Woolwich selectmen will earmark some of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies to first responders and the town office employees who provided essential services during the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. They made the announcement when they met Monday for their last meeting of the year. The amounts to be paid to the office staff totaled $10,429; $9,580 to EMS workers; and $3,795 to members of the fire department. Board Chairman David King Sr. said to qualify for the premium pay employees must have been considered as “essential” workers during the time when non-essential businesses were ordered closed by Gov. Janet Mills.

“Although the selectboard worked through this period as well, we are not authorized to receive these funds,” added King. The town is eligible to receive $335,963 in federal ARPA funds. The monies must be used on approved pandemic-related expenditures or services and don’t have to be spent until 2026; the town office must make its first reporting on spending it by April 20, 2022.

Maine Department of Transportation officials briefed the board recently on planned changes at the junction of state routes 1 and 127. Traffic officials want to stop motorists from making left hand turns from Route 1 into Dairy Queen, and prohibit motorists exiting the DQ parking lot from making left hand turns onto Route 1 headed to Bath. Other directional signs are planned on the Route 127 exit ramp carrying motorists to Arrowsic.

Code Enforcement Officer Bruce Engert informed the board of code violations on a Sam Moore Road property. He said the owner was operating an illegal campground, and that there are four campers are there, the owner having failed to apply for and get the permitting required by the town. “The bottom line is, as it it is now the whole thing is unlawful,” he said. James Day of Woolwich, an attorney representing the property owner, asked for more time before the town proceeded with legal action. The board granted him two weeks.

EMS Director Brian Carlton said three ambulance workers recently tested positive for COVID, had quarantined and were now back on the job. Since March 1, 2020 the ambulance department has logged over 3,000 man hours, noted Carlton.

The board approved a temporary liquor license to Churchill Events of Portland for a private event planned for Dec. 10 at 66 The Narrows.