Electronic message boards are alerting motorists that Route 127 in Woolwich will be closing at 6 a.m. Monday July 20 for replacement of a culvert. Maine Department of Transportation officials anticipate the closure could remain in effect until Aug. 4 

“They told us the contractor has up to 15 working days to reopen Route 127 to traffic,”  said Selectman Jason Shaw Wednesday, July 15.  Shaw and Selectman Allison Hepler attended MaineDOT's recent briefing in Augusta. Littlefield’s Construction, LLC of Benton is the contractor. 

The construction site is about a mile north of Old Stage Road in a small gully where the state road crosses a brook. Selectmen asked if one lane of Route 127, aka Middle Road, could be kept open during construction but MaineDOT officials said the work would be completed faster with the temporary closure. 

The state’s recommended detour diverts traffic to Indian Road and then to Route 128. The work is part of continued road improvements on Route 127, a busy thoroughfare for commuters linking Woolwich with Dresden. First responders don’t anticipate any significant delays as a result of the road closure.

Shaw added, MaineDOT's planned construction work on Union Bridge off Old Stage Road will begin in September. The small, two-lane bridge is a short distance west from the town's old meetinghouse near Dana Mill Road. The bridge will remain open during the work with traffic being regulated with a temporary signal.

Business during the selectboard’s regular meeting included Town Administrator/Town Clerk Kim Dalton announcing nomination papers for two seats on the selectboard and one on the Regional School Unit 1 board will be available July 27. The deadline for returning them to the town office is Sept. 24. The selectboard seats are currently held by Hepler and Jason Shaw. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

On the recommendation of EMS Director Danny Evarts, the selectboard approved buying a free-standing refrigerated pharmaceutical dispenser. “This machine will help us keep track of our medications, including usage counts, expirations, and more,” Evarts explained. The board authorized him to spend up to $12,000 for the unit. “Mid Coast Hospital has agreed to continue providing us controlled substances until our license is approved,” added Evarts. 

Woolwich ambulance has responded to 10 calls so far in July that including one mutual aid call to Dresden, and another to Richmond. “Ten patients were seen, 6 were transported and MC1 was called 4 times,” reported Evarts, he added first responder Amanda Plummer recently received her Advance EMT license.

Fire Chief Shaun Merrill told selectmen the fire department had responded to 7 calls so far this month.  The fire department will host a regional training session Monday, July 20 at 6 p.m. Arrowsic, Georgetown and West Bath will participate. 

Plans are continuing for Woolwich Day to be held Saturday, Aug. 8 from 11 to 2 on the grounds beside the municipal building. The gathering includes free grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, soft drinks and ice cream.  The Montswegers will provide live music and the historical society’s farmhouse museum will be open from tours. Members of the ambulance department will be offering free blood pressure screenings and children’s activities.