Haley: school budget “coming in on fumes”

by Mary Grow

The Vassalboro school department will end the fiscal year in the black, but just barely, AOS (Alternative Organizational Structure) #92 officials said at the June 20 School Board meeting.

“We’re coming in on fumes,” Superintendent Eric Haley said.

Finance Director Paula Pooler said with 10 days remaining in the fiscal year, she expected an extra payroll for non-teaching staff whose school year was extended because of numerous snow days, plus a few more bills for services and supplies. The 2016-17 budget should cover everything, she said, but only by spending everything authorized, including reserve funds.

When school board members approved the 2017-18 budget, they funded it partly with the remaining money in the reserve fund, hoping to add unspent money to it after June 30. Pooler thinks additions unlikely.

With the state legislature unable to agree on state school funding for 2017-18, that income sources is still an unknown quantity. The budget Vassalboro voters approved at town meeting takes $338,681 from local taxes to fund the school budget, and requires the school department to return to the town any unplanned state revenue up to the $338,681.

In other business June 20, board members approved two new hires, both warmly welcomed by Vassalboro Community School Principal Dianna Gram. Arielle Jurdak-Roy will teach first grade, and Kate-Lynn Tarr will teach kindergarten.

Board members authorized Superintendent Haley to issue contracts to staff hired between board meetings, since the board will not meet again until August.

They accepted the resignation of Guidance Counselor Erin Brousseau, who Gram said is accepting a new position out of the area. Gram called her departure “a loss to Vassalboro.”

They approved the 2017-18 school calendar, with Thursday, Aug. 31, the first day of classes. Three snow days are scheduled; if no more are needed, the school year will end Friday, June 15, 2018.

The next Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Aug. 15.

Vassalboro educator takes part in space camp

Vassalboro Community School teacher Breanne Desmond recently took part in the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy, in Huntsville, Alabama.

Honeywell has announced the 2017 launch of Honeywell Educators at Space Academy (HESA) where select educators from around the world – including a teacher from Vassalboro – will attend space camp at the United States Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in Huntsville, Alabama.

Vassalboro Community School teacher Breanne Desmond recently attended the camp in Alabama. Those selected to attend participated in 45 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction focused on science, space exploration and leadership skills development, including:

  • A high-performance jet simulation
  • Rocketry and a new coding mission to launch them
  • Scenario-based space mission
  • Land and water survival training
  • Interactive flight dynamics programs

The one thing they all have in common – they’re on a mission to learn new ways to bring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to the classroom next fall.

But why? Only 16 percent of high school seniors are interested in pursuing STEM, according to the Department of Education, yet the National Science Foundation states 80% of available jobs in the next several years will require some math and science skills. HESA aims to re-ignite teachers’ passions for STEM and encourage students to seek a STEM career.

The teacher will be among more than 200 teachers from 33 countries and 45 U.S. states and territories accepted into the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy (HESA) for 2017.

Created by Honeywell and U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) in 2004, HESA is a scholarship program that inspires middle school math and science teachers to become more effective educators in STEM.

More than three million students have been reached and inspired by 2,776 math and science HESA alumni from 62 countries and 52 U.S. states and territories since 2004.

VHS to display prehistoric fishing roots in Vassalboro

From left to right, Tony Jenkins, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Simone Antworth, VHS director, Jan Clowes, VHS president, Gary Shaffer, NRCS archaeologist, Stewart Corson, VHS director, Don Bassett, exhibit designer, and Russell Smith, VHS director.  Photo by Tom Kielbasa, NRCS

by Thomas Kielbasa
NRCS-Maine
A new exhibit at a central Maine museum is the fruition of a unique partnership between the local community and the USDA to preserve prehistoric artifacts for future generations.

On June 10 the Vassalboro Historical Society officially unveiled the “Remembered Vision” display at its museum in East Vassalboro, highlighting the area’s prehistoric fishing roots. The new exhibit – which features stone tool artifacts and a diorama depicting a native village – was created with the help of funding provided by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and volunteers with the Historical Society.

