Tyler Dostie receives academic honors from Nichols College
Tyler Dostie, a Nichols College student, in Dudley, Massachusetts, from Vassalboro, achieved dean’s list status for the fall 2019 semester at Nichols College, which ended in December.
The Vassalboro Ministry Association fundraiser set
The Vassalboro Ministry Association fundraiser flyer. Click for full page display.
The Vassalboro Ministry Association (VMA) has been helping with fuel assistance for Vassalboro residents in need Since 2005.
The Vassalboro Ministry Association Fuel Fund provides heating oil assistance for low income, disabled community members, and families with children experiencing financial hardship. Funds are raised through donations. An annual spaghetti supper is held in February at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church. Other fundraisers such as bake sales and an annual talent show is held throughout the year.
Heating assistance through the state can take months to obtain so it is especially important for neighbors to help neighbors through the chill of winter.
The spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be held February 29, from 4:30 – 6 p.m., at the Vassalboro Methodist Church. They will have a 50/50 raffle and special home-made pies donated by community members.
Donations are appreciated and may be sent to: V.M.A. Fuel Fund, P.O. Box 302, North Vassalboro, ME 04962, telephone (207) 616-9558.
VASSALBORO: Policing in small towns facing changes; Sheriffs to take on increased responsibilities
by Mary Grow
The Feb. 20 Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting began with a discussion with Kennebec County Sheriff Ken Mason, who said that Vassalboro and other small towns in Kennebec, Franklin and Hancock counties are facing changes in law enforcement assistance.
Currently, personnel from the state police and the county sheriff’s offices take turns on rural patrol in towns that have no or limited local policing. Mason said the state police are pulling back on this coverage to focus on their many specialized units, like evidence collection and cybercrime.
Therefore the sheriff’s department will have increased responsibility and will need more personnel and more funds, from the state and from local towns whose taxpayers support the county budget. Mason described his plans to make the change without reducing coverage or burning out deputies.
He emphasized that in Kennebec County the transition is friendly. He and his state police counterparts communicate well, he said, and he appreciates the assistance from the specialized state police units.
Fire chief Eric Rowe retires; Audience shows appreciation for service
Vassalboro Fire Chief Eric Rowe has retired, after what his colleagues said has been more than 40 years with the volunteer fire department and more than 30 years as chief.
At their Feb. 20 meeting, selectmen, on department members’ recommendation, unanimously appointed Walker Thompson the new chief and Robert Williams assistant chief.
Board Chairman Lauchlin Titus said gently he wished someone had told him, so he could have had a chance to thank Rowe.
Don Breton replied that Rowe didn’t want any ceremony. But, he said, the department plans one, and selectmen will be notified.
The audience applauded.
The selectmen’s meeting ended after a review of the board’s 2020-21 proposed budget, in preparation for a March 5 meeting with the budget committee.
In between policing and budget, selectmen again talked about on-going projects.
They unanimously approved borrowing funds for a lease-purchase agreement on a new police vehicle.
Selectman John Melrose reported on potential bids for a solar array in town, or possibly two solar arrays, one at and for Vassalboro Community School and the other elsewhere.
Board members unanimously accepted an updated proposal from A. E. Hodsdon Engineers, of Waterville, to design potential changes at the transfer station, with the understanding action is likely to be postponed until voters weigh in on the expenditure at the June town meeting.
They continued discussion of the proposed new Gray Road culvert, including size and materials.
On Thursday, March 5, the selectmen are scheduled to meet at 6 p.m., half an hour earlier than usual, and the budget committee to meet at 7 p.m. Both meetings are at the town office, and both are open to interested members of the public.
China/Vassalboro fifth graders help with revegetation program
Students at VCS helping with the revegetation project at the Masse Dam Site.
Fifth grade students from China Middle School and Vassalboro Community School are continuing the work started two years ago by fellow students helping with the revegetation project at the Masse Dam site, in Vassalboro. They are learning the connections between alewives, native plants and the restoration of Maine waterways back to their original state. The restoration of Maine waterways, also known as the Alewife Restoration Initiative, will allow river herring, an anadromous fish, to return to freshwater to spawn.
