Vassalboro first responders receive $17,500 grant from blue ribbon commission

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by Mary Grow

Money was a major theme at the July 25 Vassalboro select board meeting, and for once, some was coming in instead of going out.

Vassalboro First Responders Chief Dan Mayotte was the first person with good news (and a request): the First Responders recently received a $17,300 grant, part of the recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission the Maine legislature created in 2023.

Plans to use the money include providing tuition for members who want to get advanced EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) training, and paying a member to spend a few hours a week doing paperwork, checking gear and doing other managerial tasks.

Mayotte said Vassalboro has the most First Responders of any area town. With a successful group and a grant, he asked select board members to support an application to move to a higher license level, from EMT to Advanced EMT. Part of the grant money would be used for the application process and for some additional equipment.

The higher license would let members perform additional life-saving services when needed, for instance if an ambulance were delayed, Mayotte said.

He foresaw no additional major expenditures if the unit were licensed as Advanced EMT. He told Town Manager Aaron Miller the change would not affect insurance costs.

The two select board members present July 25, chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., and Chris French, authorized Mayotte and Miller to work on getting the new license.

At the end of the select board meeting, Recreation Director Karen Hatch displayed another result of a successful grant: in the meeting room was one of the raised garden boxes that will be set up in front of the town office. The project is funded with a Community Challenge Grant from AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons); see the July 18 issue of The Town Line, p. 8, for more information.

Between those two pieces of good news, Miller and board members talked about:

— The on-going multi-party discussion of the China Lake water level and the outlet dam in East Vassalboro;
— Plans to replace Dunlap Bridge on Mill Hill Road, an expensive project that involves the town and its engineering firm, Calderwood Engineering, of Richmond, and the state Department of Transportation; and
— Next steps in dealing with two foreclosed properties, at 14 Priest Hill Road and 159 Lombard Dam Road.

Board members approved Miller’s list of town manager’s appointments. They appointed Bruce Lancaster to the Vassalboro Trails Committee, and Jordan Cayouette as the Recreation Committee member heading the soccer program.

They agreed by consensus to offer for sale a 12-by-16-foot gazebo, bought by a past recreation director some years ago and never taken from its box and assembled. Miller recommended sale proceeds be set aside in a fund for a similar project should Hatch so recommend.

The manager reported that the Delta Ambulance board of directors is considering asking towns it serves for a 2025 fee of $35 per resident. No decision was made, he emphasized.

By town meeting vote, Delta is receiving $25 a head for fiscal year 2024, up from $15 in FY 2023. During budget discussions, there was talk of a possible 2025 fee as high as $45.

Miller reported on proposed measures to slow traffic approaching the East Vassalboro four corners, which he said should be in place by the end of August. The plan was worked out by the local East Vassalboro Village Project Team and the state Department of Transportation, whose cooperation Miller praised.

Also earning praise, from Miller and from public works department spokesman Brian Lajoie, was Lucas Striping, of Readfield, for donating pavement striping at the newly-paved Vassalboro Historical Society parking lot.

Lajoie told board members the public works department is seeking bids for its new building. He hopes the building will go up this fall.

The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, Aug. 8.

Unique Hawai’ian public supper at Vassalboro Methodist Church

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From left to right, Simone Antworth, Nancy Adams and Pastor Karen Merrill, from the Vassalboro United Methodist Church, are preparing for a Hawai’ian luau at the public supper slated for Saturday, August 17. (contributed photo)

The Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) monthly public supper is taking a twist on Saturday, August 17, from their traditional menu. One of the organizers, Simone Antworth said, “We had been thinking for some time about offering pulled pork as an alternative and when we realized that Hawai’i is celebrating 65 years of statehood in August we decided to honor Hawai’i by offering some of their traditional foods this time.” We will be serving our usual baked beans in addition to some made like they do in Hawaii as well as pulled pork, shrimp dishes, breads, salads and desserts all cooked with a tropical flair. “The Hawai’ians love Spam so we might sneak in a dish using that – and there will be pineapple dishes, of course! There will be surprises too,” said Antworth with a smile. “Guests will have to find out about those when they get there.” The supper will take place 4:30 – 6, unless food runs out before, for a $10 suggested donation per person. So join VUMC on August 17 for a great meal, and a fun-filled Hawai’ian luau celebration.

Public suppers are held at VUMC every third Saturday, May through October. Proceeds support the operating costs of the church and bolster member’s current efforts towards broadening accessibility to online and on-site services and programs.

