The Woolwich selectboard Dec. 17 adopted a set of safety policies. The action followed an earlier discussion concerning the town opting in to Maine Municipal Association’s Workmen Compensation Insentive Program; the goal of which is to make the working environment safer, and lowering workmen’s compensation costs.

Town Administrator Kim Dalton said the town spends $42,000 a year on workmen's compensation. “If we stick with this program and meet all the requirements we’ll save 10% this year. If we stay with it for three years we’ll save 20%,” she told the board.

The program requires the town do things like conduct safety training for all town employees, adopt and review safety procedures, and hold an annual safety meeting. The fire chief and EMS director are assisting the town administrator in implementing the safety program. Selectman Dale Chadbourne was appointed the town’s safety coordinator.  During the regular meeting, four initial safety policies were unanimously adopted by the selec board. 

In other business, Selectman Jason Shaw said a security camera was up and running to monitor the town’s salt and sand area on Walker Road. Shaw recently installed the camera at no cost to the town. Selectmen allow residents to take two buckets of sand for their private use.  

EMS Director Danny Evarts said December has been a busy month; the ambulance department has responded to 23 calls, providing 19 transports. MC1 has been called five times and Wiscasset has been called for mutual aid once.  “We’re on track to make between 380 to 400 calls this year,” he added.  Fire Chief Shaun Merrill said the fire department has had 14 calls this month; most were motor vehicle related.  

Selectman Dale Chadbourne said he’s been pleased with the plowing and sanding of town roads following the recent winter weather.  Road Commissioner Jack Shaw agreed the contractors the town hired to provide winter road maintenance were doing a good job.  “Winter seems to have started a little earlier this year,” commented Shaw.

During the public portion of the meeting Mechelle Given asked who was responsible for shoveling snow from town sidewalks along Route 1.  “The state says we are but when we looked into it, it proved to be an expensive proposition,” responded Chairman David King Sr.  He added it wasn’t just shoveling the snow from the sidewalks, there was also the problem of what to do with the snow after it was removed.

Tom Stoner asked why figures on the solar farm’s production still aren’t being posted on the town’s website.  Selectman Tommy Davis responded it was on the board's to do list.  “It will get done eventually,” he said.

Reading a report from the Code Enforcement Officer King noted a political sign overlooking Route 1 was found to be in violation of town ordinances and had to be removed by its owner.

The town administrator announced the recent hiring of Tegan Rand of West Bath and Janelle Skillin of Wiscasset who will share the duties of deputy town clerk. 

Selectmen plan to carry out personnel evaluations of town staff in January; preliminary work on the 2026-27 municipal budget will also begin. Departmental budgets must be done by mid-February.