2020 West Bath Annual Report

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Annual Report Town of West Bath Audited Year Ending June 30, 2020

Budget Town Meeting Referendum Election ------Tuesday, June 8, 2021 from 10:00am-7:00pm West Bath Fire Hall, 192 State Road, West Bath

TABLE OF CONTENTS ______

Municipal Information

Boards and Committees 4 Municipal Holidays 5 Town Office Information 5 Town Meeting Warrant 6

Boards & Committees

Board of Selectmen 16 Board of Appeals 18 Board of Assessment Review 18 Road Commissioner 33 Budget Advisory Committee 19 Shellfish Warden 31 Marine Resources Committee 20 Tax Collector/Treasurer 35 Planning Board 21 Town Clerk/Registrar of Voters 51 West Bath School Board of Directors 22 Vital Records 52 Winnegance Alewife Commission 23 2020 Budget Town Meeting 53

Town Reports 2020 Town Meeting (Election) 65

Animal Control Officer 24 County Reports

Assessing Agent 25 Sagadahoc County Communications 66 Auditor’s Report (School) 26 Sagadahoc County EMA 67 Auditor’s Report (Town) 28 Sagadahoc Sheriff’s Office 68 Code Enforcement Officer 30 Government Representatives Fire Chief 31 Harbor Master 32 Directory of Representatives 70 County Commissioner Carol Grose 71 Governor Janet Mills 72 Representative Joyce McCreight 73 Representative Chellie Pingree 74 Senator Susan Collins 75 Senator Angus King 76

Senator Eloise Vitelli 77

Special Contributors

West Bath Historical Society 78 Patten Free Library 80

Photos courtesy of Kerry E Nelson Town of West Bath Boards & Committees ______Board of Appeals Justin Hennessey, Chair · Debra Bruce · Ashleigh Randall Barry Kempson, Alternate

------Board of Assessment Review Lisa Atkins · Richard Totten Chester Garrison & Antoinette Tate, Alternates ------

Board of Selectmen Kathleen Lavallee, Chair · Suzanne Andresen · Madelyn Hennessey

Selectmen meetings are held at Town Hall at 5:30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. To discuss an agenda item contact Town Administrator, Kristine Poland at (207) 443-4342.

------Broadband Task Force Sandra Basgall ·Elliott Rosen ·Jordi St. John Robert Webb ·Steve Winter

------Budget Advisory Committee David Hennessey, Chair · Darlene Estabrook Jeffrey Emerson ·Justin Hennessey · Donna Merry Merrilee Wilson · Antoinette Tate · Marc Travis

------Cemetery Committee Catherine Powers · Antoinette Tate · Carl Turner

------Energy Committee David Hennessey, Chair · Stephen Singer David Driver ·Steve Hinchman

------Investment Committee Paul Coombs, Chair · Steve Kalisz · Robert Weir

------Marine Resources Board Warren Swanson, Chair · Paul Mateosian, Secretary · Tim Davis Jason Cray · Dave Morin & Angela Bryant, Alternates

Marine Resources Board meets the last Wednesday of the month with no meetings held July/August 6:00 pm October to March (during daylight savings time} and at 7:00 pm from April to September

------Planning Board Darlene Estabrook, Chair · Gerald Mitchell, Jr. · Jeremie Whorff Jim Williams · Scott Andresen & Jay Paris, Alternates

Planning Board meetings are held at the West Bath Town Hall at 6:00 pm on the second Tuesday of the month. To discuss an agenda item, contact the Codes Enforcement Officer (207) 443-4342.

------Recycling Committee Roberta Jordan · Katrina St. John · Elizabeth Woodworth

------West Bath School Board of Directors Keith Hinds, Chair · Alexandra Jungbluth Joanne Powers· Ashleigh Randall · Casandra Whorff

School Board Meetings are held monthly at West Bath School, 126 New Meadows Road. To discuss an agenda item, contact the Superintendent, Emily Thompson, at (207) 443-6305

------Winnegance River Herring Commission David Hennessey, Chair ·John Travis Jr.

