China select board approves purchase of second-hand ambulance

by Mary Grow

At their June 2 meeting, China select board members unanimously approved China Rescue Unit’s request to buy a second-hand ambulance.

Benjamin Loubier, from China Rescue, explained that the unit recently received a $50,000 state grant, with no local match required, which can be used for equipment. Members found a used four-wheel-drive 2013 Ford ambulance with under 100,000 miles on it, for $80,000.

Autotronics, the Bangor dealership that has the vehicle, will provide a three-month warranty, Loubier said. Loubier and Webb Shaw took it for a test drive and were satisfied.

Loubier asked for and got select board approval to spend $30,000 from the rescue reserve account, which he said has $56,000 available. For now, the new unit will be housed in the China Village fire station with the rescue truck.

Also on the select board’s June 2 agenda were three bids to finish the building at the China School Forest, behind China Primary School. Board members unanimously accepted the lowest, $4,285, from Wentworth Enterprises, LLC, doing business as J & J Home Improvements, on Branch Mills Road, in China.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said she and resident Jacinth Allard had continued to collect information on hanging flags on existing power poles to honor veterans through the Hometown Heroes program (see the May 22 issue of The Town Line, p. 3).

Hapgood described Central Maine Power Company’s policy as “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” She said CMP employees ignore flags attached to their poles unless they need to use a pole; then they’ll remove the flag.

Board members again discussed where in town the flags should go, reaching no conclusion.

Hapgood announced that all China town departments will be closed Thursday, June 19, for the Juneteenth federal holiday. On Monday, June 30, the town office will close at noon so staff can finish end-of-fiscal-year financial work.

The select board meeting was followed by visits to China’s three fire stations, in China Village, South China and Weeks Mills. Hapgood said members of China Rescue and the volunteer fire departments gave board members tours of the buildings and equipment.

The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, June 16.