Woolwich voters took 90 minutes Wednesday night to approve a $2.2 million budget at their annual town meeting. The gathering at Woolwich Central School marked the return of the annual meeting from Saturday back to mid-week. The budget approved included raises of 5 to 10% for town officials and a $2,000 increase in the stipend paid to the select board.

Town Administrator Kim Dalton said this year’s budget, which excludes school spending, represented a $251,579 increase from last year. Among the largest expenditures was raising $100,000 for the first of three installments to fund a town-wide property revaluation. Woolwich’s last revaluation was in 2005. “The town would be penny wise, pound foolish not to put monies aside to start this process,” said Selectmen’s Chair David King Sr.

Articles were bundled together relieving moderator John Chapman from having to read each one individually. Exceptions were made for big ticket items; all 47 articles passed by a voice vote of about 73 voters who turned out. The longest discussion concerned the $214,050 sought to continue curbside trash and recycling collection which rose $12,000 due to rising costs for tipping fees. King said the town could save money if residents composted and recycled more.

Voters approved a 10% raise for the town administrator and 5% pay raises for both the town clerk and tax collector. Voters increased the yearly stipend for the five selectmen from $3,000 to $5,000. King noted the stipend hadn’t been increased in 14 years. Raises for the office staff would bring the town more in line with other communities, he added.

Voters raised $231,113 to fund the town’s 24/7 ambulance service, and $146,679 for the fire department with another $11,600 raised to buy two first responder air packs. Voters also approved the first of three, $5,878 installments to buy a LUCAS chest compression CPR system for the ambulance department. Voters unanimously approved spending $734,999 for highways and bridges, and a new article – $40,000 for the repair and maintenance of unpaved town roads (approximately eight miles). Voters raised $10,000 to comply with the state’s new Earned Paid Leave law.

Voters approved a $57,969 contribution to Patten Free Library of Bath for continued community membership. Contributions to other non-profit groups totaled $20,142 and passed by large majorities. These included $5,000 to continue the Maine Maritime Boat Building Program at Woolwich Central School; $3,084 for Sweetser, a nonprofit community mental health provider and $2,500 for Jesse Albert Dental Clinic in Bath.

Voters adopted a food sovereignty ordinance allowing home-produced foods to be sold privately without state licensing, with some exceptions.

Selectmen dedicated this year’s annual town report, the 261^st edition, to Town Administrator and Treasurer Kim Dalton, Town Clerk Anthony Blasi and Tax Collector Candace Conrad. At the meeting’s start, selectmen Allison Hepler and Jason Shaw presented the 2021 Spirit of America award to Matt Gagnon thanking him for putting in and removing the public floats at Nequasset Park.