Harvey Boatman, accessibility project coordinator said, “Our fundraising goal to improve accessibility is $80,000 which will make it possible for us to install safety and accessibility features inside the church. In addition to individual donations and proceeds from fundraising events we have raised $57,500 in grants from the Sukeforth Foundation, the United Meth­odist New En­gland Con­ference, the Maine Com­mu­nity Foundation, the United Meth­odist Foundation of New England, Joni & Friends Christian Fund for the Disabled and an anonymous $10,000 matching grant. We are encouraged and feel grateful for such generous support. Recently though, we discovered a problem that necessitates an additional $43,000 for repairs to the roof and steeple. Raising the funds necessary for that on top of what we are already doing adds an increased level of strain on our congregation. We need support from the community.”

VUMC was built in 1988 and serves as a community center for people of Vassalboro and surrounding towns who come to attend Sunday services, special programs, concerts, public suppers and more. VUMC members provide outreach through participation in the local fuel fund, food pantry, senior programs, Scouting, kids’ scholarships to Camp Mechuwana and by delivering welcome baskets to new residents. VUMC also organizes and publishes a community calendar each year, and delivers them door to door throughout town.

FMI visit Vassalboro United Methodist Church on Facebook, phone Pastor Karen Merrill at (207) 873-5564 or email karenmerrill62@gmail.com.

Laura Jones announces campaign for State House Representative

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Laura Jones

Laura Jones, retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, and Vassalboro native, has announced her election campaign for House District #61, Vassalboro, and part of Sidney.

“Vassalboro has always been where my heart is and where I was happy to return to. I served my country for 25 years and now I am happy to serve my community. I will continue to work as hard as I can in Augusta for the people of Vassalboro and Sidney,” said Jones.

Jones, 52, a fourth generation Vassalboro resident, was born in Waterville and raised in Vassalboro. Jones served 25 years in the military, with deployments and assignments to Haiti, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Japan. She currently works at her family’s business, Fieldstone Gardens, in Vassalboro, She has been very active in the community helping organize and promote community events for the Vassalboro Historical Society, Grange, Mill and Vassalboro Business Association. She currently serves on the board of the Vassalboro Historical Society and is its treasurer.

“Laura’s contributions to the community since retiring from military service are commendable and her life experiences will serve her well in Augusta,” said Barbara Redmond, former Vassalboro select board member. “Laura is an excellent candidate and will do a great job representing the residents of Vassalboro and part of Sidney in the legislature.”

Local residents named to dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College

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The following local students were named to the dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College for the Spring 2024 semester, in Colchester, Vermont.
Cambelle A. Nutting, of Vassalboro, and Evelyn G. Mercier, of Waterville.
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AARP Awards Grants to two central Maine towns

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AARP has announced 14 organizations throughout Maine will receive 2024 Community Challenge grants – part of AARP’s largest investment in communities to date with $3.8 million awarded among 343 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and older.

Included in the recipients are the towns of Vassalboro and Skowhegan.

Town of Vassalboro – Raised garden beds with benches will be added outside Vassalboro’s municipal office. The new community garden will serve as an outdoor classroom and gathering space and will allow residents to grow healthy food.

Town of Skowhegan – This project will install directional signage and replace a deteriorated chain-link fence flanking an access trail, keeping walkers safely away from a steep river embankment. The town will also clear overgrown brush, plant flowers and install benches to create a pocket park.

This year, AARP awarded three different grant opportunities, including flagship grants, capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability, bikeability and accessible home modifications, and demonstration grants that focus on equitable engagement to reconnect communities, housing choice design competitions and improving digital connections to endure disasters.

The grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages, with an emphasis on people ages 50 and older.

Since 2017, AARP Maine has awarded 71 grants and $472,438 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

AARP Community Challenge grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. True to the program’s quick-action nature, projects must be completed by December 15, 2024.

Two Vassalboro scouts achieve Eagle status

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Eagle Scouts Nathan Polley and Cole Fortin stand before their friends and family and fellow members of Troop #410 and recite the Scout Oath and the Scout Law at their Eagle Scout Court of Honor held at the St. Bridget Center. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Jennifer Fortin, mother of Eagle Scout Cole Fortin, pins the Eagle Scout medal on his Scout uniform. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

“Only one in four kids in America will become a Scout,” explained former Troop #410 Scoutmaster Kevin Reed. “but it is interesting to know that of the leaders of this nation in business, religion and politics, three out or four were Scouts.” Of those who were Scouts, only one in four on average will challenge themselves enough to earn the Eagle Scout rank. On Sunday, June 2, those averages were changed as two Scouts from Vassalboro. Nathan Benjamin Polley and Cole Gregory Fortin, were presented with the Eagle Scout rank.The two joined Cub Scouts together in first grade and have remained best friends throughout their Scouting experience. It was only fitting that they should be presented the Eagle Scout rank together. In the Fall, Cole will be attending Husson University and Nathan was accepted to the University of Maine’s Environmental Engineering program.

