In a few months, Woolwich residents can expect to be notified by mail of their new property valuation. “Dirigo Assessing Group notified us they expect to be done by the end of June, or at the latest the early part of July,” Selectboard Chairman David King told Wiscasset Newspaper April 16.

“Our property tax ratio is currently 51%, after the revaluation is finished we should be back up to 100%,” explained King. “We won’t know how this will impact us as far as Homestead reimbursement and other reimbursements until September when we go to commitment,” he explained. King said the problem of homes and properties being undervalued was made worse when Maine's real estate prices skyrocketed during the COVID pandemic. The selectboard hired the Sidney-based company for $282,000 in April 2023 to carry out a town-wide revaluation of all commercial and residential properties; the town’s first revalution in over 15 years.  

Wednesday’s meeting was the selectboard's last until the annual town meeting to be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 at Woolwich Central School on Nequasset Road. Voters will consider a proposed 2025-2026 town budget of $2.75 million. Other business to be considered includes the purchase of a salt and sand storage building from general contractor Jack Shaw, the town’s longtime road commissioner. Shaw will sell the town a 60-foot by 100-foot building and two acres on Walker Road for $400,000 to be paid in $80,000 installments over the next five years, at no interest to the town. 

The planned reconstruction of the Days Ferry bulkhead damaged in a January 2024 storm surge is on hold. Selectmen are unsure as to the project’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding status. The selectboard will reach out to the office of Congressional Rep. Chellie Pingree for further clarification. 

Selectman Tommy Davis said Consolidated Communications will have the town-wide broadband construction completed in July. The selectboard is considering holding an informational meeting for residents on the new, faster internet service. 

The board awarded a $2,400 contract to Kevin Brewer, dba Brewers Property Service, to trim and clean up the walkway leading to the pedestrian tunnel, and for landscaping at the Tanner Square Veterans Memorial. 

Road Commissioner Jack Shaw has lifted heavy load limit postings on town roads. His report noted 11 car tires were illegally dumped on Meadow and Old Stage roads that had to be cleaned up. King said if anyone witnesses illegal trash dumping to notify Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department. "This costs the town money for both the cleanup  and disposal,” commented King.  

Davis and Selectman Allison Hepler along with Nathan and Janine Lipfert will represent Woolwich at Patten Free Library's third annual Spelling Bee. The fundraising event is set for May 9 at 7 p.m. at Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath. Tickets are on sale now. The event will feature teams competing for the championship title while supporting the library, and includes refreshments and raffles. Woolwich’s team finished third last year.  

The Climate Resilience Committee is celebrating an Earth Day this Saturday, April 19 with a planned cleanup at Nequasset Park, Tanner Square and the Pedestrian Tunnel. Volunteers are asked to meet in the municipal building parking lot at 10 a.m.  

The 265th edition of the Town Report is dedicated to John McPhail, a former principal and school teacher at Woolwich Central School. McPhail died Nov. 8, 2024 at the age of 94. Copies of the report are available at the town office during business hours. 

EMS Director Daniel Evarts noted this week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, honoring dispatchers working the 911 emergency network. “Members of our departments and other residents of Woolwich work at Sagadahoc County Dispatch Center, and we would like to recognize their hard work as the first link in emergency response. We couldn’t do our jobs without them,” Evarts wrote in his report to selectmen.  

In May, Evarts will be attending a FEMA Health Care Leadership Course for: Mass Casualty Incidents hosted by the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Aniston, Alabama. “The course focuses on preparing healthcare leaders to make critical decisions in all-hazards disaster emergency preparedness activities, and includes a multi-day all-hands training exercise with students from other related courses,” he wrote. So far this month, the Woolwich ambulance department has responded to 13 calls, transporting nine patients; MC1 was called four times for assistance. Fire Chief Shaun Merrill reported Engine #3 is back in service following $17,000 in repair work. The fire department has responded to five calls so far in April.