Thelma Bulger presented with Vassalboro’s Boston Post Cane

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Thelma Bulger with the Boston Post Cane presented to her by the Vassalboro Historical Society proclaiming her the oldest resident in town. Below, right, the knob of the cane. (photo by Elizabeth Bulger Bourgoin)

Symbolic of the town’s oldest resident

Submitted by Janice Clowes

The Vassalboro Historical Society has announced the honorary ownership of the Boston Post cane to Mrs T. Lois Bulger. The tradition of the cane began in 1909, when the Boston Post distributed 431 of the canes to towns throughout New England with instructions that each should be presented to the oldest living citizen of the town.

The cane is made from Gabon ebony from the Congo. Each cane took approximately one year to make. The cane’s head is finished with a 14-carat gold top and is elaborately sculpted. Vassalboro’s cane was missing for many years, until purchased in 1988 from an antique dealer in California and given to the Historical Society by Betty Taylor, one of the Society’s founders. The honorary ownership of the cane was given to Louise Charlotte Seehagen Eastman in September, 2016. Mrs. Eastman passed away at 101 years of age in January 2020.

The new recipient, Thelma Lois Wood was born on April 24,1922, to parents Eva and Norman Wood in Oakland, Maine. Always known as Lois, she attended Oakland schools, where she met her future husband, Harold Bulger. She continued her education and completed a Special Secretarial Course at Thomas Business College. Harold and Lois were married on December 24, 1940, in Oakland.

Mr. and Mrs. Bulger moved to Vassalboro where they raised their four children, Mayella, Gregory, Linda, and Elizabeth. They also opened their own business, and ran Pine Tree Stables, Home of Fine Horses for 30 years. In 1982 the Bulgers opened Pine Tree Stables Antiques and Collectibles. Mrs. Bulger continues to run the antique business which now includes Ebay sales. Mrs. Bulger also worked for the Adjudication Division of the Veteran’s Administration at Togus as a Claims Examiner for 34 years.

Mrs. Bulger was a member of Adams Memorial Church until it closed. She taught Sunday School and was a member of the Womens’ Fellowship. She loves reading mysteries, gardening, and quilting. Her family has grown and she is the proud grammie to 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and great-great grammie to four.

Mrs. Bulger received a walking stick carved by Raymond Breton, of Vassalboro, and a certificate in recognition of her status as Vassalboro’s Oldest Resident.

VASSALBORO: Two annual activities successful despite disruptions

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro School Board members again got upbeat monthly reports from school officials at the Dec. 15 board meeting.

Vassalboro Community School Principal Megan Allen said two traditional annual activities were successful despite the disrupted year. The Giving Tree program was so well supported that five more families were helped this year than last year. And the virtual December Viking Pride Assembly recognized honor roll students and those who exemplified the Pride virtues of respect, responsibility and kindness. Remote learners were included, Allen said.

She reported that the number of students choosing to learn entirely remotely increases gradually, and services to remote learners are increasing as well.

She also said that Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) Master Specialist Victor Esposito and Guidance Counselor Meg Swanson organized a school-wide door decorating contest that resulted in a variety of creative additions.

Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer said the listing of a coronavirus outbreak at Vassalboro Community School during the Dec. 14 briefing by Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Nirav Shah was old news; CDC is no longer investigating.

The CDC epidemiologist who gave Pfeiffer and Allen advance notice of the public mention praised their handling of the situation and their overall policies, Pfeiffer said. He, too, offered thanks and congratulations to everyone involved, school personnel, students and parents.

School Nurse MaryAnn Fortin seconded Pfeiffer’s report. “Things are looking pretty good right now, fingers crossed,” she said.

(In his Dec. 18 report to the media, Shah said there are few if any cases of in-school transmission in Maine or nationally, and praised school personnel, students and parents for their efforts.)

Given the success so far, board members agreed to continue what they’ve been doing, including leaving winter sports canceled “out of an abundance of caution,” Pfeiffer said.

The board also approved continuing the current school schedule through February. The schedule has different groups of students alternately in the building and learning from home, and Wednesday afternoons set aside for teachers’ preparation time and extra connections with students at home.

