PREVIOUS MEETING'S MINUTES: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to accept the minutes of the meeting of November 21, 2005 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.

SELECTMEN'S COMMENTS: Todd reported an incident with the Woolwich Central School septic system caused by a blown fuse in the pump. He said that the school is looking into the installation of a wireless alarm to prevent future incidents. There has also been a problem with a water leak into the school library. Additionally, a bathroom may be rebuilt at the school. Dale said that he inspected the snowplowing equipment of Quonset Hardscape and found it to be satisfactory. David congratulated Todd and the Recreation Committee for the outstanding Yule Sing and Tree Lighting on Sunday evening,

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Road Commissioner Jack Shaw advised that his company had erected a snow fence on the Middle Road adjacent to the property of Gregory Im and Courtney Locke to control drifting snow onto the roadway. Jack will also install another snow fence at the Middle Road marsh near the intersection of the Nequasset Road. Jack said that he believes in proactive snowplowing. Jack spoke about the flooding of Route 1 at the dike on Friday, December 2, 2005. He said that he and MDOT were notified Friday morning of the potential for flooding but that it took three hours for MDOT's representative to arrive. Since MDOT did not undertake any remedial action, Jack placed concrete blocks in the immediate area Friday afternoon to temporarily improve the situation. The cost to the Town was $1,365.00. Todd said that it was not the Town's responsibility to correct MDOT's problem. The Selectmen asked Lloyd to prepare a remedial letter to MDOT with copies to the governor and MEMA. The letter will be signed by David.

CEO/FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: CEO/Fire Chief Ken Desmond said that he had issued 44 building permits since July 1, 2005. The total for the year was 105. The total fees generated were $10,125.00 based on an increase in valuation of $2,458,950.30 for new homes and $2,079,662.00 for mobile homes, garages, decks and school. Ken said that there had been 5 fire/rescue calls since the last Selectmen's Meeting. One of those calls was for a double fatality on Thanksgiving Day. Ken spoke of fine work of Jake Kaiser, Glen Kirkpatrick and the other responding Woolwich personnel in the tragic accident. The Selectmen noted that Ken planned to take vacation from December 19th to January 1st. They advised Ken that the Personnel Policy stated that vacation time earned during the first year of employment could not be taken until after the start of the second year of employment. Ken said that he had discussed the matter with the Selectmen during the selection process and was advised that the one year wait would be waived if he were selected. None of the Selectmen could recall that agreement. Ken said that he had more than 80 hours of compensatory time and would be willing to take it in lieu of vacation. The Selectmen concurred with that solution. The Selectmen requested Ken to submit time sheets on a regular basis. Ken said that Bill Longley would be handling the building permits and that Jake Kaiser would be the incident commander for the firefighters during his absence. Motion by Phillip, seconded by Dale, to approve the attached mutual aid agreement with the Westport Volunteer Fire Department. The motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. Solid Waste Update: Patrick Wright, a member of the Solid Waste Committee, said that the Committee wants to take a more active role in maintaining the recycling site but wanted to make sure that funding was available to cover any disposal costs. The Selectmen said that they would use their Contingency Account to support the disposal effort.

b. State Route 127S E911 Addressing: Lisa Reece said that four Woolwich properties have "State Route 127" E911 addresses which could be confused with the Middle Road. She asked for a change in the name. The Selectmen noted that the homes on "State Route 127: lead to the Wilder Bridge. They requested Lloyd to contact the other three property owners and advise them that they were going to rename it to the Wilder Road at their next meeting unless the property owners agreed on a different name.

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Approval of Accounts Payable Warrant: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to approve the accounts payable warrant of December 5, 2005. The motion passed unanimously.

b. Approval of Payroll Warrants: Motion by Rita, seconded by Phillip, to approve the payroll warrants of December 2 & 9, 2005. The motion passed unanimously.

c. Consideration of Administrative Abatement for Charles Redding (Map R-09, Lot 31): Motion by Rita, seconded by David, to grant an administrative abatement for the property located at Map R-09, Lot 31 which was incorrectly coded by CLT as waterfront property causing it to be over assessed by $319,400.00. The motion passed unanimously.

d. Consideration of Abatement Applications of Anthony Keefe (Map U-05, Lots 004-01, 004-02, 004-04, 004-05, 004-06, 004-07, 004-08, 004-09, 004-13 and 004-14): The Assessors reviewed the abatement applications of Anthony Keefe for properties located at Map U-05, Lots 004-01, 004-02, 004-04, 004-05, 004-06, 004-07, 004-08, 004-09, 004-13 and 004-14. Motion by Todd, seconded by Dale, to grant abatements for the aforementioned lots. The motion failed on a 0-5 vote.

e. Ratification of Mid-Coast Business Development and Planning (MCBDP) Executive Committee Appointment: Lloyd advised that he had been contacted by John James, Chairman of the MCBDP Executive Committee, asking if he were willing to serve on said committee. Lloyd said that he advised Mr. James that he was willing to serve provided that appointment was agreeable to the Woolwich Board of Selectmen. Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to approve Lloyd's appointment to the MCBDP Executive Committee. The motion passed unanimously.

f. Family Health Benefits for the Fire Chief/Codes Enforcement Officer: Lloyd advised that the Fire Chief/Codes Enforcement Officer Ken Desmond had submitted an application for family health benefits. Lloyd reported that Ken was not presently receiving health benefits because he was covered by his spouse's coverage at Bath Iron Works Corporation (BIW) but that coverage was ending on December 31, 2005 due to the termination of his spouse's employment at BIW. Lloyd said that the Woolwich Personnel Policy provided for single health benefit coverage at 90/10 with family coverage at 90/10 if approved by the Selectmen. Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to authorize family health benefits coverage at 90/10 for Ken Desmond. The motion passed unanimously.

g. Barking Dog Complaint: Paul Grover, Jr., Animal Control Officer, reported on an unnamed barking dog complaint. David and Dale reported on receiving the same complaint. David said that he had asked the complainant to keep a 30 day log of the barking incidents.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:40 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

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

cc:

Selectmen/Staff

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