Public hearing on local ballot question planned

by Mary Grow

China selectmen have scheduled a public hearing on six Nov. 6 local ballot questions for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, in the town office meeting room.

The questions ask if China voters want to:

• Repeal the Quorum Ordinance;
• Ask the Maine legislature for an exemption from the requirement that all municipalities collect personal property taxes on business equipment;
• Appropriate up to $5,000 from Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funds to explore building an emergency services building and perhaps a community center on the former Candlewood subdivision off the north end of Lakeview Drive;
• Appropriate up to $26,000 from current-year sale of tax-acquired properties for additional salaries and benefits for transfer station staff; and
• Authorize selectmen, on the recommendation of the TIF Committee, to spend up to $100,000 in TIF funds on projects not presented to voters at the annual town business meeting.

On Sunday, Oct. 28, the four candidates for three seats on the Board of Selectmen, incumbents Jeffrey LaVerdiere and Donna Mills-Stevens and challengers Ronald Breton and Wayne Chadwick, plus retiring Selectman Neil Farrington, will participate in a candidates’ forum beginning at 2 p.m. at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library on Main Street in China Village.

The next regular selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, Oct. 29.

On Nov. 6, China polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the former portable classroom behind the town office on Lakeview Drive.