For upcoming meetings visit www.westbath.com or email [email protected] for updates Meetings schedules and locations may be altered in order to accommodate social distancing during a State of Emergency ------If you are interested in serving on a committee, contact the Town Office for more information. Town of West Bath Town Office Information ______

West Bath Town Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:30am to 4pm Thursday 8:30am to 5pm

West Bath Town Office Staff: Board of Selectmen:

Town Administrator Kathleen Lavallee, Chair ∙ 529-1919 Kristine Poland (Ext 10) [email protected]

[email protected] Suzanne Andresen ∙ 443-3314

[email protected] Tax Collector/Treasurer Julie House (Ext 13) Madelyn Hennessey ∙ 443-9435 [email protected] [email protected]

Town Clerk/Registrar Animal Control Officer Karly Perry (Ext 11) Todd Stead· 319-4715 [email protected] Harbor Master Fire Chief and Joe Vaillancourt· 443-6362

Codes Enforcement Officer Road Commissioner Jonathan Beane (Ext 16) Steve Renaud· 442-0581 [email protected] (Topsham DOT 725-8042)

Assessor Shellfish Warden Ronald Beal (Ext 15) Doug Alexander 9am – 4pm Tuesday & Thursday 443-3114· 504-1523 [email protected] Red Tide Hotline: 800-232-4733

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West Bath Municipal Holidays

Fiscal Year End Audit Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 12pm Independence Day Monday, July 5, 2021 Labor Day Monday, September 6, 2021 Indigenous Peoples Day Monday, October 11, 2021 Veterans Day Thursday, November 11, 2021 Thanksgiving Wednesday, Nov 24 – Friday, Nov 26, 2021 Christmas Friday, December 24, 2021 New Year’s Eve Friday, December 30, 2021 at 12pm New Year’s Day Friday, January 1, 2022 TOWN OF WEST BATH ANNUAL BUDGET TOWN MEETING WARRANT JUNE 8, 2021 Note Location: West Bath Fire Station, 192 State Road, West Bath, Maine

To: Jonathan Beane, a Constable of the Town of West Bath in the County of Sagadahoc and the State of Maine

Greetings: In the name of the State of Maine, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of West Bath, in said County and State, qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, to meet at the West Bath Fire Station, 192 State Road, West Bath, Maine, on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 10:00 am, then and there to act upon Article 1. The polls for voting on the remaining Articles shall be opened at 10:00 am and will close at 7:00 pm.

Art. 1 To choose a Moderator by written ballot to preside at said meeting.

Town Budget and Related Articles

Art. 2 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $292,484 for General Government Wages.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 3 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $156,800 for Insurance & Benefits as detailed below.

Payroll Taxes 24,000.00 Retirement 26,300.00 Health Insurance 80,000.00 Workers Compensation 6,000.00 Property & Casualty Insurance 19,500.00 Volunteer Firefighter Insurance 1,000.00 Total: $156,800.00

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 4 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $115,140 for Town Administration as detailed below.

Office Expense 38,400.00 Computer/Technology 51,000.00 Selectmen’s Contingency 10,000.00

Voting 3,300.00 Cleaning 5,720.00 Building Maintenance 6,720.00 Total: $115,140.00

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 5 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate an amount not to exceed $150,000 from the Long- Term Capital Improvement Fund to conduct a Revaluation of all real estate and personal property.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 6 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $20,000 for Legal.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 7 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $211,832 for Protection as detailed below.

Ambulance 75,000.00 Hydrants 27,544.00 Fire Department Operation 81,510.00 Fire Department Incentive 22,580.00 Animal Control 5,198.00 Total: $211,832.00

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 8 To see of the Town will vote to adopt the special firefighter employer contribution rate offered by the Maine Public Employee Retirement System for its eligible firefighter(s).

