Patten Free Library of Bath is asking Woolwich for a 2021-2022 contribution of $57,969, an increase of $1,137 from last year. The select board reviewed the request Wednesday evening Feb. 24, which voters will decide at the annual town meeting tentatively set for 9 a.m., Saturday, May 22.

This past year voters raised $56,832 for the library located at 33 Summer Street, Bath. The towns of Arrowsic, Georgetown and West Bath and Bath also contribute to the library. All were asked to give two percent more for the forthcoming fiscal year.

Mary Ellen Kazimer, chairman of the library’s finance committee, said $281,767 of the library’s proposed $901,681 operating budget comes from municipal contributions while the rest comes from endowments, fundraising and private contributions. The library’s endowment stood at just shy of $9 million which the library typically draws five percent from each year she added. Kazimer along with Library Director Lesley Dolinger met with the select board remotely over Zoom.

A letter from Dolinger stated the past year had been a challenging one for the library staff due to the pandemic. “We have stayed connected to our communities through virtual programming, in-person visits, when safe, and curbside pickup,” she wrote. The library expanded its WiFi to include better coverage in the parking lot and enhanced its digital offerings with more eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, video streaming and online publications added Dolinger.

This year’s budget included a modest 1.5 percent cost of living increase for library staff said Kazimer.

The Patton Free Library request will appear as its own article at annual town meeting, separate from one seeking donations requested from community organizations and non-profit groups.

Road Commissioner Jack Shaw is recommended spending $130,000 for paving, a $10,000 increase from last year, with $62,000 to be transferred from the LRAP account.

“We’ve had a good working relationship with the paving contractors but the price per ton of asphalt just keeps costing more,” said Shaw. “We use to be able to pave five miles of road a year, now we’re down to maybe two-and-a-half miles.”

Shaw is asking for $67,000 for the separate, roads and bridges account, the same sum as last year.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic last year’s annual town meeting was delayed until Aug. 22 and held outdoors under tents set-up outside the municipal building. The select board is planning to hold an outdoor town meeting again unless COVID-19 restrictions for indoor gatherings are lifted.