China residents will decide the outcome of three local referendum questions Nov. 7 at the polls.
The first would allow the town to spend $8,500 to build a fire pond off Neck Road where fire departments would be able to fill tanker trucks from the pond. Now the departments are forced to travel to reload their water, according to Town Manager Dan L’Heureux.
A small pond, which would be deepened and expanded, currently exists on the road. Neck Road landowners already have agreed to make the space between 470 and 471 Neck Road available.
If the question passes, the town would start building the fire pond immediately and finish it before fall ends.
The town also is asking whether voters would like to require all nonprofits that ask for town funds to submit their financial statements.
The Select Board has received more requests to donate to nonprofits in recent years, L’Heureux said. While some organizations independently submit their information to the board, some don’t. The town would like to be more consistent in its decisions and gather equal information from everyone.
“To be able to make the best judgment, you like to know what kind of financial condition the nonprofit is in,” L’Heureux said.
The final question asks whether the town will allow the Select Board to rent out tower space on the town’s communication tower.
The proposal comes from the town’s broadband committee, which is looking for ways to provide internet access to all residents.
“We know that there are certain areas where it’s difficult to get that service,” L’Heureux said. The town would like to have the option of renting tower space to WiFi companies, which potentially could reach more remote areas with the tower.
Installing underground cables to bring cable and internet to more people can be cost-prohibitive, he said, so the committee thought this might be a better option for the future.
Madeline St. Amour — 861-9239
mstamour@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @madelinestamour
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