Woolwich selectmen agreed at their meeting Monday evening to look at an ordinance that would give homeowners property tax relief if they are eligible for the state's circuit breaker tax relief program.

Former town Code Enforcement Officer William Longley gave the selectmen a copy of the Cumberland ordinance that applies the circuit breaker tax relief on the local level to homeowners 70 years or older who have lived in town for a specific length of time.

Selectman David King agreed it would be good to do something for the seniors to help them stay in their homes, but cautioned it could increase the mill rate and hurt other homeowners, and even hurt the ones they are trying to help.

Selectman Dan Skillin said, "I definitely feel it is worth looking at." The consensus among the selectmen was to review the ordinance, and make a decision after the first of the year.

Another senior project that is being worked on for the town is the "Good Morning Project" for older or disabled residents living alone.

Diane Longley was given the okay to go forward in developing such a program for Woolwich residents. The goal of the program is to assist these people so that they live independently. It will also help eliminate many concerns families have about their members living alone.

Bath and Brunswick have similar programs that are run by the police departments. The people living alone are asked to call a certain telephone number each day between certain hours. If they do not call, they will be called by the police department. If there is no response, a family member will be called; if the family member can not be reached, then 911 will be called to go to the home.

Longley told the selectmen that since Woolwich doesn't have a police department, "It would appear that we have to take care of our own."

She suggested that Woolwich install another phone at the town office with its own number, and answering machine, located in the planning board meeting room. to record all calls from about 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. A volunteer could man the phone at that time, perhaps until 11 a.m. or until all registered residents have been accounted for.

"So far I have a list of 11 people who live alone and are possible candidates for this program," Longley said.

"I would suggest that any volunteer have a background check completed by the sheriff's department before they are accepted in the program," she said. "With your approval I will seek out volunteers who would agree to a background check to answer the phones."

Longley also offered her services on the weekend when the town office is closed to have the calls come to her telephone.

The names of candidates for this program will be filed with the town administrator. "But I want to stress the names of the individuals in this program must be held in the strictest confidence. Our clients' safety could be jeopardized otherwise," Longley said.

The selectmen told Longley to move forward and report back to them on what the cost would be to install the phone and the monthly cost of the phone.

Due to the illness of the Fire Chief and Code Enforcement Officer (CEO), Kenneth Desmond, the selectmen appointed an alternate CEO until Desmond can return to work. Rick Lang of Dresden will fill the position temporarily. Lang also serves as the town plumbing inspector.

Skillin told the board he would like a workshop to discuss some type of regionalization with other towns in the area for CEO and plumbing inspector's positions. "It would give the towns a backup in situations like this," Skillin said.

The selectmen approved paying Lang $25 per hour, plus mileage. He will work at the Woolwich office on Fridays. However, permits will be available to residents throughout the week, according to the selectman.

Jake Kaiser is filling in as Fire Chief during Desmond's absence.

King, who will complete his duties as selectmen the end of the year, after 12 years of service, was appointed by the board to continue being a member of the Old Town House committee, and continue representing Woolwich on the Wiscasset Route I Corridor Study Committee.

The Woolwich Solid Waste committee will meet this week with Woody Freeman, Wiscasset's Transfer Station Supervisor, and two Wiscasset Selectmen to discuss the cost for Woolwich to take their solid waste to Wiscasset.

"That will be a hard sell to Woolwich residents," King said. "It will be hard for them to give up their curb side service."

The solid waste committee is looking into other options for the town.