When board member Jessica Clark asked when students could return to in-school classes full time, Allen said not until social distancing requirements are removed. She and Assistant Principal Greg Hughes are monitoring space use, looking for a chance to bring students who most need in-school work – some in special education programs, for example – into the building more often.

Pfeiffer added that the administration’s goal is to get students back into the building, but doing so safely is the priority.

Finance Director Paula Pooler said the business office that serves Vassalboro, Waterville and Winslow school departments is still extremely busy with the necessary paperwork for extra federal and state funding. But, she said, the additional aid has kept the budget in balance so far, and Vassalboro is about to add four new buses to the one acquired earlier this fall.

Board members approved appointment of Tanya Thibeau as new special education director for Vassalboro Community School (not to be shared with Winslow, as former Director Amy Benham was). Allen said Thibeau was the selection committee’s unanimous choice from four candidates, and she looks forward to having her full-time in the school.

The meeting was followed by an executive session. Afterward, Pfeiffer said he and board members agreed he will serve as superintendent for another year. He prefers one-year terms, to give the school department and himself flexibility.

The next Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, January 19, 2021.

Vassalboro Community School honor roll

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

HIGH HONORS

Grade 3: Aliyah Anthony, Sophia Brazier, Grace Clark, Xainte Cloutier, Twila Cloutier, Wyatt Devoe, Dekah Dumont, Mariah Estabrook, Riley Fletcher, Camden Foster, Dawson Frazer, Lucian Kinrade, Sarina LaCroix, Isaac Leonard, Arianna Muzerolle, Olivia Perry, Elliott Rafuse, Juliahna Rocque, Cassidy Rumba, Isaiah Smith, and Cameron Willett. Grade 4: Emily Clark, Keegan Clark, Basil Dillaway, Harlen Fortin, Tess Foster, Fury Frappier, Baylee Fuchswanz, Allyson Gilman, Kaitlyn Lavallee, Cheyenne Lizzotte, Elizabeth Longfellow, Mia McLean, Elliot McQuarrie, Kackenzy Monroe, Weston Pappas, Emma Robbins, Grace Tobey and Ava Wood. Grade 5: Benjamin Allen, Tristyn Brown, Dylan Dodge, Jasmine Garey, Drake Goodie, Zachary Kinrade,, Drew Lindquist, Paige Perry, Judson Smith and Reid Willett. Grade 6: Madison Burns, Ryley Desmond, Josslyn Ouellette and Taiya Rankins. Grade 7: Emily Almeida, Jacob Lavallee, Ava Lemelin, Mylee Petela and Hannah Polley. Grade 8: Sofia Derosby, Allison Dorval, Ava Kelso, and Greta Limberger.

HONORS

Grade 3: Zander Austin, Lukas Blais, Samantha Carter, Kaylee Colfer, Samantha Craig, Branson Fortin, Peter Giampietro, Aubrey Goforth, Landon Lagasse, Jade Lopez, Agatha Meyer, Addison Neagle, Bruce Sounier, and Haven Trainor. Grade 4: Mason Brewer, Ariyah Doyen, Isadora Duarte, Zoe Gaffney, Bayleigh Gorman, Jack LaPierre, Aiden McIntyre, Kalyee Moulton and Naseem Umar. Grade 5: Bentley Austin, Logan Cimino, Zoey, DeMerchant, Jennah Dumont, Ryleigh French, Cooper Lajoie, Caleb Marden, Katherine Maxwell,Brandon Neagle, Ryder Neptune-Reny, Trinity Pooler, Kayden Renna, Landon Sullivan, Leigha Sullivan, Hannah Tobey, William Trainor, Jade Travers, and Alana Wade. Grade 6: Sophie Day, Eilah Dillaway, Wyatt Ellis, Scott Fitts, Caspar Hooper, Jack Malcolm, Natalie Rancourt and Bryson Stratton. Grade 7: Quinn Coull, Mckenzie Duenne, WilliamEllsey, Madison Estabrook, Paige Littlefield, Alexandria O’Hara, Daniel Ouellette, Leahna Rocque and Addison Witham. Grade 8: Noah Bechard, Brooke Blais, Brady Desmond, Ellie Giampetruzzi, Kaylene Glidden, Brandon Hanscom, Kailynn Houle, Kaelyn Pappas, Seth Picard, Ava Picard and Emma Waterhouse.

