Woolwich selectmen shared ideas with the town's fish commissioners Feb. 18, including possibly reducing terms of the commissioners from five to three years.The commission is responsible for managing the town’s annual spring alewives harvest on Nequasset Brook. One commissioner is nominated and elected yearly at the annual town meeting.

“It’s getting harder to find people willing to commit to serving five years,” commented Selectboard Chairman David King Sr. "It might help to shorten the terms and maybe reduce the number of fish commissioners from five to three members.” Both changes, added King, would require voter approval at the annual town meeting, Wednesday evening, April 29.

Selectman Dale Chadbourne pushed back against reducing the number of fish commissioners.“I’d prefer to see it stay at five,” he said. Bill Potter, longtime fish commission chairman, said because of his age he’d only commit to serving one more year.  “We need to find a means for getting younger people involved,” he told the selectboard.Four of the current fish commissioners including Potter are over the age of 80.Along with Potter, fish commissioners Pat Hennin and Robert Steven were in the meeting in the selectmen’s office. Commissioners John Chapman and Bruce McElman didn’t attend.Potter added, before making a decision on changing the term lengths, he wanted to discuss it with Chapman and McElman to hear their thoughts.

“We’ll have the town attorney give us guidance as far as how the town meeting article should be worded,” added Selectman Jason Shaw. He went on to say the current fish commissioners could continue to serve as long as they wanted to. If voters agreed to reduce the terms from five to three years, the terms would be staggered the first year. Commissioners would continue to elect their own chairman.

“Maybe between now and town meeting we’ll find others who might express an interest in serving on the Fish Commission,” King commented. For this to happen there would have to be a concerted effort, said Selectman Tommy Davis.

The fish commission negotiates fishing rights for the annual alewives’ harvest and maintaining the wooden fish house and shed where alewives are smoked. They share responsibility of the fishway with Bath Water District which maintains the dam.Going forward, Potter said, the commission’s biggest challenge will be upkeep of the historic fish house and outbuilding.The alewives run generates yearly revenues for the town, but the fish commissioners aren’t paid; it’s strictly voluntary service.

Business during the regular meeting included EMS Director Danny Evarts telling the selectboard Woolwich ambulance was staying busy responding to 17 calls so far in February; 16 patients were seen, 14 transported with MC1 called six times. He said the ambulance department provided mutual aid to Dresden once.

Evarts said the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has issued a new licensing requirement applying to most EMS services that routinely carry narcotics.“Previously, we fell under the license of Midcoast Hospital, who controls our access to narcotics,” said Evarts.The DEA licenses cost $880 and must be renewed every two years.“The requirement is unclear, and I am waiting for guidance from the hospital pharmacy and Maine EMS on whether or not our service will be required to apply for this.If so, we will need to apply and pay by March 9.”Evarts added, he’d only been notified of the new licensing requirement a week ago.

In response to a rash of Route One accidents over the last year, the selectboard has asked for a meeting with Maine Department of Transportation officials to discuss what additional highway safety measure might be put in place. Selectman and State Rep. Allison Hepler will contact MaineDOT officials about arranging a date for the meeting.

Road Commissioner Jack Shaw noted town roads are now posted for heavy road limits.

Trucks that exceed a gross registered weight of 23,000 pounds are not permitted to travel on these roads, regardless of temperature, until the posting period has ended, typically mid-April.Although permission is occasionally granted under certain circumstances, Shaw noted it will not be granted to allow for new home construction. 

Posted roads include Bailey Bluff Drive, Chopps Cross Road, Baker Drive, D Street, Barley Neck Road, Dana Mill Road, Birchwood Road, Delano Road, Brushwood Road, East Hedge Road, Carlton Point Road, Ferry Road, Cedar Street, George Wright Road, Chop Point Road and Gray Corner Road.Possible postings for Route 127 and Route 128 are dictated by MaineDOT. For more information, contact Shaw at 443-3932.