SELECTMEN'S MEETING MINUTES

Woolwich Town Office - Tuesday, February 16, 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 February 1, 1999 meeting as printed. Passed unanimously.

ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT: Jack Shaw discussed the two options available for the Route 1 culvert replacement at the dike. The first option is to close one side of Route 1 and to construct and use a temporary bridge for the second lane - then repeat the process on the other side of the road. This option would take approximately four weeks to complete. The second option would be to close Route 1 completely at the replacement site and to utilize the George Wright Road for a three-four day period. East bound traffic would use the entire length of the road while west bound traffic would utilize Route 1 until they reached the Nequasset Road. They would turn left onto the Nequasset Road and then right onto the George Wright Road. Jack recommended the second option as being the least disruptive. He further recommended that Deputy Sheriffs be assigned to the affected intersections and that appropriate signage and striping take place. The Selectmen asked Jack to survey the George Wright Road residents and provide his findings and recommendations to the Selectmen at their meeting on March 1, 1999.  

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Wayne Saunders reported that there have been two calls since the last Selectmen's meeting &endash; one automobile accident and one mutual aid. This past Sunday, the Nequasset Trailbreakers formally turned over the rescue sled to the Fire Department. Wayne advised that the sled is on loan to the department and is available for mutual aid. Roger Brawn advised that he had received a 1099 for his fire department stipend. He believes that a W2 is more appropriate. Motion by David, seconded by Rita, to issue W2s to all fire department personnel for stipends/wages received in CY 1999. Passed unanimously. Wayne also advised that the converted tank truck is nearly complete and ready for painting.

OLD BUSINESS:

a Rights-of Way Survey Update: Arlene Whitney provided the attached report of her right-of-way survey activities. Diane Longley advised that some of the residents of Ferry Road cannot exit their driveways due to inconsiderate motorists. She recommended that "Do not block driveway" signs be placed on Ferry Road.

Report to Selectman

Feb-16,1999

Since the last meeting we have been working on "The Old Arrowsic Crossing" located at the end of the Old Arrowsic road where the first bridge was built in 1849.

According to "HISTORY OF WOOLWICH, MAINE" around midnight on July 31, 1919 part of this bridge collapsed into the river. After 4 months the officials of both towns and State Highway Commission finally met and discussed the problem. The cost of repairs was estimated to be $15,000 to $100,000, more than the towns could afford. Frank W. Carlton of Woolwich, a bridge builder, later State Senator, offered to repair the bridge for $2,500, pledging his, gift of $575 to add to the $1,800 pledged by citizens of Bath, Arrowsic, Woolwich and Georgetown. The repairs were completed in four weeks and the bridge was in use on Nov. 7, 1919.

In 1957 the old bridge was replaced by a modern steel structure that we now use.

I have taken the liberty to ask Jason Shaw to look at the area to see if a boat dock of some type could built at this location. He stated it could be done without much problem. However, he felt that there miclht be a problem with parking. A few cars could park along the road but turning around could be difficult. However, if the town ever had the opportunity to buy the Hooper property, it would make a great park and and there would be amply parking space.

Along with my report I am including maps from the State of Maine Department of Transportation of that area.

Sincerely

Arienia Whitney

b. Insurance Claim Update: Lloyd Coombs advised that he has been in contact with the insurance agent of Mid Maine Moving and that the town should be receiving a $400.00 check for its claim that resulted from an August 1998 fire.  

