Woolwich selectmen signed a letter of intent Aug. 2 for a Maine Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) requested by Ben Davis of Nobleboro. Davis, owner of OpBox, plans to sell modular structures and other products made from recycled plastic in the building he has leased next to Kennebec Equipment Rental on Route 1. He operates a similar facility in Nobleboro. The grant will provide him with working capital.

“As we understand it he intends to apply for a $100,000 grant and the letter of intent from the selectboard is the first step in the application process,” Selectman Jason Shaw told Wiscasset Newspaper following the meeting. Shaw, Selectman Dale Chadbourne and Chairman David King Sr. passed the motion to support Davis’s request. Selectmen Tommy Davis and Allison Hepler were absent.

“The letter of intent doesn’t obligate the town to anything,” added King. “He’s making use of what had been a vacant building in the industrial park. If things go well for (Ben Davis) it will bring a few jobs to town.”

Shaw added the board has some questions about the grant and what role the town office would have in its administration. “It’s our first time with a grant of this type.”

When Ben Davis met with the board July 5, he said he had received a $250,000 CDBG for his OpBox facility in Nobleboro. He sells EDURA building products, which are made predominately from recycled plastic milk containers and used as an alternative to wood or metal. The company assembles commercial and residential modular structures, some of which are on display outside the Woolwich building.

Nomination papers available

Town Clerk Opal Keith said nomination papers for two, three-year seats on the selectboard and two, three-year seats on the Regional School Unit 1 board of directors are available at the town office during business hours. The returned papers must contain 25 signatures of residents registered to vote in Woolwich but no more than 100 signatures. Keith stated in an email the deadline for returning them is Sept. 11.

Shaw and Hepler both plan to seek re-election. Keith confirmed Shaw has already returned his nomination papers qualifying him for the ballot. Keith said Hepler has also taken out nomination papers. No one else has at this time, Keith added. Hepler told Wiscasset Newspaper via email, she planned to return her nomination papers for re-election to the selectboard this week. Voting will take place at the General Election, Tuesday, Nov. 7. Absentee ballots will be available starting Oct. 7.

The Woolwich Community Picnic is set for on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn next to the municipal building. The annual event features free grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, homemade ice cream, soft drinks and baked goods. The bake sale will be inside the museum barn from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The folk band, The Montsweagers will provide live music and there will be children’s games. Guests can tour Woolwich Historical Society’s 1810 farmhouse and museum.