Woolwich officials stressed the need for replacing a rumble strip to the center line of Route One following a head-on crash near the south entrance of Weston Road Oct. 12. When the highway was repaved, Maine Department of Transportation didn’t replace the milled strip which alerts motorists when they cross the center line, although state officials promised to do so next summer.

“I’m concerned about its loss, particularly with winter coming on,” Fire Chief Shaun Merrill told the selectboard Oct. 15. The fire chief's opinion was shared by EMS Director Danny Evarts and Road Commissioner Jack Shaw. “The rumble strip should have been tied to the paving contract,” said Shaw. 

According to Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department, the crash at 6:06 p.m. Oct. 12 occurred after a southbound vehicle crossed the centerline into the path of another vehicle; one driver was seriously injured and was airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland, closing this portion of the highway for over three hours; a second, three-vehicle crash occurred, involving emergency personnel responding to the scene and is under investigation by Wiscasset Police Department.

Other than ask MaineDOT to conduct a highway safety audit, there’s little the town can do, Selectboard Chairman David King Sr. told Wiscasset Newspaper. “Our biggest concern at the moment is getting the rumble strip back as soon as possible. We’ve already experienced several accidents since the road’s been without it," he said. "The state has told us we’ll have to wait until next year for the rumble strip because there’s only one company, which is based out-of-state, that can do this type of work.”  

Selectman Allison Hepler, in her capacity as District 49 representative, said she has reached out to MaineDOT and the governor’s office in hopes of resolving the issue. In preparation for a future meeting with MaineDOT officials, the selectboard planned to meet with the fire chief and EMS director at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 in what King called a “brainstorming session.” 

“Personally, I like to see them consider placing another traffic signal on Route One to regulate turning traffic into and out of Montsweag Flea Market,” King said. The posted Route One speed limit from the Station 42 Bridge to the Wiscasset line is 55 mph for most of the way, dropping to 45 mph near the Nequasset Road traffic light. King doubts the state will consider lowering the speed limit. 

Woolwich EMS responded to 15 ambulance calls so far in October; 19 patients were seen and nine transported, MC1 was called for assistance four times. Evarts thanked Life Flight, Bath Fire & Rescue and Wiscasset Ambulance Service for their help at the Oct. 12 accidents. 

Woolwich’s Veterans Day Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Nequasset Meetinghouse. This year’s program arranged by the Special Events Committee will feature a representative of Honor Flight Maine. Hepler said the non-profit group offers Maine veterans a weekend trip to Washington, D.C. More information about the group is available at Honorflightmaine.org   

Absentee voting for the Nov. 4 General Election is underway. Ballots are available at the town office now through Oct. 30 during business hours. Voters can also vote early in person at the town office during regular office hours through Oct. 30. Voting on Election Day will take place at Woolwich Central School from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

The Woolwich Climate Resilience Committee and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute will launch the community’s Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Woolwich Central School. Selectman Tommy Davis noted the meeting is an opportunity for residents to learn how the continued warming of the climate will adversely impact the community, and what might be done to mitigate these effects.