PREVIOUS MEETING'S MINUTES: Motion by David, seconded by Rick, to approve the minutes of the November 22, 1999 Selectmen's Meeting as printed. Passed unanimously.

ROAD COMMISSIONERS REPORT: The Selectmen noted that the 10 Ton Limit sign was still in place at the new Nequasset Road Bridge. Commissioner Jack Shaw advised that he would remove it. Jack advised that it would cost approximately $1,200 to put in a passageway to the dry hydrant on Bob Cousins' Chopp Cross Road property. Jack further advised that Bob would plow it. The Selectmen believe that the Town should have a legal right-of-way to such dry hydrants before any expenditure of municipal funds is authorized. Jack will contact Bob Cousins to get a legal description for inclusion on the May 2000 Town Meeting Warrant. Wayne Saunders will target any other recommended dry hydrant locations for the same warrant.

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 120 - which is about the same as last year at this time. Wayne also reported that a group of Woolwich Fire Fighters will be attending the memorial services in Worchester, Massachusetts on Thursday, December 9, 1999 and, as a result, there will not be a business meeting that night. Responding to an inquiry from Lloyd, Wayne advised that all of the Woolwich Fire Department communications system was Y2K compliant.

OLD BUSINESS:

a. Nequasset Evacuation/Disaster Plan: Rick Snell advised that the committee would be meeting on December 7, 1999 and that there was a possibility that the plan would be completed that night.

b. Conservation of Town Records: Lloyd reported that Bill Stewart of Brown River Binery would be at the Town Office this month to survey the vault and provide a recommended course of action. Lloyd will notify Dawn Lilly and the Selectmen of the date of Bill Stewart's survey. David advised that he felt that the dampness problem could be solved inexpensively by blocking off a vent, installing a household dehumidifier and running a hose outside of the vault.

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Disposition of Property Located at Map R-06, Lot 12E-1: Lloyd advised that he had not received any response to his October 19th, 1999 letter to Cherylee Pierce Washburn concerning removal of a potentially hazardous building. Motion by David, seconded by Rita, to send a letter to Ms. Washburn advising her to have the building removed by January 15th, 2000. The letter is to advise her that if the building is not removed by that date, the Town intends to take legal action as provided in 17 M.R.S.A. ß2851-2859. Passed unanimously.

b. Disposition of Property Located at Map R-05, Lot 98: David reported that he was part of a group of town officials that inspected the property on November 28, 1999 as a result of a complaint by the renter. David said that the group found the mobile home to be uninhabitable due to plumbing, wiring and safety concerns. John Cakouros, Health Officer, advised that, because of those concerns, he had posted the structure on November 29, 1999 as provided by 17 M.R.S.A. ß2856.

Motion by David, seconded by Rita, to provide the owner, Jason Fickett, with the notice required by 17 M.R.S.A. ß2851 and 2856. Passed unanimously. Mr. Fickett and his attorney, Robert T. Coffin, reported that they found the building to be trashed and plan to remove it. Motion by David, seconded by Rick, to enter into a Consent to Removal agreement as provided by 17 M.R.S.A. ß2858. The agreement will provide for Mr. Fickett to remove the building by February 28, 2000. If the building is not removed by that date, the Town will remove it at Mr. Fickett's expense. Passed unanimously.

OTHER BUSINESS:

a. Substandard Housing: John Cakouros, Health Officer, recommended that the town adopt an ordinance to protect renters against substandard housing. He cited the Fickett property and a report of people living in a truck parked at Dot's Good Deals as examples of such housing. Bill Longley advised that he felt that such matters were already covered by existing town ordinances and state laws. He further stated that the Town of Woolwich did not have a building code and, at the present, our only basis was the minimums in state law. The Selectmen determined that no action was required.

b. Town Office Holiday Closure: Lloyd advised that the Town Office would be closed on Friday, December 24th, 1999, and Friday, December 31st, 1999 in observance of Christmas and New Years Day respectively. Motion by David, seconded by Rita, to have the Town Office, including the Tax Collector, open on Thursday, December 23rd, 1999 and Thursday, December 30th, 1999 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Passed 3-2.

c. Insurance Quotation: Motion by David, seconded by Rick, to obtain an insurance quotation from Chapman & Drake covering sexual harassment liability, et al. Passed unanimously.

CODES ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT: Bill Longley reported that less than 5% of Woolwich properties were rental units and that it was a very small number.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:30 p.m. Lloyd Coombs Administrative Assistant
Approved: /s/ Crispin H. Connery

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