Nequasset Bridge work nearly done

Woolwich residents who live on the George Wright Road and commuters who use the road as a detour will be glad to hear that work on the Nequasset Bridge will be completed around the middle of this month.

Road Commissioner Jack Shaw told the selectmen in their meeting Monday evening that he has been told by the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) that the George Wright Road is scheduled to be paved the second week in June.

The town gave MDOT permission to use the road during the repairs of the Nequasset Bridge. In return the state agreed to pave and stripe the center line of the George Wright Road, raise the grade of the road near the boat launch, and put guard rails at the end of the bridge on the George Wright Road. They also agreed to replace a large culvert at the southern end of the road.

Gary Harvey, the Woolwich resident who is currently in violation of building a structure without a permit, was back at the selectmen's meeting Monday night with his attorney.

Harvey first approached the selectmen in February when several weeks earlier Code Enforcement Officer William Longley Jr. would not issue a building permit because Harvey needed to prove the building would be 25 feet away from the town's right of way. Longley also asked that Harvey produce a survey of his land.

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

John Cunningham, the attorney hired by Harvey, asked the selectmen to take the position it is not a town road.

"If we took it to court it would be an open and shut case," Cunningham said. "We sure do not want to take it to court."

Longley said, "He (Harvey) has built a building without a permit, he is in violation for at least three months, I recommend we go forward with a court action, and allow Mr. Harvey to convince a judge."

Longley also pointed out that a 1991 deed of Harvey's land says his land begins on the south side of the town road.

The selectmen took no position on the request. However, they will seek advice from the Maine Municipal Association as to what they have the authority to do, and what should be put before the voters.

Former Woolwich School Committee member Paul Seaman expressed concern about the way in which the LD910 School Consolidation law was rushed through, saying if the joint school union sub-committee had been able to have input, it would have been different than what was passed.

Jim Alter, a school board member who was present at the meeting, said, "There were weekly meetings that formulated the LD910, and the school union did have input. It was not formulated in the dark," Alter said. "I believe it is a very well balanced law."

Selectman Dan Skillin said, "The voters approved the consolidation law; we (the selectmen) did not approve the adoption of it."

Selectman Dale Chadbourne said there is nothing the selectmen can do because the voters approved the bill.

Fire Chief Geoffrey McCarren told the selectmen the department has four new applicants, and they are taking certification classes at no cost to the town.

The issue of the Fire Association's airboat will be on the town warrant to see if voters want to lease the boat and pay for the insurance.

The selectmen had raised questions about the repairs needed on the boat, and who would be responsible for them. A recent estimate of the repairs was $1,525. According to the April 27 minutes of the association, they would pay up to $1,500 for repairs on the boat.