Continued uncertainties from the COVID-19 pandemic caused the Woolwich Select Board to cancel the May 20 annual town meeting. It’s the second time the annual assembly held at Woolwich Central School has been cancelled.

Rather than set a new date, Chairman David King Sr. recommended the board postpone the meeting indefinitely. The board met at the town office for 40 minutes Monday afternoon. The meeting was aired live on the town’s Facebook page. Town Administrator Kim Dalton said a recording of the meeting can also be viewed at https://www.woolwich.us/

“We’re fortunate in that we don’t have to set our tax commitment until August or September,” said King. “We’re actually in good shape financially to weather this.”

Selectman Jason Shaw said many other Maine communities were facing the same challenges. “If we have to, we could hold off holding our town meeting until the weather allows for us to conduct it outdoors under a tent if need be,” he commented.

During the meeting, board member Allison Hepler said the town was looking at a 3.85 percent increase in the proposed 2020-2021 school budget; an increase of $170,762 over last year.

In other business, a written report from Fire Chief Mike Demers stated there had been 27 calls in the past month. Five were motor vehicle accidents. The rest were storm-related, including downed power lines and trees limbs. The department made two mutual aid calls; one for a structure fire, the other for a brush fire.

In his report, EMS Director Brian Carlton stated from March 16 through April 20, the ambulance department made 28 calls. There were 12 transports, two to Maine Medical Center in Portland. Carlton noted, two current EMT Basics have become licensed at the Advanced level.

“We have acquired necessary equipment for the coronavirus response,” stated Carlton.  

Road Commissioner Jack Shaw wrote in his report, he’s been carrying out spring maintenance of town roads, including grading gravel roads, keeping culverts cleared and addressing areas of poor drainage. The fire department was extremely helpful during the recent snowstorm and a wind/rain event with the cleanup of downed limbs on town roads, wrote Shaw.

Selectman Shaw noted the town has applied for more state funding for continued improvements at Nequasset Park.

The town office and fire station on Nequasset Road will remain closed to the general public until further notice. People can call the town office for help or information at 442-7094 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, when the office is staffed. Residents can re-register their vehicles, ATVs, or boats online, where they can also buy hunting and fishing licenses.