Woolwich will begin advertising for an emergency medical services (EMS)/ambulance director following the resignation of Brian Carlton effective no later than July 1, the start of the town’s 2023-2024 fiscal year.

“The exact end date will depend on the transition to the next EMS director as I will remain in the position to assist in the transition,” wrote Carlton announcing his resignation. He was not present when Select Board Chairman David King Sr. read his letter aloud into the record Wednesday, May 3, the same date Carlton’s letter was dated. The board accepted his resignation “with regret” with a 4-0 vote; Selectman Allison Hepler was absent. The board agreed to begin advertising the job immediately.

When contacted by email by Wiscasset Newspaper, Hepler stated, "I always liked working with Brian, and I thought he did a strong job for this Town. I wish him well.” Hepler added her absence was because she was attending an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting.

Following the meeting, King said the EMS director is hired by the select board but falls under supervision of the fire chief. Carlton has served as EMS director since February 2017. Since 2019, Woolwich first responders have provided the town with 24/7 ambulance coverage, adding a second ambulance. At the forthcoming May 17 annual town meeting, voters will be asked whether to continue funding the ambulance department or contract with Bath Fire & Rescue for ambulance coverage.

The select board opened its meeting with a public hearing on the planned discontinuation of a small portion of George Wright Road. No comments were received either verbally or in writing. The portion of the road to be discontinued is at the south end of the road where it previously linked up with Route 1. It has been gated off since construction started on the new Station 46 bridge, blocking access to a town boat launch.

“It’s been pretty much a done deal and has been for months,” said King. “The state told us they have no interest in reconnecting the road to Route 1 and we’re obligated to have an article at the town meeting allowing us to discontinue it.” If voters approve the article, the closure will take effect after the change is recorded with the registry of deeds, after which the town would have no further obligation to maintain this portion of the road but would retain an easement here.

Selectman Jason Shaw told Wiscasset Newspaper plans are in the works to build a new boat launch on George Wright Road. He said it would be a little ways north of the present one, providing access to Back River Creek marsh. Shaw said Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) based in Bath is working towards securing grant monies from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to fund the boat launch’s construction.

Road Commissioner Jack Shaw thanked Woolwich Fire Department for helping clear roads of downed tree limbs during the recent severe weather. Five-plus inches of rain fell on the Woolwich-Wiscasset area. Shaw said he would like to have a number of potentially problematic tree limbs removed on Meadow Road. “I’d rather we take them down now before they come down in a storm.”

In other business, the board appointed Lynne Wolfe, Bill Potter, Todd McPhee, Chad Carleton, Hal Fowler and Wendy Williams to the Public Safety Advisory Committee. Selectmen signed the warrant for voter ratification of the 2023-24 budget proposed by Regional School Unit 1. Voting by referendum ballot will take place at the municipal building Tuesday, June 13. The polls will be open from 9 to 6. On King’s recommendation, the board waived a public hearing and renewed a liquor license for Taste of Maine Restaurant.   

The town office will close early at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 17 to set up for the annual town meeting to be held in the Woolwich Central School gymnasium beginning at 6 p.m. Voters will consider a proposed $2.43 million, 2023-2024 budget.