The “Remembered Vision” exhibit was funded in part by NRCS through a $5,000 National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) award to promote the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Vassalboro Historical Society (VHS) matched the funds to complete the exhibit.

“It is amazing,” VHS President Janice Clowes said during a special reception at the opening of the exhibit. “The people who have seen it are amazed, and we are so excited about it.”

The exhibit was designed by freelance artist and former display coordinator with the Maine State Museum Don Bassett. Bassett incorporated into the exhibit more than 100 stone artifacts excavated from the nearby Cates family farm, which sits on the mouth of an outlet stream from China Lake and was the site of a seasonal fishing camp for prehistoric and native fishermen.

Bassett said his vision for the Vassalboro exhibit was to bring to the community “the knowledge base that for thousands of years there were people right here on the grounds, and it continued mostly around a seasonal fishing existence.”

“Remembered Vision” is quite literally a “window” into the past; the east-facing window in the exhibit looks out onto the Cates farm and the site of the prehistoric fishing camp.

Bassett explained that much of the farm’s soil is undisturbed and could provide “an enormous cache” of archaeological information, thanks to support from the local community. He said a water treatment facility had been planned for the site in the 1990s, but an outpouring of support from locals to preserve its integrity saved the China Lake site.

“Not only did they save the farm, but found property (elsewhere) for the water district to build their water treatment plant,” Bassett added. “…The community is very proud to have that site, and they are very proud of the museum.””

A carving at the new exhibit, which features stone tool artifacts and a diorama depicting a native village.
Photo by Tom Kielbasa, NRCS

Through the window of the exhibit a visitor can also see the siding of the High Tunnel System on the Cates farm that NRCS assisted with installing nearly two years ago.

The project began in 2014 when the Cates family sought NRCS assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to install a High Tunnel System to help prolong their growing season. NRCS-Maine Cultural Resources Specialist Dr. Gary Shaffer knew the significance of the site since previous excavations over the years had recovered prehistoric artifacts primarily from the Middle and Late Archaic periods; especially from about 6,000 to 4,500 years ago. Shaffer believed the installation or use of the high tunnel at the farm would only minimally disturb the archaeological site (the setting of stakes to anchor the structure to the ground), but future usage could impact the site. His own excavation recovered several ceramic sherds and metal artifacts from the 18th to 20th centuries, as well as a flake of Kineo rhyolite from prehistoric tool manufacture. Importantly, troweling of the B horizon soils in one test pit revealed the dark soil of a prehistoric fire pit. After removal of the black, greasy silt loam from the pit, Shaffer carefully screened the soil to collect even the smallest of artifacts and biological items. As a result, he found a calcined (burned) bone and several pieces of charcoal.

This bone was later identified as a mouth apparatus of an anadromous alewife fish in a charcoal pit that was around 4,000 years old; this “confirmed the presence of significant prehistoric archaeological resources in the footprint of the high tunnel” at the Cates’ farm, according to Shaffer.

It was this project that helped solidify the historic importance of the site and confirm the location’s eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), a list with more than 90,000 properties of historical significance across the nation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s NRHP is part of a program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

“The Natural Resources Conservation Service was proud to be a part of this project in Vassalboro,” Shaffer said. “The Historical Society has truly done a great job with putting together this exhibit and ensuring generations to come will learn about the rich prehistory of this area of Maine.”

Vassalboro News: Planners rule boat landing work as maintenance

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Planning Board members agreed unanimously that the planned reconstruction of the China Lake boat landing in East Vassalboro can be considered maintenance for which no permit is needed, rather than expansion.

At a short June 6 meeting, five board members and Codes Officer Richard Dolby reviewed A. E. Hodsdon Engineers’ application for half an hour, squinting at 8-1/2-inch by 11-inch diagrams and wishing the engineering firm had sent a representatives with full-scale plans.   They concluded the reconstruction will involve a new concrete abutment, additional gravel and crushed stone and new, stronger cement bars that should create a longer-lasting ramp.