HONORABLE MENTION

Grade 3: Chanse Hartford, and Meadow Vaney. Grade 4: Caylie Buotte, Gabriella Duarte, Jaziah Garcia, and Jaelyn Moore. Grade 5: Dominick Bickford, Lucas Cornier, and Bentley Pooler. Grade 6: Kiley Doughty, Madison Field, and Adalyn Glidden. Grade 7: Elisha Baker, Moira Bevan, Saunders Chase, Mason Decker, Leigh-Ann Gagnon, Kaiden Morin, Taylor Neptune, Lilian Piecewicz, and Leah Targett. Grade 8: Landen Blodgett, Evan Brochu, Bodi Laflamme and Alysha Opacki.

Vassalboro resident seeks to change marijuana ordinance

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro selectmen entertained three requests from residents of the Sherwood Lane subdivision at their Dec. 10 YouTube meeting, moving two forward without any final action.

Leo and Andrew Barnett have spent the fall seeking town approval to build two large buildings to lease to medical marijuana growers on land beyond the end of Sherwood Lane, the road off Riverside Drive that serves the subdivision. Residents consider the proposed commercial development inappropriate so close to, and accessed through, a residential subdivision.

The Planning Board approved the project Dec. 8 (see related story, p. )

Jessica Reed, speaking for others concerned, asked selectmen to consider three actions: amending Vassalboro’s local marijuana ordinance to limit the number of growing facilities in town; prohibiting commercial marijuana projects in subdivisions; and perhaps monitoring existing facilities.

“We never expected a situation like this,” and with town support would like to protect residents of other subdivisions from similar surprises, Reed said.

Selectmen agreed that since they developed the original marijuana ordinance, they should discuss amending it. Town Manager Mary Sabins said town attorney Kristin Collins pointed out the ordinance no longer matches revised language in state law. Selectmen asked Sabins, working with Collins and interested Sherwood Lane residents, to recommend changes.

Board Chairman John Melrose would like to see a revised draft when the selectmen meet next on Jan. 7, 2021. Sabins said she would try to have one ready by then.

Amending the subdivision ordinance should be a planning board task, selectmen agreed. They voted unanimously to ask the planning board to take it on, in cooperation with Collins and Sherwood Lane residents.

Selectmen did not discuss monitoring existing facilities.

Reed thanked selectmen for hearing residents’ concerns and sought advice on the procedure for appealing the Dec. 8 planning board decision. Sabins referred her to Codes Officer Paul Mitnik.

Sherwood Lane resident Dan Belyea commented that the Nov. 10 and Dec. 8 planning board meetings had been frustrating for residents trying to comment. It was difficult to hear what was going on at the Nov. 10 hearing, held in St. Bridget’s Center, and he was unable to connect in to the virtual Dec. 8 meeting, he said.

Following up on an earlier discussion about use of the town ballfields in East Vassalboro during a declared public health emergency, board members approved a short Covid-19 Recreation Field Closure Policy. It applies to town parks and fields, not to school recreational facilities. It says:

• Sabins is to monitor pandemic reports and may, in consultation with the recreation director and school superintendent, declare parks and fields open to unrestricted public use, open to limited public use or closed to the public. She is to notify selectmen of any action.
• Posted town policies are to coordinate with school policies “when practical.”
• If a “group or gathering” is on a town park or field posted as closed, town officials may ask local police or sheriff’s deputies to order them to leave.

Other actions selectmen took at the Dec. 10 meeting included appointing Kevin Reed to the Board of Appeals and Paul Oxley to the Trails Committee, and amending the town personnel policy to incorporate the new state Earned Paid Leave Law.

At Melrose’s suggestion, board members, Road Commissioner Eugene Field and Vassalboro Community School technology specialist David Trask discussed improving the driveway at the recreation field. Melrose had considered recommending pavement, but he and Field thought crushed stone would be adequate, and less expensive. Trask agreed crushed stone would pack down to make a good surface.

