Maine Department of Transportation will discuss replacement of a culvert at Chops Creek on Route 128 (River Road) at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3 at the Woolwich town office. The soonest the state-funded project will start would be 2026 or 2027.

“It was supposed to have started this year but has been pushed back. It’s a concern to us because it’s a major commuter route and it could involve some closures of the road,” explained Selectman Jason Shaw. Shaw added the area involved is about .2 miles between Chops Point Road and North Woolwich Church. First responders and a representative of Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department are expected at the meeting. 

Selectmen plan to set the town’s tax rate at their Sept. 17 meeting. Selectboard Chair David King Sr. commented, there has been a good deal of misinformation appearing on social media concerning this process, in addition to the recently completed property revaluation. King reiterated the amount budgeted for 2025-26 operation of the town office, fire department and Emergency Medical Services make up the smallest part of the tax commitment. Residents can arrange to meet individually with representatives of Dirigo Assessing Group to discuss their property's new assessment.

So far this month, Woolwich ambulance has responded to 28 calls; 28 patients were seen and 22 transported, according to Danny Evarts, EMS director. “MC1 has been called six times, and Bath and Wiscasset EMS once. We responded for mutual aid once to both Dresden and Richmond,” he told selectmen. Evarts thanked first responders Zach Miller and Frank Petrulli for their help at the town's Community Picnic.

Fire Chief Shaun Merrill said the fire danger remains high in Woolwich and surrounding towns. “The rain we got the other day did very little,” he said. Merrill was recently called to a Middle Road home to address an outdoor unpermitted burn. No outdoor burning is allowed, including campfires, until the red flag warning is lifted, he said. The fire department has responded to 16 calls in August, most of which have been motor vehicle related.

The deadline for returning nomination papers for the selectboard is fast approaching. Nomination papers, containing signatures of 25 but no more than 100 qualified registered voters of Woolwich, must be returned to the town clerk by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4. Two three-year terms on the selectboard are up for election. Voting takes place on Election Day, Nov. 4. Nomination papers are available at the town office during business hours. Please contact the town office with any questions, 442-7094.

Selectman Tommy Davis recently participated in a Maine Municipal Association-sponsored workshop on cyber security. Selectman Allison Hepler said she’s been attending the ongoing regional meetings addressing transportation needs. Hepler noted she had recently toured the site where Bath Iron Works plans to construct a parking garage.

During public comment, resident Tom Stoner told selectmen tree growth around the town’s solar farm should be addressed. He said he’d also like to see the solar farm’s weekly output posted on the town’s website. The town now officially owns the solar farm, which is on the former landfill on Route 127 (Middle Road).

The town office will be closed Monday, Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day. Looking ahead, the town office will close Oct. 8 to allow staff to attend MMA’s annual conference in Bangor.