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.

PREVIOUS MEETING'S MINUTES: Motion by Dale, seconded by Todd, to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting of January 17, 2006 as printed. The motion passed on a 3-0-2 vote.

SELECTMEN'S COMMENTS: Todd reported that he took part recently in the County Budget Caucus. Phillip advised that the Crime Watch Committee met last week. Rita reported that she had received inquires concerning the engraving of names on the Town Monument.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Road Commissioner Jack Shaw advised that he had received complaints from Pine Tree Waste concerning the condition of several town roads. Jack said that one of the problems was that Pine Tree Waste was attempting to collect waste with trucks that were too large for local roads. Jack said that he is trying to make it work. Jack discussed the MDOT meeting held on January 27, 2006 with Ken and Lloyd also attending. In particular, Jack outlined the MDOT plan to make the George Wright Road one way going north for an 18 week period in 2008 while repair work was being done on the Route 1 bridge over the Nequasset Stream. Jack feels that it could be dangerous because of the habit of residents to go south on the George Wright Road. David suggested that only the stretch from Ryan's Corner to the southern end of the George Wright Road be made one way.

CEO/FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: CEO/Fire Chief Ken Desmond advised that six building permits have been issued this year. There have been 21 fire/rescue calls this year. Many firefighters recently completed MMA sponsored Emergency Vehicle Driving training. Ken also reported on the status of the air pack upgrades. The upgrades will be funded by a $42,000 grant coupled with a town share of $4,200.

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS:

a. School Issues Update: William Shuttleworth, Superintendent of School Union #47 and Charles Durfee, Chairman of the Woolwich School Building Committee spoke of plans to acquire the property located at Map R-6, Lot 63C for school parking. Jack Shaw said that he strongly supports the acquisition. The School representatives and the Selectmen agreed to use the School Reserve Account to fund the acquisition. David advised the School representatives that a letter had been received from the Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) concerning the large number of workers compensation claims from the Town of Woolwich. David said that the majority of claims were coming from school personnel. The MDOL letter incorrectly said that we had a "2" rating &endash; meaning that our experience was twice what would be normally expected. David said that our rating was actually 1.87 and, although that is lower than the threshold for a formal corrective plan, the school and municipal employees need to have a safe workplace. David advised the school representatives that we were expecting training information from MDOL which we would share with them.

b. Meals on Wheels: Angelica Thibodeau, Coordinator for Meals on Wheels, briefed the Selectmen on the available services of her organization. She said that Woolwich was currently underserved and, as a result, she is seeking additional volunteers.

c. Approval of Accounts Payable Warrants: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to approve the accounts payable warrants of January 20, 21 and 27, 2006. The motion passed unanimously.

d. Approval of Payroll Warrants: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to approve the payroll warrants of January 20 and 27, 2006. The motion passed unanimously.

e. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event: Lloyd advised that a household hazardous waste collection event was scheduled to take place at the Bath Public Works garage on April 15, 2006. It was the consensus of the Selectmen that Woolwich would participate.

f. Corrective Abatements: Motion by Todd, seconded by Dale, to grant the following corrective abatements:

(1) Karen Weidner (Map R12, Lot 29) Certificate of Abatement only as previously approved January 17, 2006

(2) Susquehanna Communications (Map R3, Lot 001-B)$5,000.00 The motion passed unanimously.

g. Abatement Application: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to grant the following abatement:

(1) Hilliker Family Trust (Map U14, Lot 12)$114,600.00 The motion passed unanimously.

h. Midcoast Bypass Task Force Appointment: Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to appoint David as the Woolwich representative on the Midcoast Bypass Task Force. The motion passed on a 4-0-1 vote.

i. Agreement for Professional Engineering Services 2006 Landfill Monitoring Program: Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to execute the attached agreement. The motion passed unanimously.

j. Town Administrator Leave: Lloyd asked to take 15 hours of compensatory leave on Friday, February 17, 2006, and Tuesday, February 21, 2006. The Selectmen by consensus agreed.

k. Municipal Building Maintenance: Lloyd advised that John Vigue had planned to attend tonight's meeting to brief the Selectmen on a deteriorating condition that he had found while caulking the windows on the municipal side of the building. David agreed to call John to get a first hand report.

l. General Assistance Mortgage Lien: Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, at 7:10 p.m., to enter into an Executive Session pursuant to Title 22 M.R.S.A. §4306 to consider a General Assistance Mortgage Lien. The motion passed unanimously. Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, at 7:15 p.m. to come out of the Executive Session. The motion passed unanimously. Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to send a notification to the mortgage holder and the general assistance recipient that the Town of Woolwich intended to file a lien in the amount of $411.00 against the mortgaged property. The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:18 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

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

cc: Selectmen/Staff

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