Woolwich selectmen discuss building permit violation

Woolwich resident Gary Harvey, who began to build a barn without a permit, was told by Woolwich selectmen at their meeting Monday night to stop work. They told him he would have to have his land surveyed to ensure the building is in compliance with the town's planning ordinance before a permit can be issued.

Code Enforcement Officer William Longley told the selectmen that Harvey had come in several weeks ago for a permit for the barn. Harvey was told he needed to prove the building was 25 feet away from the town right-of-way before he could be issued a building permit, and was asked if he had a survey of his property. According to Longley, he heard no more from Harvey regarding the permit.

However, Longley later heard that construction on the barn had begun so he drove to the Ambrose Road, took a picture of the building, and issued Harvey a violation notice.

At the meeting Monday night Harvey accused Longley of trespassing on his property, and fabricating information about him. Longley said he had not trespassed because he took the photograph from the town's right-of-way.

There appears to be some confusing as to the ownership of the road, formerly called the Old County Road, now named the Ambrose Road. Harvey believes he owns the road, and the town has no right-of-way. Longley has indicated although the town doesn't maintain the road, it still maintains a right-of-way.

Therefore before a permit can be issued, Longley says Harvey has to prove he is 25 feet away from the town's right-of-way.

A resident who lives on the Ambrose Road told the selectmen that the only people who use the road are the people who live on it.

"Why is it wrong for Mr. Harvey to build a barn on his land, when his neighbor up the road has a gate across the road? If it is a public way, why is there a gate allowed across the road?" she asked.

Her question was not addressed by the selectmen.

Longley was asked in a telephone conversation Tuesday morning about the gate across the road. He said that is an issue for the selectmen or the town road commissioner to address. However, he agreed with the resident - it can't be both ways.

Harvey told the selectmen he was willing to pay for a permit, and asked for some consideration in resolving the problem.

Selectman Dale Chadbourne told Harvey to get a survey, then come back to see them. Harvey thanked the selectmen for hearing him out.

Diane Longley and Arlene Whitney have been checking the town to ensure the residents are in compliance with the town's 911 Ordnance.

The ordinance requires that all homes and businesses display their assigned street number within 50 feet of the edge of the road. The number should be displayed on the front of the resident near the front entrance. If the resident is over 50 feet from the edge of the road, the number should be displayed on a post, fence, wall, the mail box or some structure at the property line next to the walk or drive or the residence.

Longley reported that they had completed the George Wright Road, and all of the roads off the George Wright Road. They also have worked on Route 1 and Main Street, which includes from the Dairy Queen to Monstweag Road House, and all the sides roads as well.

The purpose of the 911 ordinance is to enhance the ability of rapid emergency services to a home or individual.

According to Longley there is one house that is listed as 544 U.S. Route 1, and the house is actually on the Shaw Road.

"An emergency vehicle could never find the location of this house by the address," Longley said. "We suggest that the address be changed to the Shaw Road."

The selectmen referred the recommendation to the town's 911 addressing officer to resolve.

The selectmen will meet with the Woolwich School Committee at 5 p.m. Monday, March 10, to discuss the Woolwich Central School Capital Improvement Account.

School Superintendent William Shuttleworth wrote a letter to selectmen requesting a meeting with them, and recommending that the town continue to maintain a Capital Improvement fund for the Woolwich Central School.

"The school is the primary community center for almost all community activities. Though technically the schools become the property of the new RSU (Regional School Unit), it is in the town's best interest to take a lead role in the capital side of improvements to prevent further deterioration," Shuttleworth wrote.

The new RSU would budget for the daily repairs and upgrades as part of the overall operations budget, according to Shuttleworth. "We would expect that we would only address capital improvements necessary to see us to the building of a new school," he said.