The site of Masse Dam, which was removed in 2018. (photo by Eric Austin)
Matt Streeter, from Maine Rivers, shared what has happened and is happening as dams are being removed allowing alewives and blueback herring to return to China Lake and Outlet Stream. Nate Gray from the Maine Department of Marine Resources provided information on alewives as a keystone species and what that means to our local environment. Anita Smith, a Maine Master naturalist, clarified the difference between native and invasive plants and why we need to focus our restoration efforts with native species.
This year’s seed collection were ones that would do well in wet to medium wet soils. Some of the seeds planted were Swamp Milkweed, Swamp Smart Weed, New England Asters, Wild Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan and Golden Alexander. Next fall students will go to the Masse Dam site to plant their young plants along the outlet stream. There is also a plan for the fifth graders to visit the site this spring. In the spring they will learn more about the history of the site, identify critters from the stream to determine if the stream is healthy or not, as well as plant shrubs along the stream’s edge.
Seeds for this project were provided by the China Lake Association.
Article and photos submitted by Elaine Philbrook of the China Lake association.
Students at CMS helping with the revegetation project at the Masse Dam Site.
Vassalboro selectmen discuss TIF spending for next year
by Mary Grow
The major topic at the Vassalboro selectmen’s Feb. 11 meeting (rescheduled from the previous Thursday evening due to bad weather) was how to spend Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds next year.
Vassalboro’s TIF document lists the Alewife Restoration Project (ARI) and the Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD) connection to Winslow as two major economic development projects eligible for TIF dollars. Those dollars come from taxes paid on the gas pipeline that runs north-south through the town.
ARI asked for $43,000 for 2020-2021. Matt Streeter from ARI attended the public hearing that preceded the Feb. 11 meeting to describe their need for money to continue removing the dams on Outlet Stream that block alewife access into China Lake.
Several residents, mostly from North Vassalboro, expressed concern that dam work would use up all the money available for 2020-21. They want the VSD to get a share, especially to assist residents who will now have access to the public sewer to hook on.
After the hearing, selectmen decided they need more information from both parties before they approve 2020-21 TIF expenditures. Board Chairman Lauchlin Titus told Streeter they were for the moment neither denying nor approving ARI’s application.
In other business, Selectman John Melrose said he expected five solar companies to visit Vassalboro’s potential solar sites Feb. 12 and to submit notices of intent to bid on the project (see The Town Line, Jan. 30). The town office lot seems to be the preferred site, he said, and he asked the rest of the board if he should begin looking for cost estimates for clearing north and west of the building. Titus and Robert Browne said yes, he should.
Town Manager Mary Sabins recommended postponing purchase of a new water heater for the town office until the old one quits (see The Town Line, Jan. 16). Selectmen agreed.
They unanimously approved revising the price previously agreed for an easement for Central Maine Power Company near the Webber Pond boat landing, after Keltie Beaudoin from Avangrid, speaking for CMP, said a newly-discovered boundary agreement reduced the acreage involved.
The next Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at the town office. Agenda items include a discussion with Kennebec County Sheriff, Ken Mason, on patrol coverage in Vassalboro and preliminary discussion of engineering for two projects, a replacement culvert on Gray Road and a transfer station redesign.
Vassalboro planners OK replacement of power poles
by Mary Grow
Central Maine Power Company’s plan to replace power poles and lines between McCoy’s Substation, in Vassalboro, and the Augusta East substation got approval from the Vassalboro Planning Board at a Feb. 4 meeting, but still awaits state action, company spokespeople said.
The map accompanying their presentation to the planning board shows McCoy’s Substation, on Cross Hill Road, north of Webber Pond (local maps show McCoy’s Crossing as the intersection where Cross Hill, Taber Hill and Bog roads meet). The power line runs southwest along Bog Road, the west shore of the pond and beside Church Hill Road to North Belfast Avenue (Route 3).
Seventeen of the 65 poles are in Resource Protection districts and therefore require local approval, according to the board agenda.
