China residents seem to be doing fine during crisis

by Mary Grow

China selectmen held their first virtual meeting March 30, with three members joining Town Manager Dennis Heath at the town office and two calling in.

The main purpose of the meeting was to pay the usual two weeks’ worth of bills. At Board Chairman Ronald Breton’s request, Heath provided updates on coronavirus response and town finances.

The manager said so far the town office has received no individual requests for help. Apparently, he said, China residents are “hunkered down” and have enough to get by. Town office staff have ordered supplies, including toilet paper, paper towels and Lysol, to keep on hand should things gets worse.

People planning to come to the town office are asked to call ahead and to use the drive-up so their business can be done quickly and safely.

Until further notice, the transfer station will take only household waste that goes into the hopper. Demolition debris, brush and compost will join the list of unacceptable items. The goal is to limit the number of people at the facility.

One more change Heath listed is that the town office and the transfer station will close from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, so staff can take a lunch break and when necessary catch up on cleaning.

In response to Breton’s query about extending the local tax due date, Heath said since town meeting voters set the date, he is not sure selectmen have authority to change it. He will investigate the question.

The manager said property tax collection is at about the same level as it was at the end of March 2020, suggesting most people have made their payments on schedule and people who needed reminders in 2019 will need them again this year.

Heath and board members expect China’s 2020 income will be lower than expected. Lower state revenue will likely reduce state aid to municipal governments and schools; and, for example, if people postpone buying new cars, excise tax revenue to the town will decrease.

Until the situation is clearer, the manager plans to keep spending controlled, but not to stop using appropriated funds for necessary purposes. After all, he said, China’s unassigned fund balance (informally called surplus) is intended for emergencies like the pandemic.

China selectmen plan their next virtual meeting for 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 13. As with the March 30 meeting, they intend to livestream it on the town website, china.govoffice.com.