The proposed relocation of a portion of mountain road – at no expense to the town – raised few questions during a brief public hearing.

There were approximately 10 people in attendance at the town's historic Old Town House for the June 18 meeting and public hearing. The idea behind the project is to improve the road's safety by straightening a dangerous curve, creating a more gradual transition for commuters.

A special town meeting to approve the project will be held at the Woolwich Town Hall on Monday, June 25, at 6 p.m.

Woolwich residents Richard and Esther Leck, who have seen 14 accidents – all too close for comfort – next to their Mountain Road home, answered questions at the public hearing. The family wants to relocate a portion of the road that runs through their property.

They have paid an engineering firm to draw up detailed and Department of Transportation-approved plans, will pay for the entire project, and are footing the bill for the town to hold a special meeting required to approve the project.

Selectmen and the Lecks agreed the project will cost the town nothing, but town by-laws require a vote on the matter.

Selectman Lloyd Coombs said he was in favor of the project for a number of reasons, including that it will cost the town nothing and will make the road safer.

One resident said her family lives on top of the hill abutting the Lecks' property, where vehicles pick up speed to reach the top. She asked if the change, which would straighten a sharp curve in the road by the Lecks' residence, would allow drivers to increase their speed.

Dr. Leck said that while each driver is different, he did not think the straightening of the road would influence drivers to increase speed. Out of the thousands of cars that have used the road, the cars that have lost control did so not only due to slick weather conditions, but also to the adverse shape of the road, he said.

Leck emphasized to selectmen that since his son would pay for the project; it should be presented as a gift to the town.