PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Prior to the beginning of the Selectmen's Meeting, the Town Administrator Lloyd Coombs asked for a moment of silence in memory of Howard Kirkpatrick and then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country.

SWIFTWATERS MUSIC FESTIVAL PUBLIC HEARING: Several people spoke in favor the Swiftwaters Music Festival. No one spoke in opposition.

SWIFTWATERS MUSIC FESTIVAL AUTHORIZATION: Motion by Todd, seconded by Dale, to issue a final working license to Chop Point Music Ministries to hold the Swiftwaters Music Festival on September 4, 2004. The motion passed unanimously.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS MINUTES: Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to accept the minutes of the meetings of August 2 and August 4, 2004 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Jack Shaw, Road Commissioner, was not present. The Selectmen requested Lloyd to contact Jack to ensure that the paving on the Old Stage Road, Section 2, would not interfere with the funeral of Howard Kirkpatrick on August 18, 2004.

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Ken Desmond, Fire Chief, reported that the Town's Jaws of Life failed at a recent accident. Glen Kirkpatrick said that one of the reasons is that today's automobiles have much stronger roof supports. Ken said that the Fire Department is looking into purchasing a new set that will have stronger capabilities. The new set will cost approximately $18,000-$19,000. The Department is looking into partial funding through a grant application. It was the consensus among the Selectmen that the new set should be ordered immediately. The Selectmen discussed a letter from the Woolwich Fire Association concerning the turn back of the Air Boat when it is no longer of service to the Town. Todd and Phillip said that the letter was untimely because the town meeting warrant article did not put any conditions on its acceptance. The Selectmen decided to put the question to next year's town meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. Health Benefits: Lloyd advised that Diane Belanger had asked for reinstatement of her spousal health benefits coverage. Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to reinstate spousal health benefits coverage for Diane Belanger on a 90/10 basis. The motion passed on a 4-1 vote.

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Sagadahoc Regional Rural Resource Initiative: The Selectmen noted a request from the Conservation Commission for a letter of support from the Town of Woolwich for the Sagadahoc Regional Rural Resource Initiative. Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to send a letter of support affirming that the Town of Woolwich would provide $700.00 as a match to a $15,000.00 grant. The motion passed unanimously.

b. Property Tax Exemption Applications: Motion by Todd, seconded by Rita, to grant Veterans Exemptions to the following: Charlotte Brooker, P. Richard Cote, James Foutch, Wayne Jordan, George Roth, Walton Wheeler and Terry Taylor, Jr. The motion passed unanimously. Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to grant Veterans Exemptions to the following: Robert J.Smith, Dennis Copeland and Lanny Verrill. The motion failed on a 0-5 vote. Motion by Todd, seconded by Rita, to grant a Blind Exemption to Shirley Jones. The motion passed unanimously.

a. Abatement Application: Motion by Rita, seconded by Phillip, to grant an abatement in valuation to Shirley Jones in the amount of $9,300.00 for the 2003-2004 tax year due to lack of habitability for a building located on Map U-01, Lot 11. The motion passed unanimously.

a. Lower Kennebec Regional Land Trust: The Assessors reviewed the application of the Lower Kennebec Regional Land Trust for exemption from local taxation. Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to conditionally grant tax exempt status for parcels Map R-12, Lots 40, 41, and 42 beginning with the 2004-2005 fiscal year pending further satisfactory documentation to the Assessing Agent of the charity and benevolent status of the organization. The motion passed unanimously. It was the consensus of the Selectmen/Assessors to not consider tax exempt status for the organization for the 2003-2004 fiscal year because of the lack of a timely application.

a. Photocopier Replacement: Motion by Phillip, seconded by David, to have Todd and Lloyd review the available products and recommend to the Board of Selectmen a possible replacement for the Toshiba photocopier. The motion passed unanimously.

a. Pedestrian Underpass Lighting Project: Motion by Rita, seconded by Phillip, to accept the proposal of Glenn Bowman in the amount of $2,900.00 to provide replacement lighting in the pedestrian underpass. The motion passed on a 3-2 vote.

a. Marine Harvesters Access: Phillip reported that the CPR Committee is working on a map of the Montsweag Bay Area that would delineate points of access to the flats over private property for marine harvesters. The Selectmen expressed the need for timely completion of the project.

a. Procurement of a Flat Screen Monitor: Dale advised that there was a need for a flat screen monitor for the counter station because of the viewing angle. Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to authorize the procurement of a flat screen monitor. The motion passed on a 4-1 vote. Phillip asked Lloyd to determine whether a flat screen monitor was available in state surplus prior to commercially procuring the monitor.

a. Town Report: Bill Longley advised that Fire Chief Ken Desmond has recommended that the Town Report for next year be dedicated to Life Member Howard W. Kirkpatrick, Sr. The Selectmen concurred in the commendation.

CODES ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT: Bill Longley, Codes Enforcement Officer, advised that no work has commenced on the Colfer septic system. Health Officer, John Albis, said that two trees need to be removed before the work can start. On another matter, Bill said that the next court appearance in the Spaulding matter was scheduled for August 17, 2004. He also said that an "encouragement" letter would be sent to Dot Schmidt shortly.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:15 p.m

Lloyd Coombs

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

cc: Selectmen/Staff

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