Woolwich selectmen continued work on their 2017-18 budget Monday afternoon including discussing proposed improvements to Nequasset Park.

Joan Jordan and Sue Ellen Whittaker of the Nequasset Park Committee hope to continue with plans for making the park’s swimming area ADA-accessible. The park and boat launch are located behind the municipal building. The committee was seeking $10,000 for an engineering plan and $5,000 to cover required permitting, Jordan said.

Last year, Pine Tree Engineering of Bath did a preliminary design for the park. A letter dated Jan. 27 recommends moving the present ADA parking space to a spot nearest to the launch area and building an ADA-compliant, five-foot wide paved walkway to the ramp. The firm recommended modifications to the ramp area as well.

The letter states financing and matching grants might be available. The firm recommends the town consult its attorney about ADA accessibility.

David King Sr., select board chairman, said before he could support the project he’d have to know what the ADA requirements are. The board is not sure and the engineer doesn’t know what is, or isn’t required, he commented.

“We’ve been working on this for four years,” Jordon responded.

“I want to do this so that we’ll be ADA compliant but nobody’s told us yet what that means,” added King. “We’ve tried but we haven’t got an answer.”

When Jordan pressed the other board members for their opinions, Selectman Dale Chadbourne said he agreed with King 100 percent. He suggested the town contact Maine Municipal Association for a legal opinion rather than the town attorney.

Whittaker said regardless of what the attorneys had to say the Woolwich community should be willing to do more for its disabled residents.

Resident Don Adams said getting a legal opinion was a good idea, warning that it only takes one person to file a lawsuit.

“I’m not against spending money on the park or swimming area for handicap access, I just want to know it’s being spent wisely,” King added. King promised Jordon as soon as selectmen get their legal advice they’ll pass the information along to the committee.

On the recommendation of Road Commissioner Jack Shaw, selectmen will increase monies sought for next year’s road paving budget by $10,000. Shaw said he doesn’t know yet what next year’s state allocation will be for road repair. He said an increase is needed if the town intends to keep up with the repaving that’s needed.

 A $700 increase is anticipated in next year’s budget for curbside trash pickup and recycling. Selectmen will ask for $190,846. Patten Free Library in Bath anticipates a $1,000 increase in the amount it will request. The library will finalize its budget next month. Last year’s library appropriation from Woolwich was $52,224.

 The Recreation Department and Fish Commission at this point aren’t seeking funds for the next year. Selectmen will take up their budget work again on Feb. 21.