Mary J. Grow

United States

Writer at The Town Line

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Articles

The history and the fate of the building at 363 Route 3

1 week ago | townline.org | Mary J. Grow

by Mary GrowChapter One: the Building’s StoryHistorical information on the wooden building at 363 Route 3, in China, comes from a combination of town records, provided by China Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood and Codes Enforcement Officer Nicholas French, and local people’s memories. These sources say that Richard and Rita Hussey had the building constructed in 1990, on the lot they bought in August 1989.
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Courts - Eleazer Ripley

1 week ago | townline.org | Mary J. Grow

by Mary GrowIn his Kennebec County history, Henry Kingsbury wrote that Winslow lawyer Lemuel Paine once had a partner whom Kingsbury called “General Ripley, the hero of the battle of Lundy’s Lane, Canada.”This man was Brigadier General Eleazer (sometimes Eleazar) Wheelock Ripley, and he deserves recognition in two spheres, as a useful citizen and as a soldier. Ripley was born April 15, 1782, in Hanover, New Hampshire, second of (at least) four children.
Vassalboro cemetery committee continues talks on trees

1 week ago | townline.org | Mary J. Grow

by Mary GrowFour members of the Vassalboro Cemetery Committee met April 28, mostly to continue discussion of who’s in charge of tree removal in cemeteries. In the audience were Holly Weidner, chairman of the conservation commission; Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., chairman of the select board; and, until he had to leave for another engagement, Town Manager Aaron Miller.
Large turnout for China’s public hearing on May 5

1 week ago | townline.org | Mary J. Grow

by Mary GrowChina select board members got updates on the community garden and Thurston Park, accepted Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood’s idea of contracting with a professional grant-writer and presented the annual Spirit of America award for volunteerism at their May 5 meeting. Planning Board chairman Toni Wall received the award – to her surprise – in recognition of her years of work on the board, during which she has spent a great deal of extra time creating and updating town ordinances.
Vassalboro local election slated for June 10

1 week ago | townline.org | Mary J. Grow

by Mary GrowVassalboro town clerk Cathy Coyne reports the following candidates for elective office have qualified for the June 10 local ballot. For one three-year position on the select board, incumbent Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr.For two three-year positions on the school board, incumbents Jessica Clark and Amy French. For a one-year term on the Sanitary District board of trustees, Ericka Roy. For two two-year terms on the Sanitary District board of trustees, Lisa Miller and Donna Daviau.
Vassalboro select board updated on first responders grant money

1 week ago | townline.org | Mary J. Grow

by Mary GrowDan Mayotte, co-founder and director of Vassalboro’s First Responder unit, updated select board members on grant funds at their May 1 meeting. Mayotte said after the Vassalboro unit was upgraded to advanced EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) status last year, part of a $17,500 state grant was used to send assistant director Josi Haskell and member Matt Olsson to advanced training school, where both earned high honors. More money than expected is left over.
Vassalboro Cemetery Committee: Who’s in charge of trees?

2 weeks ago | townline.org | Mary J. Grow

by Mary GrowFour members of the Vassalboro Cemetery Committee met April 28, mostly to continue discussion of who’s in charge of tree removal in cemeteries. In the audience were Holly Weidner, chairman of the conservation commission; Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., chairman of the select board; and, until he had to leave for another engagement, Town Manager Aaron Miller.
Vassalboro select board reviews draft warrant at special meeting

2 weeks ago | townline.org | Mary J. Grow

by Mary GrowVassalboro select board members held an hour-long special meeting April 24 to review the draft warrant for the June 2 and 10 annual town meeting. The warrant was still in draft primarily because the school budget was not final. Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer said school board members held a brief special meeting April 22 and accepted the $75,000 budget cut recommended by the budget committee.
China select board talks about updating town office heating system

2 weeks ago | townline.org | Mary J. Grow

by Mary GrowChina select board members spent more than half an hour of their two-hour April 22 meeting discussing alternatives for updating the town office heating (and cooling) system. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said the original brick section of the building still has its 1998 furnaces and ductwork. Later piecemeal additions first extended the 1998 system and recently added solar panels on the east end. In 2023, Hapgood said, China got an Efficiency Maine grant for heat pumps.
VCS counselors have more than enough work, Part 1

2 weeks ago | townline.org | Mary J. Grow

Part 1by Mary GrowWhy, several people have asked recently, does Vassalboro Community School (VCS) have not one, but two, school counselors? The answer offered by counselors Jamie Routhier and Gina Davis is that there is more than enough work for both of them. VCS has about 420 students – the number varies slightly as families move out of and into town – in grades from pre-kindergarten through eight. Davis is responsible for grades pre-k through three, Routhier for grades four through eight.