CHINA -- Selectmen have a varied agenda for Monday's meeting at 7 p.m. in the Town Office.

Town Manager Daniel L'Heureux's report will include a summary of Saturday's fee-free day at the transfer station, at which he volunteered; committee appointments under the comprehensive plan; and planned sale of a tax-acquired property on Weeks Mills Road.

Selectmen also will consider a proposal on accepting credit cards at the Town Office; hear reports on the transfer of school property to Regional School Unit 18 and from recycling coordinator and Selectman Neil Farrington, who is running a sculpture contest to promote recycling, with a cash prize; and discuss Bradley Island, town-owned property in the west basin of China Lake.

New items include a consent agreement to resolve a dangerous-building issue; a proposed obscenity ordinance; and discussion of permitting deficiencies discovered during the townwide property revaluation.

Palermo school panelto hold final meeting

PALERMO -- The School Committee will hold its final meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Palermo Consolidated School library.

The major business will be discussion of starting Regional School Unit 12, which combines Alna, Chelsea, Palermo, Somerville, Westport Island, Whitefield, Windsor and Wiscasset, effective July 1.

After the new unit begins operation, local school boards will be dissolved and decisions will be made at the regional level.

Mt. Vernon Fire Dept.obtains $1,600 grant

MOUNT VERNON -- The Mount Vernon Fire Department will receive a $1,600 grant from the Maine Municipal Association that will help it purchase safety equipment.

The department will purchase gloves, turnout coats, goggles, a helmet, a hand light and a traffic-signaling sign with the funds. The items will help the department perform extrications.

Mount Vernon Fire Department Lt. Jason Beckler completed the grant application, which will require an $800 local match.

Memorial Sunday

for UMA's Pruett

AUGUSTA -- A memorial service for Laurie Pruett, the University of Maine at Augusta's late vice president for finance, will take place Sunday.

Pruett, who died June 11 in Newark, Del., worked for more than 30 years at UMA, serving as assistant bookstore manager and executive director of finance before serving as a vice president.

The service will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Jewett Hall auditorium on UMA's campus.

Wetlands on agendain China on Tuesday

CHINA -- The wetlands study committee will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Town Office to discuss future projects, elect a new chairman and schedule the next meeting.

$10M school budgetvoted in Winthrop

WINTHROP -- Voters can cast absentee ballots now in the proposed school-budget referendum set for Tuesday.

The $10 million budget must be ratified by voters before it can take effect July 1.

The proposed budget calls for a property-tax commitment of $4.9 million -- about $24,500 less than the current year.

Town and school officials scheduled a ratification vote for Tuesday, after determining it necessary under the state's new school-consolidation law.

The polls at the Town Office, 17 Highland Ave., will be open 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and for absentee voting 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

There is only one question on the ballot: "Do you favor approving the Town of Winthrop budget for the upcoming school year that was approved at the latest Town of Winthrop budget meeting and that includes locally raised funds that exceed the required local contribution as described in the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act?"

Compiled from staff reports