Woolwich makes deal with MDOT

BY CHARLOTTE BOYNTON

The Woolwich selectmen signed two documents at their meeting Monday evening with the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT), an agreement for the state to use the George Wright Road for a detour during the deck replacement of the Nequasset Bridge on Route 1 and authorization for the state to work on the boat launch at the dike.

In return, for the use of the road, the state has agreed to pave and stripe the center line of the road, to raise the grade of the road near the boat launch, and to put guard rails at the end of the bridge on the George Wright Road, after the re-decking of the Nequasset Bridge is completed.

According to a letter received by the town from Benjamin Foster, the project manager for the bridge work, traffic on Route 1 will be detoured for 12 consecutive weeks during the construction on the bridge. The work is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2008.

The town also has given authorization for the MDOT and the Maine Department of Conservation to do the necessary work at the "Dike Boat Launch" to mitigate the flooding at the site. The two agencies have agreed to do the work at no cost to the town. The work at the dike is expected be done at the same time as the repaving of the George Wright Road is done.

The selectmen voted 3-2 in favor of having the voters decide at the annual town meeting in May if they want to contribute to improving the playing surfaces of three fields in Bath - McMann Field and the two Tainter fields.

Peter Bingham, a member of the fund-raising committee "Fields for our Future" gave a presentation at the selectmen's meeting. The goal of the committee is to replace the grass surface with artificial turf at an estimated cost of $500,000. With the new turf, according to Bingham, the field can be used continuously from morning to evening for football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and some track. The use of the field is projected to increase five times and the maintenance cost will also be reduced.

The plans for the two Tainter fields is to retain the grass surfaces, with the surfaces being rebuilt on both fields. Adding the needed quantities of loam to each field will cost about $200,000.

Bingham told the selectmen that 52 percent of the high school students using the fields are from Woolwich. Other towns that are being asked to donate and whose students use the fields include Arrowsic, Bath. Georgetown. Phippsburg, and West Bath.

The towns are being asked to donate $10,000 each over a two-year period.

Bingham fielded several questions, from the selectmen and from the public attending the meeting.

"Do the Woolwich students pay to use the fields in Bath?"

"No, the Woolwich students do not pay any more or any less than the Bath students to use the fields," Bingham answered.

"How long is the new surface going to last?"

"It is guaranteed for five years. However, it is expected to last 15-20 years," he answered.

"Will the taxpayers of Bath contribute to the project?"

"Yes it is expected the city of Bath's contribution will be in the six figures," Bingham answered

Selectman David King suggested to the board that an article be put on the annual town meeting warrant asking if the voters want to make a contribution.

"The fields are used regionally, our students use the fields," King said. "Let the voters decide."

Selectman Todd McPhee said, "There are things here in town we could be spending our money on."

"I don't disagree," King said. "But I think we should put the question before voters," King said.

The vote was 3-2 in favor of putting it on the town meeting warrant. McPhee and Selectman Rita Sturtevant opposed the motion.

King advised Bingham to have a representative at the town meeting to defend the article before the voters.

Wiscasset resident Paul Grover spoke to the selectmen regarding the recent subdivision on the Saunders Road, infringing within 25 feet of an old cemetery.

Grover told the selectmen the subdivision road is located too close to the cemetery, and that Maine law requires a 25-foot minimum setback from a cemetery.

The selectmen suggested that Grover talk with Charles Cromwell, the owner of the subdivision to see if the problem can be worked out. The cemetery is privately owned, and the selectmen appeared to be reluctant to take any action in the matter. According to Grover, the family will attempt to resolve their concerns with Cromwell.

The town will host two flu clinics. The public clinic will be held Wednesday, December 5, from 9 a.m. until noon.

Woolwich Fire Chief Kenneth Desmond told the selectmen there will be a flu clinic November 8, at the fire station for the department. However, residents that will not be able to make the December 5 clinic may come on November 8, beginning at 6:30 a.m.