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval

Art. 9 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate all dog licensing fees and penalties collected during FY 2021-2022, with exception of the recording fee that must be retained by the municipal clerk pursuant to State law, as additional payment to the Animal Control Officer for services rendered to the Town.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval

Art. 10 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $23,390 for Harbors and Waterways as detailed below.

Shellfish Warden 20,790.00 Boat 800.00 Harbor Master 1,800.00 Total: $23,390.00

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 11 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate up to $4,132 from the Boat Excise/Mooring Fee/Marine Resources Joint Revenue Account for the Harbor Master’s stipend and reimbursements/expenses.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval

Art. 12 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate up to $21,200 from the Boat Excise/Mooring Fee/Marine Resources Joint Revenue Account for the Shellfish Warden’s wages and expenses and Town boat expenses.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval

Art. 13 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $12,750 for Sanitation as detailed below.

Solid Waste 11,750.00 Recycling Committee 1,000.00 Total: $12,750.00

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 14 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $1,800 for the Garbage to Garden Composting program.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 15 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate up to $131,750 and to appropriate FY 2021- 2022 motor vehicle excise tax revenue for Public Works, for a total appropriation of $621,750 as detailed below.

General Roads 378,800.00 Salt Shed 700.00 Streetlights 2,000.00 Snow Removal 240,250.00 Total: $621,750.00

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 16 Shall the ordinance entitled “Ordinance to Establish Board of Road Commissioners” enacted on July 31, 2014, which provides that the Board of Selectmen serves as a three person board of road commissioners, be repealed?

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval

Art. 17 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $300 for Cemeteries.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 18 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $8,677 for Community Agencies as detailed below.

Bath Area Food Bank 3,000.00 Sweetser 2,252.00 Midcoast Maine Community Action 1,500.00 New Hope for Women 525.00 Spectrum Generations 1,400.00 Total: $8,677.00

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 19 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $35,419 for the Patten Free Library.

Selectmen recommend 2-1: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 20 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $3,000 for Planning Board stipends.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 21 To see if the Town will vote to carry forward all remaining appropriated but unexpended funds at the end of FY 2020-2021 from the General Assistance, Ambulance, Public Works, MDOT Local Road Assistance, Marine Resources/Harbors and Waterways, and Planning Board accounts, provided that the funds are used for the same purpose as originally designated.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval

Art. 22 To see if the Town will vote to transfer $50,000 from unassigned fund balance (surplus) to be deposited in the Long-Term Capital Improvement Fund reserve account.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 23 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to apply any anticipated revenues, not otherwise dedicated for specific purposes, to reduce the FY 2021-2022 Tax Commitment.

Art. 24 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to apply unassigned fund balance (surplus) exceeding 12% of the total non-capital expenditures for FY 2020-2021, and not otherwise appropriated herein, to reduce the FY 2021-2022 Tax Commitment.

Art. 25 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the payment of tax abatements approved by the Selectmen/Assessors from the property tax overlay or, if necessary, from unassigned fund balance (surplus).

Art. 26 To see if the Town will vote to fix the date of October 15, 2021 as the date when FY 2021-2022 taxes shall become due and payable and to charge 6.00% on unpaid taxes after that date.

Art. 27 To see if the Town will vote to set the interest rate to be paid by the Town on abated taxes at 2.00% for FY 2021-2022.

Art. 28 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Tax Collector to accept prepayment of taxes. No interest shall be payable on any prepayment.

Art. 29 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to direct the Treasurer to waive foreclosure of a real property tax lien mortgage if they determine such course of action to be in the best interests of the Town.

10 Art. 30 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to dispose of Town-owned personal property with a value of over $500 and deemed by the Selectmen to be surplus on such terms as they deem advisable.

Art. 31 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell and dispose of all tax acquired property held by the Town on such terms as they deem advisable and to execute quitclaim deeds for such property, except that the Selectmen shall use the special sale process required by 36 M.R.S. § 943-C for qualifying homestead property if they choose to sell it to anyone other than the former owner(s).

