Woolwich voters will be confronted with a lower budget, but will also be asked to spend more money for a town office addition and Emergency Medical Services during the annual town meeting on May 8.

The fiscal year 2013 budget is down approximately $500,000 from last year, according to town officials. “But that doesn't include whatever we do to the town hall,” board chairman David King said during a special meeting April 22.

Later in the same meeting King indicated that allocating more funds to the project might not matter.

Four selectmen met in the cramped quarters of the town office to sign this year's warrant, but under the agenda item titled “other” they discussed the proposed addition to the town office and a two-part question posed to voters regarding Woolwich EMS.

The EMS question

Residents will be asked to either raise and appropriate $3,000 for a one-year ambulance service contract with the town of Wiscasset or allow selectmen to enter the town into a three-year contract for zero dollars with North East Mobile Health Services.

It has been a contentious subject among the EMS personnel and residents. Woolwich EMS director Dana Lindsey has said he would like to build his department into a full-service operation and believes that a contract with Wiscasset would help them toward that goal. King and other selectmen said they are pleased with North East and indicated they were hesitant about switching services. Last year, the town allocated $2,500 to pay for North East. This year North East has offered to provide the service at no cost.

The town office question

Residents will also be asked to see if the town should raise and appropriate funds for a town office addition. While the cost for such a project is uncertain, voters may be choosing between plans costing approximately $300,000 and $1.2 million.

As selectmen and members of the building committee have said, such a project is not just about the dollar figure. Building committee members have argued for the town to have a larger building, one that provides ample room for meeting space and that will last many years. Selectmen have argued for the town to construct a smaller addition that would meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code requirements and provide the needed additional meeting space.

Selectmen are in the process of developing a plan they hope will cost the town the lesser of the two figures. A “rainy day fund” could pay for their project, according to King.

Page 98 of the newly printed town report (copies available at the town office) shows that the town has $318,922 in “Investments.” Approximately $250,000 was deposited into a reserve account some 15 years ago and has been collecting interest since then, according to King. He said the account is now earning less than one half of a percent (and when deposited the account earned about 7 percent interest).

“Instead of spending three percent interest on a loan, why not use this money,” King said.

Resident Mike Ware, who operates MTW Residential Design Services, unveiled a preliminary design to selectmen during the April 22 meeting. After speaking with selectman Jason Shaw, Ware drew up a preliminary design that modifies the inside and includes a full, three floor 20 by 24-foot addition, with an elevator. After some discussion, selectmen asked Ware to draw up another preliminary plan that moves one wall, thus creating a 20x30-foot addition.

“For me, it's fun. I enjoy problem solving,” Ware said, adding he volunteered to draw up the sketch at no cost to the town. “I'm just a concerned citizen.”

If the town were to choose the $300,000 option, Ware said he would refer selectmen to an architect. That architect would draw up a plan, which would then be submitted to the fire marshal for approval.

It is expected residents will have a chance to hear more about these proposed  projects when they come up at the annual town meeting. If either town office plan gains approval from the voters, there will still need to be a separate, special town meeting to approve funding.

John Maguire can be reached at 207-844-4634 or jmaguire@wiscassetnewspaper.com.