Woolwich selectmen declared a certified ratio of 65% to Maine Revenue Services, which in the coming year will mean lower state reimbursements for things like the homestead exemption, tree growth and veteran benefits. The actual certified ratio came in at 59%; by law a selectboard may increase this.

“It’s the lowest certified ratio we’ve ever sent to the state,” David King Sr. commented when the selectboard met Wednesday, evening, May 1. “This is why we’re having the revaluation and it’s good that we’ve started the process because if we hadn’t the state could have forced us to do so.” Afterwards, King told Wiscasset Newspaper the town’s ratio should be closer to 90%. “It’s hurting us more because of the way home prices and property values have escalated since the pandemic. We have homes assessed at somewhere in the $100,000 range that are now selling for three to four times that amount, so we’re losing on the property taxes. The revaluation will bring each and every one of our assessments closer to the fair market value.

“If the revaluation is done correctly,” continued King, “roughly a third of our property owners will see an increase in their taxes, another third will see their taxes stay about the same, and a third will see their taxes go down.” Dirigo Assessing Group of Sidney was hired a year ago for $282,500 to carry out the assessment that’s set to begin at the Dresden line and head southward. By contract, the revaluation must be completed by April 1, 2025.

King reported Sagadahoc County officials recently completed work on their 2024-25 budget. “They’re sticking with the raises they’ve proposed for their employees, and are planning to hire two additional deputies for the sheriff’s department.” Woolwich’s share of the county budget is about 8%. “I don’t have all the figures yet but it looks like it’s going to add a million dollars to our overall budget,” added King, who served on this year’s Sagadahoc Budget Advisory Committee.  

School trustee Jennifer Ritch-Smith said the Regional School Unit 1 board is nearing completion on its 2024-25 budget. Ritch-Smith, who represents Woolwich on the school board, said she’d know more about what the town’s share will be after the new teachers’ contract has been finalized. A district-wide meeting for consideration of the 2024-25 school budget is set for 6 p.m., May 28 at Morse High School in Bath.

Woolwich ambulance responded to 31 calls in April, and 24 patients were transported, said EMS Director Danny Evarts. “MC 1 was called for assistance six times, and Bath ambulance once,” said Evarts in his report. Woolwich Ambulance provided mutual aid to Wiscasset Ambulance for three calls – two to Dresden and one in Wiscasset, and transported those patients. Evarts said he found a replacement siren for the ambulance, for $50. He noted resident Bill Longley is training to become the department’s EMS safety officer. Fire Chief Shaun Merrill said the fire department has responded to 36 calls in April.

The board rehired Juanita Wilson-Hennessey as assessing agent and awarded this year’s mowing contract to Four Seasons Landscaping of Lisbon Falls for $7,000. Town Administrator Kim Dalton said the town office needs a part-time clerk to work on an as needed basis. And Dalton noted roof work on the municipal building will begin May 29 and is expected to take two days.