Woolwich voters will consider buying a fire truck when they convene for their annual town meeting 9 a.m., Saturday, April 29, at Woolwich Central School. The proposed 2017-18 town budget is 4.34 percent higher then last year and totals $1,569,022.

Article 34 asks voters to consider borrowing up to $348,000 to finance the fire truck. David King Sr., select board chairman, said the proposal includes raising $34,800 towards the principle this year and another $10,398 for loan interest. The purchase would be financed over 10 years.

To help pay for the new truck, the fire department proposes selling two other vehicles. One is a seldom-used, 32-year-old diesel GMC tanker truck in storage at the North Station off Chopps Cross Road; the other, a 2001 pickup truck. 

The department would move its current pumper truck, a 1998 Freightliner model, to the North Station if voters approve the article. This would be the first fire truck purchase since 2008.

The warrant includes two percent cost of living raises for town employees and raising the salary for the code enforcement officer/building and plumbing inspector from $23,122 to $26,000.

Voters will be asked to authorize selectmen to spend up to $10,000 for temporary help and training  of town office staff. King said two longtime employees are contemplating retirement.

Among the other requests are $3,500 for repairs and maintenance of the historic Nequasset Meeting House and $500 for the Nequasset Park Committee. The committee recently applied for matching grant monies to help cover the cost of a handicap ramp and other improvements at the park and swimming area behind the town office.

Selectmen kept increases to a minimum, King said, adding, it was too early to predict what the impact would be to the town’s mil rate and property taxes.

“We’ve been told to expect an increase of about $190,800 to the RSU 1 budget but we’ve also had a good deal of new construction in town over the last year. We hope that will help offset the increase in the school budget.”

In anticipation of the increase, King said voters would be asked to raise the 2017-18 undesignated fund balance from $900,000 to $1 million to reduce the tax commitment. 

Voters will also consider $584,193 for highways and bridges, up $15,545 from 2016-17; $190,872 to fund curbside trash pickup and recycling and further authorizing selectmen to renew contracts with Riverside Disposal of Chelsea and EcoMaine of Portland; $162,372 for fire protection including costs for training, stipends, vehicle maintenance and hydrant rental; $53,268 requested by Patten Free Library in Bath, a $1,044 increase over last year; and $44,000 to operate the ambulance service.

“The dollar amounts appearing on the warrant are based on our best estimates — what we think we’ll need for the operation of the town over the next year. How much is raised is entirely up to the voters at town meeting,” King said. At last year’s town meeting, voters approved a $1.5 million budget. The school budget will be voted on in June.