School consolidation, fuel co-op on selectmen's agenda

The Woolwich selectmen are not happy with the new Regional School Unit (RSU). Each week there appears to be something more the RSU is asking for from the town. Recently they received a letter requesting $89,000 in surplus from the school budget. Now they are requesting the money the voters approved for the new school design, another $100,000, which was supposed to be reimbursed by the state.

Attorney Durward Parkinson was back at the selectmen's meeting Monday evening to discuss the issues of the surplus and school property.

Selectman Todd McPhee gave Parkinson a letter showing that William Haggett told the Woolwich Selectmen in an informational meeting that the surplus money would be retained by the town for the first year, contrary to what Parkinson was told by the RSU attorney.

Parkinson was tasked with getting these questions answered, and will schedule a meeting with the necessary players to resolve these issues.

The selectmen discussed the issue of surveillance cameras with David Kloberdans and Down East Security. The Down East Security representative and Kolverdans were asked to present a cost to install surveillance cameras at the town office complex. The question for the selectmen to decide is if they want to have two cameras or four cameras, and where they want them installed.

The selectmen are interested in knowing the cost of the different options.

Kaler Oil Company of Bath is offering the residents that live in parts of Lincoln County, Sagadahoc County and Cumberland County a fixed price for co-op customers at a price of $4.49 per gallon for #2 fuel, and $4.99 for kerosene.

The co-op price is for customers who pay within seven days from the date of delivery. Only one delivery can be made, and until that bill is paid, a second delivery will not be made. If the bill is not paid within the seven days, a fee of 15 cents per gallon will be added.

Selectman Todd McPhee is the co-op administrator. Anyone interested in becoming a customer within the co-op is asked to call McPhee at 442-8815 for further information.

The winter season this year will run from September 15, 2008 until April 30, 2009.

The Montsweag Roadhouse request for a permanent extension of a liquor license for the premises was approved by the selectmen.

Chris Johnson told the selectmen the roadhouse was planning a fund raiser for the Maine Children's Cancer Fund this weekend, July 19, and needed the extension for the event.

The extension area will include the back yard area behind the building. She said the yard will be fenced in and monitored when in use. The area will also be used for outdoor functions such as barbeques, graduation parties, wedding receptions and family reunions. The area will be used only during the daylight hours, and only for specified events.

Animal Control Officer Paul Grover was at the selectmen's meeting to answer some complaints that had been made against him. However, those who had the complaints were not present at the meeting.

The selectmen questioned why he was not answering his cell phone. Grover said he had shut the phone off for personal reasons, but it was back on now.

Grover said, "My home phone has been always available. People should leave a message on the phone if they have a problem. If they do not leave a message, I am not aware of a problem."

Apparently the town pays for a portion of his cell phone bill. He told the selectmen the time he had his cell phone shut off could be deducted from the town's portion of the bill.

Thursday, July 17, RSU #1 meeting at Woolwich School 6 p.m.; Thursday, July 24, the 250 th Anniversary Committee meeting 6 p.m. town office; Monday, July 28, Selectmen's meeting, 6 p.m.; Saturday, August 2, Woolwich Day at the town complex.