Woolwich selectmen will consider adopting a concealed weapons policy.

At the Monday, Nov. 2 meeting, Chairman David King Sr. recommended drafting the policy banning concealed weapons from the town office and municipal building unless the carrier is an authorized member of law enforcement.

Saying he felt it was the right thing to do, King suggested the select board direct the town administrator to contact Maine Municipal Association for help in drafting the policy.

“I'd like to have it in time for us to consider at our next meeting,” he said.

Selectman Dale Chadbourne said it would be a good idea to also ask MMA how the policy will be enforced.

Selectman Jason Shaw said many other Maine towns have enacted similar policies.

“We've talked about it informally and I'm of the opinion that our municipal building complex is not an appropriate place to carry a firearm into,” he said after the meeting.

“The policy isn't an ordinance,” Shaw continued. “It's to serve notice to the public that we take seriously the safety of our employees and citizens. What concerns me about handguns is when people carry them, (the handguns are) usually loaded and there's always the chance of an accident. People shouldn't have to be concerned about this if they're attending a meeting or doing business at the town office.”

Asked for her comments afterward, Selectman Allison Hepler said the recent shooting at a college in Oregon really hit close to home for her. Hepler teaches at the University of Maine at Farmington.

“While a ‘no weapons’ policy won't eliminate gun violence, I think it sends a message to our staff that we take their safety seriously, and sends a message to the public about civility. I think it's a good idea too,” she said.

If the draft is ready, the policy will be taken up at the board's Nov. 16 meeting.

Other business:

The board learned the town's insurance would cover the cost of replacing an extrication tool used by the fire department and authorized the purchase. Geoffrey McCarren, who is serving as acting fire chief, said the tool would cost approximately $6,000. McCarren wasn't at Monday night's meeting.

Julia Gillespie, acting EMS director, said the new ambulance would be lettered this week. She told selectmen she's scheduled a volunteer workday Sunday to get the emergency vehicle ready to put into service. Selectmen hope to sell the old ambulance, which will soon be put out to bid.

Veterans Day Event

Selectman Lloyd Coombs said the town would be hosting its third annual Veterans Day event at the Nequasset Meeting House on Wednesday, Nov. 11 beginning at 11 a.m. This is a family event and all are welcome to attend the program. The town office will be closed that day in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

PAYT numbers hold steady

An Oct. 30 press release from WasteZero, the not-for-profit group based in Andover, Mass. administering Pay As You Throw (PAYT), reported Woolwich had reduced its trash disposal volume by 50 percent in the program's first two months.

WasteZero estimated the town has saved $7,000 in tipping fees and other disposal costs for non-recyclable trash since the program began Sept. 1. The group stated recycling for the same period more than doubled.  WasteZero based its estimates on information provided to them by the Woolwich town office.