will cover Calderwood’s oversight of the construction. He said the contract will be based on an hourly rate, not a flat fee, and people from his firm will be on site only as needed.
In a brief discussion of another project, Steve Jones’ request to restore the coldwater pool that housed brook trout before the Cross Hill Road culvert was replaced, Sabins said she still hopes a volunteer will be able to get a permit at no cost to the town. If the permit is obtained, she thinks the town public works crew can do the work.
Vassalboro’s 2021 town meeting is currently scheduled as an open meeting on Monday, June 7, followed by written-ballot elections (and other questions if needed) on Tuesday, June 8. Selectmen and Sabins talked briefly about whether they should try to convene an open meeting, as they did in 2020, or vote entirely by referendum, as many other towns are doing in response to Covid-19.
They discussed a theme for the 2020 town report. Sabins said the report dated 2020 is published in the spring of 2021, and covers the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020.
Until the pandemic, selectmen had intended to recognize Maine’s 200th anniversary of statehood (March 15, 1820) in the 2020 report and Vassalboro’s 250th anniversary of incorporation (April 26, 1771) in the 2021 report. With limited state and town celebrations to report, they are reconsidering.
Two of the selectmen, Barbara Redmond and Chairman John Melrose, approved annual liquor license renewals for Natanis Golf Course. The third board member, Natanis owner Robert Browne, abstained on the vote.
Sabins plans to distribute a first draft of the 2021-2022 town budget at the Feb. 4 selectmen’s meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., virtual only. Board members decided to follow the Feb. 4 review with an in-person budget workshop at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the town office meeting room.
by Mary GrowChina and Vassalboro town managers shared good news with their respective selectboards at Jan. 19 (China) and Jan. 21 (Vassalboro) meetings: the trash recycling facility in Hampden appears ready to reopen this summer.
A company called Delta Thermo Energy, Inc. (DTE) has agreed to buy the Fiberight facility to which China, Vassalboro and 113 other Maine municipalities sent waste.
Fiberight was previously owned by Coastal Resources of Maine, which closed it for financial reasons at the end of May 2020. DTE is based in Feasterville Trevose, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia.
The Municipal Review Committee (MRC) that represents the 115 Maine towns and cities has been searching for a new owner for the facility. MRC members considered several other firms before reaching agreement with DTE in late December.
DTE founder and chief executive officer Robert van Naarden participated in a Jan. 19 virtual meeting with MRC members. Van Naarden estimated reaching final agreement will take another two months, and after that DTE will need another four to six months to re-start operations. He plans to rehire former staff who are available, to run three shifts with 30 to 35 employees per shift and temporarily to follow Fiberight procedures.
After the first six months, he said, DTE intends to start improving the facility and the process. He also proposed setting up a citizen advisory board to work with MRC and member towns and cities.
Van Naarden said he does not intend to increase the tipping fees charged under current contracts with member municipalities.
During the time the facility was closed, much of former Fiberight users’ trash was landfilled in existing large landfills in Norridgewock and Alton. The MRC made sure the Hampden plant was monitored and maintained, Vassalboro Town Manager Mary Sabins said.
DTE’s website and van Naarden’s remarks emphasize DTE’s commitment to environmental protection. The company’s stated goal is to produce energy in a way that is sustainable, renewable and environmentally harmless.
Its process, trademarked as Green Waste to Fuel, converts municipal waste into fuel in a way that is “sustainable, clean and safe,” and its plants produce near-zero emissions. The company website says the patented/patent pending process uses a technology called hydrothermal decomposition.
According to information from the selectboard meetings and from websites, DTE already has facilities in Pennsylvania and in multiple foreign countries, including Germany, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.
Town Meeting
Mon., June 7
Vassalboro Community School
1116 Webber Pond Road
Municipal Election
Tues., June 8, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Location TBA
* * *
STUDENT WRITERS PROGRAMThe negative effects of various media like television and movies on women and young girls have rightfully been shown time and again. The negative effects on men from these same forms of media is a much lesser known, but no less real, phenomenon. Media is filled with images of unrealistic body standards and the glorification of unhealthy behaviors. Media has negative effects on men that greatly damage the self-image of males in today’s society.
Many movies and television shows with male leads often have men with very muscular bodies on camera consistently. Action heroes such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Hemsworth, and Hugh Jackman are all well known for their muscular definition and physical fitness. The average movie male lead has a level of fitness that requires the strict regimentation of diet and exercise that the majority of people will be unable to achieve. These unrealistic standards that require these measures are already a problem, but the superhero look has another problem to it. It is unsustainable.
