SELECTBOARD: South China boat landing topic of July 1 meeting

South China boat launch. (photo by Roland D. Hallee)

by Mary Grow

China select board members and a dozen South China Village residents spent almost an hour and a half of the July 1 select board meeting discussing the South China boat landing.

The landing at the south end of the east basin is one of three public boat launches on China Lake. The others are at the head of the east basin near China Village, and near the west basin outlet, in East Vassalboro village.

South China’s lake access is by Town Landing Road, a gravel road running downhill that is a source of erosion into China Lake. Turning and parking space is very limited, and there is no room for expansion.

The landing is currently open to all watercraft, including, neighbors said, very large boats. A previous engineering study recommended limiting use to hand-carried canoes and kayaks.

Select board members reviewed a plan to pave the road, with the paving sloped toward ditches with riprap and vegetation that will absorb pollutants from run-off.

Several residents preferred the hand-carry plan; why, they asked, allow people, mostly out-of-towners, to continue to overuse an undersized area? Even if the run-off problem is solved, they said, limited room to launch boats and lack of designated parking remain problems.

Board chairman Wayne Chadwick said repeatedly his threefold goal is to enhance water quality, preserve access to the lake (which is owned by the State of Maine, he pointed out) and minimize future maintenance costs.

China Lake Association President Stephen Greene reminded board members that the association recently received a grant that includes money for the landing. He recommended a temporary closure until improvements are made.

Several people asked for a return to the carry-in plan, or continued study to come up with an alternative that would involve less intrusion on neighbors.

There was some support for signs limiting boat size or banning parking. Janet Preston, the select board member most vocal in expressing doubts about paving, thought people might heed them.

Neighbors agreed there should be no sign encouraging use by identifying the landing. However, board member Blane Casey’s suggested “Dead End Road No Turn-Around” drew an immediate offer of lawn space.

Casey believes if word spreads that people can launch their boats from trailers only by backing down a narrow road, use will decrease.

Board members voted 4-1, with Preston opposed, to forward their plan to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection with a request for approval.

In other business July 1, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood summarized plans prepared by Recreation Committee chairman Martha Wentworth to use the town-owned lot at the corner of Lakeview Drive and Alder Park Road, south of the town office complex.

Wentworth’s plan includes moving the ice-skating rink there from its present location at the ballfields by China Middle School; fencing in a 30-foot-by-50-foot dog park; and perhaps adding amenities like a community garden or a lawn games area.

Select board members agreed unanimously to authorize Wentworth and Hapgood to seek cost estimates for a fence for the dog park.

Board members also unanimously hired Portland-based Purdy Powers and Company to audit the town’s books for another year.

Hapgood suggested board members consider having a booth at the Saturday, Aug. 3, part of the Aug. 2-4 China Days celebration, where residents could meet and talk with them.

The July 15 select board meeting is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. Hapgood anticipates a light agenda.