PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Prior to the beginning of the regular Selectmen's Meeting, the Town Administrator Lloyd Coombs led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country.

PUBLIC HEARING ON REVISED MMA MODEL ORDINANCE GA APPENDIXES: There were not any public comments regarding the revised appendixes.

APPROVAL OF REVISED MMA GA ORDINANCE APPENDIXES (A-C): Motion by Phillip, seconded by Todd, to approve the revised MMA General Assistance Ordinance Appendixes (A-C) for October 1, 2004-October 1, 2005. The motion passed unanimously.

PREVIOUS MEETING'S MINUTES: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to accept the minutes of the meeting of November 22, 2004 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.

SELECTMEN'S COMMENTS: Todd said that the Tree Lighting and Yule Sing on December 5, 2004 were well attended and very enjoyable. Of especial note was the music provided by Sharon Pyne and Doug Protsik and the tree lighting by Gloria Brawn. Dale advised that he had confirmed that Joseph Kelley, who resides at 78 Milt Carlton Road, is not the owner of that property. It is owned by Robert Allen, Jr.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: David Kloberdans, Chairman of the Route 1 Corridor Study Committee, reported that the recent single direction change by MDOT at the intersection of Route 127 South and Route 1 had an unintended effect. It resulted in increased use of the Nequasset Road by BIW commuters who used the parking facilities at the Taste of Maine Restaurant. Speeding by the commuters was causing unsafe conditions at Woolwich Central School. He will request MDOT to rethink the Route 127 South/Route 1 intersection and encourage the installation of a traffic signal light. David King asked Lloyd to request traffic surveillance on the Nequasset Road from the Sagadahoc Sheriff.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Jack Shaw, Commissioner, advised that a refrigerator reported as dumped on the Old Stage Road was on private property and not in the Town's right of way. As a result, Jack will not be removing it. Jack recommended that a Town Policy on dumping be established. Jack advised that new signs had been ordered for the Mountain Road and Old Stage Road intersection. Jack asked for the Selectmen's concurrence in using a Mountain Road turnaround area that was located just over the Town line in Wiscasset. The Selectmen concurred. Jack also advised that MDOT was going to improve the signage at the sharp corner on Route 128 near Sabrina Doak's home.

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Ken Desmond, Fire Chief, was not present. Lloyd reported that Ken said firefighter Bradley Gallagher had suffered a heart attack today and was in intensive care at Mid-Coast Hospital.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. Abadagasset Point Range Lights Footpath Offer: Dale reported that he had met at the Range Lights site with a representative of CMP. As a result of the site visit, Dale believes that CMP may allow the Town to use a larger portion of the land and, accordingly, will be providing an update proposal.

b. Appointment of Patten Free Library Trustee: Motion By Todd, seconded by Phillip, to appoint David L. Miller, 147 River Road, to the rotating seat on the Patten Free Library's Board of Trustees. The motion passed unanimously.

c. Commitment Amount Correction: Lloyd reported that the total amount for the commitment for fiscal year 2004-2005 was in error as it did not include the overlay of $15,839.69 due to an addition error. Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to correct the total amount of commitment to $3,258,673.66 and to approve the 2004 Municipal Valuation Return. The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Delinquent Payment Notification Policy: Motion by Rita, seconded by Todd, to approve the attached Delinquent Payment Notification Policy, as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

b. Expiring Solid Waste and Snowplowing Contracts: The Selectmen scheduled a Workshop for Tuesday, January 18, 2005, at 5:00 p.m., with the Solid Waste Committee to discuss potential proposal revisions for the new contract. The Selectmen also scheduled a Workshop for Monday, January 31, 2005, at 5:00 p.m., with the incumbent snowplowing contractors to discuss potential proposal revisions for the new contract.

c. Shellfish Warden Expenses: The Selectmen and two members of the Shellfish Conservation Committee discussed the cost impact of the West Bath and Phippsburg resignations of Woolwich's Shellfish Warden. Steve Goodenow, Chairman of the Shellfish Conservation Committee, said that those resignations could shift an inordinate amount of the Warden's expenses to the Town of Woolwich. David recommended that the Committee meet with the Warden and provide a recommendation to the Selectmen. Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to table the matter until a recommendation is received from the Shellfish Conservation Committee. The motion passed unanimously.

d. Collateralization Agreement Renewal: Bath Savings Institution Representative, Janine Lipfert, and the Selectmen discussed renewal of the Collateralization Agreement and the benefits of the new Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) program. Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to authorize the Treasurer to sign the Collateralization Agreement and to enroll the Town of Woolwich in the CDARS program and to move all of the Town's CDs into the program. The motion passed unanimously.

e. Reconsideration of Bounced Check Policy: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to reaffirm the $25.00 charge for any bank returned checks. The motion passed unanimously.

f. Supplemental Tax Warrants: Motion by Dale, seconded by Phillip, to approve Supplemental Tax Warrants for Daniel & Jeanne Harrington, Tammy & Donald Doughty and Anthony Bonzagni. These Warrants resulted from land splits that were not recorded at the time of commitment. The motion passed unanimously.

g. Abatement Applications: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Dale, to approve Abatement Applications from Frederic L. Sturtevant, Marcelle Bonzagni, Roger & Joan Gotlibson and Donald & Shirley Kenney. The abatements for Sturtevant, and Bonzagni resulted from land splits that were not recorded at the time of commitment. The abatement for Gotlibson resulted from a missed veterans exemption. The abatement for Kenney resulted from an interior inspection that was conducted after the date of commitment. The motion for abatements for Bonzagni, Gotlibson and Kenney passed unanimously. The motion for abatement for Sturtevant passed 4-0 with Rita abstaining.

h. Application for Blind Person Exemption: David said that Marcelle Bonzagni had rightfully been receiving a Blind Person Exemption for several years but the documentation was missing. Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to approve a Blind Person Exemption for Marcelle Bonzagni. The motion passed unanimously.

i. Appointment of Deputy Animal Control Officer: Phillip said that Paul Grover, Jr. was interested in a possible future appointment as Animal Control Officer and wanted to take the one day course offered by the Animal Welfare Program but could not unless he had received an appointment by the Town. Motion by Phillip, seconded by Todd, to grant an Interim Deputy ACO appointment to Paul Grover, Jr. so that he could enroll in the one day ACO Course. The motion passed unanimously.

j. Other: Lloyd advised that Bethany was expecting delivery of her new home early in January 2005 and had requested that she be authorized to use some compensatory time during the delivery process. The Selectmen concurred with her request.

CODES ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT: Bill Longley, CEO, said that Stephen and Jenny Spaulding had not made the promised December 1st payment of their judgment. Bill advised that the matter was being reviewed by Durward Parkinson, Esq. Bill also said that the Robert Allen, Jr. file had been received from Eliot Field, Esq. and that it would be forwarded to Attorney Parkinson for review and recommendations. Bill advised that 123 Building Permits have been issued year to date. This compares with 90 issued at this time last year. Lloyd advised that David Young had purchased the remaining lots in Gotham Woods and had inquired about changing the name of the access road to Oak View Drive. David said that any request to change the name of a private subdivision road should go to the Planning Board for approval and the Staff should not take any action until authorized by the Planning Board.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:45 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

Approved: /s/ David A. King, Sr.

cc: Selectmen/Staff

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