SELECTMEN'S MEETING MINUTES

Woolwich Town Office - October 12, 1999

6:00 p.m.


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

PREVIOUS MEETING'S MINUTES: Motion by David, seconded by Rita, to approve the minutes of the September 27, 1999 Selectmen's Meeting as printed. Passed unanimously.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Lloyd reported that Doug McCobb, MDOT Project Engineer, advised that their snowplow trucks would be able to clear the Route 1 sidewalks as before, i.e. by lifting the wing blade. Crispin reported that Bath City Manager, John Bubier, advised that the City of Bath will plow the entire sidewalk on the Sagadahoc Bridge and will enter into an interlocal agreement with the Town of Woolwich to share the cost.
Jack Shaw advised that a utility cut by the Bath Water District on the George Wright Road went unrepaired for over a month. Lloyd advised of the latest revision to the state law on that subject (S.P. 418 - L.D. 1207). Jack will review the Woolwich Street Excavation Ordinance for conformity to state law and will recommend any needed changes. David & Paula Rose requested to be advised of the status of Pine Street. The Selectmen recommended that Mr. & Mrs. Rose contact Bill Longley in order to review the minutes of the Planning Board to see what status was given to Pine Street when the development was approved.

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Wayne Saunders reported that the department has responded to three calls since the last Selectmen's meeting. The total for the year is 111 - which is about one month ahead of last year. Wayne also reported that a newly enacted state respiratory law will require physicals for all firefighters who are structural trained. Lloyd noted that a letter had been received from Cherylee (Pierce) Washburn suggesting that the fire department might consider burning her partially demolished house trailer located at Map R-6, Lot 12E-1. Wayne advised that such an exercise would be too dangerous for his personnel. Lloyd will advise Ms. Washburn of this decision and request that the remainder of the trailer be removed. The Selectmen noted that several citizen complaints have been received concerning windows being left open in inclement weather in the fire department training room. Wayne advised that the locking mechanism was broken on one of the windows. Wayne will ensure that it is repaired.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. ROW Survey Update: Arlene Whitney reported that she has had discussions with state officials concerning the possibility of developing the so-called "dike" location as a combination boat launching/recreation area. The Selectmen were supportive of this effort and suggested that a committee would be formed in the future to further support this development. Arlene will follow up with the state officials. Arlene also reported that two areas are left to research - one is across from the Montsweag Restaurant and the other is at the Nequasset Dam. To date, she has been unable to locate the deed to the Nequasset Dam area. She believes that it may be located in the town vault and will begin searching there for it. She discussed her previous findings concerning the Ferry Road ROW and recommended that a professional survey be conducted in order to clearly establish boundaries for a scenic overlook/picnic area. The Selectmen requested Lloyd to prepare and submit a 1999 Public Access Discovery Grant request for $1,000.00 for a professional survey of that area.

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Election Warrant: Motion by David, seconded by Rita, to approve the warrant for the November 2, 1999 election. Passed unanimously.

b. Pedestrian Underpass Winter Maintenance: Since Dick Holbrook has the snowplowing contract for that general area, the Selectmen met with him to discuss his assuming responsibility for winter maintenance of the Pedestrian Underpass. This would not include the stairs. Mr. Holbrook stated that he would like to see the Underpass completed before he would commit to its maintenance. He indicated the possible difficulty of getting over the curbing in order to plow the area and other potential problems such as removal and replacement of the posts. Crispin asked him to discuss the matter with the MDOT Project Engineer, Phil Pinkham, and then to contact Lloyd to get on a future Selectmen's Meeting Agenda.

c. Woolwich Central School Certificate of Deposit: Crispin advised the Selectmen that, because of a delay on the part of the auditor, a transfer of $46, 942.03 from the Woolwich Central School Reserve Fund Certificate of Deposit (CD) to the town General Fund did not take place prior to the CD rollover. The amount of the rollover was $86,288.35. Crispin further advised that to accomplish the transfer at this time would subject the town to a financial penalty. Because of the present strong financial position of the town, Crispin recommended that the $46,942.03 be left in the CD until its maturity and then be transferred, with commensurate interest, to the General Fund. That recommendation was put in the form of a motion by David and seconded by Rita. Passed unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS: None

CODES ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT: The Codes Enforcement Officer was unable to be present but did provide a written report of short and long term building activity in the town.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:10 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

Administrative Assistant

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

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