The new guidelines include height restrictions for roof-mounted solar systems and setback requirements for ground-mounted solar panels. The ordinance establishes performance standards for residential, commercial and industrial solar energy systems including solar farms. Following a short discussion, it passed on a show of hands, 59-27, with the understanding some verbiage within the ordinance needed minor clarification. The article likewise authorized $112,500 to be taken from the town’s undesignated fund balance for payment of 2023-2024 matching funds for the first year of a two-year payment plan if the grant is awarded.Īrticle 45, the proposed solar ordinance and the last one on the agenda, proved to be the closest vote of the evening. Passage of the article authorized selectmen to work with Consolidated Communications in pursuit of $250,000 in matching grant monies from Maine Connectivity Authority. In a nearly unanimous vote, voters agreed to move forward on bringing broadband internet service to town. Overall, the payroll line of the ambulance budget rose from $183,000 to $236,925. Carlton recently announced he is leaving the job July 1. said lowering the stipend would make it harder to hire a new ambulance director. Carlton said it was because staff would be taking on more responsibility. One voter asked Carlton why he had cut the yearly stipend paid to the EMS/ambulance director from $10,000 to $5,000. Contracting with Bath Fire & Rescue to become the town’s ambulance provider would have cost $316,320. “We’re pushing 360 calls.” Year to date, the department had taken in $82,000 in revenue, added Carlton. Carlton said the ambulance service was on pace to have its busiest year. Woolwich EMS has provided the town with 24/7 ambulance service since July 2019. When Chapman called for a voice vote, the “ayes” were in nearly unanimous in support raising $360,844 to continue having Woolwich EMS provide 24/7 ambulance coverage.ĭuring the discussion, Brian Carlton, EMS director, estimated the ambulance department would take in $97,500 in revenues over the coming year to offset operational costs. From the outset it was clear the majority preferred to continue funding the town’s EMS department. John Chapman served as moderator.Īs expected, the longest discussion, over 40 minutes, concerned the choice of ambulance services. The town has over 2,700 registered voters. Just over 100 voters were on hand in the Woolwich Central School gymnasium for the meeting’s start. The 2023-24 municipal budget approved amounted to a little over $2.43 million. They approved monies for providing broadband internet service and passed an ordinance regulating future solar projects. Woolwich voters decided to keep their ambulance service rather than hire Bath Fire & Rescue at their annual town meeting, Wednesday evening, May 17.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |