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China Select Board approves warrants, accepts Budget Committee recommendations and makes appointments
Summary
At its March 23 meeting the China Select Board approved payroll and payables warrants, accepted Budget Committee recommendations that include an increase to KVCAP funding and a $0.50 PFML adjustment, appointed two committee members, authorized a support letter for a fire department equipment request and reviewed a municipal warrant draft.
The China Select Board voted 3-0 on March 23 to approve Payroll Warrant #39 for $44,171.03 and Payables Warrant #40 for $567,303.73, and to accept several Budget Committee recommendations for the 2026–2027 fiscal year.
The board accepted the Budget Committee's recommendations on a motion by Blane Casey, seconded by Natasha Littlefield. The approved changes include increasing funding for KVCAP to $1,000 and raising the PFML line by $0.50 to a new amount of $56.00. The board reviewed multiple line items including municipal services, boards and committees, public safety, the transfer station, public works, social services, community support, contingency, county charges, FirstPark and TIF allocations.
Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood noted the budget items and assisted with the review. Chair Brent Chesley presided over the meeting. Select Board members Blane Casey and Natasha Littlefield joined Chesley in the unanimous votes; Edwin Bailey and Thomas Rumpf were recorded as absent.
The board made two committee appointments. On motions by Casey, seconded by Littlefield, the board appointed Timothy Hatch to the Thurston Park Committee and Courtney Cook to the China Emergency Services Assessment Committee. The board noted the Emergency Services Assessment Committee now has 14 members and that this will be its final appointment.
Manager Hapgood and Palermo Select Board member Bob Kurek reported on the annual formula used to set Palermo bag fees. They determined the 33-gallon bag fee will rise from $3.00 to $3.15 while the 15-gallon bag fee will remain unchanged.
The Select Board also briefly reviewed a first draft of the municipal warrant for the June 9, 2026 meeting; no action was taken and the warrant will return for further consideration at a future meeting.
The board authorized Chair Brent Chesley, by motion of Blane Casey and second of Natasha Littlefield, to sign a letter of support on behalf of the Select Board to Senator Angus King in support of a pumper/tanker request for the local volunteer fire department; that motion passed 3-0.
During public comment, Joann Austin said both libraries are "doing well working together" but raised concerns about operating funds and mentioned exploring conversion of the old library building for future historical society use.
In manager communications, Hapgood announced upcoming meetings and holiday closures, reminded listeners that Spirit of America award nominations are due March 31, 2026 and reported receipt of a grant award from the Maine Office of Community Affairs (Housing Opportunity Program Municipal Ordinance Development Grant). She also said the town received a draft Third Amended TIF approval letter and anticipated the final approval letter in the coming days.
The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m. on a motion by Blane Casey, seconded by Natasha Littlefield; the motion passed 3-0-0. Minutes were published April 2, 2026 and adopted April 6, 2026.