Reed continued, “Just consider a few of those who’ve achieved Scouting’s highest rank over the years. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and James Lovell; President Gerald Ford; New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Aviator Steve Fossett, CIA Director Robert Gates, Hotel magnate J.W. Marriott, Film director Stephen Spielberg, and Walmart founder Sam Walton. We know what these men accomplished after becoming Eagle Scouts. Today we honor Nathan and Cole, two Scouts in a hundred. We know the things they have done in the past, imagine what they will do in the future.”

Eagle Scout Nathan Polley hugs his mother Hillary Polley after presenting her with the Eagle Scout Mother’s Pin. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

Nathan is the son of Stephen and Hillary Polley, of Vassalboro. Cole is the son of Gregory and Jennifer Fortin. For his Eagle Scout project, Nathan put up story book signs at the Vassalboro Community School trails and Cole led the construction of a new sign at Eagle Park.

“Becoming an Eagle Scout is a great accomplishment; being an Eagle Scout is a great responsibility. As an Eagle, the Scout Oath and Scout Law should take on new meaning for you; the motto and slogan take on new urgency,” said Greg Fortin who is also an Eagle Scout. He administered the Eagle Charge to his son and Nathan: “As an Eagle, your first obligation is to live with honor. You are a marked man, a leader; for good or ill, people will follow the example you set. Give up anything before you give up your reputation and good name. As Shakespeare said, “Mine honour is my life; both grow in one. Take honour from me, and my life is done.”” He added, “Let the practice of the daily good turn lead to a lifetime of service, for only in giving of yourself do you give anything of value.”

During the ceremony, Cole said, “I am prepared to lead others, to accomplish set tasks, to the best of my ability.” And Nathan said, “I am prepared to stand for the virtues of freedom, strength and pride.”

Scout Oath. (photo courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)

Vassalboro Methodist Church receives community building grant

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Vassalboro United Methodist Church at 614 Main Street/Route 32. (contributed photo)

The Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) has received a $10,000 grant from the Community Building 2024 fund of the Maine Community Foundation (MaineCF). VUMC welcomes and offers services and support to all people. This grant will help improve accessibility to VUMC programs and services throughout the building and community.

In 1988 VUMC was constructed on Route 32, in Vassalboro, when the old and outdated Methodist churches in North and East Vassalboro villages were discontinued. The new church created a community center for people of Vassalboro and surrounding towns who come to attend Sunday services, special programs, concerts, public suppers and more. In addition VUMC members provide outreach through participation in the Vassalboro fuel fund, food pantry, senior programs, Scouting, kids’ scholarships to Camp Mechuwana, in Winthrop, and by delivering welcome baskets to new residents. VUMC also organizes and publishes a community calendar each year, and delivers them door to door throughout town.

VUMC is working towards broadening accessibility to all their programs and services by adding a lift/elevator between the sanctuary and fellowship hall; installing audio-visual equipment and internet capability for remote access to services; and updating other safety features throughout the building. Donations to assist VUMC in those efforts are greatly appreciated and can be mailed to 614 Main Street with a notation “for accessibility project.”

“The Methodist Church seeks, welcomes and nurtures all people,” said Harvey Boatman, project coordinator. “With so many churches having closed their doors, or in danger of it, including here in our own town, we recognize more than ever the importance of VUMC remaining a vital presence for those who wish to worship on Sundays or be a part of a faith community in some way or another. This project will help VUMC maintain that presence while building a stronger foundation for accessibility and future growth.”

All are welcome to VUMC, 10:00 a.m., Sunday services, at 614 Main Street/route 32. Public suppers take place in the church fellowship hall every third Saturday 4:30 – 6 p.m. Senior public luncheons for 55+ year olds are held in collaboration with the Vassalboro Recreation Department every second Wednesday 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.

FMI visit Vassalboro United Methodist Church on Facebook or contact Pastor Karen Merrill at (207) 873-5564.

Vassalboro school board hears positive reports for end of year

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Vassalboro Community School (contributed photo)

by Mary Grow

At their June 18 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members heard positive reports about the end of the current school year and continued planning for the next one.

