VASSALBORO: State Police to continue reduced rural patrols

by Mary Grow

Before they met with the town budget committee, Vassalboro selectmen discussed other non-monetary and monetary items at their March 5 meeting.

Following up on their Feb. 20 meeting with Kennebec County Sheriff Ken Mason (see The Town Line, Feb. 27), selectmen talked with Lt. Jason Madore of the State Police about local law enforcement.

Madore made it clear that although State Police activity in rural areas will be reduced, state police will continue to provide patrols and protection and to respond to calls.

As Mason explained in February, county sheriffs’ departments will be spending more time in towns without full-time police departments, because State Police are responsible for the interstate highways and provide a variety of specialized units and services that are of value to county law enforcement.

Madore emphasized that these duties do not exclude assistance to towns like Vassalboro. The State Police has no intention “of removing itself from rural patrol or removing itself from handling calls for service. Troopers will remain embedded within their communities,” he said.

Selectmen heard from the Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD) and the Alewife Restoration Project (ARI), two entities that have been using funds from Vassalboro’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) fund and want more money in 2020-21.

Sanitary District engineer Richard Greene, of Hoyle, Tanner and Associates, said about two-thirds of Vassalboro’s sewage now goes to Winslow and then to the Waterville treatment system via new pipelines and pumping stations. Work has shut down for the winter and is expected to resume in April, he said.

A discussion of finances covered debts for work done, expected costs of remaining work and anticipated income from present customers and from those eligible, but not necessarily required, to hook onto the expanded system. VSD spokesman Ray Breton asked for “as much as we can get” in TIF money to hold down user fees and help new customers connect.

Selectmen held a Feb. 11 public hearing on ARI’s request for TIF money (see The Town Line, Feb. 20) and plan to schedule a hearing on the VSD request.

Selectman John Melrose again reported on the proposed replacement culvert on Gray Road. He asked approval to hire Calderwood Engineering, of Richmond, to help develop an affordable plan acceptable to the state departments of environmental protection and transportation. Chairman Lauchlin Titus and Selectman Robert Browne agreed.

After hearing from Matt Weaver of First National Wealth Management, the company that handles Vassalboro’s investments, selectmen unanimously renewed the town investment policy.

The next regular Vassalboro selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, March 19, at 6 p.m., half an hour earlier than usual so the budget committee can meet at 7 p.m. Both meetings will be in the town office meeting room.

Volunteer firefighters: answering the call to help neighbors

Firefighters putting out the remainder of a fire on Rte. 3. (photo courtesy of Kevin Luczko)

by Sandra Isaac

“Vassalboro… stand by for a call.”

While sitting at my desk, working at my day job designing an ad for a client, I heard a call for Vassalboro Fire Department come over my fire pager/scanner. “Structure fire off route three. Barn Fire, visible flames.”

A few minutes later, the call was repeated.

I live in China, so it wasn’t my company’s call, but a barn fire? Were there animals involved? I started to pace a bit. I wanted to head out and help. After all, I wasn’t in a dress. I wasn’t in the shower. I wasn’t at a meeting. I was at home and able to go to the fire scene.  Then it happened.

“China Fire…stand by a call.”

Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep…

“Fully involved Barn Fire with explosions. Legion Park and Route 3.”

I saved my work and told my husband I would be going on the call. My equipment was already in the truck so I raced out the driveway.

Sandra Isaac’s father, back row, far left, a firefighter with the Ivyland, Pennsylvania, fire department. (photo courtesy of Sandra Isaac)

Being a first responder is in my blood. The Boyces (my maiden name) were Irish farmers that emigrated to the U.S. and landed in Philadelphia. My grandfather was a Philadelphia cop. My uncle Walt was the first certified EMT in New Jersey, and my father was a volunteer firefighter in our small home town of Ivyland, Pennsylvania, before he was diagnosed with Asbestosis (an illness related to his job as a pipe insulator in Philly.) I requested that the name on my fire turnout gear reflect my proud family history. ‘Boyce-Isaac’ is now on the back of my fire coat.

I sped towards the fire and pulled my truck aside for the China Village VFD Engine #34 as it headed down Lakeview Drive for Route 3. My red flashing strobe wasn’t working properly, but there was no time to fix it. I waited patiently for everyone to get out of my way. I parked, got into my turnout gear and dashed up the road to the fire scene.

