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 MEETINGS' MINUTES: Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meetings of February 27, March 2 & 8, 2006 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.

SELECTMEN'S COMMENTS: Todd reported that Woolwich's share of the county budget could be $700,000.00 which compares to the current county budget of $462,000.00. That increase by itself could cause a 2-3 mill impact on the fiscal year 2006-2007 budget. David said that it appears that an LD 1 written ballot override vote will be necessary at the May 3, 2006 budget town meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Andy Barber spoke of his concerns regarding the use of the George Wright Road to funnel Route 1 north bound traffic during the Nequasset Bridge repairs in 2008. He recommended that we get any commitments from MDOT in writing. David said that the town planned to get such written commitments. Diane Longley noted the fire today on Indian Drive and said that the road was not clearly marked as the sign was on a telephone pole. Further, she said that the sign was only visible in one direction. Ken said that the sign was on the pole because the ground was frozen. Jack will also check on the matter.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Road Commissioner Jack Shaw provided the attached and recommended MDOT Transportation Project Requests. Jack also advised that Pine Tree Waste had requested a list of the posted roads which he provided. Jack said that he suggested that they use smaller trucks on the posted roads.

CEO/FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: CEO/Fire Chief Ken Desmond advised that two building permits have been issued since the last Selectmen's Meeting. He also said that the Planning Board would be holding a public hearing at the end of the month on a proposed subdivision on the Middle Road. Ken reported on a significant structure fire on Indian Drive today. Fifteen Woolwich firefighters responded. The surrounding mutual aid towns supported the outstanding effort. Ken said that he will be attending the BLS appeal in Hallowell on March 20, 2006 with David and Lloyd. He will be bringing the appropriate documentation.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. School Issues/Negotiations: David Miller, School Committee Chair, advised that their budget will be undergoing refinement at their meeting of March 21, 2006. His good news was that there would not be any increase in next year's school budget. He attributed it to several reasons &endash; fewer tuition students, smaller requirement for special education, careful fiscal management, and an increase in state subsidiary. He outlined the need for the attached list of repairs to the building and grounds at Woolwich Central School. The Selectmen asked Lloyd to prepare a warrant article for the May 3, 2007 budget town meeting that would fund the projects over a five year period.

b. SUSCOM/COMCAST RESOLUTION: Roger Baffer discussed the attached resolution concerning the acquisition of SUSCOM by COMCAST and recommended that it be adopted by the Board of Selectmen on behalf of the Town of Woolwich. Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to adopt the attached resolution. The resolution was adopted by a unanimous vote.

c. TRIO Assessing Data Discussion: The Selectmen did a spot review of some of the 81 incorrect TRIO accounts. They decided to have David contact the Assessing Agent to determine the best way of correction.

d. Nequasset Lake Boat Facility Letter Agreement: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to execute the attached Letter Agreement for the Nequasset Lake Boat Facility. The motion passed on a unanimous vote.

e. Delinquent Tax Accounts: The Selectmen reviewed the list of properties that will go into foreclosure on March 24, 2006. Since it appeared that many of the property owners did not understand the gravity of their situation, the Selectmen decided to telephone them where possible.

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Approval of Accounts Payable Warrant: Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to approve the accounts payable warrant of March 9, 2006. The motion passed unanimously.

b. Approval of Payroll Warrant: Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to approve the payroll warrant of March 10, 2006. The motion passed unanimously.

c. Certificate of Abatement for Richard White: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to execute the Certificate of Abatement for Richard White (Map R-09, Lot 014-2) as a partial abatement was granted on February 27, 2006. The motion passed unanimously.

d. Application for Abatement of Property Taxes for Central Maine Power Company (CMP): The Selectmen noted that due to a computer input error by Cole Layer Trumble (CLT) personnel, CMP was over assessed by $2,426,500.00. Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to grant an abatement in the amount of $2,426,500.00 to CMP. The motion passed unanimously. The Selectmen requested Lloyd to draft a letter to CLT asking them to reimburse the Town of Woolwich for the loss of revenue attributed to their input error. A resident, Andy Barber, offered to assist in drafting the letter. The Selectmen accepted his offer.

e. Local Plumbing Inspector Contract: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to approve the attached Local Plumbing Inspector Contract with Richard Lang. The motion passed unanimously.

f. Appointment of Democratic and Republican Election Clerks: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Rita, to appoint the attached lists of Democratic and Republican Election Workers. The motion passed unanimously.

g. LD 1 Plan "B" Discussion: David said that it appeared that a property tax levy override vote would be required at the May 3, 2006 budget town meeting. He also said that MMA was recommending that the Selectmen have a recommended alternative in case the override vote failed. The Selectmen agreed with that recommendation and will develop a Plan "B" when the warrant is finalized.

h. Town Office Cleaning Services: Lloyd asked the Selectmen to advise the fee for Jeanne Bernard to clean the Town Office. The Selectmen said that the agreed upon fee was $25.00 for once a week cleaning.

i. Animal Care Agreement for Services: Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to execute the attached contract with The Coastal Humane Society, Inc. at the same rate as last year. The motion passed unanimously.

j. ATV Clean Up: Paul Grover, Jr. said that the local ATV Club would like to conduct a trash clean up in April. The Selectmen advised him to have the effort coordinated the with the Solid Waste Committee.

k. Committee Appointment: Motion by Todd, seconded by Phillip, to appoint James Collins to a term on the Cable TV Committee that will end on May 1, 2008. The motion passed unanimously.

l. LPI Resignation: Bill Longley formalized his previous oral resignation with the attached document. The Selectmen by consensus accepted the resignation with regrets.

m. Executive Session: Motion by Phillip, seconded by Todd, at 7:45 p.m. to go into an executive session under 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(A) to conduct the annual personnel evaluation of the Animal Control Officer. The motion passed unanimously. Motion by Phillip, seconded by Todd, to come out of the executive session at 7:54 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:55 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

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

cc: Selectmen/Staff

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