Both current and planned poles heights vary, but engineer Gary Emond, of Power Engineers, said on average, the new poles will be 15 to 20 feet higher than existing ones.
CMP personnel have discussed construction plans with abutters, Project Manager Nicole Harbaugh said. Deborah Turcotte said she spoke with the owner of a private airport who was concerned about higher poles and lines interfering with flight paths. A consultant recommended slightly shorter poles and colored marker balls on the lines; CMP concurred and the airport owner is satisfied.
The CMP representatives said there are no plans to move poles any significant distance, nor to expand the company’s right-of-way, nor to ask for additional easements or do additional clearing along Webber Pond.
Discontinued poles are cut off at ground height, Harbaugh said, and either given to abutters (if they want them and if they plan to use them in environmentally harmless ways) or hauled away. Pole stumps are left in the ground except in agricultural fields.
Electrical service will not be disrupted during construction, Harbaugh said. The tentative – she emphasized tentative – schedule has work beginning in May and ending sometime in the fall. However, she said, the Maine Public Utilities Commission is still reviewing new legislation that might be relevant, and Emond is still working with Department of Environmental Protection staff.
After unanimously approving CMP’s proposed work, board members also approved Codes Officer Paul Mitnik’s revised shoreland zoning permit application.
The next Vassalboro Planning Board meeting will be March 10, the second Tuesday of the month, because their usual first Tuesday evening will find the town office meeting room set up as a voting room for presidential primary elections and one state referendum question.
2019-’20 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
CHELSEA
(Second half)
April 8, 2020
CHINA
(pay all up front or semi-annually)
Friday, September 27
Friday, March 27, 2020
VASSALBORO
(pay all up front or quarterly)
Monday, September 23
Monday, November 25
Monday, February 24, 2020
Monday, April 27, 2020
WATERVILLE
(pay all up front or quarterly)
October 11
December 13
March 13, 2020
June 12, 2020
WINDSOR
(pay all up front or)
September 30 or
Half on Sept. 30
and half March 31, 2020
Vassalboro Historical Society seeks donations for storage building
Vassalboro Historical Society
An open letter to the Greater Vassalboro community and members of the Vassalboro Historical Society
Founded in 1963, the Vassalboro Historical Society’s purpose has been to:
“…bring together people interested in history, particularly the history of the Town of Vassalboro…”
“…discover, collect, preserve and make available to the public any material…which may…establish or illustrate the history of that area…”
“…disseminate historical information and…arouse interest in such matters…”
“…cooperate with other historical societies in preserving and making available material of any sort, particularly things of more than local interest.”
We have grown since the inception, both in membership and in acquisitions. We are now at a crossroads financially. Due to the number of large items we currently have, including wagons, farm equipment, boating equipment, etc., we need a large space. As a solution the board of directors has voted to purchase a large (32’x60’x18’) 18-gauge steel storage building which will not only allow us to protect the items, but will enable us to have them viewed by the public. The building will be placed on VHS property behind Betty Taylor’s barn, to the side of the harness shop.
We are asking for your financial help to prepare the site and to pay for the building. The building and site work is estimated at approximately $45,000 total. Please help us to preserve and maintain Vassalboro’s larger artifacts as well as we preserve and maintain the smaller items. Any and all donations will be appreciated. Donors can opt to be named as a supporter in our newsletter and/or our website. Donations will be acknowledged for tax purposes.
Please send your donation to the following: Building Fund, P.O. Box 13, North Vassalboro, ME 04962.
Vassalboro selectmen OK RFPs for solar energy project
by Mary Grow
At their Jan. 23 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen unanimously approved a request for proposals (RFP) for a solar energy project for the town, including the school department and the Vassalboro Sanitary District. The RFP was prepared by the Solar Energy Project Committee; committee chairman, Selectman John Melrose, said Sanitary District and school officials were consulted.
The schedule for bidders is as follows: notices of intent to bid are due by Feb. 7; a mandatory pre-proposal meeting, RFP review and site visit are scheduled for Feb. 12; town officials must respond to any comments or questions arising from the meeting by Feb. 18; and proposals are due at the town office by 3 p.m. March 9.
