The Station 46 Bridge on Route One in Woolwich will soon become the “Veterans Memorial Bridge." A dedication ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 in the parking area of Taste of Maine Restaurant. Guests will assemble under the osprey nest.

Last year, following a request from a constituent, Allison Hepler, State District 29 representative and Woolwich selectman, introduced legislation to rename the bridge. The name change required approval of the selectboard and the  legislature’s transportation committee. 

Hepler said the selectboard has invited Smith-Tobey American Legion Post 21 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7738, both based in Bath, to attend the dedication ceremony. “We’ve asked Nina Ryan, a Woolwich resident, to sing the National Anthem, and hope to have the VFW color guard there,”  Hepler told Wiscasset Newspaper. Last month, Maine Department of Transportation erected signs with the bridge’s new name at either end of the bridge. The ceremony will include having several Woolwich military veterans uncover the signs.  

The new span built by general contractors Reed & Reed, Inc. of Woolwich carries an estimated 19,000 Route One motorists a day over the Pleasant Cove marsh and Rockland Branch of Maine Central Railroad. Hepler added, Woolwich’s annual Veterans Day program will take place as usual  Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Nequasset Meetinghouse.

KELT project moving forward

Selectman Jason Shaw said a planned multi-phased project that includes removal of the dike and culvert at the southern end of George Wright Road is continuing to move forward. Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) is leading the effort that includes the construction of a new boat launch at Pleasant Cove and the relocation of a Bath Water District water main. On Thursday morning, Oct. 8, KELT hosted a meeting with local officials at their Bath office. 

“There were representatives of all of the concerned parties including myself and Nick Skillin, a project manager of Jack Shaw & Sons construction ,” explained Shaw. “Bill Bennett, a Fish and Wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, joined the meeting as well by zoom,” added Shaw. Bennett specializes in river and wetland ecosystem assessment and restoration. Also joining the meeting by zoom was Nate Bodge, superintendent of Bath Water District. KELT Program Director Ruth Inderick and Tidal Restoration Coordinator Kyler Phillips coordinated the meeting.

“We were all in agreement to move forward and have Caldwell Engineering of Brunswick do the necessary engineering work. When that’s completed the project will go out to bid,” continued Shaw. “If everything goes as planned, construction will begin in the next few months. The selectboard is very appreciative KELT has taken this project on.”

Fire Chief Shaun Merrill invites residents of all ages to attend Woolwich Fire Department’s annual Fire Safety Open House, Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the fire station. The annual event features fire safety tips from first responders, demonstrations by  Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department’s K-9 unit and, for kids, face painting by the Morse High School cheering squad, free popcorn and a scavenger hunt with prizes. Woolwich ambulance personnel will be on hand as well.

Woolwich Historical Society will recognize its volunteers at its 22nd annual dinner and silent auction Saturday, Oct. 17 in the banquet room on the second floor of Montsweag Restaurant. The gathering includes a buffet dinner, auction, and a recognition of the volunteers who have given their time to the organization over the years.

The selectboard began its meeting with a moment of silence for Rosemarie Granger and Richard Bisson Sr. who recently died. For many years, Granger resided on Phipps Point Road with her husband. She is remembered for having managed the town office’s website and having been a member of the Comprehensive Plan Committee. Bisson died at age 92. He had lived with his family at Days Ferry and for many years had been an owner of Bisson Moving and Storage in West Bath.