SELECTMEN'S MEETING MINUTES
Town Office
April 26, 2004


ATTENDANCE: David King, Dale Chadbourne, Todd McPhee and Phillip Skillin. Rita Sturtevant was not present as she was attending the School Committee's Public Hearing on the Bath Tuition Proposal at the request of the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

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.

TAX EQUALIZATION PROGRAM BID OPENING: Lloyd advised that only one bid had been received for the Tax Equalization Program. That bid from Cole Layer Trumble Company was opened and read in the amount of $161,500.00. Motion by Dale, seconded by Phillip, to include that amount in the Town Meeting Warrant. The motion passed unanimously.

2004 MOWING CONTRACT BID OPENING: Lloyd advised that seven bids had been received. They were opened and read as follows:

Tag Team

$450.00 per mowing

B & B Lawn Care

270.00 per mowing

Xtra Mile

275.00 per mowing

J. B. Yardworks

480.00 per mowing

Dr. Do's

441.62 per mowing

C. B.'s Lawn Care

1,195.00 per mowing

Quality Landscaping

275.00 per mowing

Motion by Dale, seconded by Phillip, to award the 2004 mowing contract to B & B Lawn Care at a price of $270.00 per mowing. The motion passed unanimously. Later in the meeting Lloyd received a telephone call from a representative of Quality Landscaping stating that they were the low bidder at $247.50 per mowing. The Selectmen again reviewed the bid of Quality Landscaping and found that it contained a 10% reduction in price if the company was awarded the entire contract on a weekly basis. That reduction would reduce their per mowing price to $247.50 ($275.00-27.50=$247.50). The Selectmen also noted that the bid contained a requirement that the Town of Woolwich pay 30% of the season's total contracted price before any services would be provided. Motion by Todd, seconded by David, to reopen the bidding decision. The motion passed unanimously. Lloyd advised that the specifications called for payments to be made within two weeks of submitting the bid to the town for each mowing job. Lloyd also said that adding a requirement for weekly mowing would be outside of the specifications and making advance payments would be unfair to the other bidders and recommended that the bid of Quality Landscaping should be considered on the basis of their submission of $3,000.00/12=$275.00 per mowing. Motion by Todd, seconded by David, to accept the bid of Quality Landscaping. The motion failed on a 0-4 vote. Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to accept the bid of B & B Lawn Care. The motion passed unanimously.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS MINUTES: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Dale, to accept the minutes of the meeting of April 12, 2004 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Jack Shaw, Road Commissioner, reported that a resident of the Barley Neck Road had requested that speed limit be reduced to 25 MPH in the vicinity of the intersection with the George Wright Road. Jack said that he didn't think that the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) would approve the request. David asked Jack to contact MDOT with the request and report back to the Board of Selectmen. David also asked Lloyd to draft a letter to the Sagadahoc Sheriff's Department asking them to enforce speed limits in the area.

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Ken Desmond, Fire Chief, reported that there had been seven fire calls and two EMS runs since the last Selectmen's Meeting. He also reported that Southern Maine Community College was giving emergency vehicle driving training to the Woolwich Firefighters.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. Ambulance Options Update: It was announced that the Ambulance Options Committee would be meeting on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fire Station. Chad Carleton, a City of Bath paramedic, said that he and the other Bath paramedics were concerned that Woolwich might be considering a contract with another ambulance service provider. David said that the issue was not about service. He said that the City of Bath had always provided excellent, comprehensive ambulance service to the Town of Woolwich but that the City of Bath had recommended that we pursue other EMS alternatives. At David's request, the other Selectmen authorized him to discuss the matter personally with the Bath City Manager.

b. Kenneth & Mikelle Carr Land Issues: Kenneth & Mikelle Carr discussed the land issues contained in their two attached letters. In particular, they were concerned that the Goose Cove properties were classified as Riverfront "A" when properties to the north and south of them were classified as Riverfront "B". The Selectmen explained their rationale for the classifications and advised the Carrs that they had made their decision and that the Carrs had the right to appeal that decision to the Sagadahoc County Commissioners.

