SELECTMEN'S MEETING MINUTES
Woolwich Town Office

August 28, 2006


ATTENDANCE: Dale Chadbourne, David King, Todd McPhee, Phillip Skillin and Rita Sturtevant

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Prior to the beginning of the Selectmen's Meeting, 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 Phillip, to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting of August 14, 2006 as printed. The motion passed unanimously.

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOL UNION #47 COMMENTS: William Shuttleworth, Superintendent of School Union #47, said that a New School Building Committee of seven to nine members was being formed. He suggested that two of the committee members would be appointed by the Board of Selectmen. He also reported that the cost of the school repair projects is anticipated to under run by approximately $40-45K. William said that state funding for the new school building is estimated to be $12-13M. Prior to receiving any state funding, the Town must fund approximately $100-150K in costs relating to "concept approval". William said that the under run on the repair projects plus the balance of the School Capital Reserve account might be enough to cover that upfront cost.

SELECTMEN'S COMMENTS: Phillip reported that the next CPR meeting would be held on October 26, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None

ROUTE 1 TRAFFIC CONCERNS: The Selectmen requested Lloyd to draft a letter to the Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner setting the following priorities for resolution of the Route 1 Traffic Concerns:

The letter will also advise the Commissioner that the Town of Woolwich would consider a cost sharing of the future maintenance expenses for the electronic devices.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: David asked Road Commissioner Jack Shaw to contact MDOT regarding the need for grass mowing at the two intersections of U. S. Route 1 and State Route 127.

CEO/FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: CEO/Fire Chief Ken Desmond reported that he had issued five building permits since the last Selectmen's Meeting. Ken advised that 19 permits for new homes had been issued at this time last year and that 19 permits have been issued this year. Ken also advised that there had been three fire calls during that same period. Ken said that the Planning Board would be considering the reported commercial activities at Map R12, Lot 20-1 at their meeting tonight. He also said that the Planning Board will be considering the possible expansion of the business at Map U2, Lot 80 tonight. Ken also spoke of the excellent support of Bath Iron Works and the Bath Police with the Woolwich emergency personnel at a recent boating accident on the Sasanoa River.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. Discussion of Possible Dangerous Building: Local Health Officer Jack Albis recommended that the Selectmen find the property located at Map U01, Lot 007 to be dangerous and to proceed accordingly. It was the consensus of the Selectmen that the building was not dangerous. David said that he would contact the owner to find out his intentions regarding the property.

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Adoption of the Sagadahoc County Hazard Mitigation Plan: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to adopt the Sagadahoc County Hazard Mitigation Plan. The motion passed unanimously.

b. Disposition of Hooker Abatement Appeal Decision: David noted that Roger Hooker et al had asked the Sagadahoc County Commissioners to reconsider their recent abatement decision on the property located at Map R01, Lot 005. The Commissioners had granted a 30% reduction. Roger Hooker et al has asked for 70%.

c. Solid Waste Committee Plans: Patrick Wright, Chairman of the Solid Waste Committee, updated the Selectmen on the Committee's study of a "pay-as-you-throw" disposal system. They will be issuing exploratory RFPs this fall to gather more information.

d. Open Space Application of Donald & Shirley Rachwal: Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to grant a 20% value reduction for Open Space for Donald & Shirley Rachwal at the property located at Map R05, Lot 104. The motion passed unanimously.

e. Tree Growth Adjustment Application of Charles & Priscilla Leveroni: Motion by Todd, seconded by Dale to grant a value abatement of $112,600.00 for the tree growth farm located at Map R02, Lot 025. The motion passed unanimously.

f. Operation of an Automobile Graveyard/Junkyard: Lloyd advised that the permit of Herbert Giroux to operate an automobile graveyard/junkyard would expire on October 1, 2006. Lloyd further advised that the Selectmen could waive the requirement for a public hearing if it was for a renewal permit. By consensus the Selectmen agreed to waive the public hearing.

g. Grass Mowing: The Selectmen asked Lloyd to add the North Fire Station to the contract for grass mowing next year.

h. Additional Snowplowing Requirements: Phillip advised that he had been contacted by Geoff McCarren concerning the increase in scope of the snowplowing requirements at Woolwich Central School as a result of the recent landscape changes. The Selectmen requested Lloyd to contact Geoff and Tom Soule to evaluate the changes, if any, in the WCS snowplowing requirements and to invite Geoff to attend the next Selectmen's Meeting to discuss the matter.

Adjourn 8:42 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

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

cc: Selectmen/Staff

 

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