Art. 32 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to apply for and accept state, federal or other grants, on behalf of the Town for municipal purposes, including when necessary, the authority to sign grant contracts, documents and or other paperwork and accept the conditions that accompany grant funds, and to appropriate and expend such funds for authorized purposes, as the Selectmen deem in the best interests of the Town during the upcoming fiscal year.

Art. 33 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to accept conditional or unconditional gifts of real property provided that no single gift obligates the Town to incur liabilities that total $1,000 or more per year, as determined by the Selectmen.

Art. 34 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to accept or reject donations of personal property and/or to accept or reject gifts of money to the various accounts of the Town for the ensuing fiscal year and to appropriate those moneys donated for specific purposes.

Art. 35 To see if the Town will vote to maintain, and exercise if appropriate, its right to take river herring from the New Meadows Lake consistent with the terms and conditions specified at the March 1977 Town Meeting.

Art. 36 To see if the Town will vote to maintain a fishway on Winnegance Lake and to exercise its right to take river herring in accordance with the terms and conditions specified at the June 1988 Town Meeting and an agreement with the City of Bath and the Town of Phippsburg.

Art. 37 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to negotiate a lease, license or easement, and related solar power purchase agreement, for terms not to exceed 20 years, to allow a solar array to be constructed on Town-owned property located at 52 Arthur J. Reno Road (Assessors’ Tax Map R01, Lot 9) on such further terms and conditions as the Selectmen deem to be in the best interests of the Town.

Art. 38 Shall an ordinance entitled “2022 Amendments to the Land Use Ordinance Regarding the 30% Expansion Rule on a Non-conforming Property” be enacted?

11 (The proposed ordinance amendments are available for review and inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office.)

Art. 39 Shall an ordinance entitled “2022 Amendments to the Land Use Ordinance Regarding the Modification of References to Fees” be enacted?

(The proposed ordinance amendments are available for review and inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office.)

Art. 40 Shall an ordinance entitled “2022 Amendments to the Land Use Ordinance Regarding the Revision of the Submission Timeline of Applications to the Planning Board” be enacted?

(The proposed ordinance amendments are available for review and inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office.)

Art. 41 (Written ballot required by statute) To see if the Town will vote to increase the property tax levy limit established for the Town of West Bath by State law if the municipal budget approved under the preceding articles will result in a tax commitment that is greater than the property tax levy limit.

Education Articles

Art. 42 School Budget. Shall the Town vote to appropriate the sum of $3,962,584.33 and raise the sum of $3,434,748.45 for the 2021-2022 school budget?

School Board of Directors Recommends a “Yes” Vote.

VOTER INFORMATION FOR ARTICLE 42 The Town’s school budget submitted in this Article totals $3,962,584.33. It includes locally raised funds in the amount of $3,434,748.45. The locally raised amount exceeds the state’s Essential Programs and Services spending model by $1,238,808.93. This budget includes these expenditure category cost centers:

Expenditures Proposed Amounts

Regular Instruction $ 2,340,385.95 Special Education $ 688,332.41

Career and Technical Education $ 0.00

Other Instruction $ 4,500.00

12 Student and Staff Support $ 265,429.27

System Administration $ 97,954.95

School Administration $ 212,324.55

Transportation $ 156,022.80

Facilities Maintenance $ 162,634.40

Debt Service and Other $ 0.00 Commitments

Other Expenditures, including Food $ 35,000.00 Service

Total $ 3,962,584.33

Art. 43 Cost Center Transfers. Shall the School Board of Directors be authorized to transfer amounts exceeding 5% of the total appropriation for any cost center to another cost center or among other cost centers for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, provided that transfers shall not be permitted to increase the authorized total school budget?

School Board of Directors Recommends a “Yes” Vote.

