Woolwich finalizes special town meeting warrant

Tue, 02/06/2018 - 8:15am

Woolwich voters will consider appropriating $33,522 from the town’s undesignated fund balance at a special town meeting set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the town office. Selectmen finalized the warrant Monday evening.

The monies are to replenish three accounts depleted by the Oct. 30 windstorm. The requests appear in one article separated into three subsections and include: $28,530 for highways and roads, $2,992 for the fire department and $2,000 for the town’s heating account.

EMS-EMA Director Brian Carlton will begin updating the town’s emergency contact list. Information will be inserted with this year’s property tax bills. The list was last updated in 2013.

Carlton asked if community volunteers could staff the municipal building when it’s opened as an emergency shelter. Volunteers would free first responders, should they be paged to an emergency, he said.

Carlton added he’d applied for Public Disaster Assistance monies administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The town is seeking 90 percent reimbursement for emergency costs related to the windstorm.

Fire Chief Mike Demers told the board he has applied for grant monies to buy 20 sets of turnout gear and 10 air packs for the fire department. Demers said he has had seven people apply to join the department in the last month.

“It’s good to have the interest in the department but bad not to have enough turnout gear,” he said. Demers added the department would be starting its mandatory training shortly.

Code Enforcement Officer Bruce Engert said many homes in town lack numerals require in the state’s 911 statutes. Engert suggested the requirements be included in the town office’s next mass mailing.

The board discussed installing an electronic informational sign similar to Wiscasset’s. Approval will be left up to voters at the annual town meeting.

Selectman Jason Shaw noted the board would be looking for suggestions for this year’s Spirit of America Awards.

An official from the Maine Department of Transportation will meet with Road Commissioner Jack Shaw on Feb. 12 to discuss the town’s concerns over the Route 127 road shoulders.

The state plans to repave Route 127 as part of its 2018-19 road and highway improvements. The board has asked if the heavily traveled road might be widened in places and its shoulders included in the paving.

The board scheduled a meeting for 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 with the fire chief and EMS director to review heir 2018-19 budgets.

On March 19, the board will discuss a small bridge providing access to a home off George Wright Road. The one-lane bridge is a short distance from the town office and spans Nequasset Brook.

Chairman David King Sr. said annual town meeting voters will determine whether to repair the small span or discontinue it as a town bridge. Discontinuing it will require the town to pay the property owner the bridge serves.

Selectmen began Monday night’s meeting with a moment of silence in memory of longtime resident Gloria Brawn, a community volunteer for many years.