The solar installation is to tie into Central Maine Power Company’s service. Bidders have a choice of four sites: Vassalboro Community School land or, with an engineer’s approval, the roof of the building; the town office lot; the North Vassalboro fire station lot; and the Vassalboro Sanitary District’s East Vassalboro property that currently contains a sand filter bed, to be discontinued when the sewer connection to Winslow is finished.
Selectmen also had a request from Michael Vashon, representing the volunteer fire department, to clarify whether town funds approved by voters to match grants the department received are to be used only for state or federal grants, or whether they can match grants from private foundations.
Selectmen voted unanimously that foundation grants can also be matched with tax dollars.
Vashon said with grants and town funds the firefighters have bought and installed new mobile radios and partly funded new portable radios. They’re saving money now for a new fire truck, at an estimated price of about $365,000.
In other business Jan. 23, selectmen renewed the liquor license for Natanis Golf Course, with course owner and Selectman Robert Browne abstaining from discussion and voting.
They told resident Michael Poulin, who would like the town’s Tax Increment Finance (TIF) policy amended, that a consultant is reviewing the policy (see The Town Line, Dec. 19, 2019).
Tom Richards, Commander of Vassalboro American Legion Post #126, asked whether town funds might be used if the post helped organize a Memorial Day ceremony. Board Chairman Lauchlin Titus and Sabins said past observances have cost $300 or less. Titus suggested Richards talk with his wife, Linda Titus, head of the Vassalboro Business Association, about past and possible future events.
Sabins said repairs to the utility room and updates to the computer system are in progress, with the computer system nearly done and more time-consuming – and therefore more expensive – than expected. Once that is finished, she said, the Cemetery Committee will be able to install a much-needed cemetery record program and hire an intern to collect information to fill it.
Voters appropriated $28,000 this year for the town’s share in the maintenance of cemeteries and public grounds and for Memorial Day expenses.
The next regular selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. They plan an initial work session on the 2020-21 budget at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Tickets available for Vassalboro fishing derby
Vassalboro Fishing Derby will take place on Sunday, February 9, from 1-5 p.m., at the Olde Mill, 934 Main St., North Vassalboro.
The prizes! You don’t have to fish to win. There are over $600 in cash prizes from $50 to $300, plus a $256 Natanis Golf package, a voucher for two round trip Amtrak Downeaster tickets, Huhtamaki plates, Framed Pictures, Baskets of Goodies, and many other great gifts from very generous area businesses!
Family Fishing Fun! There’s $940 in cash prizes for 12 categories of fishing. In each category First prize is $40, Second is $20, and Third is $10. There is a kids (12 and under) category, PLUS each youngster who fishes earns a “Vassalboro Fishing Derby” ball cap! There is a trophy and $100 prize for the largest fish (not including pike). The categories include salmon, togue, brown trout, brook trout, white perch, splake, pickerel, pike, large mouth bass, black crappie and small mouth bass. In order to enter the fishing derby you must have one raffle ticket (purchased before 1 PM on 2/9/2020) per fish entered.
Support of Vassalboro Business Association projects! Proceeds from the event help sponsor the Flags along Main Street, the Welcome to Vassalboro Signs, Vassalboro Days, Scholarships for Vassalboro Students, the Color Me Too Fun Run, Halloween at the Olde Mill, the Community Tree Lighting, the Easter Festival, Bikes for Books, the fight against VCS Food Insecurity, and new this year—the Eighth Grade “Maine Event” project.
Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and available from Ray Breton (877-2005), Jim Maloy (441-0378), Linda Titus (631-3303) and Bernie Fortin as well as at Maine Savings FCU, the Olde Mill Store, Rte. 201 Battery & Tire, and the Vassalboro Library.
So the real question is how many books of 6 tickets would you like?
The drawings will begin promptly at 5 p.m., on February 9, at the Olde Mill. You do not have to be present to win! Your purchase will make a difference in our community.
*Here’s a tip — save address labels to speed your ability to fill out those tickets! Or make your own and include your phone number so we can notify you!