China Select Board approves $605,716 payables warrant, contracts and TIF support

Chair Wayne Chadwick called the Select Board to order on May 19, 2025, in China, Maine. The board approved Payroll Warrant #48 for $41,492.86 and Payables Warrant #49 for $605,716.82, both by unanimous vote.

The meeting’s business included several contract awards. The board accepted Pierce Works LLC’s roadside mowing bid at $5,875 for one mow and $11,750 for two mows (motion by Select Board member Thomas Rumpf, seconded by Edwin Bailey), approved unanimously. The board also accepted the lower vault carpentry bid of $54,000 from Foote Construction (motion by Chair Wayne Chadwick, seconded by Edwin Bailey); the minutes record the outcome with a 4-0-1 notation.

On grant and program matters, the board authorized Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood to apply for the State Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) via a local consent form (motion by Edwin Bailey, seconded by Blane Casey); approved 5-0. The board voted to support the Hometown Hero project and directed staff to gather more information and begin work (motion by Chair Wayne Chadwick, seconded by Edwin Bailey); approved 5-0.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) items included acceptance of a TIF application from the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and approval of $15,000 in TIF funds for China Community Days (motion by Edwin Bailey, seconded by Jeanne Marquis); both approved 5-0. A separate TIF application from KVCOG was tabled for more information. The board also approved funding for a summer intern in Economic Development and Community Enhancement (motion by Blane Casey, seconded by Thomas Rumpf); minutes record that the motion passed 4-1.

Votes at a glance: - Payroll Warrant #48 — $41,492.86 — Motion: Edwin Bailey / Jeanne Marquis — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved. - Payables Warrant #49 — $605,716.82 — Motion: Blane Casey / Thomas Rumpf — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved. - Transfer Station mission statement — Motion: Jeanne Marquis / Edwin Bailey — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved. - Municipal Building Committee mission statement (amended to include “major”) — Motion/Amendment: Edwin Bailey / Blane Casey — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved. - Hometown Hero project support — Motion: Wayne Chadwick / Edwin Bailey — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved. - Roadside mowing contract (Pierce Works LLC) — Motion: Thomas Rumpf / Edwin Bailey — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved. - RSU 18 Warrant & Notice of Election authorization — Motion: Blane Casey / Thomas Rumpf — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved. - Democrat ballot clerks for June 10, 2025 — Motion: Wayne Chadwick / Jeanne Marquis — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved. - Republican ballot clerks for June 10, 2025 — Motion: Thomas Rumpf / Blane Casey — Result: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Abstain 1 (notation in minutes) — Approved. - Vault carpentry contract (Foote Construction) — Motion: Wayne Chadwick / Edwin Bailey — Result: Recorded 4-0-1 in minutes — Approved. - State Local Cybersecurity Grant Program local consent — Motion: Edwin Bailey / Blane Casey — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved. - TIF: Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce application — Motion: Thomas Rumpf / Jeanne Marquis — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved. - TIF: China Community Days funding — Motion: Edwin Bailey / Jeanne Marquis — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved ($15,000). - TIF: KVCOG application — Tabled for more information. - Summer intern (Economic Development & Community Enhancement) — Motion: Blane Casey / Thomas Rumpf — Result: Ayes 4, Nays 1 — Approved. - Adjournment — Motion: Blane Casey / Edwin Bailey — Result: Ayes 5, Nays 0 — Approved.

The board also accepted routine minutes (May 5, 2025) after a clerical correction requested by Select Board member Jeanne Marquis. No public comment was recorded during the meeting. The board will visit all three fire departments as part of the next meeting’s activities. The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.