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