Melrose led a discussion of repairs to the Civil War statue in East Vassalboro (see The Town Line, Dec. 3, p. 1). If the town paid some of the cost, the Vassalboro Historical Society might contribute, he said. Board members will wait to see what Historical Society directors decide.

As of Dec. 10, the driveway and the statue are left for continued discussion as the 2021-2022 budget takes shape early next year.

Melrose is exploring a 250th anniversary fireworks display based on the Criminal Justice Academy grounds. Academy officials are not opposed, but want more details, he reported. Semiquincentennial anniversary expenses are likely to be another 2021-2022 budget item.

Melrose further reported that bids for work on the Gray Road culvert are due Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. He proposes reviewing them at the Jan. 7, 2021, selectmen’s meeting, which will also be via YouTube.

Vassalboro selectmen unanimously approved Town Manager Mary Sabins’ request to give all town employees a paid holiday on Dec. 24 and authorize closing town facilities at 2 p.m. on Dec. 31. The exception, of course, will be the public works crew if a snowstorm requires them to work over either or both holidays.

Sabins thanked the board for giving employees a holiday gift; they deserve it, she said.

The transfer station will be open regular hours, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 26.

Vassalboro planners approve two site review applications

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by Mary Grow

In a four-hour all-remote meeting Dec. 8, four Vassalboro Planning Board members reviewed and unanimously approved two major site review applications.

Jeremy Soucy has town approval to open a used car business at 24 Webber Pond Road, on the premises of a previous similar business at the Riverside Drive intersection. Leo and Andrew Barnett are permitted to build two large buildings and a small storage building at the end of Sherwood Lane, off Riverside Drive, and lease space in the large buildings to caregivers to grow medical marijuana.

Soucy still needs a used car dealer’s license from the state, he said. Once operating, he plans to have no more than 30 cars on site at a time, probably fewer.

He plans to do minor repairs, working indoors and not making unusual noise. He does not plan to run a state inspection station. Maximum hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and he is likely to shorten them.

Soucy said he is on good terms with his neighbor to the north and intends to do nothing that will bother area residents. The original property-owner designed the lot well for a used-car business, he said.

Soucy’s application was approved with two conditions and one understanding. The conditions are that he will not park vehicles where they will block the view of motorists turning out of Webber Pond Road onto Riverside Drive; and any waste stored outdoors, like scrap metal, or indoors, like waste oil, will be in secure containers.

The informal understanding is that if Soucy restores power to the lighted identifying sign installed by the previous owner, he will, if necessary, change the sign or the light source so it will not illuminate the whole neighborhood, as planning board member Douglas Phillips said the previous one did.

The Barnetts’ application had already been the subject of a long public hearing on Nov. 10. Afterward, board members found the application incomplete and asked for additional information before they compared it to town ordinance requirements.

Sherwood Lane residents and their attorney, Brandon J. Mazer, of Perkins Thompson, in Portland, sent Codes Officer Paul Mitnik and the planning board a letter setting forth reasons they agreed the application was incomplete and believed the Barnetts’ proposal failed to meet town standards. Mazer participated in the Dec. 8 meeting, as did Vassalboro town attorney Kristin Collins, of Preti-Flaherty, in Augusta.

After the hearing, Mitnik visited the property (with the Barnetts’ permission, as it is posted against trespassing) and reported to the board on drainage issues and wooded buffers.

At the Dec. 8 meeting, planning board members reviewed the revised Barnett application and voted unanimously that it was complete. Changes from the original plan include adding the turn-around for emergency vehicles requested by volunteer fire department members.

After a short break for comments from the viewing public (attorney Mazer spoke), board members compared the plan to ordinance standards and voted, again unanimously, to issue a permit for the proposed buildings and their use. They attached four conditions to the approval.

