<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=09X9Hn_1GzHwMAs00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=09X9Hn_1GzHwMAs00" width="1280" height="682" ></figure>China select board members had several complicated issues on their Nov. 2 agenda, not all ripe for decision. They decided three:— Board members unanimously approved a new, less comprehensive proposal from Raegan LaRochelle to assist with developing China’s revised Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan (see the Oct. 22 issue of The Town Line, p. 3). LaRochelle will receive $3,200 for about three weeks spent educating the select board and the public and working with them and Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood to identify town projects eligible for TIF funding. Her fee will come from the TIF account.— After discussion of the town’s partly-outdated Telecommunications Ordinance, board members unanimously accepted Harmoni Towers’ bond in the amount of $68,637.75. The bond is intended to cover the cost of removal when the tower the company has approval to build on Parmenter Hill becomes obsolete (see the Oct. 29 issue of The Town Line, p. 2).The bond amount did not have the professional engineer’s endorsement that the ordinance requires. Codes Officer Nicholas French said confirming removal cost estimates is “not what professional engineers do.”— By yet another unanimous vote, board members changed China’s HRA (Health Reimbursement Account) from the current administrator to Consumer Health Solutions, saving $470 and, Hapgood hopes, getting as good or better service.The HRA is related to the town employees’ health insurance plan, topic of a quarter-hour discussion and no decision. The Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust currently offers five plans; China is enrolled in the middle one, in terms of employee costs and benefits. The town would save money by switching to a less generous plan.Hapgood said with the HRA covering employees’ costs, like deductibles and co-pays, last year was the first year the town didn’t “make employees whole.”She invited select board members to send her questions to be answered at the Nov. 16 board meeting. With open enrollment starting Nov. 15, she expects a decision on Nov. 16.Another issue involving money and potential complications is dispatching emergency services. Currently, China uses the Kennebec Sheriff’s Office (KSO), which in turn uses the state system. This system, Select Board Chairman Brent Chesley said he learned at a meeting the previous week, is outdated, and the state won’t spend money to update it.Therefore, KSO intends to switch to the City of Augusta’s dispatching service, at a higher cost.Chesley was indignant about several aspects of the planned new system. Each town’s charge is based on a 1987 formula, 75 percent on population and 25 percent on call volume, which he said is contrary to state statute.The formula also hurts China and Chelsea, two Kennebec County towns that contract for KSO patrols, Chesley said. Every time a KSO deputy calls in to check a license plate, China gets billed for a call.Chesley was more indignant because he had learned that towns with their own dispatching service don’t pay the county anything. He said he asked at the meeting if there is a county service China doesn’t use, can the town be exempted from paying for it?A final insult, he said, was when county officials proposed starting the new service – and billing for it – on April 1, instead of waiting for the towns’ new fiscal years to begin July 1.The dispatch bill will be separate from the annual county tax bill, he said.Also needing decision soon is whether to renew the contract for disposal of bulky waste and construction debris or to seek a new company. The current contract with Waste Management ends Dec. 31. Hapgood said Transfer Station Manager Thomas Maraggio is seeking prices from several services.Board members heard of, but did not discuss, one more potential expense increase, for Delta Ambulance. The towns of Fairfield and Benton have notified Delta that they intend to stop using its service in February 2027. Delta officials will have to find some way to continue to pay bills without those two towns.As the meeting ended, Hapgood reminded those present that all town departments will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, for the Veterans’ Day holiday; and Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday.The Nov. 16 select board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the town office meeting room.<h2>Responsible journalism is hard work!</h2><h2>It is also expensive!</h2>If you enjoy reading The Town Line and the good news we bring you each week, would you consider a donation to help us continue the work we’re doing?The Town Line is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit private foundation, and all donations are tax deductible under the Internal Revenue Service code.To help, please visit our online donation page or mail a check payable to The Town Line, PO Box 89, South China, ME 04358. Your contribution is appreciated!</div></body>

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China select board members had several complicated issues on their Nov. 2 agenda, not all ripe for decision. They decided three:. — Board members unanimously approved a new, less comprehensive proposal from Raegan LaRochelle to assist with developing China’s revised Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan (see the Oct. 22 issue of The Town Line, p. 3). LaRochelle will receive $3,200 for about three weeks spent educating the select board and the public and working with them and Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood to identify town projects eligible for TIF funding. Her fee will come from the TIF account.

China select board deals with complicated issues

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China select board members had several complicated issues on their Nov. 2 agenda, not all ripe for decision. They decided three:. — Board members unanimous

China select board deals with complicated issues

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