The two-bay, oversized structure was already brought down by the fire and at this point, the fire companies were concerned with keeping the adjacent building safe and extinguishing the fire.

The first firefighter I saw on the scene was Kevin Luczko, my mechanic and a volunteer firefighter from Vassalboro. “Hey Kevin, how are you doing?” Kevin also left his job to help with the fire. He said, “I’m doing good, but I’ll be stuck here for a while. I drove the (fire) truck.” He pointed to where China Village Fire Chief Theriault was standing so I could check-in.

I received my Firefighter 1 certification in Bucks Country, Pennsylvania, and ran with the Midway Fire Company in Lahaska, Pennsylvania. After I moved to New Jersey in August 2001, I decided to join Hope Fire Company in Allentown, New Jersey, signing up the day after 9/11. During my time with Hope FD, became a certified EMT-B (basic). Once I moved to Maine, I knew I wanted to be active once again. This time, it was the conflicts within the town that inspired me. What better way to show your support then to volunteer your time, right?

Representatives from four companies had shown up at the scene: Vassalboro, Weeks Mills, China Village, South China. Chief Theriault greeted me by saying, “Get your gloves on and head over to see Ben.”

Ben Loubier is the assistant chief for China Village VFD, as well as a full-time firefighter for Winslow. Ben was located on (what was) the backside of the building. He was with a firefighter from another company and soaking a burned oil-tank and a charred mini-backhoe. “Grab the hose and back up (firefighter) Nivek (Boostedt),” he said. When you pull the handle on a fire hose nozzle, the force of the water pressure coming through the hose can set you off balance or even knock you over. Often times you will see two people manning a hose. The firefighter at the nozzle concentrates on the water and knocking down the fire. The second firefighter watches the first, as well as the overall surroundings, and where the hose is on the ground.

Nivek and I concentrated our efforts on the rear of the building. The walls had completely collapsed but were still smoldering. I could see what remained of a 250-gallon oil tank, a welding set up, a large older farm truck, a mini-backhoe, and a lot of bent and curled metal siding.  We were keeping water on the old farm truck and the oil tank. “Grab the hose and move toward the other side,” said Ben. “Concentrate on the backhoe.” We were often blinded by the wind blowing what appeared to be smoke, but in actuality, most of it was steam. The temperature was in the low 30s and between the heat of the burning wreckage and the cold water, we had a lot of white steam.

The mini-backhoe was still burning in its interior. We continued to drench it with water. Getting water to a fire is always an issue, so each department bringing a supply to the scene makes a difference. The ground was getting muddy from all the water and the warming sunshine. Firefighters wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), also called turnout gear. It is bulky and awkward and can weight over 25 pounds without additional equipment. Once it’s wet from spraying water and moisture in the air, it’s even heavier. It doesn’t take much for a firefighter to get tired, so Nivek and I switched positions and moved around the structure to get off the deepening mud.

The burned building was owned by Vannah Lawn Care. The business owner was on the scene and helped us move debris with a large excavator. This helped us out tremendously as it meant we didn’t have to dig and move material to make sure everything was extinguished.

Once the fire was officially declared out, we gathered up all of the mud-soaked hoses then drained and laid them back on their appropriate trucks. All the chiefs made sure their company’s gear was accounted for and we headed back to the station.

Once back, we signed the call log and talked about the fire. We were grateful to not have any hose to clean off. There was a lot of mud on the scene.

I laid my gear out to dry and repacked what I could. I was tired but like 90 percent of the other firefighters, I had to go back to work, but I did so with a smile on my face. Being part of the community means a lot to me. Helping my neighbors, contributing to the betterment of our area, and the camaraderie of the group are just a few reasons why I enjoy being a volunteer firefighter. So back to work and waiting for the next call to help. It’s only a question of when.

March 3, 2020 election results for Vassalboro & Fairfield

VASSALBORO

Unofficial election results from the town of Vassalboro, according to town clerk Catherine Coyne:

President – Democrats

Joe Biden, 167; Bernie Sanders, 148; Mike Bloomberg, 81; Elizabeth Warren, 68; Pete Buttigieg, 9; Amy Klobuchar, 8; Tulsi Gabbard, 7; Andrew Yang, 2; Cory Booker, Deval Patrick, Thomas Steyer and Marianne Williamson, all with 0.

President – Republican

Donald Trump 385.

Referendum, People’s Veto:

No, 749; Yes, 422.

FAIRFIELD

Unofficial election results from the town of Fairfield, according to town clerk Christine Keller.

