Route 127, also known as Middle Road in Woolwich, has reopened to one-lane traffic after Maine Department of Transportation repaired the sinkhole that forced its closure. MaineDOT Senior Project Manager Doug Coombs told the selectboard Wednesday, March 20 the portion of the road where the culvert collapsed now has an alternating traffic signal until permanent repairs can be made. The state road which runs north from Route One through Woolwich to Dresden serves as a major thoroughfare for Bath Iron Works commuters.

Coombs said the planned work involved about 600 feet of roadway and includes replacing culverts, raising the road about two feet and improving the shoulders. The project was scheduled to start in early April and, barring delays, be completed by May 24. Some of the work will necessitate closing the road and detouring motorists again, added Coombs.

The selectboard credited Route 127’s temporary fix to the efforts of Road Commissioner Jack Shaw. “It took a lot of phone calls. I made my voice clear to the powers that be in Augusta we needed to get that road back open,” said Shaw. Selectman and State District 49 Rep. Allison Hepler emailed Wiscasset Newspaper after the meeting and said the Governor’s Office also provided its assistance in reopening Route 127. 

MaineDOT officials planned to meet with Bath Water District officials and their contractor to coordinate work schedules. BWD is installing over three miles of new 16-inch water main on Route 127 and Nequasset Road; that job is also set to resume in April. Ranger Construction of Fairfield, BWD’s contractor, may begin working south of the sinkhole on Route 127. There’s also roughly 400 feet of water main left to install on Nequasset Road. Nate Bodge, BWD superintendent, said after the water project resumes he plans to continue providing weekly updates on its progress to the selectboard.

The selectboard and road commissioner expressed concern about the present condition of Nequasset Road. BWD Project Engineer Dustin Lacombe of Wright-Pierce in Topsham said sections of road that had been temporarily paved for the winter would eventually receive a permanent four-inch layer of asphalt when the water project is completed.

During the regular meeting that followed, the selectboard signed the warrant for the annual town meeting, Wednesday, April 24 in the gymnasium of Woolwich Central School on Nequasset Road. Voters will consider a proposed 2024-25 budget of just over $2.6 million. Town Administrator Kim Dalton said this represents a 6.94% increase over last year. There are 47 articles on the warrant that include proposed amendments to the solar energy and shellfish ordinances. 

Selectman Tommy Davis said there had been some interest about forming a Climate Action Committee similar to the one in Wiscasset. The committee would serve in an advisory role at the local level to help mitigate challenges related to global warming. Woolwich was among the first area towns to invest in a town-funded solar project at its former landfill.

EMS Director Daniel Evarts reported the ambulance department had responded to 18 calls so far this month; 13 patients were transported and MC1 was called for assistance on seven calls. Everts noted,  first responder Jason Downing had recently completed a three-day EMS Field Training Officer course. Fire Chief Shaun Merrill said the fire department had responded to 17 calls so far this month. Both departments had successfully completed their required “Safety Works” review.

The selectboard announced the appointment of resident Mike Fields as a backup code enforcement officer.

It was reported that the town floats have been installed at the boat launch in Nequasset Park. “It’s the earliest we’ve ever had them in the water,” commented selectman Jason Shaw.