Woolwich selectmen received approval to transfer $33,522 from the undesignated fund balance at a special town meeting Feb. 20. The monies were to replenish three accounts depleted by the Oct. 30 windstorm. They included $28,530 for highways and roads, $2,992 for the fire department and $2,000 for the heating account.

About a dozen voters gathered in the hearing room and dispensed with a three-part article in five minutes, without discussion.

The special town meeting was the first for Chelsea Lane, hired as town clerk in December. She called the meeting to order and requested nominations for a moderator.  John Chapman was elected. Afterwards, Select Board Chairman David King Sr. said an article planned for the April 28 annual town meeting would authorize the board to take up to $50,000 from the undesignated fund balance to cover costs for future federal or state declared emergencies. If passed, the article would eliminate the cost of holding special town meetings to authorize transfer of the funds, he said.

At a brief workshop following the meeting, the board continued work on the 2018-19 budget, accepting Patten Free Library’s budget of $54,344. Selectman Jason Shaw said the request represented to a two-percent increase from last year.

The fire department’s proposed budget is $102,300. The amount sought for maintenance of the Tanner Memorial was $4,500. The next regular meeting of the board is March 5.