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.

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.

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro voters have one contested race and two vacancies on the local election ballot for June 13.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town office. In addition to elections, voters will accept or reject the school budget approved at the June 5 open town meeting and a state bond issue.

The only local contest is for a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. Larisa “Reese” Batchelder, of East Vassalboro, is challenging incumbent Lauchlin Titus, of North Vassalboro.

For the school board, there are three openings, two for three-year terms and one for two years to fill out an unfinished term. Erin Loiko, whose term ends this year, seeks reelection; there is no candidate on the ballot for the other three-year position, currently held by Susan Tuthill, who was appointed in 2016 for the remaining months of the late Frederick “Rick” Denico’s term. Jessica Clark is unopposed for a two-year term on the school board. That seat is now held by Lori Fowle, appointed to succeed Elizabeth Mitchell after Mitchell was elected Probate Court judge in November 2016.

On the Sanitary District Board of Trustees, Paul Mitnik’s and treasurer Rebecca Goodrich’s terms end in 2017. Only Goodrich’s name is on the June 13 ballot. Voters have space to write in names for as many positions as are open. The candidate with the most votes, whether listed on the ballot or getting write-in votes, is elected, assuming he or she is willing to serve.

The two candidates for selectman replied to a questionnaire from The Town Line. They were asked what they would like to accomplish if serving on the board of selectmen and what else they would like voters to know about them. Their answers follow. Batchelder, 38, has lived at 371 Main Street, in East Vassalboro, since December 2015. She is co-owner of Cozy Barn Antiques.

Batchelder said: “I go into this venture with an open mind. My goal is to open communication between the community and the board of selectman. I want to have an open mind when listening to the community and only make decisions after they have been heard, not before. I want to be sure that our small town government is free of cliques that can hinder good choices and cause favoritism. My aim is to vote according to the law and the people of Vassalboro of whom I would represent.” (ep)

She added: “I bought my forever home in this town, because I love this town and the people in it. I have made this town the home of my small business and the place my child will grow up. I would like to use my education in political sciences as well as my time and desire for positive change, to be of assistance to the town I love.”

Titus, 62, has lived in Vassalboro 30 years. He is a Certified Professional Agronomist, owner of AgMatters, LLC, “a private agricultural consulting business that works with Maine farmers providing crop consulting services as well as food safety training.” He also has a small farm and sells vegetables from the family home at 1063 Main Street, in North Vassalboro.

Titus wrote that two recent useful developments “are implementation of an Employee Manual and improved handling of the town’s finances with a sound investment strategy and the use of detailed audits. These both need periodic review and adjustment.”

He continued, “I want to see the work being done by town staff and a core group of volunteers continue toward providing and improving services to the aging population of the community. Lastly, always looking to save money where possible, I want the town to monitor the work of other Maine communities to possibly transition streetlights to LED lights,” a change selectmen have been told “could reduce the cost of electricity to the vicinity of 25 percent of what we pay now after a four-year project repayment – which will be at our current budgeted amount for streetlight usage.”

Titus included a summary of other town positions he has held or now holds: “I was on the school committee for three years, budget committee for several years, and on the board of selectmen for the past nine years. When the town had a road committee I served on that, have served as a library trustee, am an active member of Vassalboro Grange and Vassalboro Business Association, and I’m an interested, but admittedly less active, member of the Vassalboro Historical Society.”