Woolwich’s 2024-25 tax obligation to Sagadahoc County hit a new high, topping over $1 million. The selectboard signed off on the assessment Wednesday night, Aug. 7. The town’s payment of $1,017,933 is due by Nov. 1, which is when Woolwich pays its commitment, said Town Administrator Kim Dalton.

“We have no choice but to sign off on the commitment,” commented Selectboard Chairman David King Sr., adding he’d prefer to see the budget voted on by the community as a whole, rather than by just the three county commissioners. King served on the commissioners’ budget advisory committee this past year.

The Sagadahoc County 2024-25 budget increased $144,002 and totals $11.78 million. Selectman Jason Shaw felt towns would be better served by the commissioners if they met individually with selectboards explaining why budget increases are needed. King said he’d asked State Rep. 49 and Selectman Allison Hepler to introduce legislation making Shaw’s suggestion a statewide requirement. Hepler was absent from the meeting.

When emailed for comment by Wiscasset Newspaper Aug. 8, Hepler responded she was unable to be at the meeting because she was attending the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries commission meeting. "Yes, we have discussed our frustration with the current county assessment procedure, and we want a better, more thorough and more accountable process. Since I wasn't at the (Aug. 7) selectboard meeting, I'm not going to weigh in on it right now,” she wrote back.

During the meeting, Dalton noted funds would be tight at the town office until the selectboard set its own 2024-25 property tax commitment. She recommended the board meet shortly with its assessing agent and accountant William Brewer & Company of Bath in order to have the assessment ready to announce by the first week of September.  “We haven’t had to borrow a tax anticipation note from the bank in 30 years,” commented King. “We hope to keep it that way.”

The selectboard authorized Fire Chief Shaun Merrill to spend up to $4,100 for motor repairs on Engine #2; the town’s newest fire truck. Merrill said the work would be contracted to Greenwood Emergency Vehicles in Brunswick and was estimated to take about a day. Merrill further noted the fire department had responded to a dozen recent emergency calls, more than half of those being motor vehicle accidents. He added the department has started pre-application paperwork for seeking grant funding of up to $25,000 to purchase extrication equipment similar to the “Jaws of Life.”

Woolwich ambulance responded to 30 calls in July – 23 were transported and MC1 was called for assistance five times, Wiscasset EMS once reported Danny Evarts, EMS director. Many of the calls were in response to motor vehicle accidents, he continued. So far this month, Woolwich EMS has responded to nine calls involving 11 patients and resulting in two transports.

Selectman Tommy Davis said the newly formed Climate Resilience Committee held its first meeting. “It’s going to be an active and interesting committee. They plan to get re-qualified in order to apply for grant monies as they become available,” he added. In another matter, Davis said three contractors were present for a pre-bid meeting on the leech field and hydrant relocation work planned at the municipal building; the deadline for bid submission is Aug. 28.

Shrub and vegetation removal at the pedestrian underpass on Route One are underway. Selectman Jason Shaw said Kevin Brewer of Brewer's Landscaping is doing the cleanup. “I stopped and it’s progressing along nicely. They’re cutting everything back and cleaning up the entrances,” he said.

Resident Rob Stoner asked how soon it would be before the state repaved Middle Road (Route 127). “It’s on a seven-year paving schedule,” responded King adding, both Route 127 and Route 128 were scheduled to be paved next year.

Appointments included Dalton as deputy tax collector; Jennifer Hall, deputy registrar and Lauren Buczkowski, deputy town clerk. Selectman Davis was appointed to the Nequasset Park Committee, and Lauren Mofford to the Climate Resilience Committee and the Conservation Committee.

King and Road Commissioner Jack Shaw have taken out nomination papers seeking re-election for three-year terms. Papers are available at the town office during business hours; the deadline for returning them is Sept. 6. Voting will be at the General Election Nov. 5.

Selectman Shaw said the Woolwich Community Picnic has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14. The rescheduling is due to expecting rain from tropical storm Debbie this weekend. The Community Picnic, formerly called Woolwich Day, features live music from the Montsweagers, grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, cotton candy and ice cream on the lawn near the municipal building from 11:30 to 2. The Woolwich Historical Society will be opening the museum for tours and holding a bake sale. The selectboard’s next regular meeting will be at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28.