A small, one-lane bridge spanning Nequasset Brook in Woolwich is causing some big concerns for the select board and the couple who own and rent the home it serves.

A public hearing on an April 28, annual town meeting warrant article to discontinue the bridge and the dead end road it leads to is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 2 in the hearing room. The board approved the article.

Matt Richard and his wife Amy own the property on the opposite side of the bridge that’s off George Wright Road. On Monday night, Chairman David King Sr. said if voters discontinue the bridge and road, the town would pay the couple $75,000 from the undesignated fund balance. 

If the article fails, voters will consider raising $30,000 to begin preliminary engineering to repair or replace the bridge.

Matt Richard told the board no one would have ever built the home on that side of the brook if the bridge hadn’t been there first. A $75,000 payment wouldn’t come close to covering the repairs, he said.

Initially, the board considered a $43,000 to $50,000 payment to the Richards based on an independent audit.

Curtis Fish, a real estate agent who lives in Woolwich, suggested the board consider an option to buy the Richards’ land. He said the town could then privatize the bridge, resell the property and avoid the cost of replacing the bridge, saving taxpayers’ money.

Estimates to replace the small span range from $250,000 to $500,000 depending on whether the bridge is discontinued and becomes privately owned, or remains public. If it stays town-owned, the repairs would have to meet state standards. Road Commissioner Jack Shaw said he keeps a close eye on the bridge. If its 12-ton limit is adhered to, it will last many more years, he said.

King hopes more voters will attend the April 2 hearing.

The board began its meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Connie Wills.

Bruce Engert was reappointed code enforcement officer. The board will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, March 26 to finalize the town meeting warrant.