China select board OKs kayak, paddleboat rental station

by Mary Grow

The three main issues at the Jan. 27 China select board meeting were town trucks; a proposed kayak and paddleboard rental station; and recreation programs. Board members postponed decision on a new truck for two weeks and, on a split vote, authorized the rental station.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood and Director of Public Services Shawn Reed described expensive problems with some of China’s older plow trucks. Two are 10 years old; Reed recommends replacing one this year.

Reed reminded select board members he proposed buying a new truck a year ago. They did not include the purchase in the 2024-25 budget; but they recommended, and voters approved, a $200,000 increase in the public works equipment reserve, bringing it to about $305,000.

Since last spring, Reed said, the price of the Western Star he recommends has increased by $13,000, to close to $300,000 with plow gear. When he suggested the delay had wasted $13,000 of taxpayers’ money, board chairman Wayne Chadwick replied that it also resulted in a newer truck that hadn’t started depreciating. But, Hapgood countered, during the year there had been repair expenses.

“As these trucks age, nothing with them is getting better, and the cost to replace them is going up,” Reed said. He favors a replacement schedule, so town officials won’t find they need several trucks all at once.

As a China taxpayer, he agreed with select board member Blane Casey that raising taxes isn’t desirable. But neither is having too few trucks to keep roads clear and residents safe, he said.

During the most recent storm, he said, one truck quit in the middle of Route 3; another had to be sent to haul it off the road.

After 20 minutes’ discussion, board members postponed a decision to their Feb. 10 meeting.

Sheriff alerts residents of power scams

Kennebec County Sheriff’s Deputy Ivano Steffanizzi shared the department’s message for county residents at the Jan. 27 China select board meeting: if someone shows up at your door offering to lower your electric bill, send him away: it’s a scam.

Official-looking imposters have been collecting electricity bill numbers and credit card numbers or other payment information on the pretext of representing Central Maine Power Company, Stefanizzi said.

He also urged residents to keep an eye on their elderly, live-alone neighbors in winter weather, if possible helping them feel less isolated.

Recreation Committee Chairman Martha Wentworth first presented the rental idea in January 2024. She recommended the town contract with a Michigan company named Rent.Fun.

In return for an upfront fee from the town, the company would provide four kayaks and four paddle boards, with paddles and lifejackets, in a secure cage. People could rent the equipment, using a phone app and a credit card.

Revenue would be split evenly between Rent.Fun and the town. The company would pay for repairs and maintenance, using local labor if the town requested, and for liability insurance.

In October 2024, Wentworth applied for TIF (Tax Increment Financing) money for the town’s share. She said the project was deemed ineligible.

This year, Wentworth said, the town’s fee had increased, from $29,000 to $35,000; she had talked with a Rent.Fun official and negotiated it down to $33,500. Rent.Fun had made other contract changes she thought undesirable, but the official agreed to honor China’s 2024 understanding.

Select board members talked another 40 minutes about all aspects of the plan before voting 3-1, with Edwin Bailey, Casey and Jeanne Marquis in favor, Chadwick opposed and Thomas Rumpf absent, to approve it. In addition to money appropriated last year, they authorized $14,000 from the recreation reserve and $5,000 from the select board’s contingency fund.

Chadwick said he believes the enterprise should be privately, not municipally, funded.

Hapgood said the exact location of the approximately eight-by-eight-foot structure near the China Lake boat launch by the causeway will be determined, considering convenience and safety, minimal interference with already-inadequate parking and winter plowing around it.

In addition to the China Recreation Committee that Wentworth heads, there is a China Recreation Sports Committee, headed by Mike Sullivan. Sullivan attended the Jan. 27 select board to ask for the select board’s support in what he described as a competitive situation with out-of-town interests.

Sullivan and Wentworth disagreed over aspects of the programs. Chadwick recommended investigation before the select board considered any action.

In other business, board members awarded the 2025 mowing bid to the low bidder, Littlefield Lawn Care, of China, for $26,500.

They unanimously authorized Hapgood to sign a 2025-26 State of Maine dispatch contract for emergency services dispatching, for $51,199.

Hapgood issued a reminder that nominations for Spirit of America awards are due by Feb. 1. The agenda says there is an on-line nomination form at https://chinamaine.org/images/PDFs/Spirit_of_America_Award_nomination_form.pdf.

Hapgood suggested people call the town office before submitting a nomination, to find out whether the person previously received the award.

The manager announced a budget workshop at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, in the town office meeting room. She intends to present a draft 2025-26 budget.

The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10.

Applications for 2025 TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds are due by Feb. 28.