Woolwich voters will consider a $1.6 million budget when they convene for their annual town meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday at Woolwich Central School. This represents a $37,946 increase or 2.4 percent over last year according to the select board.

Article 33 offers voters a choice of discontinuing Town Landing Road and a one-lane bridge over Nequasset Brook and paying property owners Matt and Amy Richards $75,000 from the undesignated fund balance, or raising $30,000 to begin engineering work to replace the bridge.

The 1964 bridge has been posted at 12 tons for over 30 years. A state inspection conducted last year revealed the bridge was in need of repairs.

Because the bridge doesn’t qualify for state or federal funding, the town must bear the cost of repairs and eventual replacement, according to a fact sheet prepared by selectmen Allison Hepler and Jason Shaw.

If the town replaces the bridge, it must meet state and federal standards not needed for private bridges. The Maine Department of Transportation estimates the cost of a new public bridge will exceed $600,000 in today’s dollars, the fact sheet states. If voters agree to discontinue the road and bridge, the town must pay the $75,000 monetary damages to the Richards.

Voters will be asked to raise $54,344 for the town's 2018-19 contribution to Patten Free Library, an increase of $1,076 from a year ago.

Article 30 asks to earmark $14,000 from Comcast franchise fees to purchase a town informational sign to be located on Route 1 near the intersection of Nequasset Road. The old sign was destroyed in the October 2017 windstorm. The franchise fee exceeds $30,000 annually according to the select board.

The board is recommending a raise of up to 2 percent for the town administrator, town clerk and tax collector, and no raise for select board members.

Voters are being asked to raise $7,000 to establish a reserve account for the $48,327 purchase of the solar array system from ReVision Energy/GreenVolt LLC in year seven of the town’s contract.

Weekly curbside trash and bi-weekly recycling collection will cost $192,868 for 2018-19, $1,997 more than last year.

Monies requested for donations to local agencies and organizations totals $19,087. Last year’s appropriation was $19,587. Funds are sought for Bath Area Family YMCA, 
Bath Area Food Bank, 
Bath Area Senior Citizens Center
, Big Brothers ,Big Sisters Bath/Brunswick, Jesse Albert Dental Clinic, 
Maine Maritime Boat Program
, Midcoast Maine Community Action (CED), New Hope for Women, 
Spectrum Generations
, Sweetser, 
Tedford Housing and 
Woolwich Historical Society.

Other articles include: Fire Department, $84,750; Woolwich Emergency Service, $44,000; employee health insurance account, $42,800; assessing services, $26,700; and legal services, $11,000.

Town Reports can be obtained at the town office and will also be available at town meeting.