Art. 44 Aid for Other Programs. Shall the School Board of Directors be authorized to accept and expend any state, federal, and other grants, aid, and receipts during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022 for school purposes, provided that such grants, aid, and receipts do not require the expenditure of other local funds not previously appropriated?

School Board of Directors Recommends a “YES” Vote.

Art. 45 Additional State Subsidy. In the event that the Town receives more state education subsidy than the amount included in its budget, shall the School Board of Directors be authorized to use all or part of the additional state subsidy to increase expenditures for school purposes in cost center categories approved by the School Board of Directors, increase the allocation of finances in a reserve fund approved by the School Board of Directors, and/or decrease the local cost share expectation, as defined in Title 20-A, section 15671-A(1)(B), for local property taxpayers for funding public education as approved by the School Board of Directors?

School Board of Directors Recommends a "YES" vote.

Art. 46 Continuing School Budget Validation Referendum. Do you wish to reinstate the school budget validation referendum process for three years?

13 VOTER INFORMATION FOR ARTICLE 46 A “YES” vote will require the Town to conduct a referendum to validate its annual school budget for the next three years.

A “NO” vote will discontinue the school budget validation referendum for at least three years and provide instead that the annual school budget shall be finally adopted at an annual meeting of the Town voters.

School Board of Directors Recommends a "NO" vote.

The Registrar of Voters will be available at the West Bath Fire Station, the place of voting, on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 for the purpose of correcting the voter list and to accept new enrollments from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm.

Given under our hands this 8th day of April, 2021.

______Kathleen Lavallee

______Madelyn Hennessey

______Suzanne Andresen

14 Exhibit B

RETURN

Sagadahoc County, State of Maine

To the Board of Selectmen: I certify that I have notified the voters of the Town of West Bath of the time and place of the Annual Budget Town Meeting by posting an attested copy of the within described Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting at the New Meadows service station, the West Bath Fire Station and the West Bath Town Hall, being public and conspicuous places in said Town, prior to the 1st day of June, 2021, being at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

Dated:

______Jonathan Beane Constable of the Town of West Bath

15 Board of Selectmen Report ______

Budget year 2019-20 brought new challenges to the Board of Selectmen of the Town of West Bath. Peter Oceretko’s decision not to run for a fourth term on the Board has meant that we have lost a great institutional memory, as has Ellis Reed’s decision to retire as the Code Enforcement Officer. Each challenge, however, brings new opportunities, and Kathleen Lavallee and I have welcomed the energy brought by new Select Board member Suzanne Andresen, and new Code Enforcement Officer Jonathan Beane.

Those of you who attended Budget Town Meeting in 2019 may recall that the wisdom of creating one full time position from two part time positions was debated at length. The affirmative vote has increased the Code Enforcement Officer’s availability to our town residents and to those who seek to locate new homes, renovate older houses, and locate new businesses in town. It has also meant that we have had a first responder in town to allow quicker response to emergencies, though Jonathan reports that the job as Code Enforcement Officer has claimed a surprisingly large portion of his time.

The Board, along with Town Administrator Kristine Poland has continued to work on in our goal of making town services more available to citizens by making our systems more efficient. In order to increase communication between the Board and volunteers who serve on Town committees, each committee now has a Board member who serves as liaison. We have continued to pursue clarity in the relationships between the two elected boards of the town, even as the pandemic has prevented in person meetings between the Boards.

The Select Board has hosted workshops concerning the audit process after, the updating of the town’s accounting process resulted in the realization that the town has accumulated an overly large surplus. A workshop in which citizens and committee members were encouraged to think about ways in which we could make the best use of these funds has been made moot by the pandemic. The resulting financial hardships faced by some of our neighbors, and the caution by many leaders in the public health field that this could be a long lasting emergency, has meant that both the School Board and the Board of Selectmen have determined that we want to fund only those items that are absolutely necessary. We and the budget advisory committee have prepared the municipal budget with the goal that need not to ask for a tax increase this year. Two items in this budget may seem extraneous, but the funding for the remaining cost of the replacement for our aging firetruck, and the funds to replenish our investment account are promises made to the town --to one another-- to provide for continuing public safety, and for maintaining funds for major capital improvements that will be needed in the future. These two budget requests are investments in both the present and future financial health for the community. The School Board has also worked hard to maintain a zero-increase budget proposal.

