Depending on how residents respond at a public hearing early next month, the town of Woolwich may see one of two design proposals for a town office addition on next year's annual town meeting warrant. 

Two proposed designs for an addition to the Woolwich town office received numerous responses from an Election Day display and questionnaire, according to Building Committee Chairman Dana Lindsey. As part of the process in developing consensus and determining what residents would like to see happen, the committee will hold a public hearing December 5. 

“So far, one plan has gotten significantly more support than the other,” Lindsey said. “But we are waiting to have a public hearing, after which we will have a better idea of which way to go.”

After the hearing, committee members will discuss responses and feedback expressed by attendees. They will then give their recommendation to the town's Board of Selectmen, after which selectmen will determine if and how a question will be included in the May annual town meeting warrant. Lindsey said he hopes the committee will have a recommendation for selectmen by January, as warrant preparation begins in February.

The process started among the 15 committee members after the town voted unanimously to continue to pursue building addition options. Since that time, they have narrowed four plans down to two, designed by Bath architect David Matero. 

“The majority of surveys we got back were in favor of doing something,” Lindsey said.

Both of the two proposed designs will ensure the building is handicap accessible, will provide needed space for Woolwich Emergency Medical Service personnel, and include space for community events. The central part of each design offers needed space for town employees, file storage and private consulting. Each design also includes additional parking and updates to heating, cooling and ventilation systems. Either plan would increase residents' property taxes: one plan would add $10 per $100,000 in assessed property value and the second plan would add $12 per $100,000 to a property owner's taxes.

The public hearing will take place in the cafeteria at the Woolwich Central School December 5, starting at 7 p.m. The Building Committee will hold its next meeting November 28. All meetings are open to the public.