GREENWOOD — Greenwood Board of Selectmen eventually tabled a discussion Nov. 15, on a request from resident, Chet Herrick to post a weight restriction on the Irish Neighborhood Road.

“Chet is not here tonight. He called and asked if we could bring it to the board. I think you all know how he feels about his road. He wants it to be fixed. He feels that the added logging trucks will do more damage.” said Sparks. While there are weight restriction postings during mud season, Herrick would like them year round, Sparks said.

Various people weighed in with comments such as “the bridge is my biggest fear, not the road itself; it’s posted, they’re supposed to stay off it; It’s certainly over weighted; Chet also requested a bullhorn. So if it is damaged there is a fund to repair it with; It’s hard to request money for a road that needs so much work; “What do we say? It went from bad to worse.”

Finally, Town Manager Kim Sparks closed the conversation, saying, “This is all information I can learn about. I’ll have more information for the next meeting.”

After passing two warrants, they opened the meeting to the public to discuss the new state of Maine general assistance state ordinance and new state maximums for Oxford County. Sparks listed the overall maximums per month, per size of household with the state mandated changes for each: .1 person: $771-$814; 2 persons:$775.-$815; 3 persons: $947-$993  4 persons: $1337-$1400;  5 persons:$1555.-$1627. They closed the hearing with no public discussion and voted to adopt the ordinance.

The General Assistance program provides financial assistance to Greenwood residents who are having difficulty meeting basic needs such as housing, utilities and food. The program is funded by local property taxes with 50% percent reimbursed from the state.

Residents may be eligible even if they work or receive other benefits such as: food stamps, veterans’ benefits, or Social Security income.

To request General Assistance, contact the Greenwood town office. Your application must be accepted for review. Residents may be turned down for help if they do not meet the guidelines for the program. The application is private and confidential.

Woodstock fifth grade parent, Destiny Hughes, requested $1,000 from the town for the fifth graders to go to Boston for their class trip in the Spring. She said the parents need to raise $7,000 The students will take a charter bus down and stay overnight. $150 is given per student from the school district.

In the past few years because of COVID, the fifth grade classes have missed out on the trip. The Woodstock class goes with the Crescent Park fifth graders, but they raise money separately.  Sparks said,  “There is a recreation fund where the funds could be drawn from.” The board voted to give the 5th graders $500 from the town.

A bridge on Irish Neighborhood Road and the road itself are of concern by a neighbor. Rose Lincoln, Bethel Citizen

Lisa McLeod, who had a complaint about barking dogs, was also absent from the meeting. Hughes said, “She’s across from Sweetser Farm, barking dogs at all hours. I can imagine it’s terrible. She’s got at least 30 dogs up for sale on all the local sites.” When it was suggested she didn’t live there but lived on Kennedy Road, Hughes again, “They also constantly have dogs running in and out of the road and they’re up for sale on line.” After this confusion about where she lives, and considering her absence, they tabled the discussion for a future meeting.

Upcoming meetings to be held at the Greenwood Town Office Meeting Space:

Dec. 5 – Planning Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 – Selectmen’s Meeting, 5 p.m.

Dec. 20 – Selectmen’s Meeting, 5 p.m.