Broadband - Fiber to the home - Request for proposal

WKLCBA member towns reach milestone

Request for Proposal issued

On November 22, 2021, the WKLCBA member towns of Vienna, Readfield and Wayne took a giant step forward in bringing high-speed broadband internet access to its residents and western Kennebec County through the official issuance of an approved Request for Proposal (RFP) for Fiber Optic Construction Services & Network Operator Services.
 

The four town RFP can be found here

The associated strand map for Vienna can be downloaded here.

Other town strand maps: Wayne, Fayette, Readfield

The strand maps can be viewed using WKLCBA_RFP_FINAL.pdfGoogle Earth  

Election - Nov. 2, 2021

Polls are open from 8 AM - 8 PM at the Vienna Community Center

Questions Appearing on the Ballot

Question 1 – Citizen Initiative
Do you want to ban the construction of high-impact electric transmission lines in the Upper Kennebec Region and to require the Legislature to approve all other such projects anywhere in Maine, both retroactively to 2020, and to require the Legislature, retroactively to 2014, to approve by a two-thirds vote such projects using public land?

Link to Legislation

Question 2 – Bond Issue
Do you favor a $100,000,000 bond issue to build or improve roads, bridges, railroads, airports, transit facilities and ports and make other transportation investments, to be used to leverage an estimated $253,000,000 in federal and other funds?

Link to Legislation

Question 3 – Constitutional Amendment
Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to declare that all individuals have a natural, inherent and unalienable right to grow, raise, harvest, produce and consume the food of their own choosing for their own nourishment, sustenance, bodily health and well-being?

Link to Legislation

Referendum questions are described here

Planning Board Meeting - September 22, 2021

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE VIENNA
PLANNING BOARD HELD  SEPTEMBER 22, 2021

The meeting convened at 7:00 PM at the Town House. Regular members present were Waine Whittier, Alan Williams, Creston Gaither, Ed Lawless, and Tim Bickford; also present were Brian Rehea, representing Maine Woods and Waters LLC, and Tim Davis, Jeff Castonguay, Doug Hobbin, and Sarah Watson. Creston had advertised this meeting as a public hearing regarding the proposed Stream Road Subdivision. Minutes of the Board’s August 25 meeting were read and accepted.

Jeff Castonguay outlined a Shoreland Zoning Ordinance (SZO) permit he would like for his property at 15 South Herrin Woods Roads and shown on tax map 11 as Lot 60-H. The Board will do a site inspection there at 9:30 AM Saturday September 25.

The public hearing for the Stream Road Subdivision was then held. Tim Davis is its southerly abutter and is concerned about water and erosion and road water drainage. He says recent timber harvests have contributed to the problem. He was advised that State enforcement of its timber harvest regulations could help in this regard. Waine read out loud Section 5.E. of the Town’s Subdivision Ordinance, regarding what the Planning Board can require of the developer in this regard. Tim says timber harvests have generated more problems than has the road, and that the existing diversion ditches are working well. Soil erosion control requirements outlined on the Final subdivision plan were read out loud. Waine said that the Town’s Code Enforcement Officer would likely have enforcement power in this matter. Tim said a new pin at the southwesterly corner of the subdivision is a few feet from the original pin set in the ‘90’s. He was advised that this is a legal question and not something the Planning Board can resolve. The discrepancy is evidently fairly small.

It was agreed that the transparency mentioned in the Subdivision Ordinance would not be necessary as State law no longer requires a transparency for recording.

Required findings of fact as per M.R.S.A. Title 30-A § 4404 were read aloud and no objections were voiced by either the Board or the public attendees. The Board then voted 5 – 0 to approve the subdivision and signed copies that Brian Rehea had brought with him; he will have a signed copy recorded at the Registry of Deeds soon.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.

Creston Gaither, secretary

Vienna Record: Oct-Nov 2021

View the Aug/Sept 2021 issue here

Selectmen's Minutes August 3,  2021 through Sept. 28, 2021

Planning board minutes - July 28, 2021 and August 25, 2021

Health Officer report "Covid Delta Variant Surge and Recent Advance Directives Conference"

Town Clerk notices

Dr. Shaw Memorial Library News

Fire Department News

Neighbors Driving Neighbors report

 Recurring Community Events

Planning Board Public Hearing - Sept. 22, 2021

The Vienna Planning Board Will hold a public hearing

On Wednesday September 22 at 7:00 PM

At the Town House on Town House Road (Route 41)

Regarding the proposed SUBDIVISION of Land near the intersection of Tower and Stream Roads into 5 residential lots with acreages between 5 and 8 acres. This land is shown on Tax Map 5 as Lot 5 – 2.

-- Creston Gaither, Secretary, Vienna Planning Board

Vienna Record: Aug-Sept 2021

View the Aug/Sept 2021 issue here
Selectmen's Minutes June 1,  2021 through July 27, 2021
Planning board minutes - May 26, 2021 and June 23, 2021
From the Health Officer "Brown-Tailed Moth Infestations"
Dr. Shaw Memorial Library News
Vienna Woods Players - Performances at the Vienna Union Hall Aug. 19, 20, 21
Dr. Shaw Memorial Library News
Fire Department News 
Vienna/Mt. Vernon Antique Fair and Flea Market - Sat. Aug. 28, 8am to 1pm

Planning Board Meeting - June 23, 2021

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE VIENNA

PLANNING BOARD HELD JUNE 23, 2021

 

The meeting convened at the Town House at 7:00 PM; members present were Waine Whittier, Ed Lawless, and Creston Gaither. Mark Rains was also present. Minutes of the May 26 meeting were read and accepted.

Mark presented a sketch based on Tax Map 10 and centered on Lot 65-1; he would like to buy a 0.04 acre triangular parcel abutting the Mill
Stream and Town House Road; there is a small structure on the parcel. The Shoreland Zoning Ordinance was briefly reviewed and it seemed ambiguous as to what dimensional requirements apply within a Stream Protection District. This seemed like something that should be referred to an attorney; Waine said that the Board could consult MMA if need be. Mark said that there was no need for the Board to act on this right now. No formal action was taken.

Waine and Creston will do a site visit on Flying Pond on Saturday June 26.

The meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.

Creston Gaither, secretary

Neighbors Driving Neighbors - fundraiser

Many of you already know about the good Neighbors Driving Neighbors (NDN) does to help our several towns' citizens age-in-place, even in some ways during the pandemic. This is one of NDN's major annual fundraising events.

The NDN online auction is now open for bids! It will run until August 1st with new items added throughout. Go here to bid high and often! https://www.biddingowl.com/NeighborsDrivingNeighbors

This annual fundraiser, along with donations and grants, allows us to pay for our modest staffing, insurance, background checks, and other expenses associated with running NDN.

Thank you and have a wonderful summer!

Mary Beth

PS Spread the word!

Mary Beth Paquette, Executive Director 
Neighbors Driving Neighbors
PO Box 142
Mt. Vernon, ME  04352
207-860-0677
207-441-1264 (cell)
neighborsdrivingneighbors.org

Planning Board Meeting - May 26, 2021

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE VIENNA

PLANNING BOARD HELD MAY 26, 2021

The meeting convened at the Town House at 7:00 PM; members present were Waine Whittier, Alan Williams, and Creston Gaither. Minutes of the April 28 meeting were read and accepted.

Waine has had some inquiries about boats moored in the ponds. The possibility of an ordinance dealing with this was discussed. It was agreed that the Board should not move forward on this matter until the entire Board is present. Waine may discuss this issue with MMA.

The meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM.

Creston Gaither, secretary