Board members expect the work will be done after the fall drawdown of China Lake.  Their vote to define the project as maintenance included the condition that the engineers notify residents before the ramp is closed for the work, so boats can be hauled out for the winter.

At their June 5 town meeting, Vassalboro voters approved using $28,700 in previously-appropriated funds as matching money to go with state contributions to the reconstruction.  The second application on the June 6 planning board agenda, involving a minor change to a subdivision on Trisha Lane, was not ready for submission, Dolby told board members. Since the first Tuesday in July is Independence Day, the July planning board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, July 11.

Titus re-elected Titus re-elected in Vassalboro

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro voters re-elected Selectman Lauchlin Titus for another three-year term in the only contest on the June 13 local election ballot.

Titus received 191 votes to challenger Larisa Batchelder’s 56.

In other election results, according to Town Clerk Cathy Coyne:

  • Rebecca Goodrich, running unopposed for the Sanitary District Board of Trustees, was elected with 217 votes. Numerous other people got one, two or three votes for the other open seat on the board.

For two three-year terms on the School Board, Erin Libby Loiko was reelected with 208 votes.  Among write-in candidates, incumbent Susan Tuthill received seven votes, more than anyone else.

  • Jessica Clark was elected with 212 votes for a two-year term on the School Board, finishing a term from which two previous board members resigned.  (ep)

Voters re-endorsed the 2017-18 school budget approved at their June 5 open meeting by a large margin, 208 in favor to 46 opposed.

Vassalboro News: Taxes raised by .88 mils; might be less with state funding

by Mary Grow

Hours of negotiation between budget committee and school board members and the board of selectmen paid off at the first session of Vassalboro’s town meeting June 5, as voters approved all recommended appropriations.

One resident asked how come the recommendations of the town boards were all in agreement. Budget Committee Chairman John Melrose first joked that it was because the budget committee was able to persuade selectmen the budget committee was right. More seriously, he said officials worked toward consensus, believing it to be in the town’s interest.

Lauchlin Titus, chair of the selectmen, called 2017 “one of the toughest budget sessions I think I’ve ever been involved in.”

Currently, voters have raised their tax rate by 0.88 mils (88 cents for each $1,000 of valuation). However, town officials and state Representative Richard Bradstreet expect the final increase to be less, because they expect more state funding for schools than in the budget the legislature is now reviewing.

To cover the expected change, a new 2017-18 school budget article says that if state school funding is higher than expected, the additional money will be used to lower taxes, up to the $338,681 coming from the town in the budget approved at the meeting. When Larisa Batchelder asked about postponing a vote on the school budget until the legislature and governor approve state funding, Selectman Philip Haines said a later town vote would require a special town meeting, with a quorum requirement that might be hard to meet in the summer. Town officials expect a final figure in July. In 2016, selectmen set the tax rate at their Aug. 8 meeting.

Town meeting continues on Tuesday, June 13, with local elections and a written-ballot vote to approve or reject the school budget. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the town office.

Voters at the June 5 open meeting agreed to group multiple articles together, including the municipal government appropriation and the school appropriation, sparing the need for Moderator Richard Thompson to read each item separately. With only a few questions and comments from the 120 or more voters assembled, the meeting lasted less than two hours.

In addition to authorizing 2017-18 spending, voters approved an amended Shoreland Zoning Ordinance and a revised Sanitary District Charter; allowed selectmen to apply for state aid to rebuild the East Vassalboro boat launch; approved exercising the “put option” with the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company (PERC); and elected five budget committee members.