The Select Board also held public discussions concerning winter roads maintenance, carefully considering best ways to write the second three-year contract that we have put out to bid since we built the sand/salt shed. The new contract with J.R. Hill improves accountability with the town and our contract holder.

16 Board of Selectmen Report ______

In March, the Town Office closed as a result of the Governor’s declaration of a public health emergency. This closure did not mean that the office ceased to function. Instead, our staff continued to work, from home when possible, and, one at a time in the office when tasks that could be done only at the office. The staff was eager to reopen and were active participants in the discussions about how to do that safely, for both staff and citizens, and we are appreciate the service provided by Karly Perry, Town Clerk, Julia House, Tax Collector and Treasurer, Jonathan Beane, Code Enforcement Officer, Ron Beal, Assessing Agent, and Kristine Poland, Town Administrator.

The Town also owes a debt of gratitude to the teaching staff at West Bath School, who deftly adapted their lesson plans to provide online instruction to our students, and to the administrative staff, especially Emily Thompson, who facilitated the rapid transition.

At the heart of many of the deliberations of the Town of West Bath Board of Selectmen is the fundamental question of what kind of community the Town will be. For as long as I can remember, (the early 1950’s) the Town of West Bath has been home to citizens of all walks of life. Education always has been an important source of community, with the West Bath PTA sponsoring Halloween parties at the Littlefield School and picnics at the Hennessey farm, even when we did not have our own school. I recall standing on the porch of the old Yacht Club at a community gathering, and my father helping me to open a bottle of Coke with the opener on the side of the Coca Cola cooler. Other lifelong townspeople will remember with me the Minstrel Shows at the West Bath Grange that gave people of all ages, educational levels, and social standing the opportunity for fellowship and to support the school. We adjusted as a community to the realization that several customs of “minstrel shows” were felt to be demeaning by great numbers of African Americans, and even those of us who remember those events with fondness for the participants, know that we do not want to teach, even inadvertently, that it is acceptable to make any ethnic or economic group or person, the target of demeaning stereotypes. (But wouldn’t it be fun to have an all-town talent show when the pandemic is no longer a danger?)

We are all members of a truly fortunate community, located in a beautiful place, and filled with interesting and talented people. Our Board meetings are open to the public, on first and third Thursdays, at the West Bath Fire Hall. You are welcome: (masks and socially distanced) to observe and to participate in Public Comment as we shape the development of policies and actions that will allow our town to continue to be a community of old and young, rich, poor and middle class, a town in which we can talk with our neighbors and welcome one another, respected citizens, all.

Respectfully Submitted, Board of Selectmen: Madelyn Hennessey, Chair Madelyn Hennessey Suzanne Andresen Board of Selectmen Kathleen Lavallee

17 West Bath Board of Appeals ______The first paragraph of the Maine Municipal Board of Appeals Manual introduces the duties of the West Bath Board of Appeals best. It states, “Serving on a municipal board of appeals is probably one of the most difficult jobs that a citizen can volunteer to do. The board of appeals, more than any other board, generally performs the same function at the local level as an appeals court judge. Like a judge, the appeals board must decide difficult questions in accordance with local ordinances, State laws, and court cases. Often those decisions will seem harsh and contrary to “common sense,” both to board members and to the general public. This is particularly true when the board is asked to decide a request for a variance. However, the board is bound to follow the law until the law is changed. Explaining this to citizens seeking help from the board probably is one of the board’s most unpleasant tasks.”

