Government

Woolwich Selectmen Review 2026-27 Nonprofit Funding Requests Including $80,108 Library

Woolwich selectmen reviewed an $80,108 request from the Patten Free Library and debated restoring Bath Area Food Bank funding to $5,000 ahead of the April 29 town meeting.

James Thompson2 min read
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Woolwich Selectmen Review 2026-27 Nonprofit Funding Requests Including $80,108 Library
Source: www.turnerpublishing.net

Selectmen in Woolwich reviewed nonprofit requests for the 2026-27 town warrant and signaled an overall preference to hold contributions at last year’s levels while flagging a possible cut for the Bath Area Food Bank. The Patten Free Library submitted a request for $80,108, one of the larger figures on the docket as the board prepares for the April 29 town meeting.

The March 4 meeting focused on the warrant that voters will consider at the annual meeting, and “The selectboard hopes to finalize the town warrant April 1.” Selectmen discussed maintaining 2026-27 contributions at the same dollar amounts used in 2025-26, with the notable exception of the Bath Area Food Bank. The selectboard discussed returning the food bank contribution to $5,000 after voters increased it to $10,000 “last year, on a motion from the floor.” Chairman David King Sr. said this year’s warrant article will be written so that contributions can be reduced but not increased by voters: “this year’s warrant article will be written so that contributions can be reduced but not increased by voters.”

The board took several routine governance actions at the meeting. “In a unanimous vote, selectmen appointed Michael Field as health officer. Field also serves as the town’s code enforcement officer.” Town Administrator Kim Dalton administered Field’s swearing-in; a photo of Mike Field being sworn in was credited to PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper. Later in the session the selectboard voted to grant four property tax abatements, carrying the motion 4-0-1, “Selectman Allison Hepler abstaining, to grant four property tax abatements.”

On regulatory matters the board tabled action on a cannabis license renewal. “The selectboard tabled action on an application seeking renewal of a cannabis license for HIGHLY Cannaco, on Route One.” No further details on the application or reasons for tabling were recorded at the meeting.

AI-generated illustration
AI-generated illustration

Public safety reports provided operational context for the town. EMS Director Daniel Evarts reported ambulance activity for February: the department responded to 27 calls, saw 26 patients and transported 20, with MC1 called nine times; the ambulance department also responded once to Wiscasset and once to Dresden. Fire Chief Shaun Merrill reported 12 calls in February, including three responses providing mutual aid support for structure fires and two in-town structure fires.

The selectboard’s schedule leaves a narrow window for final decisions: the board hopes to lock the warrant by April 1 so the finalized articles, including the Patten Free Library’s $80,108 request and the proposed adjustment for the Bath Area Food Bank, will be ready for voters at the April 29, 2026 annual meeting.

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