We read Jim Gabor’s recent oped about Woolwich with interest and believe that some history of the neighborhood is in order to provide a more accurate picture. Mr. Gabor is referring to the lot on the Kennebec River owned and used by Reed & Reed, which is adjacent to an old Woolwich neighborhood on the River, across from downtown Bath.

First, old-timers may remember that this area occupied by Reed & Reed has been used for heavy industrial activity for many years, both prior to and since being used as the Ferry landing for autos and railroad cars. The property is in the General Purpose zone, with a Commercial and Marine Fishery Activity designation in the Shoreland Zone.

When the current Codes Enforcement Officer made the determination this year that Reed & Reed’s activity is allowed under town ordinance, he was simply confirming a decision of the Codes Enforcement Officer made 20 years earlier when Mr. Gabor made the same complaints. Nothing has changed to merit a re-consideration.

Second, a small parcel was acquired by Reed & Reed in 1997, which Mr. Gabor alleges was rezoned “without public Select/Planning Board approval or advising the neighbors.” In fact, it was a 1/3 acre, nonconforming lot of record adjacent to the larger property. Reed & Reed then tore down the house. When it was not replaced within a year, it became an unlawful building lot, and got combined with the larger parcel, as is typical — and even encouraged as an appropriate way to dispose of nonconforming lots (when they are adjacent and have the same owner) — throughout the state and allowed under state law. The lot then acquired the same zoning designation.

Third, whenever two zones border one another, such as an industrial and a residential zone, as is the case here, there can be challenges. As a small town, Woolwich has a history of relying on old-fashioned neighborliness to resolve any unreasonable behavior on either side. In this particular case, we are pleased that Reed & Reed, which made changes to accommodate the neighborhood 20 years ago, has been cooperative with the Sagadahoc Ferry neighborhood this year, as indicated by Mr. Gabor in his letter.

Furthermore, in recognition of the activity surrounding that neighborhood — due to the adjacent commercial zone, as well as the influence of Sagadahoc Bridge and Bath Iron Works — the contractor hired by the town to conduct the last town-wide revaluation in 2005 interviewed the residents, and saw fit to make adjustments to the property tax rates of not only those homes, but others north of the commercial use strip as well.

Finally, Mr. Gabor is correct that Woolwich is a small town, and we strive to provide small but effective and responsive government that represents the interests of all of its taxpayers. As such, the Selectboard and Planning Board have historically not proposed new ordinances without substantial interest or concerns from taxpayers. If Mr. Gabor, who is a current member of the Woolwich Planning Board, finds the Selectboard or Planning Board unwilling to take up a town-wide noise ordinance, he is welcome to pursue the petition process to take the issue before voters at Town Meeting, as we have suggested to him.

The Woolwich Selectboard is comprised of Chairman David King, Vice Chairman Dale Chadbourne, Allen Greene, Allison Hepler and Jason Shaw.