The PERC article was followed by an explanation that a voter suggested was not entirely clear. Town Manager Mary Sabins explained in a sentence: when Vassalboro agreed to send its trash to PERC years ago, the town bought part ownership in the company, and now PERC is buying back Vassalboro’s shares for an expected $13,514.13. Donald Breton, William Browne, Peggy Schaffer and Eddie Scholz were re-elected to the budget committee for two years, and Phil Landry defeated Holly Weidner by four votes for the seat vacated by Lori Fowle. The complete town meeting warrant is in the 2016 town report, which is dedicated to the late Jim Mitchell. Mitchell also received a posthumous Spirit of America award, accepted by his widow, Elizabeth “Libby” Mitchell, and other family members.

Vassalboro library to hold summer reading festival

The Vassalboro Community School, the Vassalboro Public Library and the East Vassalboro Grange are hosting a Summer Reading Festival on Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities will be at the East Vassalboro Grange and the Vassalboro Public Library.

The schedule is as follows:

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Scholastic Buy One-Get One Free book sale (Grange)
10 a.m.: Sheriff’s Dept. fingerprinting talk & demonstration. (Library)
11 a.m.: Craft featuring Home Depot Kid Kits (Grange) & Story Time with Guest Reader, Sarah Sugden, Director Waterville Public Library (Library)
11:30 a.m.: VCS Chamber Band (Grange)

Noon: Lunch: Hot dogs, chips, milk & ice cream (Grange)

1 p.m.: African Drums (Grange)
2 p.m.: Laurie Graves, author presentation on her book, “Maya & the Book of Everything” Book Signing & 3 free give-aways of her book. Book also available to purchase. (Library)
3 p.m.: Craft: Duct tape wallets and bookmarks with Donna Martin of Maine Savings. (Library)

There are also free books for children at the library. All activities are free, including lunch. We hope you can join us! FMI contact the Vassalboro Community School Library at 923-4348 or the Vassalboro Public Library at 923-3233.

Vassalboro Board approves 5-cent increase in school lunches

by Mary Grow

At their May 16 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members unenthusiastically approved a five-cent increase in the price of school lunches for next year, because if they didn’t they would risk losing federal subsidy money.

Finance Director Paula Pooler explained that federal funding for school lunch programs depends on a “price adjustment calculator” that says Vassalboro should be charging $2.85, instead of the current $2.60, for each full-price lunch. The federal program allows for gradual adjustment, however, so for 2017-18, $2.65 will satisfy the requirement.

If the board failed to act the federal subsidy might be reduced, Pooler said.

Board members also approved a 2017-18 school calendar, after wondering whether they should build in more than three snow days.

They discussed a letter from Vassalboro selectmen asking them to advertise future school board vacancies and agreed they will post any opening on the school website and notify the town office. By state law, the school board is authorized to appoint a new member to fill a vacancy until the next election, and must act within 30 days, Superintendent Eric Haley said.

Board members unanimously approved advancing 13 probationary teachers, nine moving from first-year to second-year, three moving from second-year to third-year and kindergarten teacher Danielle Smith finishing her probationary period and getting a continuing contract.

They accepted with regret resignations of Katherine Ladd-Cyrway, who is retiring at the end of the year; custodian Claire Young; and Kelly Donato from her position as English Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator. The next regular Vassalboro School Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, June 20.

Local resident volunteers to clean and repair cemetery headstones in Vassalboro

by Mary Grow

At their May 18 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen met resident Jody Kundreskas, who has volunteered to donate her labor and some of the materials to clean and repair old headstones in Vassalboro cemeteries.

Selectmen accepted her offers with pleasure.

Kundreskas said last summer she attended a workshop on proper cleaning and repair techniques; she is insured; and she knows other restorers who can advise as needed. Town Manager Mary Sabins offered the services of the Public Works Department if heavy lifting is required.

Vassalboro’s 27 cemeteries would provide “more than a lifetime of work for me,” Kundreskas said. She plans to start with a single-stone cemetery near her house.

Cemetery Committee Chairman Jane Auidi said there are legal requirements for working on headstones. She believes an annual legal notice in the spring, before work starts, will meet the requirements.