In preparation for shirtless scenes in the show The Witcher, Henry Cavill had to dehydrate himself for multiple days in order to attain the look wanted for the scene. Bodybuilders, like the aforementioned Schwarzenegger, dehydrate themselves to reduce their fat percentage. This practice is lethal if sustained for any kind of long period of time. It even has the high possibility of being fatal in a short period of time. In 1992, professional bodybuilder Mohammed Benaziza died after competing in a contest from dehydration-induced heart failure.
Stoicism is a philosophy originating with the ancient Greeks. It advocates for mastery of the self through the control of one’s emotions. This idea is not inherently harmful, however it can quickly lead to repressed emotions and the effects those have on mental health. This philosophy has embedded itself into our society’s ideal man. In various action movies, the main character does not cry. He does not show grief. His emotions are kept to himself and are not shown to the outside world.
Since these strong, manly men do not cry; crying must be a sign of weakness. Any sign of sadness is to be shunned and kept in the dark for fear of being exposed as a weaker, lesser man. Society has convinced itself that in order to be a man, they must face all challenges and hardships without showing pain or asking for help. Our media has perpetuated this idea. Its effects are very clear. Young men face pain alone and are afraid to ask for help to alleviate some of their pain. This can lead to the abuse of chemicals like alcohol, a negative self-image, and in the worst of cases, suicide.
In conclusion, the media we consume in our daily lives has had negative impacts on the wellbeing of generations of young men. Too often is the issue of the media’s portrayal of people seen as based on sex. This is not a women’s issue or a men’s issue; it is a people issue. Media has affected both sexes negatively. The problem with media is not its portrayal of women or men, it is with people in general.
Student Writer’s Program: What Is It?
The Town Line has many articles from local students under the heading of the “Student Writer’s Program.” While it may seem plainly evident why The Town Line would pursue this program with local schools and students, we think it’s worth the time to highlight the reasons why we enthusiastically support this endeavor.
Up front, the program is meant to offer students who have a love of writing a venue where they can be published and read in their community. We have specifically not provided topics for the students to write on or about, and we have left the editing largely up to their teachers. From our perspective this is a free form space provided to students.
From the perspective of the community, what is the benefit? When considering any piece that should or could be published, this is a question we often ask ourselves at The Town Line. The benefit is that we as community are given a glimpse into how our students see the world, what concerns them, and, maybe even possible solutions to our pressing problems. Our fundamental mission at the paper is to help us all better understand and appreciate our community, our state, and our nation through journalism and print.
We hope you will read these articles with as much interest and enjoyment as we do. The students are giving us a rare opportunity to hear them out, to peer into their world, and see how they are processing this world we, as adults, are giving them.
To include your high school, contact The Town Line, townline@townline.org.
Vassalboro Business Association’s annual ice fishing derby and raffle will be held at the Olde Mill, at 934 Main St., on Sunday, February 7, 2021, in all Maine legal waters.
Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced.
The weigh-in will take place from 1 – 5 p.m. Tickets for fishing entries must be purchased before 1 p.m., on February 7.
First ($40), second ($20), and third place ($10) cash prizes will be awarded for salmon, togue, brown trout, brook trout, white perch, splake, pickerel, pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, smallmouth bass and the children’s category.
Children who participate will also earn special prizes (trophies/hats).
A $100 cash prize and trophy will be awarded for the largest fish (except pike). There are thousands of dollars in raffle prizes!
Drawing for prizes will begin at 5 p.m., on Derby Day, winners will be called ASAP! You do not have to be present to win the raffle. As a matter of fact, in this Covid-19 outbreak time, it is preferred you didn’t come!
One fish entry per ticket. Donation: $1.00/ticket (6 for $5)
All proceeds benefit VBA efforts!
Tickets may be purchased from Maine Savings FCU, Fieldstone Quikstop, Renarda’s Kitchen, 201 Tire & Battery, the Vassalboro Library, Freddies Service Center, the Olde Mill Store, and from Ray Breton, Jim Maloy, or Bernie Fortin. Call 207-631-3303 for more information.
by Mary GrowAt a well-attended virtual meeting Jan. 7, Vassalboro selectmen did a preliminary review of a thoroughly revised town marijuana ordinance; followed up with the second of two major road projects; and discussed issues raised by Conservation Committee members.
They are asking for more comments on the draft Marijuana Ordinance, to be submitted by Friday, Jan. 15 (the town office is open from 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays) so board members can review them before their Jan. 21 meeting. Town Manager Mary Sabins offered her email address to receive comments, msabins@vassalboro.net.
The proposed ordinance is available on the Vassalboro website, www.vassalboro.net. In the right-hand column, the second paragraph under the heading “Selectmen’s Meeting” provides a place to click to read it.
