PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Prior to the beginning of the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m., David had Lloyd lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS MINUTES: Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to accept the minutes of the meeting of March 29, 2004 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: In response to a request from a Birchwood Road resident for the installation of "Children Playing" signs and speed bumps, David asked Jack to install an appropriate number of "15 MPH" signs on that road. Jack will accomplish the work. Jack recommended a change in the culvert installation policy. At present, the property owner purchases the first culvert and the Town installs it. However, in some instances the property owner both buys it and installs it. Jack recommended that in every instance the property owner should be responsible for buying and installing the first culvert. Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to establish a policy consistent with Jack's recommendation. The motion passed unanimously. Jack also advised that none of the Town's roads will be posted by the end of the month. Jack, as a resident, spoke about the lack of effort by Stephen Spaulding to clean up the debris resulting from a fire on his Walker Road property. Bill Longley, Codes Enforcement Officer, advised that he was pursuing a legal remedy through the court system. David was authorized by the other Selectmen to look into whether the property could be taken by eminent domain in order to cure a traffic hazard at the intersection of the Walker Road and the Old Stage Road.

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Lloyd advised that Chief Ken Desmond would not be present due to a serious illness in his family. Lloyd presented Ken's report of seven fire calls and three EMS runs since the last Selectmen's Meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. MidCoast Council for Business Development and Planning: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to authorize a warrant article for the May 6, 2004 Budget Town Meeting in the amount of $4,215.00 for the annual fee for membership in the MidCoast Council for Business Development and Planning. The motion passed on a 4-1 vote.

b. Shellfish Ordinance Changes: Lloyd advised that he had been contacted by Steve Goodenow relative to a newly proposed change to the Shellfish Ordinance. At the present time the ordinance under Article VII.d(4) provides that the conservation work is to be "under the supervision of the town shellfish warden". Lloyd said that the Shellfish Committee wanted the words "or the Shellfish Committee" added after "warden". Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip" to add the words "or his designee" after the word "warden". The motion passed unanimously and will be considered at the May 6, 2004 Budget Town Meeting. Lloyd also advised that the Shellfish Committee had approved a change to the Shellfish Warden's Job Description that would authorize him to enforce the laws pertaining to harvesting shellfish in a state-closed area. Motion by Todd, seconded by Rita, to add the following to the Municipal Shellfish Warden's Job Description: As constable, the Warden may issue a summons to anyone harvesting shellfish in a state-closed area. The motion passed unanimously.

c. Leask/Murphy Payment Agreement: Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to authorize an amendment to the Leask/Murphy Payment Agreement that would keep the monthly payment at $50.00. The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Chop Point School Update: Peter Willard of Chop Point School outlined its history and mission. He invited the Selectmen to come to the school for breakfast and a tour.

b. Bath Skate Park Briefing: Amos Wright, Executive Director of the Bath Skate Park, briefed the Selectmen concerning the variety of programs offered at "The Park" as shown on the attachments. He requested a contribution of $1,645.00 from the Town so that Woolwich residents could use the facilities at the same fee as Bath residents. Todd said that Woolwich does not charge a fee to Bath when their residents use our facilities, e.g. Nequasset Park, school gymnasium and athletic fields and Bath should not charge Woolwich residents when we use their facilities. David expressed concern regarding The Park's" operating hours conflicting with school studies. The Selectmen did not take any action on Mr. Wright's request.

c. Abatement Application of Paul & Hopestill Spillane: Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to grant an abatement of $173,300.00 to Paul & Hopestill Spillane. The motion passed on a 3-2 vote.

d. Abatement Application of George and Shirley Roth: Motion by Todd, seconded by Dale, to grant an abatement of $305,200.00 to George and Shirley Roth. The motion passed on a 3-2 vote.

e. Abatement Application of Kenneth and Mikelle Carr: Motion by Todd, seconded by Dale, to grant an abatement of $33,600.00 to Kenneth and Mikelle Carr. The motion passed unanimously.

f. Supplemental Tax Warrant for Goose Cover Owners Association: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to issue a Supplemental Tax Warrant in the amount of $3,614.16 to Goose Cove Owners Association. The motion passed unanimously.

g. Budget Town Meeting Municipal Warrant: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to approve the attached Budget Town Meeting Municipal Warrant. The motion passed unanimously.

h. Appointment of Health Officer: Lloyd advised that the three year term of the incumbent Health Officer, John Cakouros, was ending. Lloyd said that John was willing to serve again only if no one else was interested in the position. Lloyd presented the qualifications of two candidates, John Albis, Sr. and Marla Davis. Motion by Dale, seconded by Phillip, to appoint John Albis, Sr. to a three year term as Health Officer of Woolwich. The motion passed unanimously.

i. Conservation Commission Appointment: Motion by Rita, seconded by Todd, to appoint Penny Lewis to a term on the Conservation Commission that expires on May 1, 2006. The motion passed unanimously.

j. Municipal/Fire Department Parking Lot Sweeping: The Selectmen requested Lloyd to contact the Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Department to see if any prisoner assistance was available for sweeping the Municipal/Fire Department parking lot.

k. Sealer of Weights and Measures Discussion: The Selectmen considered the request of Peter Fessenden To be Sealer of Weights and Measures for the Town of Woolwich. However, since no complaints had been received against the current Sealer, they decided to take no action.

l. Grimmel's Industries Dumpster: Lloyd said a resident had advised that Grimmel's Industries would put a dumpster for metals at the Town Recycling Area at no charge. David advised that they would only put the dumpster in towns that had Transfer Stations. As a result, the Selectmen decided to take no action.

m. Hyde School Crew Program: By consensus, the Selectmen agreed to allow Hyde School to utilize Nequasset Park for their 2004 Crew Program in exchange for providing a disabled person portable toilet at the site through Labor Day.

n. Ambulance Service: David noted the attached letter dated April 7, 2004 from the City of Bath recommends that the Town of Woolwich should pursue other EMS alternatives for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2004. David asked Rita to assume the chairmanship of the Ambulance Options Committee and to advise him of any inactive committee members.

o. Solid Waste Committee: Neil LaRochelle asked for the Selectmen to appoint a liaison to the Solid Waste Committee to facilitate operations. The Selectmen appointed Dale as liaison. Neil advised that the Committee will be conducting a survey during the next several months to help draft the requirements for the follow-on solid waste contract.

CODES ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT: Bill Longley, Codes Enforcement Officer, advised that he had observed a large number of idle commercial vehicles at the Ken Vining property on the Dana Mill Road. Bill will advised Mr. Vining of the need to apply for a home occupation permit.

ADJOURNMENT: 8:10 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

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

cc: Selectmen/Staff

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