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China Agrees to Aid in Dam Repair Costs

March 07, 2011 - China -- Selectmen are willing to cooperate with Vassalboro officials on the repairs needed at the China Lake outlet dam, but not to make a long-term commitment.

China selectmen had two proposals to consider from Vassalboro Town Manager Mary Sabins and Kennebec Water District officials Monday. The three entities are in talks because the dam is in and owned by Vassalboro, the water district draws its water from the lake, and China garners significant tax revenue from lakeside properties.

Sabins asked China officials to kick in one-third of the money and labor needed for repairs. She also sent a draft agreement among the three parties that would establish a dam maintenance committee and a dam maintenance fund.

Selectmen unanimously approved paying $1,500 toward repair costs. Board Chairman Peter Foote said China town employees will help with the work.

Also unanimously, board members rejected the idea of a contract with Vassalboro and the water district regarding future dam costs.

Foote commented that board members felt comfortable with "being good neighbors and good stewards" but not with involving the town in a long-term contract.

Selectman Joann Austin objected to contributing to a permanent maintenance fund, while supporting sharing costs when a specific issue, like the current gate problem, arose.

Board members asked Town Manager Daniel L'Heureux to draft a letter to Sabins expressing their objections and perhaps including a counterproposal, if they can agree on one.

Also Monday, board members debated a plan to seek a grant for a third baler for recyclables at the transfer station.

L'Heureux and Selectmen Neil Farrington and Paul MacDonald said with two balers on site and a glass and metal crusher on the way, China is soliciting recyclables from other towns. County jail inmates, when available, help with the labor.

Austin asked L'Heureux to check with neighboring towns to see if China is getting too far ahead with its recycling equipment. She has reservations about China's transfer station becoming a de facto regional recycling center.

L'Heureux said because the equipment lets China package recyclables and transport them in volume, recycling income has increased and tax dollars needed to support waste disposal have decreased.

The transfer station budget had risen to about $300,000 a few years ago, he said. The request for 2011-12 is $280,600.

Because of recycling income, "we stopped the increase and actually turned it around," L'Heureux said.

Farrington added that even when prices for recycled materials fall, the town saves the cost of disposal at the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company incinerator. Disposal costs are expected to rise significantly when contracts expire in 2014.

Kennebec Journal, March 2011


Lakes: China Lake
Regions: Belgrade


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