Woolwich voters will consider a $1,547,047 budget when they gather for their annual town meeting at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 13 at Woolwich Central School. In keeping with tradition, the board of selectmen has worded all of the monetary articles so that voters may reduce amounts but cannot increase them.

First Selectman David King, Sr. said most accounts were “flat-funded” for the coming fiscal year that runs from July 1 to June 30. The town budget is actually $395 less than 2014. It is a small reduction, but as King put it, “a decrease is still a decrease.”

Articles 12, 13 and 14 reflect 1.7 percent cost of living increase for town officers including town administrator, treasurer, town clerk and code enforcement officer. The board noted it bases town officer salaries on merit; raises are not automatic. No raises are proposed for the five-member board of selectmen.

Voters will be asked to raise $33,000 for employee health insurance. This request is $7,150 less than last year. The town pays 90 percent of its employee health care premium; the employee pays the cost of coverage for family members.

Two articles to be considered are the result of citizen petitions.

Article 18 (a) asks residents if they would rather vote on the Patten Free Library request by secret ballot at the June 9 election. If 18 (a) fails, voters will then consider 18 (b) to raise and appropriate $50,688 to support the Patten Free Library. The amount reflects a three percent increase over last year’s request.

The other petitioned article asks voters to consider a pay-per-bag plan for disposal of non-recyclable rubbish to be administered by WasteZero. If approved residential households will be charged for their non-recyclable rubbish at the rate of $2 per 30-gallon bag, and $1 per 15-gallon bag. WasteZero would furnish the bags for a percentage of the receipts. Trash bag sales and anticipated savings on tipping fees are predicted to save the town money. If pay-per-bag passes the board of selectmen has pledged to reduce the $266,550 sought for waster disposal/recycling by an estimated $36,000.

The board of selectmen flat-funded both the fire department and emergency services accounts at $88,700 and $44,000 respectively. The board noted the town is in year three of a no-cost three-year contract with Northeast Mobile Heath Service to provide ambulance services.

Following some clerical corrections, the board of selectmen signed off on the town meeting warrant Monday evening when they met for a regular meeting at the town office.

In other business, the board signed a contract to hire William H. Brewer & Co. of Bath to conduct the town’s audit.

Fire Chief Geoffrey McCarren said the Woolwich Fire Department had assisted in a mutual aid call at a recent structural fire in Dresden.

The next regular meeting of the board of selectmen will be 6 p.m., Monday, May 18 at the town office.