SELECTMEN'S MEETING MINUTES

Woolwich Town Office - Monday, February 1, 1999

ATTENDANCE: Dale Chadbourne, Crispin Connery, David King, Richard Snell and Rita Sturtevant

PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES: Motion by David, seconded by Rick, to accept the minutes of the January 19, 1999 meeting as printed. Passed unanimously.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Jack Shaw advised that Clark Construction plans a culvert replacement at the dike area in connection with the Bath Iron Works wetland project that could close part of Route 1 for three days. Jack has heard that there is a plan to route all of the northbound and southbound traffic onto the George Wright Road for those three days. Jack recommends that traffic on the George Wright Road be restricted during that period to northbound only with a speed limit of 25 MPH. Southbound traffic would be one way only on Route 1 from the northerly intersection with the George Wright Road to its southerly intersection. Jack further advised that the work reportedly must be accomplished by May 27, 1999. Jack recommended that the town obtain a $50,000.00 bond from the contractor to protect us against any damage. Jack also recommended that the project contain appropriate signage and lighting. The Selectmen asked Lloyd to schedule a workshop meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 1999, with a representative of Clark Construction to discuss the project.

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Wayne Saunders reported that the Department had received the donation of a rescue sled from the Nequasset Trailbreakers. The sled will also be made available to other mutual aid towns. Wayne also reported that there have been five calls since the last Selectmen's Meeting &endash; one chimney, one structural, two false alarms and one car fire &endash; a total of thirteen for the year. Wayne further reported that the two false alarms were at Claremont Company. Wayne stated that most towns charge a fee after three false alarms in a year. He will check with Topsham and Wiscasset to determine their policies. Lloyd reported that Donald McCobb had spoken to him regarding the high degree of professionalism of the Woolwich First Responders in his time of need. Don is a strong supporter of this group. Dan Skillin spoke in very high regard of the recent passing of Arthur Youland. Mr. Youland was one of the original members of the Fire Department. In this same light, Bob Meade recommended that this year's Town Report be dedicated to Mr. Youland. The Selectmen concurred. Dan will provide a photograph and background material to Lloyd for inclusion in the report. Wayne also reported that Brenda Curran is working to get the grant money for the defibrillator reopened to the Town of Woolwich.

OLD BUSINESS

a.Right-of-Way Survey Update: The report of Arlene Whitney is attached.

February 1, 1999

Selectman
Town of Woolwich
Woolwich, Me 04579

Re: Rights of Ways

We recently made a trip to the Department of Transportation in Augusta for further clarification on the Ferry Road Right of Way.

See Attached maps and correspondence.

We discovered that the State of Maine owns a small piece of land south of the Ferry Road.

The state said that if the town was interested in a Scenic Overlook that they would be willing to turn over this small lot to the town for additional space for this purpose only (this does not include parking area, but space for a picnic table,perhaps). The town would be responsibility for the up keep. If the town did not comply or there were complaints they would rescind this land.

We asked about the feasibility of a boat launch in this area but they felt that there was not enough room and the the neighbors were not in favor of it.

We feel it might be possible, however, to have a boat dock and not a launching. Since the moorings are in waters controlled by the Federal government no permits are required for moorings. But we do not know if you have to get a permit for a dock.

Despite Mr. Hays attempts to obtain the Ferry Rd or have it discontinued, abandoned or to purchase property from the state, the ownership is quite clear, what the state owns and what the Town of Woolwich owns.

We feel that we have satisfactorily concluded the information requested on this particular project.

ARLENE L. WHITNEY

b. Lynn Harrington Installment Contract: The Tax Collector reported that Lynn Harrington was in default of her contract. Motion by David, seconded by Dale, for the Town to take the property and sell it. Passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Property Tax Mapping: Joan Kaplan advised the Selectmen of the poor property mapping service that had been given this past year by John E. O'Donnell & Associates. She recommended that we obtain our service this year from Eastern Mapping Services (EMS) of Newburgh, Maine. Joan reported that she had discussed this matter with Mark Gibson and Mark advised that EMS supplied a fine product. She also advised that the quoted price was $100.00 less than O'Donnell. The Selectmen concurred with Joan's recommendation and requested her to establish a schedule for accomplishment of the work with EMS. Crispin said that the work should take place as soon as possible after April 1, 1999.

OTHER BUSINESS

Electric Restructuring: Lloyd reported on a Public Utilities Commission briefing that he had attended on Electric Restructuring. Lloyd advised that in March 2000 Central Maine Power Company will be out of the power generation business and will only be involved in delivery service and the power will be supplied through competition. Lloyd further advised that groups of customers, whether they're small businesses, towns or consumer groups, can join together to negotiate group electric rates from an electricity supplier. This is called "aggregating". Lloyd said that Cumberland and York Counties were exploring the possibility of using this method and that a Cumberland County Commissioner advised him that they would welcome Sagadahoc County to join them. The Selectmen asked Lloyd to contact Sagadahoc Commissioner Darla Jewett and recommend further inquiry by the county into this concept. Lloyd distributed brochures that he had received at the briefing. The Selectmen asked Lloyd to provide a copy to Bob Young, Jack Shaw and the Snow Plowing Contractors to the extent that they were available.

Comprehensive Planning: Crispin and David reported that they had met today with Rick Seeley, GPOC, and resolved a potential problem concerning the subject of land owner reimbursement.

Planning Board Report: The Selectmen reviewed the proposed report of the Planning Board for inclusion in the Town Report. Since the proposed report seemed to be making a political statement as opposed to a report of activities, they asked Lloyd to poll the members of the Planning Board with respect to their approval of their identification with the report.

CODES ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT: Lloyd reported that Bill Longley would not be present as a result of his becoming a grandfather today. Lloyd distributed a a change to the Planning Ordinance fees that Bill had drafted. The Selectmen requested that the details be provided at their next meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:40 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

Administrative Assistant

 

Distribution: Selectmen, Road Commissioner, Fire Chief, WEMA Director, First Responders Director, Codes Enforcement Officer, Staff, School Union 47, Web Site and Bulletin Board

Approved /s/ Crispin H. Connery

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