Auidi also reported the cemetery committee plans to use the rest of the Cross Hill cemetery account to finish surveying and laying out plots in the new section of the cemetery.

In other business, Road Commissioner Eugene Field shared results of a traffic speed survey on Church Hill Road early in May. Board Chairman Lauchlin Titus summarized: “Eighty percent of them were going way too fast.”

The road has a 35-mile-an-hour speed limit. Of a total of 1,819 vehicles recorded, 379 were driving within the limit. The highest speed recorded was 67 miles an hour. Selectmen decided they cannot approve Beth Morse’s request for a designated handicapped parking space in front of Hairbuilders on Oak Grove Road, because there is not enough room for the space without extending it into the road.

Sabins plans to discuss with Morse alternative ways to provide safe access to her business for people with canes, walkers or wheelchairs.

Selectmen signed a Spirit of America award certificate to the late Jim Mitchell, to be presented to his widow, Libby Mitchell, at the June 5 town meeting.

They approved a catering permit to allow serving liquor at a June 3 wedding in North Vassalboro.

The next regular selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday evening, June 1.

Stephen Csengery earns Eagle Scout status

Stephen Csengery

Stephen Csengery

On February 22, Stephen J Csengery, 17, from Troop #410, in Vassalboro, passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review. On May 7 Stephen received his Eagle badge at his Eagle Court of Honor. The COH took place at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church in Vassalboro. VUMC is the Charter Organization for Troop #410.

Rep. Dick Bradstreet, of Maine House District #80, attended and presented Stephen with a congratulatory letter from the Maine State Senate and House Of Representative.

Stephen is the son of Joseph and Cheryl Csengery, in Vassalboro. He is a junior at Erskine Academy, in South China. Stephen started scouts in 2006 as a Tiger Scout in Vassalboro Pack #410. He was an active scout attending all the meetings, field trips and camping trips. They made trips to Maine Criminal Academy, in Vassalboro, Fort Western, in Augusta, and Camp Hinds, in Raymond. His favorite trips were to Massachusetts to Battleship Cove as a Bear and to two trips to Coos Canyon, in Byron, as a Webelos 1 and 2.

On April 7, 2011, he achieved the highest rank in Cub Scouts, Arrow of Light and crossed over to Boy Scouts.

He belonged to the Flaming Outhouse Patrol and enjoyed every part of Boy Scouts. He attended Boy Scout camp, merit badge colleges and many other trips. His favorite was two trips to the U.S Army Academy, at West Point, in New York. They also hiked to the 1963 B-52 crash site on Elephant Mountain, in Maine.

Even though he was busy with scouts he also attended Maine Isshunryu Karate Academy where he achieved his black belt at the age of 15. He still is training with MIKA under Renshi Glen Fitzmaurice, in Randolph, and he also works there as a instructor.

His eagle project, to benefit the Kennebec Land Trust, was clearing and cleaning up the Seaward Mills Conservation Trail, on Seaward Mills Road, in Vassalboro. He also build two benches which he put on the trail and also made signs identifying trees. Plus there was an area that was washed out from the drainage from the fields, where he rip-rapped the ditch to prevent more erosion.

Stephens goals for the future is go to college for electrical technology to become an electrician.

He wants to continue with Scouts as an assistant Scoutmaster or a Scoutmaster. He also wants to continue training in karate and becoming an instructor.

Stephen and his parents thank the following people who supported Stephen and mentored him throughout his scouting adventure: Rick Lees who mentored him throughout his Eagle Project. Rick went above and beyond and it was much appreciated; Kevin Reed who was his scoutmaster though out his Boy Scout years; Rick Denico was there for Stephen thorughout his Cub Scout years as his Cub master.

Also to the following people who donated to his eagle project: Dana Suga for a huge donation of rip-rap rocks, Ross Trainor for the use of the sawmill and to John Tracy for being the official photographer.

Also to all those that help with the project from clearing, placing the benches and rip-rapping the ditch.