China selectmen say public water supply is not possible

by Mary Grow

After several discussions earlier this fall, China selectmen decided at their Nov. 23 meeting they cannot grant a resident’s request to establish a public water supply for people whose well water is undrinkable.

Until last summer, a spring on private property on Route 3 was open for public use. It is no longer. As a result, South China resident Carrie Gay, speaking for her family and others, asked selectmen to provide an alternative. Board members discussed setting up a public supply, and at one point another resident explored providing private service.

As of Nov. 23, the private offer was withdrawn, board Chairman Ronald Breton said. Board members said a public supply would require licensing and repeated and expensive testing, and might expose the town to liability. Breton asked Town Manager Becky Hapgood to notify Gay that town officials will not pursue a public water source.

Board members unanimously approved the appointment of a new codes officer, Jaime Hanson. He will also be China’s plumbing inspector, building inspector and health officer.

Retiring Codes Officer Bill Butler told planning board members in an email that Hanson was Augusta’s codes officer until the pandemic led to his being laid off; he is now part-time codes officer for Wayne. His China job begins Nov. 30.

Selectmen also added two members to China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee, Jamie Pitney and Michael “Mickey” Wing.

The next China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7.

Holiday hours announced for town office, transfer station

For the Christmas holiday, the town office and transfer station will close at noon Thursday, Dec. 24, and be closed all day Friday, Dec. 25. The transfer station will be open regular hours, 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 26.

For the New Year’s holiday, the town office and transfer station will close at noon Thursday, Dec. 31, and be closed all day Friday, Jan. 1. The transfer station will be open regular hours Saturday, Jan. 2, and because Jan. 2 is the first Saturday of the month, the town office will be open from 8 to 11 a.m.