Principal Ira Michaud said end-of-school events, including field trips, the spring concert, a field day and the eighth-grade promotion exercises, went very well. He and Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer thanked multiple non-school people who helped.

Michaud said three weeks of summer school are scheduled beginning July 8. Classes will run Mondays through Thursdays.

Pfeiffer, speaking for Finance Director Paula Pooler, said the 2023-24 budget is expected to be in the black when the fiscal year ends June 30.

Later in the meeting, board members gave final approval to the 2024-25 school budget that Vassalboro voters approved at their June 3 town meeting and re-approved in a June 11 referendum, in the amount of $9,522,114.82.

Board members started spending some of the money: they authorized Pfeiffer to negotiate and sign a letter of intent with Energy Management Consultants, Inc., of Portland “to perform an energy audit and HVAC [heating, ventilation and air conditioning] infrastructure analysis of the Vassalboro Community School,” for not more than $15,000.

Pfeiffer expects the work to extend over several years and to cover multiple aspects of energy use at VCS. The first changes might be made as soon as the next school year, he said.

School board members plan no July meeting. They voted to move their regular meeting night from the third Tuesday of the month (which ran into conflicts this past year) to the second Tuesday, and scheduled their next meeting for Tuesday evening, Aug. 13.

Area boy scouts do training in the woods

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Course Director Christopher Santiago, left, of Vassalboro, and Gearry Judkins, of Farmington, review the ITOLS syllabus during a break between sessions. Bryan Vick, of Waterville, not pictured, also helped with the program. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Area adult leaders in Scouting, and some from as far away as Rangeley, Kittery and Melrose, Massachusetts, took part in a weekend training course held at Camp Bomazeen on May 17 and 18 designed to make them better leaders by giving them confidence with their outdoor skills.

Outdoor adventure is the promise made to a child when they join Scouting. The Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (ITOLS) is a fun-filled program of hands-on skills training in the outdoors, designed to help leaders in Scout Troops master basic camp skills required for Tenderfoot to First Class.

Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) is the equivalent training for those working with Cub Scout-aged youth. The courses teach such things as outdoor cooking, map and compass, rope use, conducting safe campfires, hiking and backpacking, First Aid and Outdoor Ethics. The goal is to provide first-hand experiences so Scouting leaders can teach these skills to their Scouts. Course Director Chris Santiago of Vassalboro said, “It is important to teach these types of courses because Scouting is about being outdoors. Both ITOLS and BALOO help Scouters understand and guide them to the best practices of the BSA, and help Scouters become the best outdoor skilled version of themselves so they can share and deliver a quality program to our Scouts.”

Camp Bomazeen, located on Great Pond, in Belgrade, is the ideal outdoor setting for adults or youth to develop such skills that will serve them well through life. Gearry Judkins, Scoutmaster of Troop #546, in Farmington, would agree as he has spent three weekends in a row at Bomazeen for various Scouting events and was one of the ITOLS instructors.

Nathaniel Bacon is an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop #111, in Auburn, and was another instructor. “There is so much value in these programs,” Bacon said.

Dan Gacki, of Dallas Plantation, is not even registered in Scouting yet but felt it was important to take the course. “I am looking to start a Troop in Rangeley and I love the outdoors,” Gacki said. He traveled more than an hour to attend. Dale Leonard and Aaorn Whitman are Den Leaders in Kittery Pack #316 and also had long drives to attend. “I joined Scouts so I could find any excuse to get me and my family outside,” Leonard said. “The thing I love about Scouting,” Whitman added, “is being out in nature and being active.” Jeremy Seeley is a Den Leader of Cub Scout Pack #202, Topsham and agreed, “I really enjoy being outdoors and that is what Scouting is all about.”

Nick MacDonald spent nearly three hours on the road to get to Bomazeen. He is a Den Leader in Cub Scout Pack #615 out of Melrose, Massachusetts. He saw the event advertised on Facebook and came to complete the BALOO course.

Lou Garza is a parent volunteer with Scout Troop #805 in Windham. “I’m here to learn some stuff,” Garzia said. And experienced Scouting leaders like Kelly Deprez, Chartered Organization Representative for Cub Scout Pack #85, in Gorham, was happy to teach subjects such as knife skills and how to conduct an interfaith service for the BALOO course.

Chris Santiago is also Scoutmaster of Vassalboro Troop #410 and finds he learns from the students while teaching. “My favorite part of the course is meeting Scouters both new and experienced from across our district, across our council, and from outside of our council because you get to learn about them, their experiences, and most importantly become colleagues who may be a resource for you down the road.”

