The Woolwich select board on Monday declined Bath Area Food Bank’s request to increase the town’s 2021-22 contributions from $1,000 to $1,500. In the request, food bank officials stated their client visits have doubled this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Woolwich residents have visited the food bank 175 times, they noted.

David King Sr., select board chairman, recommended keeping all donations at the same amount as last year. All of those were approved by voters at the 2020 annual town meeting.

“We adopted a policy of freezing charitable donations a number of years ago,” he said. He added, selectmen could change this if they so desired.

Selectman Dale Chadbourne said a case could be made for increasing all the donation amounts. Where does the board draw the line, he asked. Selectman Jason Shaw joined King and Chadbourne in denying Bath Area Food Bank’s request for the increase. Selectmen Allen Greene and Allison Hepler supported it.

Proposed donations to non-profit groups total $19,642, which is $500 less than last year. King said the reduction was because Health Equity Alliance did not file a 2021-22 donation request.

Donation amounts approved by the select board include: Maine Maritime Boat-building program, $5,000; Sweetser, $3,084; Jesse Albert Dental Clinic, $2,500; Spectrum Generations, $1,740; Midcoast Maine Community Action, $1,400; Bath Area Food Bank, $,1,000; Woolwich Historical Society, $1,000; Bath Area Seniors Activity Center $850; Life Flight $768; Tedford Shelter, $700; Big Brothers/Big Sisters, $600; $500 each for Bath Area YMCA and New Hope for Women; and $400 for the Nequasset Trail Breakers.   

The board is looking at two possible dates for this year’s annual town meeting, May 26 and June 2. If COVID-19 protocols permit it, the board wants to hold the meeting in the gymnasium of Woolwich Central School.

The board plans to meet with Maine Department of Transportation officials this Friday afternoon to discuss proposed changes on Nequasset Road that include adding a traffic light at the road’s Route 1 intersection.

This year’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is May 8. Pre-registration is required and is from April 12 to May 7; call 1-888-958-2255. For a list of the materials which are accepted and not accepted, log onto www.cityofbath.com

The collection is from 9 to 1 at the Bath Public Works building, 450 Oak Grove Ave., Bath. Proof of residency will be required. Remember to leave materials to be disposed of in their original containers; tighten caps and lids, sort and pack items separately. Pack containers in sturdy upright boxes and pad with newspaper.