The Woolwich selectboard will move forward with an application seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to remove and replace a wooden bulkhead on the Kennebec River damaged in the January 2023 storm surge.

Resident Tim Forrester summarized the grant process with selectmen Jan. 22. The monies would come from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program providing, as stated in the application, “funding to (rebuild) in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future natural disaster losses." Forrester said the grant requires the town to contribute to the cost of the project. If federal funds are approved, the project would go out to bid in hopes work could start later this year. Forrester told selectmen the application will require up to 12 weeks to process. The town office would be responsible for administering the grant.

Chairman David King Sr. said the selectboard would have an article funding the town’s share of the project at the annual town meeting in April. No date has been set for the meeting. Over the past year, the selectboard has been exploring options for replacing the town-owned bulkhead built over a century ago and which had once been used as a ferry landing. 

“It’s been a long process,” Selectman Jason Shaw commented after the meeting. “We’re fortunate that Tim’s been kind enough to help in facilitating the permitting process.” The bulkhead is in Day’s Ferry at the southern most end of Old Stage Road. 

Michael Sinton, Woolwich’s longtime representative on the Bath Water District Board of Trustees, said the Middle Road Water Transmission Project was complete and fully functional. Sinton noted there was enough money left over from the project to do some needed water main improvements on Route 1. In response to a question, he said all of the town’s fire hydrants had been tested and were found to be in good working order.

The selectboard will look into joining a coalition of area communities providing rides to senior citizens. Marla Davis, representing Age-Friendly Communities of the Lower Kennebec, said the first step would be to see whether there was a need in Woolwich for the service. If there is, the selectboard would then need to find a volunteer to compile a list of those in need, and find volunteer drivers. Information about the program will be posted on the town’s website and mailed out next month with property tax bills. To learn more, log on to www.agefriendlylowerkennebec.org  

January has been a busy month for the Woolwich ambulance service. EMS Director Danny Evarts said so far, they’ve responded to 23 calls, transporting 17 patients. MC1 was called for mutual aid nine times. Fire Chief Shaun Merrill said the fire department has responded to nine calls this month; several of which were motor vehicle-related accidents. 

Selectman Allison Hepler said officials at Tedford Shelter had invited the selectboard to tour their new housing facility in Brunswick.

 At the start of the meeting, the board re-elected King chairman and Shaw vice chairman.