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July 11, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Dale
Chadbourne, David King, Daniel Skillin, Rita Sturtevant and Todd McPhee
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Prior to the beginning of the regular Selectmen’s Meeting, the Town
Administrator, Lynette Eastman, led the audience in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the flag of our country.
Status of Yankee Air Boat:
Roger Brawn stated that he had approached the County Commissioners
regarding a regionalization plan for the Yankee Air Boat. This
would mean that the County would take over insuring and maintaining the
boat while leaving the boat housed at the Woolwich Fire
Department. The boat would be made available to any town in
Sagadahoc County should the need arise. The only money spent by
the Town of Woolwich would be for personnel to drive the truck that
tows the boat and gas for the truck when responding to a call.
Roger’s asked the Selectboard if they would be against having the boat
housed in the Town of Woolwich.
Dave King responded that the boat doesn’t belong to the town and he
doesn’t want to see taxpayers’ money spent on it.
Dale Chadbourne responded that he didn’t mind it staying in town but
didn’t want to spend money to keep it here.
Rita Sturtevant doesn’t mind the boat being here but also doesn’t want
money spent to keep it here.
Dan Skillin is in complete support of the boat and questioned why it
couldn’t be supported by town funds.
Alan Houston, 1st district County Commissioner, spoke in favor of the
County taking over the Air Boat. He said the great thing about an
airboat is that it can be used 365 days a year. He reiterated the
fact that the County would be happy to take over the insuring and
maintenance as long as it was understood that if it was needed in any
town in the County that it would be available to them.
Dale asked how long it had been since there had been any training done
with the boat. Bill Longley said that some training had been done
within the last three years. However, they had never had any ice
or land training.
The issue of ownership arose on several occasions during the
meeting. At first thought, it was believed that MMA wouldn’t
insure the boat as long as there was a covenant on the gift of the boat
from the Association to the Town. Then mention was made of the letter
from MMA Legal telling the Selectboard that they couldn’t accept the
boat as a gift if there was a covenant that said the boat had to be
given back to the Fire Fighters Association when the Town was done with
it. Dan Skillin had not seen the letter and wanted to see a copy
of it within ten days. The Administrator will contact MMA Legal
and try to obtain a copy of the letter. The Selectboard
also requested that the Administrator talked to MMA Legal about the
covenant issue again.
Roger Brawn also mentioned the possibility of the Town leasing the boat
from the Association. The Selectboard agreed that that could be
possible. Dave King said that he would like to revisit this issue
at a subsequent meeting.
Adjournment 7:00 PM.
Lynette R. Eastman
Approved:_____________________
cc: Selectmen/Staff
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