Woolwich voters approved a new fire truck and a solar proposal at their annual town meeting Saturday. About 90 residents, less than five percent of the town’s registered voters, dispensed with 39 articles in just over two hours. They approved a $1,569,022 municipal budget, an increase of $164,718 over 2016-17.

The budget represents 25 percent of the tax commitment and doesn’t include school or county costs, both of which have increased. Woolwich’s portion of the proposed Regional School Unit 1 budget, to be voted on in June, is $4 million, up $164,718 from a year ago. The 2017-18 county commitment is $720,096, an increase of $20,233.

By a show of hands, 68- 5, voters overwhelmingly approved the $348,000 purchase of a new pumper fire truck. The truck will be financed over 10 years at an interest rate yet to be determined.

David King, select board chairman, said he’d prefer holding off on the purchase until the town paid off what it owed for renovations to the municipal building. “We owe six more years on the bond we took out for the addition, I’d hate to see the town take on more debt.” The other four select board members supported the purchase.

The most spirited debate of the morning was on the solar proposal made by ReVision Energy of Liberty. The 80-unit solar panel array will be installed with no up-front costs to the town at the former landfill off Middle Road. The town agreed to purchase the power generated from it from ReVision Energy. After six years, the town has the option to purchase the system.

Resident Don Adams asked, “Do you want to take a 20-year gamble on this? Voters did, 53-29.

“I'm delighted that the solar panel article passed, and look forward to educating more townspeople on the value of solar energy,” Selectman Allison Helper commented after the meeting. “A long-term investment, to be sure, but one that has been done elsewhere with great success. I also look forward to having the town's electric bill generated by solar energy.”

Voters breezed through the first 17 articles in 15 minutes before engaging in a discussion over $53,268 requested by Patten Free Library in Bath. The request was $1,044 more than last year and eventually passed, 57-23.

Residents approved two percent cost of living raises for town employees and raising the salary of the code enforcement officer from $23,122 to $26,000. Voters raised $584,193 for highways and bridges, up $15,545; $190,872 for curbside trash pickup and recycling; $162,372 for fire protection including costs for training, stipends, vehicle maintenance and hydrant rental; $44,000 to operate the ambulance service; $3,500 for repairs and maintenance of the historic Nequasset Meeting House $500 for the Nequasset Park Committee; and $19,627 in donations to local organizations including $1,000 to the Bath Area Food Bank, a new request inserted by petition.