SELECTMEN'S WORKSHOP ON ROUTE 1 SAFETY: At a workshop held prior to their regular meeting the Selectmen heard a proposal from Charles Hebson, Chief Hydrologist for the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT), to raise the height of the berm at the Robert E. DeWick Recreation Area and to fill in that area's boat launch as an interim safety measure to prevent flooding onto Route 1. The Selectmen concurred with his proposal and requested Lloyd to draft a letter to MDOT recording their support.

SELECTMEN'S WORKSHOP ON ARROWSIC FIRE DEPARTMENT COVERAGE: Larry Wilson, an Arrowsic Selectmen, et al described the present lack of leadership of the Arrowsic Fire Department and their concern for coverage while the matter was being resolved. Captain Glen Kirkpatrick of the Woolwich Fire Department and the Woolwich Selectmen advised Larry that they would support Arrowsic during this transition period.

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.

MOMENT OF SILENCE: David King asked the audience to observe a moment of silence in memory of Joseph A. Lucas who was fatally wounded in Iraq on December 15, 2005. Specialist Lucas had close ties to the Woolwich community.

PREVIOUS MEETING'S MINUTES: Motion by Dale seconded by Rita, to accept the minutes of the meeting of December 5, 2005 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.

SELECTMEN'S COMMENTS: Todd reported that the accuracy of the town clock has been affected by the cold weather. Phillip announced that there would not be any CPR Meeting this month.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Road Commissioner Jack Shaw advised that MDOT was requiring him to change the color and the message on the Route 127 warning signs. These signs had been installed with corporate funds.

CEO/FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: CEO/Fire Chief Ken Desmond was away on leave and no report was given.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. State Route 127S E911 Renaming: Lloyd said that he had sent letters to the four property owners on State Route 127S advising them of the proposed physical address name change to "Wilder Road". Lloyd said that he had not received any feedback. Motion by Todd, seconded by Rita, to change the name of the physical address of the properties on "Ste. Route 127" to "Wilder Road". The motion passed unanimously.

b. Tree Growth Schedules: Walter Armstrong asked for the Selectmen's rationale in planning to request updated Tree Growth Schedules from the affected property owners. He was advised that schedules were not being requested for those that were dated in 2004 and 2005. Walt advised that he would work with Todd McPhee to determine which schedules needed to be renewed.

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Approval of Accounts Payable Warrant: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to approve the accounts payable warrant of December 15, 2005. The motion passed unanimously.

b. Approval of Payroll Warrants: Motion by Rita, seconded by Phillip, to approve the payroll warrants of December 16 & 23, 2005. The motion passed unanimously.

c. Consideration of William Brewer Supplemental Invoice: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to pay the William Brewer supplemental invoice out of the Contingency Account. The motion passed on a 4-1 vote.

d. Budget Town Meeting Dates: Motion by Todd, seconded by Rita, to schedule the Budget Town Meeting on May 3 & 4, 2006. David suggested that we try a different format to improve attendance. He proposed that the May 3, 2006 meeting begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 9:55 p.m. On May 4, 2006 the meeting would begin at 6:00 p.m. at the point where it ended on May 3, 2006. The other Selectmen did not have any objection to David's suggestion. The motion passed unanimously.

e. Consideration of a Woolwich Rabies Clinic: Paul Grover, Jr., Animal Control Officer, said that the Coastal Humane Society has proposed sponsorship of a Rabies Clinic at the Town Office on a Saturday in January 2006. Lloyd said that Jeanne Bernard was willing to work that day registering dogs. The Selectmen asked Paul to organize the clinic.

f. Adversarial Abatement Decisions:

(1) Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to grant an abatement of $262,800.00 to Karen Weidner for the property located at Map R-12, Lot 29. The motion passed unanimously.

(2) Motion by Todd, seconded by Rita, to grant an abatement to Todd Hibl for the property located at Map R-02, Lot 29A. The motion failed on a 0-5 vote.

(3) Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to grant an abatement to Edward Rice for the property located at Map R-02, Lot 27D. The motion failed on a 0-5 vote.

(4) Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to grant an abatement to Steven & Peggy Allen for the properties located at Map R-07, Lot 9 and Map R-07, Lot 10. The motion failed on a 0-5 vote.

(5) Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to grant an abatement to Charles & Rosalie Presby for the property located at Map R-06, Lot 64B. The motion failed on a 0-5 vote.

(6) Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to grant an abatement to Donald & Roberta Lipfert for the properties located at Map R-13, Lot 3 and Map R-13, Lot 4. The motion failed on a 0-5 vote.

(7) Motion by Dale, seconded by Phillip, to grant an abatement to Richard White for the property located at Map R-09, Lot 14-2. The motion failed on a 0-4 vote with David abstaining.

(8) Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to grant an abatement to Roger Hooker, Jr. et al for the property located at Map R-01, Lot 5. The motion failed on a 0-5 vote.

g. Commercial Base Acreage: The Selectmen decided to table Juanita's request for clarification of the commercial base acreage pending a discussion with her to obtain the details.

h. Wild Animal Disposal: Todd advised that Joseph Neale was willing to continue to pick up and dispose of dead wild animals in the town but had requested that he be reimbursed for his mileage. Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to pay mileage to Joseph Neale for the pickup and disposal of dead wild animals on all roads except for Route 1. The motion passed unanimously.

i. Executive Session: The Selectmen asked Lloyd to schedule an Executive Session on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss possible disciplinary action for a town employee.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:45 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

Approved: /s/ David A. King, Sr.
cc:Selectmen/Staff

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