With a vote looming, Woolwich residents came out to go over the proposed addition to the municipal building with a fine-tooth comb.

The Woolwich Board of Selectmen and planning board held a special meeting July 10 for public input on the funding of a proposed addition to the town offices.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Dave King said there were two separate ways the town could fund the addition: through a USDA development grant or through a local bank.

King said both ways have advantages and disadvantages. With the USDA grant, more of the cost would be covered, but an architect would need to be present during the construction, which could raise costs and remove local oversight.

By going through Bath Savings Bank, the town would have greater oversight and control of the project, but would foot more of the $300,000 bill.

But the plan was not without its detractors.

Resident Edna White said the blueprints shown at the meeting were not what she had in mind when the idea was first floated.

“I guess I'm slightly disappointed with the addition,” she said. “It costs all that money just to make do, and it won't add to the look of the town.”

“I was hoping for something more like a freestanding town hall that would last the town a long time,” White said.

Should voters choose to fund the addition themselves, it would cost the town approximately $37,000 per year, or add $10 to $12 per $100,000 of assessed value.

“That cost is lower than what we paid for the last fire truck,” King said. “And it would add 20 years to the life of the building.”

The cost would also involve bringing the building up to code by making the top and basement levels handicapped accessible with an elevator.

With the entire building opened up, selectmen could use the space originally tagged for them in the municipal offices.

There would also be a private meeting space for general assistance.

The town will have a public meeting to vote on how to fund the addition at 6 p.m. on July 24 at the Nequasset Meeting House.

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 207-633-4620 or bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BBRegisterBen.