China select board members approved the final version of the June 9 town business meeting warrant and discussed transfer station problems, among other issues, at their April 6 meeting.
Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood read the 32-article June 9 warrant aloud, and select board members voted on whether to submit each article to voters. They approved all, mostly on unanimous votes. Because select board and budget committee members have reviewed the warrant in detail in past meetings, there was little discussion.
Hapgood intended to post the warrant on the China website, chinamaine.org, under the Administration heading, budget subheading (where there is other useful information). She said Town Clerk Angela Nelson might add copies elsewhere.
Doris L. Young scholarships.
China’s Doris L. Young Scholarship program started after a long-time China teacher left money for college scholarships “for worthy children from China” in 1982. The town invested the money and has since used the income to offer scholarships, in varying amounts, to college students.
Scholarships were awarded for up to five years – four for undergraduate study and one for graduate work – with a maximum age of 25
At their April 6 meeting, select board members unanimously extended the time to six years, adding a year to study for a doctorate, and increased the maximum age to 26. They agreed to use up to $40,000 from the fund’s income in 2026-27 and to set the 2026-27 scholarship amount at a maximum of $1,500 per student.
Requirements, notably seven years’ continuous residence in China, and an application form are on the town website, under Administration, under Town Clerk, seventh on a list of services, after availability of census data. The title is “Here is a printable version of the Doris L. Young Scholarship.”
Application forms are also available at China primary and middle schools, Erskine Academy and other area high schools, the website says.
The deadline for applications is Friday, May 1. Applications should be sent to Doris L. Young Scholarship, c/o Town of China, 571 Lakeview Drive, China ME 04358; or emailed to info@chinamaine.org.
Board members had one transfer station issue on their agenda, and station manager Thomas Maraggio added a second during the public comment period.
On the agenda were two proposals for relocating the brush pile to meet state requirements. Maraggio explained that state Department of Environmental regulations require frequent testing under the pile. To do the testing, he must find a qualified, licensed soil expert and must dig down two feet under the pile to provide the soil the expert needs to test.
Alternatives, he said, are figuring an easier way to test; or paving an area for the brush pile; or refusing to accept brush at the facility.
Board members said not accepting brush would inconvenience residents. They consider paving the best option, and talked briefly about how to get it done.
Maraggio’s other issue is the overlarge compost pile. For years, the station has given away finished compost to residents, but two years ago selectboard members ruled that staff cannot help load it, after incidents with heavily loaded trailers creating traffic problems.
Since then, Maraggio said, fewer people take significant amounts, being unwilling to spend time shoveling.
Discussion covered letting staff load limited amounts for people, or selling compost in quantity. Hapgood suggested the compost might be contaminated, for example with PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or “forever chemicals”). No one knew what the consequences would be if the town unknowingly sold contaminated compost.
Maraggio got no answer to his problem until board members have more information.
In other business, select board members:
— Approved proposed changes in the Doris L. Young scholarship program (see box). — Approved the mission statement for the new China Emergency Services Assessment Committee (CESAC). The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, in the town office meeting room; interested residents are welcome to attend. — Approved creating two categories for the annual Spirit of America award, youth and adult; and approved a 2026 nominee in each category. When China held an open town meeting in the spring, awards were presented then; this year, Hapgood said, announcement will be made at a select board meeting, she hopes May 4. — Approved a 2026 contract for continued law enforcement dispatching.
The next regular China select board meeting should have been Monday, April 20. Because that day is the Patriots’ Day holiday, the meeting is rescheduled to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, with a short agenda.
All China town departments will be closed Monday, April 20.
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by Mary Grow
