Other than asking motorists to slow down, there is not much Woolwich officials can do about drivers ignoring the posted speed limits. The town has no police department and relies on Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department for enforcement. The board took up the matter Monday night following complaints.

“A few years ago, the sheriff’s department loaned us an old police cruiser that we parked in different places around town. That worked pretty good at slowing the traffic down until people figured out it was unmanned,” commented Chairman David King Sr. “Honestly, I don’t know what we as a select board can do about people driving too fast.”

Selectman Dale Chadbourne felt the sheriff’s department was doing all it could. “I really feel Woolwich is getting its fair share of sheriff patrols. They can’t be everywhere at once,” he said. Selectman Jason Shaw agreed. “They’re doing all they can at the sheriff’s department. I think the State Police could help with the speeding enforcement at least on Route 1 and Route 127. Everyone sometimes drives a little too fast. You don’t take notice until it’s by your own mailbox,” added Shaw.

King said traffic through Woolwich is also a lot heavier than it used to be. “It’s not just during the morning and evening work commute, it’s pretty much all day long and not just on Route 1 and Middle Road (Route 127).”

In other topics, Woolwich can receive up to $335,963 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies but selectmen are unsure how best to spend it. “There are a lot of stipulations on how and what we can spend this on,” noted King. Monies must be COVID-19 related.

Code Enforcement Officer Bruce Engert predicted tiny homes will become a big headache if the town doesn’t start addressing them in the town ordinances. “There’s much that needs to be defined and put in writing,” he said. Selectman Allison Hepler said there is interest in forming a committee with representatives from Wiscasset and Dresden to explore regional broadband internet service. The selectboard will see if a member of the town’s communication committee would be interested it participating on this committee.

Hepler recommended the town ask Maine Department of Transportation to upgrade its designation of Route 127. “It’s very heavily traveled and needs more frequent maintenance,” she said. Suzanne Gandy was appointed to the Special Events Committee.