Woolwich reviews nonprofits' requests

Tue, 02/12/2019 - 8:15am

    Patten Free Library in Bath is seeking a proposed $1,352 increase from Woolwich for fiscal year 2019-20. Library officials reviewed their proposed budget with the select board Monday afternoon.

    Library trustee Mary Ellen Kazimer said if the board of directors approves the budget this week, Woolwich voters would be asked to raise $55,695 for the library at this year’s annual town meeting. Last year, voters raised $54,344 for use of the library’s services.

    Library Director Lesley Dolinger said most lines of the proposed budget stayed about the same as the previous year. She told selectmen an across-the-board cost of living raise of 3 percent is proposed for library staff, with a slightly higher increase based on longevity.

    Dolinger added the library’s 2019-20 insurance lines remained the same, although the budget had a small decrease in the workmans comp line.

    A fact sheet the library provided stated there were 1,039 active Woolwich cardholders, including 753 adults, 45 young adults and 241 children. There were 108 new library cards issued to Woolwich residents in 2018.

    Woolwich’s contribution represents six percent of the library’s total operational budget.

    Funding requests from most other organizations were the same as last year. These included: Maine Maritime Museum’s Boat Building Program, $5,000; Bath-Brunswick Big Brothers/Big Sisters, $600; Jesse Albert Dental Clinic, $2,500, New Hope for Women, $500, Spectrum Generations, $1,740; Midcoast Maine Community Action, $1,400 and Tedford Housing, $700, Bath YMCA $500, Sweetser $1,740, and Bath Area Food Bank, $1,000.

    The Woolwich Historical Society's $1,000 request is $500 less than last year.

    The board hasn’t received a 2019-20 request from the Bath Area Senior Citizens.