Woolwich selectmen opened snow plowing bids from five local contractors June 4, but postponed awarding the contracts until they can review the proposals in more detail. Chairman David King said the board planned to hold a special meeting Friday morning, June 6 announcing the winning bids afterwards. All of the bidders were local contractors. A special town meeting to raise monies for winter road maintenance is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 25 in the town office hearing room, added King.

Most of the contractors were present for the bid opening held at the start of the meeting. All bid packages had to be received by 5 p.m. For 20 years, three local contractors, among them Jack Shaw and Sons on Walker Road, have been responsible for plowing and sanding 60 miles of town roads. Earlier this year, Shaw, who is also the road commissioner, told selectmen he was no longer interested in bidding on the contract. At the annual town meeting, voters overwhelming agreed to buy Shaw’s salt and sand storage building with the understanding the town would buy  its own supply of winter salt and sand.

Road Commissioner Shaw said daily traffic tie-ups on Nequasset Road from parents dropping off and picking up their children at the elementary school are becoming a problem. Shaw told selectmen on some mornings up to 60 vehicles are lined up waiting to get into the school's parking lot. An emergency vehicle couldn't safely get through if it had to, he said adding, "I really think this ought to be addressed." 

King responded the selectboard was aware of the problem. “I don’t understand why more students aren’t riding the school buses. There isn’t any place in town that I know of not served by a school bus,” he commented. Selectmen plan to invite school officials to a future meeting to discuss the matter.

The board voted 4-0 (Selectman Allison Hepler was absent), to decline an appeal from Arrowsic officials to assist with the cost of raising a sunken boat, known as the Hook, Line and Sinker. King said the boat sank in Arrowsic waters and was not Woolwich’s responsibility.

Selectman Dale Chadbourne said the state has begun road improvements on the shoulders of Route 127 (Middle Road). Paving is planned for sometime this summer.

Fire Chief Shaun Merrill said the department had responded to five minor calls since the last selectboard meeting. He added, the department provided an escort for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Special Olympics. The board thanked Merrill for the fire department's help returning American flags to the utility poles in time for Memorial Day.

EMS director Danny Evarts reported Woolwich ambulance had responded to 31 calls in May; 20 patients were transported, MC1 was called for assistance nine times. There was one mutual aid call to Dresden. The selectboard signed off on a new EMS contract with Bath. Bath first responders will charge Woolwich $476 per call when emergency services are provided; $238 per call when an emergency vehicle is dispatched and no services are provided.

Selectman Shaw said the Robert DeWick Recreational Area sign had been taken down and put in storage. “It’s in pretty rough shape, I don’t know whether we want to attempt to repair it, or replace it with a new sign,” he commented. The sign was by the former boat launch at Pleasant Cove.

Town Administrator Kim Dalton said there are two bins of split firewood in the parking lot across the street from the town office. The wood was provided by the Midcoast Wood Bank and is free for the taking for residents in need. She stressed it’s intended for home heating use, and not meant to be taken for camp wood. She also reminded the selectboard it had set aside the afternoon of June 16 to do the annual staff evaluations.

The next regular selectboard meeting will be held in the 1837 Town House on the corner of Old Stage and Dana Mills roads. The building painted a bright yellow was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Its interior retains many early American features including wooden benches and a small gallery where the selectboard presides.