President – Democrats

Joe Biden, 203; Bernie Sanders, 184; Mike Bloomberg, 89; Elizabeth Warren, 55; Pete Buttigeig, 17; Amy Klobuchar, 9; Tulsi Gabbard, 8; Andrew Yang, 3; Tom Steyer, 2; Marianne Williamson, 1; Cory Booker and Deval Patrick, 0 each.

President – Republican

Donald Trump, 409.

Referendum – People’s Veto

No, 826; Yes, 478.

Local Town Meetings Schedule 2020

Town meetings 2020

ALBION

Town Meeting
Sat., June 27, 10:00 am
Albion Fire Station

Those attending the Town Meeting should park in the field behind the Besse Building or in the Besse Building parking lot. No one will be allowed to park at the Fire Station. Attendees should also practice social distancing and we ask that you wear a face mask.

Copy of the Town Meeting Warrant is on the Town web page under Government – Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes

CHELSEA

Election
Tues., June 9, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Chelsea Elementary School
Town Meeting
Thurs., June 11, 6:30 p.m.
Chelsea Elementary School

CHINA

Town meeting
Tuesday, July 14, 9 a.m.
Written ballot only
Former portable classroom near town office.
7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

FAIRFIELD

Annual town budget meeting
Mon., June 15, 7 p.m.
Fairfield Community Ctr.
61 Water St.

SOLON

Town Meeting
Saturday, March 7, 1:30 p.m.
Solon Elementary School.

VASSALBORO

Town Meeting
Mon., June 22, 6:30 p.m.
Vassalboro Community School
1116 Webber Pond Road
Municipal Election
Tues., June 23, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Town Office
682 Main St.

*   *   *

To be included in this list, visit our Contact Us page or send an email to The Town Line at townline@townline.org.

Area roads earmarked for improvements in 2020-21

by Roland D. Hallee

The Maine Department of Transportation has announced plans for road improvements in the China – Vassalboro – Winslow area, in 2020-2021.

For 2020, the work will include Rte. 137, from China to Winslow, with the work to begin at Rte. 202 and extending west 6.14 miles to Rte. 137B, then extend north 1.04 miles to Rte. 201. This will include overlay.

From China to Vassalboro, along the Neck Rd., Webber Pond Rd., Bog Rd., and Stanley Hill Road. That will begin 1.39 miles north of Village Street and extend north 5.65 miles to 1.14 miles north of the Gray Road. And beginning 0.21 of a mile north of Preble Hill Rd. and extending north 2.4 miles to Timber Oaks Dr. This will include highway rehabilitation.

In China, Rte. 202, a large culvert improvement located .17 of a mile north of the south intersection of Pond Rd.

Vassalboro, Rte. 32, beginning 1.14 miles north of Gray Road and extending north .73 of a mile. Includes highway rehabilitation.

In 2021, the Stanley Hill Rd., in China and Vassalboro, beginning .02 of a mile from Rte. 32 and extending east 6.21 miles. This will include a light capital paving.

Oak Grove Rd., Vassalboro, beginning at Rte. 201 and extending northeast 3.12 miles to Rte. 32, light capital paving.

In Vassalboro, Webber Pond and Bog roads, beginning at Rte. 201 and extending northeast 8.03 miles to Rte. 32.

Stanley Hill Road, beginning .02 of a mile from Rte. 32 and extending east 6.21 miles, light capital paving.

The local roads assistance in China for fiscal year 2020 will be $54,896.

The department reported maintenance accomplishments in 2019, specifically recorded to China, that included six drainage structures cleaned; 4.6 miles of shoulder repair; 81.7 miles of shoulder mowing; one bridge washed; 1,449 linear feet of backhoe ditching; 205 miles of striping applied; 92.9 miles of shoulder herbicide applied; 13.8 tons of patch applied; five tons of shim applied.

Also, 13 trees removed; one emergency event response; 154 linear feet of guardrail or fence maintained; 1,722.6 tons of hot mix paving; two drainage structures intalled or replaced; 21.4 miles of litter and debris removed; 12.9 miles of shoulder graded; 452 square feet of pavement legend applied; one underwater inspection performed; 896 linear feet of shoulder rebuilt; 54.3 miles of shoulder sweeping; and six person hours of traffic signal maintenance.

Local road assistance to Vassalboro for fiscal year 2020 is $66,916.

