Woolwich’s 2025 tax commitment to Sagadahoc County rose just shy of $127,000 to $1,144,879, an increase of 8.84% from last year. In response, the selectboard is hoping the county commissioners will consider allowing it to pay the county taxes in two payments instead of one lump sum.

“It’s a big hit to the town financially coming all at once,” commented Selectboard Chairman David King Sr. The board initially brought the subject up last year when for the first time Woolwich’s county tax commitment reached over a million dollars. Selectmen discussed the matter again when they signed off on the 2025 commitment July 2. 

Selectman and House District 49 Rep. Allison Hepler plans to attend the next meeting of the Sagadahoc County Commissioners to express the board’s concerns. The commissioners will meet at the courthouse in Bath Tuesday morning, July 8. Several other Sagadahoc County towns have expressed an interest in splitting their county commitment payments, said Hepler. Town Administrator Kim Dalton said the county tax commitment must be paid before Nov. 1. Bath and Topsham pay the highest county taxes at over $2.5 million each. More information on the proposed 2026 Sagadahoc County Budget can be found at www.sagadahoccountyme.gov 

Dalton said the purchase of the solar array at the former landfill has been finalized at $46,000, leaving a balance of $5,001 in the town’s solar account. In another matter, Dalton said, Dirigo Assessing Group, the Sidney-based company that carried out the town’s revaluation, will soon be announcing hours at the town office when they’ll be available to meet with residents concerning their properties' reassessments.

In his report to the selectboard, EMS Director Daniel Evarts said the ambulance department had responded to 37 calls in June; 35 patients were seen, and 27 transported. “MC1 was called eight times, and we were called for mutual aid assistance to Dresden once,” he added.  

Fire Chief Shaun Merrill said the fire department had responded to nine calls that included a minor car fire on Mountain Road earlier that afternoon. Merrill said the department received a $2,500 offer on the department’s old compressor unit from the town of Searsmont in Waldo County. The department has accepted the offer. 

Road Commissioner Jack Shaw said summer mowing of the former landfill off Middle Road has been completed and roadside mowing of town roads is underway. Shaw noted Maine Department of Transportation's paving of Middle Road and Route 128 is finished except for the road shoulders.