OATH OF OFFICE: Prior to the Executive Session on Workers Compensation, Selectmen-Elect Dale E. Chadbourne and David A. King, Sr. took the oath of office from Town Clerk Lloyd Coombs.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Motion by Rita at 4:00 p.m., seconded by Dale, to go into Executive Session, as authorized by Title 1 M.S.R.A §405 6.A., to discuss Workers Compensation claims. The motion passed unanimously. Motion by Rita at 5:10 p.m. to come out of Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously.

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.

ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN: Motion by Todd, seconded by Rita, to nominate David A. King, Sr. for Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the ensuing year. There were not any additional nominations. David was elected unanimously. Motion by David, seconded by Rita, to nominate Dale E. Chadbourne as Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the ensuing year. There were not any additional nominations. Dale was elected unanimously.

ADOPTION OF THE BYLAWS OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to adopt the attached Bylaws of the Board of Selectmen. Phillip noted that David had not missed a Selectmen's Meeting in nine years and suggested that the Bylaws be modified to provide for the Vice Chairman to occasionally chair their meetings notwithstanding the presence of the Chairman. As a result, Rita and Dale withdrew their motion. Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to table the matter until the next meeting and to have Lloyd draft revised Bylaws that would provide for occasional chairing of meetings by the Vice Chairman. The motion passed unanimously.

PREVIOUS MEETING'S MINUTES: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to accept the minutes of the meeting of December 20, 2004 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.

SELECTMEN'S COMMENTS: Todd said that he was working on resolving the final Uncollectible Ambulance Statement from the City of Bath. Phillip congratulated David and Dale on their reelection to office. David noted he had not missed a single Selectmen's Meeting since being elected to the Board. Lloyd thanked Health Officer Jack Albis for organizing the very successful flu clinic on December 29, 2004 where 90 shots were administered.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were not any comments from the public.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Commissioner Jack Shaw and the Selectmen discussed the attached letter from Brian Bowers and Elise Straus-Bowers concerning public dumping in the turnaround area near their home. Jack advised that part of the turnaround area was on private property and was used by snowplowing contractors. The Selectmen concluded that dumping by certain elements of society would take place irregardless of the availability of a turnaround area.

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Ken Desmond, Fire Chief, reported that the total number of emergency calls for 2004 was 116 and that 399 fire permits had been issued. The details of the emergency calls is attached. Ken also reported that he has been on medical leave from the Bath Fire Department for several weeks and thanked Dan Skillin and Roger Brawn for their efforts during this period. Ken expects to be back on duty in four-six weeks. Roger reported that North East Mobile Health Services (NEMHS) had responded to 13 requests for medical aid in December 2004. They had an average response time of 14.7 minutes. Roger also advised that NEMHS would be providing training to the Woolwich First Responders. In response to a question from the Selectmen, Roger advised that there are presently ten First Responders.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. Application for Abatement of Harriet Hay: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to continue to table the matter until the next meeting pending receipt of additional information from the Assessing Agent and a walk of the property by Dale. The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Application for Abatement of George and Shirley Roth: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to accept the Tree Growth Plan application of George and Shirley Roth. The motion passed 4-1.

b. Trash Receptacles: Health Officer Jack Albis asked the Selectmen to consider sponsorship of an amendment to the Solid Waste Ordinance that would require residents to place their trash in lidded containers for weekly curbside pickup. Jack reported several instances where plastic bags had been torn open by animals and the contents scattered. The Selectmen agreed to take the matter under consideration but questioned how the requirement would be enforced.

c. Limiting the Liability of Maine Ambulance Services: David reported on proposed legislation that would specify equal liability requirements for all ambulance service providers, i.e. municipal/non profits and for profits. At the present time, municipal/non profits have a $400,000.00 limit per call while "for profits" must carry $1,000,000.00 to $3,000,000.00 coverage. This creates an unfair advantage. Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to send a letter to Senator Mayo seeking his support for the legislation. The motion passed unanimously.

d. Renewal of Town of Woolwich Policy on Treasurer's Disbursement Warrants for Employee Wages and Benefits: Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to renew the attached policy. The motion passed unanimously.

e. Renewal of Municipality of Woolwich, Maine Municipal Officers' Policy on Disbursement of Municipal Education Costs: Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to renew the attached policy. The motion passed unanimously.

f. Scheduling of Budget Workshops: The Selectmen Scheduled the initial workshop for the 2005-2006 budget for Monday, January 31, 2005, at 4:00 p.m.

g. Dumping on the Old Stage Road: Diane Longley reported that an old refrigerator had been dumped near the power lines off of the Old Stage Road. The Selectmen advised that the illegal dumping had been reported previously and that the refrigerator would be removed.

h. Old Town House Donation: Lloyd reported that a very generous donation had been received from Bob DeWick's granddaughter, Catherine Johnson and her husband. The donation is for continuing maintenance on the Old Town House and is in memory of Bob DeWick and Richie McElman. The Selectmen were very pleased to receive the donation in memory of these two outstanding citizens.

CODES ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT: Bill Longley, CEO, reported that a local modular home builder said that Woolwich should provide 9-5 daily coverage of code enforcement activities.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:45 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

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

cc: Selectmen/Staff

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