Woolwich residents supported the less expensive town office addition proposal, funds for the Patten Free Library in Bath and to renew a three-year contract with regional ambulance service North East Mobile Health during their annual town meeting on May 8.

These warrant items generated significant discussion over the course of three and a half hours among some 120 people in attendance.

Ambulance service

The decision to renew a contract with for-profit ambulance service North East Mobile Health did not come easy for Woolwich residents.

The town had a choice among two options: either enter into a one-year $3000 contract with the town of Wiscasset or renew the three-year, no cost contract with North East.

“I am conflicted about this article,” Woolwich EMS Chief Dana Lindsey said to residents, adding he and fellow crew members would prefer to work with Wiscasset due to some issues they have had with North East.

Lindsey cited concerns they have had regarding patient care and delayed response times by North East. He also expressed concern about personnel conflicts between the two organizations. “North East has some very, very good folks that work with them,” he said. “But there are other crews that come who have kicked people out of the ambulance, who when they show up at a scene say, 'we're here now, you can leave. We're going to take over now,' and they don't want to play nice.”

Lindsey said Wiscasset Ambulance Service has a very different attitude toward his crew and they would prefer to work with the neighboring town, despite the cost.

However, Wiscasset selectmen and budget committee members are at odds over the issue. Last month, Wiscasset Budget Committee members opposed the Woolwich EMS contract, but supported the idea of having Woolwich pay for any un-collectible debts owed for service.

Lindsey said he and his department would insist the town of Woolwich would not be held responsible for these debts. He said they have tried to collect money from people they have transported, but when they can't get the money, it is written off.

“I know zero sounds really good,” Lindsey said. “But my concern is patient care.”

Other residents voiced their support for the two-town EMS contract. Linda Crawford said she and her husband (now deceased) used the ambulance service between six to 10 times per year for the past three and one-half years. “All the things your EMS Chief said are totally true,” she said. “North East does not like to work with other ambulance services.”

Woolwich Board of Selectmen Chairman David King said the board does not endorse the contract with Wiscasset, primarily due to the concern over the uncollectible service debts. “The uncollectibles is a big deal; it really is,” King said, adding selectmen used to budget $24,000 a year for this unanticipated cost to the town.

Currently, if Woolwich can't collect on a service transport, the town does not really lose all of the money charged to transport a patient (estimated at $600), King said. But if responsible for these uncollectible debts in a contract with Wiscasset, the town of Woolwich would have to pay, King said. “It doesn't take many times to get stiffed before that adds up to a lot of money.”

He expressed his appreciation for the work of the town's volunteer EMS department and urged voters to consider not rejecting North East. King said he has had some long, heartfelt talks with North East Director of Services Steve Bennett, who promised to provide remedial training for their employees, “to make sure that they do play nice.”

King was concerned that if Woolwich residents reject North East in favor of a contract with Wiscasset, and Wiscasset rejects the proposed contract at their June town meeting, the town of Woolwich would be “up the creek” without the additional medical service.

A motion to move the question and take a vote was rejected. A proposed amendment to allow selectmen to enter into an agreement with either service before North East's contract with the town (June 30) expires was withdrawn.

And a majority of voters approved allowing selectmen to enter into a three-year contract with North East, having been informed by King that since there is no annual fee, renegotiation without penalty is an option.

Funding the Patten Free Library

“In the opinion of the chair the 'ayes' have it,” town meeting moderator John Chapman said. Those who wished to not spend up to $49,203 from the town's accounts to fund the Patten Free Library voiced a loud count, as well.

David Miller, Vice Chairmen on the library's Board of Trustees, explained the benefits of the library and the amount of support it requires to keep all of its services ($700,000 per year, he said).

“There is still a large digital divide,” Miller said, explaining how the library offers many more services for people who don't own computers or have connections to the Internet. The library also partners with area schools, to provide summer reading and other educational programs.

Resident John Adams moved to raise half the amount to support the library (approximately $25,000), which prompted Philip Gosline to ask how many people in Woolwich use the library.

Gosline said he has not visited the library in years and indicated not enough people from Woolwich use the library to merit the funding. Andy Barber said the proposal to raise just half the funds would essentially translate to a “no” vote for the library.

A volunteer said many people use the library's Internet service alone year-round. She also said the library's tutoring program for children is a valuable resource for community members.

The motion by Adams failed and at the call of a vote a resounding “aye” filled the school gymnasium.

Town office addition

Following presentations on the two options for a town office upgrade, residents approved a plan estimated to cost around $300,000, which was recommended by the Board of Selectmen.

The plan is a three-story addition to the current town office with an elevator connecting all floors, meeting space and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – compliant restrooms and entryways.

The vote does not specifically earmark these funds for the plan, but approves the concept. Residents will still need to approve funding the project during a special town meeting, once a plan is designed by an architect hired by selectmen.

Chairman David King said the town could obtain a Rural Development loan at around 3.7 percent interest. He also indicated selectmen would seek grant funds to support the project.