The lawn around Woolwich’s town office will be getting a new look, selectmen having approved a plan by Bath Garden Club for new landscaping, including planting flowers along the front and side of the building.

Barbara Richards told selectmen Wednesday evening, March 19, club volunteers would take charge of all of the labor and future care of the flower beds on the condition the town contribute $865 to purchase the plants and potting soil. Selectmen will use monies budgeted for the municipal building to pay for the plantings. A few years ago, the group took on a similar project at the historic 1837 Town House at Old Stage and Dana Mills roads.

“We’re going to be doing other work here to address a drainage issue,” said David King Sr., selectboard chairman. At the same time, the board wants to replace the wooden access ramp with a more permanent cement one. Selectmen hope to have their work completed in the early spring in time for the club to begin its project.

Prior to their regular meeting, selectmen continued work on the 2026-27 municipal budget, reviewing stipends for first responders and amounts budgeted for operation of the town office. King said the board’s goal was to keep the proposed budget flat, with little or no increase in town spending. King reiterated the selectboard has no control over the forthcoming Sagadahoc County, or Regional School Unit 1 budgets which he expects will increase.

The selectboard hopes to have the warrant completed by the week of March 23 and ready for final review April 1. The annual town meeting will be held Wednesday evening, April 29 at Woolwich Central School.

Selectmen unanimously approved a request by Luke Saindon to expand his oyster farm in Montsweag Bay off Oak Island. He told the board, before he can increase the size of his oyster production, he needs to apply for two additional Limited Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) permits with Maine Department of Marine Resources. The selectboard approves the required local permit because the town does not have a harbor master. Saindon resides in Wiscasset.

 On the recommendation of the fish commissioners, the selectboard renewed fishing rights to Steve Bodge of Dresden for the annual spring alewives harvest. In 2024, 1,791 bushels of alewives were harvested near the dam on Nequasset Creek. Harvest figures for 2025 will appear in the 2025 annual Town Report.

A change is likely coming to Woolwich’s traditional Memorial Day observance. Debbie Locke told selectmen, fewer and fewer people are attending the ecumenical service. “It looks like it may be time to discontinue having one of the churches host this,” said Locke.  About 20 people showed up for last year's service hosted by Woolwich-Wiscasset Baptist Church. 

For the second time, the board tabled action on renewal of a recreational cannabis license for Highly Cannaco Retail Store after the applicant did not show up. The town administrator said a $500 fee required for the renewal had not been paid.

In his bi-weekly report, EMS Director Danny Evarts said the ambulance department’s new Lifepak 15 Defibrillator monitor has been put into service. Woolwich ambulance has responded to eight calls so far in March; seven patients were transported, MC1 was called twice and mutual aid was provided to Dresden once.

“We are working along with county EMA to update our Hazard Mitigation Plan,” added Evarts. "A part of this is determining hazard mitigation projects, which might be funded if funds are distributed after a disaster or event.  I will be asking our road commissioner and others to help identify areas of need,” he said.

Fire Chief Sean Merrill said the new Jaws of Life unit is now in service. The older unit has been placed on a fire truck at the department’s North Station.