Woolwich eyes nonprofits’ requests

Woolwich voters will be asked to raise $20,142 to donate to area non-profit organizations. The requests which are grouped together in one article will be taken up by voters at the April 27 annual town meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 27 at Woolwich Central School on Nequasset Road. The select board reviewed the list of requests when they met Wednesday afternoon, March 16, to review their proposed 2022-2023 town budget. The amounts the board agreed to are the same as they have been for the last several years, although several of the groups had requested more.

Proposals include a $5,000 donation to help fund Maine Maritime Museum’s Discovery Boatbuilding Program offered to students at Woolwich Central. During the school year, students take a course to construct two small boats which are launched at the end of the school year at the Nequasset Lake boat landing. Selectmen’s Chairman David King Sr. said last year’s donation of a like amount had been returned because the program was curtailed due to the pandemic.

Town Administrator Kim Dalton said she hadn’t gotten a request for funding the program for the coming year but the board decided to include it anyway.

Proposed donations to other non-profit groups include Sweetser, $3,084; Jesse Albert Dental Clinic, $2,500; Spectrum Generations, $1,740; Midcoast Maine Community Action, $1,400; Bath Area Food Bank, $,1,000; Woolwich Historical Society, $1,500; Bath Area Seniors Activity Center $850; Life Flight $768; Tedford Shelter, $700; Big Brothers/Big Sisters, $600; $500 each for Bath Area YMCA and New Hope for Women; and $400 for Nequasset Trail Breakers.

Another nonprofit, Patten Free Library of Bath, is asking for $60,303, up $2,334 from last year. The request will appear as its own article at town meeting.