China planners OK childcare business

by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members unanimously approved the only application on their Sept. 13 agenda, authorizing Kayla Saraiva to open Brookview Childcare at her home at 14 Brookview Lane, in South China.

Saraiva said a home daycare had been run in the house until just before she bought the property in the fall of 2019. She plans a similar operation, she said.

Her application says she intends to accept up to 12 children, aged from six weeks to 12 years. Hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Codes officer Nicholas French said he had checked the septic system.

After the permit was approved, board member Walter Bennett asked French to talk with appropriate people about the crumbling pavement on Route 3, where the Family Dollar store entrance meets the highway.

French said the store’s permit required pervious pavement for the parking lot, as a run-off control measure; and pervious pavement requires maintenance.

Board chairman Scott Rollins said he would check with the state highway department. He asked French to talk with officials at Family Dollar.

The next regular China Planning Board member is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27.

Open planning board seats

With three planning board positions open in November, there is only one name on the Nov. 8 local ballot: James Wilkens is unopposed for re-election as the at-large member.

District 2 incumbent Toni Wall said she will accept re-election if she receives the most write-in votes. Since she has been continuing her interrupted Appalachian Trail hike, she submitted her nomination papers hastily and was not surprised to hear that they were short a signature.

District 4 member and current board chairman Scott Rollins said he will not serve another term. He has too many other responsibilities, he said. District 4 is the southwestern part of China.