Woolwich selectmen appointed a new fire chief and EMS directorTuesday night.

Mike Demers, a veteran fireman who lives in Bath, was appointed Woolwich fire chief. Demers is employed as a full-time firefighter at Togus VA in Augusta. He thanked selectmen for hiring him and said he’s looking forward to his new position.

Geoff McCarren,, the town’s former fire chief, had been filling in as acting chief since last fall. He resigned from the position in July after serving for over eight years. McCarren wasn’t present for Tuesday’s meeting but selectmen thanked him for his dedicated service to the fire department and community.

“We’ll really miss Geoff but we understand his reasons for wanting to move on,” Selectman Jason Shaw told the newspaper afterward. “We’re all sad to see him go and wish Geoff and his family the very best.”

Selectman Allison Hepler said McCarren always put the town first. “We appreciated both his hard work and dedication. He’s been a good role model.”

Julia Gillespie was appointed EMS director. She’s been serving as acting director since last September. Under her tenure the department’s membership has increased. Gillespie was also instrumental in replacing the town’s aging ambulance with a 2004 Ford TraumaHawk purchased from Harpswell Neck Fire and Rescue. The new ambulance had been driven just 33,000 miles and came equipped with a Stryker power cot to aide ambulance personnel in lifting patients.

PAYT again

Pay-As-You-Throw also known as pay-per-bag continues to excite passions. During the public comment portion of the meeting resident Sue Whittaker accused Selectmen’s Chairman David King Sr. of lying when he told the newspapers he wasn’t taking sides on the issue. Whitaker felt King was supporting the effort to return PAYT.

“I want people to know you’re a liar,” she said.

King responded he wasn’t a big fan of PAYT. “I am in favor of the town saving money and returning it would make people that produce the most trash, pay the most for its disposal,” he said.

Two other residents expressed concern about returning PAYT. Both said they couldn’t attend town meeting when the issue would be decided and wanted selectmen to know they were against the petitioned article.

Later selectmen amended the PAYT article removing wording that would have required a one-year agreement with the company hired to administer the program.

Code Enforcement Officer Bruce Engert said a condemned house on Old Stage Road had been demolished. Its owner was continuing to clean up the property.

At Engert’s suggestion the board will hold a hearing at 5 p.m., July 18 to address another condemned house on Old Arrowsic Road.

Selectmen will forward a letter to Wiscasset selectmen urging them to accept one of the two Maine Department of Transportation proposals for improving Route 1 traffic flow through downtown Wiscasset.

Shaw felt either proposal would mean fewer traffic backups in Woolwich.

The board signed the May 7 town meeting warrant. Town reports are now available at the town office during business hours. This year’s town report is dedicated to Elisabeth Betty King who died June 2, 2015. She served on the town’s Conservation Committee from 2001 to 2010.

At 4 p.m., selectmen met with town attorney Kristen Collins for a scheduled executive session regarding a personnel matter. After reconvening in open session shortly before 5 p.m., the board agreed to take action as recommended by the town attorney. Chairman King said he had no further comment at this time.

The next regular selectmen’s meeting will be held Monday, May 2 at the town office.