Some training courses are required in Scouting. Youth Protection training, for example, is required for all BSA registered volunteers and is a joining requirement that must be retaken every two years (annually for leaders in Maine’s Pine Tree Council which covers the Western and Southern half of state). Additionally, it is required in Pine Tree Council that all Cubmasters and Scoutmasters complete the Basic Leader Training and all assistant Scoutmasters and Assistant Cubmasters starting in 2025. Each pack or troop must have someone trained in BALOO or ITOLS and they must have at least two registered leaders who have completed Youth Protection Training in order to go camping.

Much of the emphasis in Scouting is as Baden Powell, founder of Scouting worldwide, intended. To challenge the youth in outdoor settings so as to help develop their character and train them to serve. As Powell said, “Teach Scouts not how to get a living, but how to live.”

Vassalboro board OKs TIF funds for VSD

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro select board members began their June 13 meeting by electing Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., board chairman, succeeding newly re-elected member Christopher French.

After a very sparsely attended public hearing on Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD) Treasurer Rebecca Goodrich’s request for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, board members unanimously approved:

— An allocation of $200,000, of which at least $124,000 will be put toward repaying debts for the VSD’s connection to Winslow and the remainder used for other expenses; and
— Reallocation of $100,000 approved in 2019 to current needs.

Town Manager Aaron Miller said the VSD’s proposed uses of the money meet TIF requirements.

On a related issue, board members appointed Lisa Miller (no relation to Aaron Miller) a member of the VSD board. One pending issue is a rewrite of the district’s charter, slated to include provisions for electing VSD board members at the same time as municipal elections.

Only VSD customers would be eligible to become, or to vote for, board members. Town Manager Miller said town officials will need to prepare a separate VSD voter list.

Also pending is a long-term solution that will provide VSD with sufficient operating funds without bankrupting its approximately 200 customers who live in and between East Vassalboro and North Vassalboro villages.

French recommends housing projects in the villages to spread the costs among more people. Denico, saying that solution will take too long, proposes Vassalboro join the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) and ask its experts to apply for grant funding for the VSD.

The June 13 select board meeting began with a presentation by Kennebec Water District (KWD) General Manager Roger Crouse and Water Quality Manager Robbie Bickford. They explained KWD’s plan to discharge excess process water from the Vassalboro treatment plant into Outlet Stream.

The plant is on the west side of the stream, on Route 32 (Main Street) a short distance north of East Vassalboro village. Bickford said it has been treating China Lake water since 1993. It has a capacity of 12 million gallons a day, but processes only about 3.5 million gallons a day, he said.

The process water washed filters in the plant. It is clean enough, Bickford said, so that federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines allow a small percentage to be added to the plant’s output.

KWD would like to discharge some or all of the process water, part of an ongoing effort to reduce chemical use to help save rate-payers money.

Bickford and Crouse made two main points. The process water varies from the water already flowing in Outlet Stream in only one respect; it contains slightly more aluminum – “the most common metal on earth,” Bickford said. And the amount of water the outfall will add to the stream will be so small that neither the aluminum concentration nor the water level will be affected.

Bickford said KWD is getting necessary local, state and federal permits this spring, aiming to have a final plan and a chosen contractor in time to begin construction in the summer or fall of 2025.

Town and KWD officials touched briefly on a question raised by the high water level in China Lake earlier this spring: should some entity other than the Town of Vassalboro manage the Outlet Dam, in East Vassalboro? Crouse said KWD would like to stay involved in discussions of dam management.

Miller intends to schedule a workshop meeting with interested parties.

In other business June 13, select board members followed up on some of the actions voters authorized at the annual town meeting June 3 and made preparations for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.

In the first category, they:

— authorized Miller to proceed with buying a new skid steer;
— approved the lowest of three bids for removing tiles containing asbestos at the former East Vassalboro school building, from New Meadows Abatement, Inc., of Bath, for $10,310; and
— discussed first steps for a new building on the public works lot.

For 2024-2025, they approved a long list of appointments and reappointments to town boards and committees. Miller announced vacancies on the planning board (John Phillips is resigning, he said); the Conservation Commission (he commended retiring member David Jenney for many years of service); the cemetery committee; and the trails committee.

Board members reaffirmed their prior decision to close the town office at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, to give staff time for end-of-year record-keeping. If necessary, staff members will return Friday morning, June 28.

The next regular Vassalboro select board meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, June 27.