Planned detour worries residents

The Woolwich Selectmen's meeting Monday night was packed with residents concerned about the upcoming repairs on the Route 1 Nequasset Bridge.

The Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) has had signs up all along the road announcing that repairs would begin Monday, February 18, forcing a detour onto the George Wright Road.

The residents are concerned not only with the proposed onslaught of traffic, but also the fear of not being able to enter the George Wright Road from the Barley Neck Road or access Route 1 near the Taste of Maine Restaurant. They were also concerned about whether drivers heading southbound from Wiscasset would be familiar enough with the George Wright Road to know where the Barley Neck Road intersects it.

There is a meeting this Friday at 3 p.m. pertaining to this repair but the Selectman felt the meeting was more for the safety discussion and not so much for the public. But if some people decide to come and ask questions, the selectmen will listen.

Under selectmen's comments, Selectman Lloyd Coombs questioned whether it is necessary to have every word recorded that takes place in a selectmen's meeting. He felt that all that was included was a time consuming job to type up the entire recording that had been made. They agreed that only the necessary discussions need be recorded.

Jack Shaw explained that that the state will be using Philip Baker's property across from the Woolwich Town Hall, with a permit from DEP. He went on to explain that there was going to be a culvert replaced at no expense to the town.

Acting Fire Chief Jake Kaiser informed the public that the new truck could be used as a tanker at this time. The company has sent parts for the tanker and they have not yet arrived, causing the use of the tanker to be limited for the time being.

Glenn Kirkpatrick was concerned that the agreement was that when the new tanker was working properly, the town would give them the old tanker. He said that the new tanker is not yet complete and yet they have the old tanker.Kirpatrick suggested that the town draw up a Bill of Sale for the truck at Northport; otherwise, if anything happens the town of Woolwich may be responsible. The selectmen agreed and requested that a Bill of Sale be drawn up immediately.

Selectmen Dan Skillen questioned how many of firemen are certified on the new truck and Jake Kaiser responded, "Five at the present time although we have 14 being trained."

Codes Enforcement Officer Bill Longley said that he has had people call his home before, but never a Senator or a Representative about a certain situation in town.

"I feel that it was inappropriate," he said. "The information on the properties is located at the Town Hall, for anyone who wants to see it he added."

David King who lives on the Birchwood Road called saying that the trash had not been picked up. When the town contacted Pine Tree Waste, they were told that they felt the road was not safe. The school bus had used that road twice that same day and the selectmen felt that if it was safe for the school bus it should have been safe for the Pine Tree truck.

The selectmen were going to check on the contract as they felt there was a penalty for the company not picking up the trash. Jack Shaw spoke again about his concern about the company using such large trucks and causing damage to our roads.

Mark Wheeler of Woolwich, representing East Coast Greenway�requested permission to put signs along routes in Woolwich that will�be used by walkers and bicyclist. He described the route as coming�over the Sagadahoc Bridge, turning left onto Route 127, Middle Road,�turning left on 128, River Road, turning right on Old Stage Road, and continuing�on to the Mountain Road into Wiscasset.