PREVIOUS MEETING'S MINUTES: Motion by Rita, seconded by Dale, to approve the minutes of the November 8, 1999 Selectmen's Meeting as printed. Passed unanimously.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: The Road Commissioner was not present and no report was given.

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Chief Wayne Saunders advised that there have been two calls since the last Selectmen's Meeting. The total for the year is 118 - which is about the same as last year at this time. Wayne also reported that a fire truck company will be on duty at the Fire Station from 9:00 p.m. New Year's Eve to 3:00 a.m. New Year's Day to respond to any emergency. Wayne also advised that he had become aware of several newly named roads in town. He requested that he be provided that information directly from the Town Office at the same time that notification is given to the Post Office. Lloyd was requested to advise the Addressing Officer of this need. Deputy Chief Roger Brawn advised that he had ordered a remanufactured Lifepack-12 defibrillator today. The cost will be $6,746.00 and will be partially funded by a $300.00 donation from the Nequasset Trailbreakers and $300.00 from a fund raiser. Delivery will be in approximately eight weeks.

OLD BUSINESS:

Carlton Bridge Plaque: The Selectmen noted the recommendation of the Historical Society that the plaque be reinstalled at the Woolwich end of the Carlton Bridge. However, they agreed to hold off on a location decision until the bridge project was nearer completion.

Cable TV Franchise Agreement: Roger Baffer discussed the proposed new franchise agreement. It is forty-four pages long compared to the present agreement of four pages. The present agreement expires in July 2003. The proposed agreement would replace that agreement and would be effective as of January 1, 2000. Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to authorize a legal review by the town attorney. The review is not to exceed ten hours. Passed unanimously. The review will be funded out of the Cable TV Account.

NEW BUSINESS:

Conservation of Town Records: Dawn Lilly of the Committee to Preserve Town Records presented the attached "Woolwich Town Records" report and recommended that the Selectmen advertise for a Conservator to establish a means for preserving the records. Lloyd agreed that the present vault is not a suitable place to store historical records because of dampness. He further advised that the Town Vital Records (Births, Marriages, Deaths) are adequately protected from both the environment and fire in a storage cabinet in the Town Office. Lloyd also advised that Browns River Binery had performed excellent restoration work on the Town Vital Records. The Selectmen requested Lloyd to contact a representative of Browns River to survey the vault material and provide a preservation recommendation. Dawn Lilly will be invited to take part in the Browns River survey.

Woolwich Town Records The cellar vault lacks air circulation and is not climate controlled Though protected from fire, the town records from 1760 are moldy and disintegrating. They must be preserved. First, they must be moved. I know of no suitable place to remove them to at this time. They will contaminate. Only a conservator should handle them. Town histories like that of the Clifford Russell silver and gem jewelry; Nequasset alewife fishery; the pumping station and Bath Water District; granges; and art and literature and more must gain support to survive for posterity. Woolwich administrators have lacked an interest in paper preservation for a couple of decades. The Committee to Preserve Town Records died and no new appointments were made. Please consider advertising for a conservator to assess and act, immediately. A large collection of Russell jewlerv has been sold out of Woolwich to remain in a private collection. The town should acquire a few pieces by purchase or donation for historical exhibit. Woolwich needs a new climate controlled space. I suggest that there is no room on the municipal lot and an addition to the Woolwich Historical Society should be considered at town expense and/or through donation. Woolwich has no clean building in which to store new acquisitions. Yours truly, Dawn Lilly

Winter Road Closing: The Selectmen acknowledged the November 10, 1999 memorandum from Charles Leveroni on behalf of John Hilpman, the Atwood Family Trust and himself to suspend winter maintenance on the Barley Neck Road beyond #398. Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to concur with the request and to put a winter maintenance article in next May's Town Meeting Warrant. Passed unanimously. Jack Shaw will be contacted to determine whether any other roads should be included in the winter maintenance article.

Pine Street Status: David Rose, an abutter to Pine Street, advised that Dorothy Schmidt was allowing a truck to park on the street at all hours of the day and was causing a safety situation. The Selectmen determined that the town had not maintained the section of Pine Street from U. S. Route 1 to the Old Arrowsic Road for over thirty years and, as a result of operation of law, that section of Pine Street was deemed to be discontinued. Motion by Dale, seconded by Rita, to notify the abutters of this determination. Passed unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS:

a. Woolwich Postmaster: Lloyd advised that David Thompson, Postmaster of Woolwich, has been selected to be the Postmaster of Richmond. He left the Woolwich Post Office on November 19, 1999.

b. Town House Roof Repair: The Selectmen have received an estimate of
$8,270.00 to reshingle the roof of the Old Town House. The town raised and appropriated $2,500.00 at the May 1999 Town Meeting for maintenance of the building. The Selectmen requested Lloyd to contact the Sagadahoc Preservation Society to see if they would sponsor a fund raiser for the balance. If unsuccessful, the Selectmen plan to request the needed funds at the May 2000 Town Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:25 p.m.
Lloyd Coombs Administrative Assistant Approved: /s/ Crispin H. Connery

Back to Selectmen's Minutes Page

BACK TO THE WOOLWICH HOME PAGE