• A state Department of Environmental Protection staff member is to determine the location of a forested wetland on the property. A map shows it close to the proposed development, but Mitnik questioned the accuracy of the map; he thinks it is farther away.
• The growing buildings are to have odor control measures “to the satisfaction of the codes officer and meeting industry standards” – attorney Collins’ wording.
• Each caregiver who leases space to grow marijuana must show proof of registration with the state.
• The codes officer is to inspect the interior of the growing buildings to make sure growing facilities do not block exits.

The Barnetts said that once growing starts, outsiders are not allowed into the climate-controlled buildings. Mitnik said he would be satisfied to inspect when the growing areas are set up, before seeds are planted.

The review included discussion of objections raised by Sherwood Lane residents. Collins clarified state law concerning medical marijuana, as distinct from adult use marijuana, and the relationship between Vassalboro’s marijuana ordinance and state laws and regulations.

Board member Marianne Stevens repeatedly expressed concern about the location at the end of a residential street, for example, worrying about children and traffic. Leo Barnett said he does not expect a lot of traffic. He reminded board members that his similar facility on Old Meadow Lane, which the planning board, on Nov. 10, allowed him to double, has more residents along its access road.

Discussion of planning board business did not begin for some minutes after Chairman Virginia Brackett opened the meeting, because Vassalboro Community School technology expert David Trask needed to get participants connected via YouTube so that everyone could hear and be heard.

The Vassalboro Planning Board normally meets the first Tuesday evening of the month, so the next meeting should be Tuesday evening, Jan. 5, 2021.

Vassalboro sestercentennial calendars available

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Vassalboro Historical Society

In preparation for Vassalboro’s Sestercentennial (250 years) celebration next year, Donald Breton, Vassalboro resident, has created a calendar that contains 47 copies of postcards from Vassalboro’s past. The cover and reverse side of the calendar contain a map of Vassalboro from 1879.

Some of the proceeds from the sale of the calendar will be used for Vassalboro Sestercentennial Scavenger Hunt next year along with supporting some other local nonprofit organizations.

They are $15 each, or $20 if you would like one mailed. Add $1 for each additional calendar. They are available at the Vassalboro Town Office, Vassalboro Public Library, and the Olde Mill Place Gift Store. Make checks payable to Donald Breton, PO Box 12, North Vassalboro, ME 04962.

Vassalboro: Light up the Season 2020

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Here is a map of local sites participating in Vassalboro’s Light up the Season 2020 event.

Vassalboro seeks oldest resident

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Vassalboro Historical Society

The Vassalboro Historical Society is searching for the oldest resident of Vassalboro. Our most recent recipient of the honorary Boston Post Gold Cane, Louise Charlotte Seehagen Eastman, passed away on January 28, 2020, at age 101.

We know of a 98-year-old in East Vassalboro, but want to make sure we don’t miss anyone. If you are or know of someone older than 98 years old, please contact Jan Clowes at 207-660-2854 or by email at VHSPresident@gmail.com.

2020-’21 Real Estate Tax Due Dates

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Albion

Tax year runs Feb. 1 to January 31
Taxes due September 30, 2020

China

First Half
Sept. 26, 2020

Second Half
March 26, 2021

Fairfield

Four quarters

November 10, 2020
January 6, 2020
March 10, 2020
May 12, 2020

Vassalboro

One fourth
Sept. 28, 2020

One fourth
November 23, 2020

One fourth
Feb. 22, 2021

One fourth
April 26, 2021

Waterville

First quarter
Oct. 9, 2020

Second quarter
Dec. 11, 2020

Third quarter
March 12, 2021

Fourth quarter
June 11, 2021

Windsor

First Half
September 30, 2020

Second Half
March 31, 2021

Winslow

Four quarters

October 9, 2020
December 11, 2020
March 12, 2021
June 11, 2021

To be included in this section, contact The Town Line at townline@townline.org.

$2 a bag book sale in Vassalboro

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photo: vassalboro.net

The Vassalboro Public Library will hold a $2 Holiday Book Sale for the entire month of December.

There will be a great selection of books, media, and puzzles: fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books.

Social distancing, hand sanitizer, and facial coverings are required. Space is limited to one family or individual at a time in the book sale room. the library is located at 930 Bog Road, East Vassalboro, 04989.

Fill a bag for $2!