The Board of Appeals takes action on the first Tuesday of each month at the Town Office, provided there is business for the Board to address. If you need to request a hearing, please pick up an application at the Town Office. Make sure the entire application is completed before submitting it along with the filing fee, so a date may be scheduled with no delay.

In FY 2020 there were no applications made to the Board of Appeals.

Respectfully submitted, Debra Bruce Justin Hennessey Ashleigh Randall Board of Appeals Chair Barry Kempson (Term expires 2021) [Alternate, Vacant] [Alternate, Vacant]

West Bath Board of Assessment Review (BAR) ______

Each year any taxpayer who feels an error or irregularity has occurred in the assessment of his/ her property has 185 days from formal tax commitment (usually in the fall) to first discuss the concern with the Assessing Agent and then to file a formal request for abatement if the taxpayer’s concern is not alleviated. If the abatement is denied by the elected Assessors the taxpayer may then appeal the denial to the local BAR. BAR Hearings are open to public attendance and are advertised in the Times Record and posted on the website calendar. The decision of the BAR may be appealed directly to Superior Court by either the taxpayer or by the town.

In FY 2020 there were no applications made to the Board of Assessment Review.

Lisa Atkins Richard Totten [Regular Member, Vacant] Chet Garrison, Alternate Report compiled by Karly Perry, Town Clerk Antoinette Tate, Alternate

Both the Board of Appeals and Board of Assessment Review have committee positions open. Please contact the Town Office for information about volunteer opportunities available. 18 Budget Advisory Committee ______The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the Town’s budget with many unknowns in the upcoming budget year. The Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) decided not to meet with agencies, Marine Resources, Animal Control, Shellfish Warden or Harbor Master due to COVID- 19, as those budget requests were in line with last year’s funding.

On the municipal side of town government most all requests were similar to the previous year’s funding. The BAC voted in favor of increasing the Codes Enforcement’s salary from $29,609 to $42,848. The reason being that the CEO, Jonathan Beane, is now certified by the State. The BAC also voted in favor of committing $150,000 from the Town’s investment fund to pay for a Town revaluation. The total cost is expected to be $250,000 with the remaining cost to be in next year’s budget.

The proposed school budget shows no major increases from last year’s funding. The school did receive CARES money from the Federal government which was used to improve air quality in the school building. It should be noted that the School Board of Directors voted not to accept a stipend again this year. Photo courtesy of Carol Sharkey

The municipal budget decreased by $27,247 (1.64%). The school budget increased $145,084 (4.41%) as compared to a zero-increase last year.

As this year’s Town Meeting is going to be a ballot referendum on June 8, 2021 the BAC encourages residents to view the informational meeting. For times and dates please follow the Town’s web site (www.westbath.org).

Respectfully submitted, Committee Members: David Hennessey David Hennessey, Chair Budget Advisory Committee Chair Darlene Estabrook Jeffrey Emerson Justin Hennessey Donna Merry Toni Tate Marc Travis Merrilee Wilson

The Budget Advisory meets in the spring for several weeks to review the proposed Town budget and offer an advisory opinion. Meetings are open to the public and all are residents are encouraged to attend. To receive updates on meetings and events email [email protected]

19 Marine Resources Committee Report ______To maintain a commercial shellfish license, clammers must complete 12 hours of conservation time through reseedings, surveys, clean-up days, and regular monthly meetings. While the Town was unable to reseed in FY2020, the committee held cleanup events and assisted in water testing for the Department of Marine Resources.

West Bath is proud of our Marine Resources conservation efforts. We feel that our shellfish fisheries are important and implement our own sustainability program. The town’s Shellfish Warden, Doug Alexander has been patrolling and monitoring the clam flats for illegal diggers. Feel free to contact Doug at either 443-3114 or 504-1523 with any questions regarding harvesting or suspicious shore-front activity. Photo courtesy of Michael Montgomery, West Bath

The Marine Resources Committee will continue to do water quality testing as required by the Dept. of Marine Resources (DMR) with the Town Boat. These are done to identify any pollution sources so that they may be corrected in a timely manner. This includes shoreline surveys which are done semi-annually.