c. Generator Maintenance: The Selectmen reviewed the generator recommendations contained in the attached Southworth-Milton, Inc. Inspection and Preventive Mainenance Checklist. Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to have Lloyd authorize accomplishment of the recommendations. The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Barking/Unlicensed Dogs: Kenneth & Lori Vining discussed the numerous complaints against them for keeping barking/unlicensed dogs. They advised that initially they had eight outdoor dogs and now had three indoor and three outdoor dogs. They advised that they have now licensed the dogs and have paid the late fees. They requested that the Animal Control Officer (ACO) withdraw his recently issued court summons. The Selectmen by consensus indicated their satisfaction with the resolution of the matter by the licensing of the dogs and requested the ACO to withdraw the summons. The ACO advised that he had filed the summons with the District Attorney and would attempt to rescind them.

b. Taste of Maine Restaurant Liquor License: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Todd, to waive the requirement for a Public Hearing for the Taste of Maine Restaurant Liquor License application. The motion passed unanimously. Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to approve the Taste of Maine Restaurant Liquor License application. The motion passed unanimously.

c. Committee Applications: Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to make the following appointments:

Conservation Commission - three year appointments: Curtis Fish, Elisabeth King and Stephen Taylor

Planning Board - three year regular appointment: Jason Shaw - three year associate appointment: John Sawhill

Road Committee - three year appointment: Arthur Spencer

Solid Waste Committee - three year appointment: Theresa Hanna

The motion passed unanimously.

d. Consideration of Revised Budget Town Meeting Municipal Warrant: Motion by Dale, seconded by Todd, to approve the attached municipal warrant for posting. The changes from the warrant approved on April 12, 2004 are shown on the attached Notice. The motion passed unanimously.

e. Consideration of Budget Town Meeting School Warrant: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Todd, to approve the attached school warrant for posting. The motion passed unanimously.

f. Goose Cove Common Area Abatements: The various lots in the Goose Cove Subdivision have been improperly billed for the common area when it should have been billed to the Association. The Selectmen approved a Supplement to the Association on April 12, 2004. Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to approve the following Goose Cove abatements:

William S. and Haley Eberhart

$36,700.00

Larry A. Meltzer and Susan G. Mikesell

$36,700.00

Michael and Joyce O'Bannon

$36,700.00

T. Scott Johnson and Cynthia Coffin Zadai

$36,700.00

Steven and Judy Lipetz

$36,700.00

The motion passed unanimously.

g. CPR Committee Meeting: Phillip advised that the CPR Committee would be meeting on Thursday, April 29, 2004 at 6:00 p.m.

CODES ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT: Bill Longley, Codes Enforcement Officer, advised that, because of the Memorial Day holiday, the Planning Board would be meeting on May 24, 2004 rather than May 31, 2004. He also advised that the Planning Board would be meeting in a workshop on May 11, 2004 at 5:30 p.m. Bill further advised that Kenneth Vining had made an application to the Planning Board for a home occupation permit. Bill said that he had received an anonymous complaint that Michael Stacy, Jr. had an illegal junkyard. The Selectmen noted that Mr. Stacy was currently serving in Iraq. Motion by Phillip, seconded by Todd, to take no further action on the complaint until Mr. Stacy returns from Iraq. Bill said that Steven Spaulding had not cleaned up the building ruins from the fire of September 2003. Because of the specialized nature of bringing required legal action against Mr. Spaulding, Bill recommended that he be authorized by the Selectmen to seek an attorney experienced in such matters. Motion by Phillip, seconded by Todd, to authorize Bill to locate an experienced land use attorney and have him proceed with the legal action. The motion passed unanimously. Bill advised that the Health Officer, Jack Albis, had taken a water sample at the Colfer's residence with marginal results. Bill said that he was looking into applying for a $6,000.00 grant for the updating of maps of the Town of Woolwich. If awarded it would require a $2,000.00 matching commitment by the Town. The Selectmen by consensus authorized Bill to apply for the grant.

ADJOURNMENT: 9:32 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

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

cc: Selectmen/Staff

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