NEW BUSINESS:

a Outdoor Festival Ordinance: Margaret Gardiner asked to have the ordinance be made nonapplicable to nonprofit organizations. Bob Meade advised that the Planning Board had sponsored the ordinance approximately 25 years ago. Motion by David, seconded by Rita, to send the ordinance, on behalf of the citizen, to the Planning Board for review and revision, if they deem appropriate, followed by consideration at a town meeting. Passed unanimously.

b Homestead Exemptions: Lloyd advised that Joan Kaplan had identified approximately 150 additional property accounts that might be eligible for a homestead exemption. Lloyd inquired as to whether staff should contact the property owners. The Selectmen determined that adequate notice had been given last year to all property owners and that further funds should not be expended. They asked Lloyd to put a notice on Channel 12. 

c Comprehensive Planning Update: David reported that the town had lost the planning services of the Greater Portland Councils of Government over the issue of compensation for landowners whose property was subjected to land use regulations. David recommended that the Comprehensive Planning Committee meet in early March to determine whether to carry the project forward.

d Road Naming Issue: Lynn Moore requested the Selectmen to change the name of "Rocky Acres Lane" to "Highland Way". She stated that the right-of-way was originally named "Highland Way" but was changed against her wishes. The Selectmen requested her to draft a memo showing a timeline and sequence of events and provide it to them for consideration.

OTHER BUSINESS:

a. Fire Department Grievance: Motion by David, seconded by Dale, to enter into executive session to hear the grievance of Randy Kaplan against the Fire Department. Passed unanimously. Motion by David, seconded by Rick, to come out of executive session. Passed unanimously. No public action was taken.  

b. Crispin advised that he would be out of state from March 6, 1999 to April 6, 1999. Lloyd reported that he expected to have day surgery sometime during the month of March and also expected a 3-5 day recuperative period. He will advise the Selectmen and staff when the dates are known.

CODES ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT: Bill Longley presented the attached schedule for Building and Demolition Permits. He advised that adoption of this schedule would bring the Town of Woolwich into line with other nearby towns. The requirement for a Demolition Permit would be new. It would be used to track building removals and disposals and would assist Mark Gibson in establishing revised valuations. Bill will be reviewing the proposed new schedule with the Planning Board. They will draft a revision of the ordinance, if they deem appropriate, and hold a public hearing before consideration at a town meeting.

Land Use Revision 1999

C. Building nd Demolition Permits: After passage of this Ordinance, it shall be unlawful to erect or demolish any building over 200 square feet or alter the bulk of any building in any district, without first obtaining a building demolition permit from the Building Inspector. There shall be a fee paid to the Building Inspector for the use by the Town of-

1. Residential Structures: $20.00 minimum fee or six cents per square foot of living space.  

2. Commercial Buildings: $40.00 minimum fee or ten cents per square foot of usable space

3. Demoltion Pemit : $ 10.00 for all

The Building Inspector shall issue written notice of his decision on any application for a permit within 10 days from the date of filing such application. Building or Demolition Permits are valid one year from date of issue.

D. The Board of Selectmen shall appoint a Code Enforcement officer to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance. Said officer shall notify in writing any person, firm, corporation or other legal entity who violates the provisions of this Ordinance and shall indicate the action necessary to correct such violation. If any person, firm, corporation or other legal entity continues to violate any provision of this Ordinance 10 days after receiving notice of such violation, the Code Enforcement Officer shall notify the Board of Selectmen wbiich shall take immediate legal action to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance or to enjoin any violation.

E. Appeal: An appeal may be taken from any decision of the Planning Board, Building Inspector, Code Enforcement officer, to the Board of Appeals after which an appeal may be taken to the Superior Court of the State of Maine. The Board of Appeals shall affirm, modify or set aside the decision appealed from according to the terms of the pertinent ordinance. The failure of the Board to issue a written notice of its decision, directed to the appellant, within 30 days from the date of filing of the appeal Constitutes a denial of the of the appeal. The appeal to the Superior Court shall be taken within.'30 days after the decision of the Board of Appeals.

F. Board of Appeals: The Board of Selectimen shall appoint a Board of Appeals which shall consist of five members and two associate members. The term of office of a member is 5 years,

ADJOURNMENT: 8:15 p.m.

Lloyd Coombs

Administrative Assistant

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

Approved: /s/ Crispin H. Connery

 

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