Woolwich is looking for a new fire chief following the resignation of Mike Demers. The select board announced Deputy Fire Chief Glen Kirkpatrick will take temporary charge of the department.

Kirkpatrick has been filling in as fire chief for several weeks after Demers was placed on paid administrative leave last month said select board chairman David King Sr. King provided the newspaper with a copy of Demers’ letter to the select board which was dated Feb. 23; the board’s decision to accept it Monday night March 7 was unanimous. Demers did not attend the meeting.

“After some thought and consideration, I have decided to resign from my position of Fire Chief for the town and assume the role of the current vacant Captain’s position,” wrote Demers. “This is not an easy decision but at this time I feel like it’s what is best for myself and the department. I would like to make this effective immediately. Prior to starting the position of Captain and returning to EMS, I will be taking a 30 day leave of absence to take care of some personal matters. It has been a pleasure and honor to lead the Woolwich Fire and Rescue Department into a good place and I look forward to continuing to serve the community and the department to the best of my abilities. Respectively, Michael R. Demers”.

King told the newspaper the select board had placed Demers on administrative leave in the early part of February although declined to say why on the advice of the town attorney. “We gave this a great deal of consideration before reaching our decision,” explained King adding that Demers could return to the fire department in April.

The select board plans to advertise the fire chief’s position in several newspapers and on Maine Municipal Association’s website. The position currently pays a yearly stipend of $11,500.

“Glen (Kirkpatrick) told us he’s not interested in becoming the full-time fire chief but has offered to remain on as interim,” continued King. Kirkpatrick has been a member of the Woolwich Fire Dept. for 30 years, serving as a captain and for the last two years as deputy fire chief. He operates BFC Marine located in the Woolwich industrial park on Route 1 and resides in town with his family on Nequasset Road.

Demers was hired fire chief in April 2016. He came well-qualified working as a full-time firefighter at Togus VA in Augusta. He oversaw Woolwich’s fire and ambulance departments. During Demers’ tenure he increased membership in the department and in 2017 oversaw the purchase of a new Freightliner pumper/rescue truck. In July 2019 the department began offering 24/7 ambulance coverage expanding from one to two ambulances. Demers is certified as an Advanced EMT. The Woolwich Fire Dept. operates out of two stations; the central one located in the municipal building and at the North Station off Chopps Cross Road.

In other business the select board reviewed the proposed 2022-23 ambulance budget with EMS Director Brian Carlton. Carlton asked for a $53,000 increase in the payroll line explaining the increase was needed to keep salaries competitive with other area ambulance providers.  If approved the payroll line of the ambulance budget would increase to $183,000.

Carlton said he’d like to add one additional EMS assistant to take on the responsibility for inventorying medications. They would be paid a yearly stipend of $1,000. Rising fuel prices are a concern, Carlton doubled his fuel budget from $2,500 to $5,000 but isn’t sure that will be enough given the recent rapid price spike at the gas pump.

Patten Free Library of Bath is asking Woolwich for a 2022-2023 contribution of $60,303, an increase of $2,334 from last year. Earlier in the day Mary Ellen Kazimer, chairman of the library’s finance committee and Lesley Dolinger reviewed the library’s budget with the select board.

Although the past year had been a challenging one due to the pandemic, Dolinger said the library staff had developed many new ways to connect with its patrons. Some programming was moved outdoors including storytime for children and virtual programs were added including an Armchair Traveler Series. Patton Free Library recently offered its first virtual Town History Series and launched a homebound delivery service providing library materials to people in member communities who are confined to their homes. As in past years the Patton Free Library request will appear as its own article at annual town meeting, separate from one seeking donations for community organizations and non-profit groups.

The select board authorized Road Commissioner Jack Shaw to post “NO THRU TRUCK” signs on the Mountain, Meadow, Nequasset and Old Stage roads during construction of the new Station 46 bridge. A public hearing to discuss the posting wasn’t necessary.

The select board will continue work on the 2022-2023 town budget 4 p.m., Monday, March 14. The annual town meeting is set for 6 p.m., April 27.