The Woolwich selectmen’s first meeting in the newly renovated meeting room on the town hall’s second floor was a busy one. By the end of the meeting, which was fueled by open house cookies and punch, the selectmen had committed to more meetings to address issues raised but not resolved.

Purchases to make

Bids for cleaning the town offices and mowing town properties were opened, but not awarded.

Extra Mile Cleaning submitted a bid for $50/week and Central Maine Cleaning one for $68.28/week for routine cleaning. Acorn and Sons bid $2,690 and Corey Wallace $2,750 to mow from May 1 through October 1.

Selectman Jason Shaw recommended the board obtain references before awarding contracts; the board agreed, and will meet again this week once references are in hand.

The board also decided to seek a second quote for a new compressor to run the sprinkler system and replace an old, inefficient compressor.

Board Chairman David King said the sprinkler system is currently run by a large compressor in the basement, also used by the fire department.

“There are so many leaks in the system that the compressor runs once a day instead of once a month,” King said, “It’s silly to keep it running just for the sprinkler system.” The board received a quote of $1,637 for a new compressor, specifically designed for the sprinkler system, but decided to seek more quotes before acting.

Once additional quotes are obtained, the board will meet with Fire Chief Geoff McCarren to decide whether to keep the old compressor or sell it and buy a smaller, portable one for the department.

With all the talk about new purchases, EMS Director Bill Longley reminded the board that they had decided to buy a generator to provide backup during power outages. “We forgot about it,” King said. “Let’s add it to the list and get a quote.”

 Cemeteries to mow?

Arthur Brawn, Lori Vining, Allen Brawn and other members of the Laurel Grove Cemetery Association asked the board to take over mowing the cemetery.

“Checking our finances, we are not going to be able to keep up with the mowing this summer,” Arthur Brawn said.

Vining said that a new state law requires municipalities to maintain ancient burying grounds and veterans’ graves. Vining said she has documented 62 veterans’ graves, some dating back to the war of 1812, in Laurel Groves Cemetery.

“Laurel Groves meets the criteria of the state law,” Vines said. “According to state law, the town is supposed to maintain mowing, grave sites and grave stones of veterans. We propose, if you will include Laurel Grove in your mowing bid, we will take care of stone restoration.”

Chairman King and other board members seemed to be well aware of the state law, passed last July, that is essentially an unfunded mandate.

“I think you will find this definition of ancient burying ground can be attached to any of our cemeteries,” King said. “If we do it for one, we will have to do it for all. This could be quite costly. We need to compile a list and get all the cemetery representatives in and see what it will cost.”

With town meeting around the corner and the need to complete the town warrant by next month, the cemetery question was added to the list of items needing quick resolution.

On Tuesday, Town Administrator Lynette Eastman said the town owns and maintains only the Nesquasset Cemetery.

“We have six active cemeteries and 11 cemeteries that are the resting place of 333 veterans,” Eastman wrote in an email. “We purchase and volunteers place flags on all of the veterans’ graves. I have a hand drawn map that shows 19 cemeteries within the boundaries of Woolwich. Probably the majority would be considered ancient burying grounds.”

Other business

Selectman Allison Hepler reported that Ben Tipton had collected 101 of the 160 signatures needed to place a “Pay As You Throw” initiative question on the warrant.  “Ben said he can get all and is wondering if this is enough for the board to place the question on the warrant,” Hepler said.

“I have no problem with that,” Selectman Shaw said. “My understanding is, if approved, the matter goes to the solid waste committee to investigate.” The board unanimously agreed to include the question on the May warrant.

They also unanimously approved a new liquor license for the Montsweag Road House.