Maintenance accomplishments specific to Vassalboro in 2019 included: 34.8 miles of shoulder litter and debris removal; one emergency event response; 32 linear feet of bridge joints repaired or replaced; 25.1 miles of striping applied; 4,292 linear feet of shoulder rebuilt; 58.5 shoulder miles of sweeping; 205 linear feet of backhoe ditching; seven drainage structures installed or replaced; 57 miles of shoulder mowing; four bridges washed; 22 trees removed.

Also, five tons of shim applied; two drainage structures cleaned; 16 miles of shoulder graded; 265 linear feet of bridge rail repaired or replaced; 13.6 tons of patch applied; and 34.8 shoulder miles of herbicide applied.

ICE OUT 2020? Take a guess. Win a prize!

SEND US YOUR BEST ICE OUT GUESS FOR 2020

Write down your best guess (one per person) and send it to The Town Line, PO Box 89, South China, ME 04358, or email us at townline@townline.org with the subject “ICE OUT 2020“. If more than one person guesses the correct date, a drawing will be held to determine the winner. Get your guess to The Town Line office by noon, Friday, April 10, 2020.

Email: townline@townline.org. Or use our Contact Us page!

PRIZE: To be determined

Ice Out winner for 2020 is Jeremy Gray.

The records below, of ice out dates on China Lake, were provided by China residents Bill Foster, Captain James Allen and Theresa Plaisted.

Bill Foster brought in the ice out dates from 1874 to 1883. They came from a 215-page log/diary. In the log/diary are recorded the comings and goings from 1870 to 1883 of the F. O. Brainard Store, as well as personal notations of special and everyday events.

Captain James Allen brought in the ice out dates from 1901 to 1948. They had been recorded on the outhouse wall of the old Farnsworth house, also located in China Village.

Theresa Plaisted brought in the ice out dates from 1949 to 1991. She explained to us that a friend and neighbor, Ben Dillenbeck, had kept the record on his cellarway wall until his death on December 12, 1987.

Theresa transcribed Mr. Dillenbeck’s record and has kept the record up to date ever since.

This year, we will be checking China Lake to determine the official date for “Ice Out” in 2020. We will not be looking in hard-to-access areas for that very last crystal to melt, so the definition of “Ice Out,” for the purpose of this contest, is: “When, to the best judgment of the assigned viewer, the surface of the lake appears to be free of ice.” The judge’s decision is final.

Can you guess the day The Town Line declares China Lake free of ice?

Ice Out dates for the last 145 years!

1874 – April 22
1875 – May 6
1876 – April 30
1877 – April 16
1878 – April 12
1879 – May 3
1880 – April 21
1881 – April 19
1883 – April 29
1901 – March 27
1921 – March 28
1932 – April 27
1933 – April 20
1934 – April 19
1935 – April 25
1936 – April 4
1937 – April 20
1938 – April 20
1939 – May 4
1941 – April 16
1945 – April 2
1947 – April 12
1948 – April 8
1949 – April 6
1950 – April 14
1951 – April 9
1952 – April 19
1953 – March 19
1954 – April 19
1955 – April 13
1956 – April 27
1957 – April 10
1958 – April 16
1959 – April 22
1960 – April 21
1961 – April 30
1962 – April 20
1963 – April 22
1964 – April 21
1965 – April 18
1966 – April 18
1967 – April 29
1968 – April 13
1969 – April 23
1970 – April 23
1971 – April 30
1972 – May 1
1973 – April 8
1974 – April 2
1975 – April 23
1976 – April 11
1977 – April 18
1978 – April 21
1979 – April 12
1980 – April 10
1981 – March 18
1982 – April 22
1983 – April 1
1984 – April 17
1985 – April 6
1986 – April 8
1987 – April 6
1988 – April 6
1989 – April 22
1990 – April 11
1991 – April 8
1992 – April 15
1993 – April 21
1994 – April 20
1995 – April 9
1996 – April 5
1997 – April 23
1998 – April 9
1999 – April 2
2000 – April 4
2001 – April 27
2002 – April 6
2003 – April 21
2004 – April 14
2005 – April 16
2006 – March 26
2007 – April 23
2008 – April 17
2009 – April 11
2010 – March 19
2011 – April 17
2012 – March 21
2013 – April 6
2014 – April 19
2015 – April 22
2016 – March 15
2017 – April 17
2018 – April 23
2019 – April 12
2020 – ?????

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.