Woolwich voters will be asked to consider purchasing a building for the storage of winter salt and sand at their annual town meeting in April. Jack Shaw, the town’s longtime road commissioner and a general contractor, is offering to sell the town a 60-foot by 100-foot building and two acres on Walker Road. The selectboard discussed the proposal March 19.

“Jack is willing to sell us his building for $400,000 allowing the town to pay for it over the next five years in $80,000 installments at no interest to the town,” Selectboard Chairman David King Sr. told Wiscasset Newspaper prior to the meeting. “We’re one of the few towns of our size in the area that doesn’t have its own storage building for its winter salt and sand.”  

For close to 40 years, Jack Shaw and Sons has taken on the bulk of the town’s winter road maintenance, plowing and sanding 42 of the town’s 60 miles of roads. “When we met recently to discuss next year’s snowplowing contracts they told us they were no longer interested in bidding on the work,” added King. During the discussion Shaw offered to sell the town the building, which is state-licensed and has a holding capacity of 2,500 yards of sand and road salt. 

Selectman Jason Shaw, Jack’s son, recused himself from the discussion. “As people in town know we’re one of three contractors responsible for the winter maintenance of roads. The others, which are also based in Woolwich, are Landcrafters and Quonset Hardscape,” he told the newspaper, adding, “Under the current contracts the contractors purchase their own salt and sand supply. This year we bought 1,500 yards.” Shaw said with the plowing contract period ending it seemed like a good time to move on. “With us stepping away it will give another contractor, or contractors the opportunity to bid.”

At the meeting, King recommended voters purchase the building. “It’s a very fair offer. By the town having its own storage building and purchasing the salt and sand we need, I think we'll attract contractors here in town interested in taking on the plowing contracts.” An informational meeting will be held on the proposal at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 at the town office. Voters will be asked to approve the purchase at the April 30 annual town meeting. Additional details of the proposal will be posted on the town’s website. 

The selectboard thanked the Shaws for their many years of service. Jack Shaw said he’d been plowing snow from area roads for 62 years. “We’re very willing to help during the transition,” he commented. Shaw added he planned to stay on as road commissioner. 

In his bi-monthly report, Danny Evarts, EMS director, said the ambulance department had responded to 13 calls this month with seven patient transports. An AED unit has been installed in the town office lobby; Evarts said a staff training session on its use was scheduled for 2 p.m. April 4. The ambulance department’s Lucas Devices and monitors passed their required annual inspection. Evarts said due to its age Rescue 2’s monitor will need to be replaced in the coming year. Replacing the unit is estimated to cost between $25,000 and $30,000; Evarts will pursue grant monies to help defray the cost. 

The first reading of the proposed 2025-26 RSU 1 budget will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 24 at Morse High School. Interested residents are invited to attend and comment. 

Selectman Tommy Davis said the town’s Climate Resilience Committee will be gathering on April 19 to celebrate Earth Day 2025. The committee is looking for volunteers willing to help clean up the Tanner Square memorial area, the downtown pedestrian tunnel and Nequasset Park. For further details, contact the town office or Davis. 

The Woolwich Central School eighth grade class is having its annual auction to raise money for its June trip to Washington, D.C. The auction will be held at the school at 137 Nequasset Road on Saturday evening, April 5 from 5 to 8. A Silent Auction will be from 5 to 6:30 followed by the Live Auction. There are over 350 items donated by local businesses and community members. There will be cafe snacks and drinks available, and child care provided. .