The Woolwich selectmen will partner with the Midcoast Economic Development District and the Midcoast Regional Weatherization & Energy Efficiency Initiative to apply for a $500,000 grant.

Justin Holmes, a representative from the district, who attended the selectmen’s meeting Monday evening, said the purpose of the block grant is to increase energy efficiency and provide job training centers to employ people who will do the work.

Towns that submit an energy project will be put on a master list and will be selected according to need.

"The project will not only reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency in the communities, but it will provide economic and workforce development opportunities to people in the Midcoast Region," Holmes said.

Woolwich will provide information on town buildings that have received energy audits and provide cost savings that would be realized through weatherization and energy efficiency improvements.

"A coalition with these potential partners would be unprecedented in this region, and could very well serve as an excellent example to others throughout Maine," Holmes said.

"This type of partnership is not only possible but can yield great results," he said. "It allows individual communities to determine locally what projects would best serve them."

Saying, "It sounds like a win/win situation," Selectman Lloyd Coombs, made a motion to join the coalition; the motion passed with no further discussion.

The Woolwich Solid Waste Committee presented their recommendations for the town to adopt on January 1. Coombs explained to the committee members present, that the town has a contract with Pine Tree Waste, which the voters approved at the May town meeting. Any changes must go before the voters.

"The selectmen do not have the authority to put these recommendations into effect," Coombs said.

The suggested changes included alternate curbside pickup of residential solid waste and recycling every other week. One week it would be a recycling pick-up and the next week it would be solid waste. The drop-off recycling bins at the town office would be eliminated.

Solid Waste & Recycling Committee member Joan Jordan asked the selectmen if they could support their recommendations.

Coombs said, "The ideas are certainly worth consideration, But, I do not want to commit to anything now. We need to look at other alternatives."

Former selectmen David King, who was present at the meeting, suggested that the committee wait until after the first of the year, when there is a full board present, and a new selectman. Only three of the five selectmen were present during the discussion. King also said the committee should have a couple of public hearings before the town meeting to educate the voters on the recommended changes.

The committee members asked that the selectmen take part in coming up with recommendations for the voters to decide upon. Coombs told the committee they should have two recommendations ready for the town meeting. "If one recommendation is rejected, there would be another choice." The committee agreed with this and with educating the public.

Selectman Dale Chadbourne and Coombs agreed to attend the next Solid Waste Committee meeting on November 17.

Town Administrator Lynette Eastman told the selectmen and the committee the town is currently in the second year of a five year contract with Pine Tree Waste.

In other business the selectmen approved three tax abatements, and signed the Tree Growth Tax Roster.

Fire Chief Jeff McCarren told the board that the fire department has received five new pagers from the county’s Emergency Management Agency’s grant.

McCarren reported that the Halloween party and haunted hayride sponsored by the Historical Society, Recreation Committee, and fire department was very successful, and he thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the event. He said the December 5 craft show at the fire station will be the next event.

Chairman Todd McPhee was absent from the meeting due to illness. Coombs said, "We wish our missing chairman a speedy recovery from his illness."