04-07-2008 05:57:32
Thursday, March 13, 2008
At their March 3 meeting,China selectmen:
• Approved snowplowing contractors‚
request for a rate
increase and board member Neil
Farrington’s proposal to offer
recycling tokens at the transfer
station;
• Conditionally settled emergency
911 dispatching for this
year;
• Postponed action on any road
signage changes at the south end
of China Village to March 31;
• Deferred appointing members
of the Board of Assessment
Review, probably to March 17;
and
• Signed the annual dog warrant.
Contractors Tony Cowing,
Scott Childs and Stephen Childs
asked for a $5 per hour rate
increase to compensate for higher
prices for diesel fuel and truck
parts, even though they are in the
middle of a three-year contract.
After an amicable discussion,
board members unanimously
agreed. The new rate – $80 per
hour, Cowing said – is retroactive
to Feb. 1 and will remain in effect
until the contract ends or the rate
is changed again.
If fuel costs continue to
increase, the contractors might
come back with another request.
On the other hand, if voters at the
March 29 town business meeting
approve funding for the town to
install bulk fuel tanks, the plow
drivers might save enough
money so they could accept a rate
cut.
Contractors and Town
Manager Daniel L’Heureux
agreed that China probably pays
less than other area towns, even
with the increase. Comparisons
are difficult, because other towns
ask for bids by the mile rather
than by the hour.
Farrington proposes giving
tokens – referred to as wooden
nickels – for recyclables, probably
one token for each crate of
such items as newspapers, paper,
crushed plastic and cans. The
tokens, valued at 20 cents each,
could be used as payment when
disposing of furniture, demolition
debris and other items for which
a fee is charged.
Other board members asked
who would manage the program.
Farrington suggested beginning it
on Saturdays only, when he will
volunteer to hand out tokens.
Other volunteers are invited to
assist Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays.
With Farrington abstaining, the
board approved spending $425
plus shipping for 5,000 tokens.
L’Heureux said if the program
engenders enough extra recycling
to take two truckloads out of the
waste stream, the cost of the
tokens will be covered.
The manager reported that
China’s fire chiefs and rescue
chief recommend having the
town’s emergency 911 calls
answered at the Somerset County
dispatch center, instead of at
Kennebec County’s Central
Maine Regional Communication
Center (CMRCC), if emergency
radio reception is satisfactory.
The proposal calls for the City
of Waterville to dispatch rescue,
ambulance and firefighting services.
CMRCC would still dispatch
law enforcement
(Kennebec County sheriff’s
deputies or state police).
This plan will cost China $8.25
per resident this year, plus an
estimated $3,000 to install
China’s radios in Waterville’s
console, L’Heureux said.
CMRCC’s fee for complete service
is $10 per resident.
Selectmen authorized
L’Heureux to ask the Public
Utilities Commission for
approval to contract with
Somerset County and Waterville,
conditional on the radio communications
working.
Resident Michael Petrone
brought to selectmen’s attention
what he thinks is a hazardous situation
where Neck Road and
Causeway and Main streets meet
at the south end of China Village.
He said he has seen near-accidents
as drivers attempt to turn
left onto Neck Road across traffic
turning from Main Street down
Causeway Street.
Selectmen discussed options
for half an hour before tabling the
issue to March 31. The one thing
they agreed on was that they did
not like the idea of a stop sign at
the end of Causeway Street: visibility
is too limited, and stopping
on the hill and starting again on
ice and snow would be difficult.
The Board of Assessment
Review, approved by voters in
November 2007 to hear appeals
of property valuations, is to consist
of three members and two
alternates appointed by the
selectmen. L’Heureux said he
has some volunteers already.
Anyone else interested is asked to
call him immediately.
By signing the annual dog warrant,
selectmen increased the late
fee for unlicensed dogs to $25 per
animal, and authorized Animal
Control Officer Peter Cote to
begin contacting owners of unlicensed
dogs and if necessary to
bring them to court.
L’Heureux reminded those
present that the annual town business
meeting begins at 9 a.m.
Saturday, March 29, in the China
Middle School multi-purpose
room, if a quorum is present.
Town reports will be available at
least 10 days before the meeting,
he said.
By vote of the 2007 business
meeting, the second half payment
of local property taxes is due at
the town office by the close of
business Friday, March 28.