Some of Woolwich’s early assessing records will be copied into digital format. Ned Baxter of the Bath-based Sagadahoc Preservation told Woolwich selectmen Monday night, he can do the work at almost no cost to the town.

Baxter recently looked at some of the old records stored in a vault in the basement of the town office. “Some of your older books are in pretty rough shape. You might want to consider digitizing them before they completely fall apart.” He added, he has copied old records for several other communities including Bath.

When asked how much he would charge, Baxter told the board he volunteers his time but would have to borrow the books and copy them in his home studio. “The only thing you’d have to reimburse me for is the minor cost of a flash drive,” he said, about $5 to $10. Completed files could eventually be uploaded to the town’s website.

The board was leery at letting the town’s assessing books from the 1700s and 1800s leave the building but was willing to let Baxter take one of the newer books from the early 1900s. “Let’s let him try and see how it works,” suggested Chairman David King Sr.  The other selectmen agreed. Baxter said he would begin work almost immediately. He was not sure how long it would take.

Selectman Jason Shaw said the Nequasset Park Project will start soon. The work includes extending the handicap ramp at both ends, improvements to the abutment at the boat launch, and extending the walkway. The work must be finished by the end of September. “We’re hopeful we might get some (American Rescue Plan Act) ARPA monies from the county towards the project,” added Shaw.

Woolwich will apply for up to $20,000 in state reimbursement from the Office of Cannabis Policy for opting in to the sale of medical and recreational marijuana. “We currently don’t get a percentage of the sales tax (for marijuana products sold), but we are eligible to get this,” commented Selectman Allison Hepler.

The board expressed concern about the ambulance service responding to calls outside Woolwich. King noted the department recently responded to a call on Westport Island. The department is down to one ambulance while the other one is undergoing repairs. The board would prefer ambulance calls be limited to Woolwich until the other ambulance is returned to service.

Woolwich is hosting its second Community Picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 20. The event will be held under the tent on the lawn between the municipal building and Woolwich Historical Society’s Farmhouse Museum. Selectmen will be grilling hot dogs and burgers; there will be cold soft drinks, ice cream and cotton candy, too, all for free. The farmhouse museum and barn will be open for tours.