The short 2017 “Ordinance Prohibiting Retail Marijuana Establishments” is also on the town website under “Ordinances/Policies” in the left-hand column. It will be repealed if voters approve the new ordinance.
Parts of the draft reviewed Jan. 7, prepared by town attorney Kristin Collins, are essential to bring Vassalboro regulations into conformity with state laws, Collins said. The laws and corresponding state regulations have changed significantly since 2017, and regulations continue to change.
The draft allows medical marijuana facilities, as state law requires. It bans retail marijuana stores. Other facilities, like growing operations, require town licenses. Licensing procedures are spelled out in detail.
Filling what planning board member Douglas Phillips considers a gap in current regulations, the draft ordinance specifies that when someone applies for a permit for a building with intent to lease spaces to grow marijuana inside it (like Leo Barnett’s existing and recently approved operations), both the building owner and each individual medical marijuana caregiver who leases space must obtain a town license.
The ordinance also requires building security, odor control and other measures recommended by the residents of the Sherwood Lane subdivision near which Barnett’s newest growing buildings have been approved.
Selectmen made no decisions on ordinance provisions pending review of comments received by Jan. 15.
Selectman Barbara Redmond asked whether the town could impose a moratorium on licenses while the ordinance is debated. Collins said a moratorium needs approval by town voters; the selectmen cannot create one.
Vassalboro’s annual town meeting is normally held in June. Sabins said a special town meeting would require a quorum of 125 registered voters.
Sherwood Lane residents also queried possible amendments to the town’s subdivision ordinance. Collins recommended the marijuana ordinance not try to include subdivision regulations. The subdivision ordinance is under the planning board’s jurisdiction.
Turning to the planned replacement of a large culvert on Gray Road, selectmen authorized Eric Calderwood, of Calderwood Engineering, of Richmond, to negotiate with Nitram Excavation and General Contractors, of Benton, lowest of five bidders on the project.
Nitram’s bid was $294,758, plus $100 per cubic yard for the crushed stone needed due to soft soil above bedrock. No other bid was under $300,000.
Board Chairman John Melrose reminded the audience the town has a $95,000 Department of Environmental Protection grant toward the cost. Sabins expects more than $27,000 to be left over from the Cross Hill Road culvert, money that could be reallocated to the Gray Road work.
Timing might be an issue. As with the Cross Hill Road project, instream work must be done between July 14 and Sept. 30, Calderwood said. If the precast culvert is not ordered soon, before town meeting voters can act on the request for money for the project, it might not be available for the summer of 2021.
Since the existing culvert is failing, Melrose said the alternative to replacement is closing Gray Road.
Four Conservation Commission members recommended three different projects.
Christopher French and Betsy Poulin are looking for environmental benefits and cost savings as part of pending transfer station rearrangements. A specific suggestion was to add composting. Instead of giving the town transfer station staff another job, they suggested contracting with ScrapDogs Community Compost, a Rockland-based firm that, for a fee, collects and composts food waste for individuals, businesses, organizations and municipalities.
ScrapDogs works primarily with coastal towns so far, but the owners want to expand to the Augusta-Waterville area, Poulin said. She suggested Vassalboro residents could leave food waste at the transfer station where ScrapDogs would pick it up.
Sabins said Vassalboro’s contract with the Maine Energy Recovery Company (MERC) requires the town provide a minimum amount of trash each year. Currently, the Hampden facility that reprocessed waste into useful forms is closed and trash is being landfilled, but she expects a new owner will take over later this spring.
If a local food waste program were successful, Vassalboro might fail to meet its contract and have to pay MERC’s successor for waste not sent, she said. She therefore recommended postponing action until the Hampden situation is resolved.
Holly Weidner wanted selectmen to act on a resolution proposing nation-wide fees on carbon emitters, an idea she said has been around since the 1980s. After an inconclusive discussion of a selectboard resolution or a town meeting resolution, to be sent to state or national representatives or both, no action was taken.
Steve Jones wanted to explore ways to restore the plunge pool that housed native brook trout before the Cross Hill Road culvert was replaced. The work apparently blocked or diverted the spring that fed the cold-water pool; the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife relocated half a dozen fish.
Selectmen discussed costs of getting permits and doing the work, with a license cost of $100,000 being mentioned. Selectman Robert Browne was appalled: “Six fish for $100,000? I’m not seeing the value there.”
Selectmen will explore if, as Jones suggested, an IF&W employee would do the permitting process for free and if the town crew could do the necessary work.
In other business Jan. 7:
Melrose announced three items for a future agenda: consideration of annual Spirit of America awards, a request from library trustees to discuss library ownership and a request from Road Commissioner Eugene Field to compare town and school employees’ wages and benefits.
The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21.