The Marine Resources Committee meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm April to September and at 6:00pm October to March, with no meetings held in July or August. Please contact Committee Chair Warren Swanson at 443-4068 regarding surveys, harvesting, potential pollution problems, or any general questions on shellfish.

Licenses issued in 2020 Committee Members: 10 Commercial Resident Warren Swanson, Chair 2 Commercial Resident Senior Paul Mateosian, Secretary 3 Commercial Non-Resident Tim Davis 17 Recreational Resident Jason Cray 1 Recreational Student Angela Bryant, Alternate 24 Recreational Senior David Morin, Alternate 5 Recreational Non-Resident

Respectfully submitted, West Bath Remembers Warren Swanson Warren Swanson, Chairman

Albert Cray Larry “Smokey” Barrington 20 Planning Board Report ______

Dear Townspeople of West Bath:

The Planning Board exists to encourage appropriate use of land within the Town of West Bath through regulations outlined in our ordinances. The Board consists of volunteers from the community, five (5) regular members and two (2) alternate members. A quorum of three (3) members is required to conduct a meeting. The documents used when conducting Planning Board business are the Land Use Ordinance and Development Review Ordinance. Paper copies are available at the Town Offices or electronic on the Town website.

Please contact the Code Enforcement Officer Jonathan Bean if you have any questions or wish to submit an application to the Planning Board.

The Planning Board typically meets the second Tuesday of every month. Additional meetings for ordinance work sessions are scheduled as needed throughout the year along with special meetings to meet the needs of our residents and taxpayers. All meetings are posted in the Times Record and on the Town’s website. Please refer to either for the meeting location and time.

Work continues to bring West Bath’s ordinances on par with adjacent communities, to become more aligned with the West Bath Comprehensive Plan, and comply with the ever-changing State of Maine laws and mandates. The goal is to make West Bath a desirable community for both business and residential projects.

Goals for the coming year are to replace our generic application with user friendly applications tailored to each specific need like home occupations, 30% shoreland expansion, and new businesses.

Approvals for Audited Year: July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020

New commercial building: 0 New business: 3 New subdivisions: 0 Subdivision amendments: 1 Shoreland dwelling expansions: 5

The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend the Planning Board meetings and workshops. Resident input, support, and awareness is an important element to the success of the Planning Board and the Town.

Respectfully submitted, Planning Board Members: Darlene Estabrook, Chair Darlene Estabrook Gerald Mitchell, Jr., Vice Chair Planning Board Chair 2020 Jeremie Whorff

Jim Williams

Scott Andresen, Alternate Jay Paris, Alternate

21 It’s not too late

Compost dropoff site located behind West Bath Town Hall

Climate Change Sam Saltonstall Solutions Work Board President of WindowDressers and longtime environmental Come Learn about the advocate, will briefly discuss the Best First Step alternative futures we face based on recent science, evolving public Community Discussion opinion, and the important work of nonpartisan, nonprofit Citizens’ Tuesday, November 12 Climate Lobby (CCL).

6 p.m. Michael Jones Associate Professor of Economics West Bath Fire Hall Emeritus, Bowdoin College, 192 State Road and member of CCL, will discuss the West Bath, Maine Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, HR763, and why it is the first, essential step to mitigating climate change.

Hosted by West Bath Recycling Committee

22 West Bath School Department Board of Directors ______Greetings West Bath Neighbors,

Resiliency, perseverance, and an unwavering sense of community sum up the 2019-2020 school year. We are all keenly aware of the impacts of COVID-19 and our board could not be prouder of our students and families, our staff, and our community. We have once again shown our neighboring communities the phenomenal spirit we have in West Bath.

As it became clear that the pandemic would impact our school year, Superintendent Thompson and her team immediately got to work creating the best remote learning plan possible. In addition, Superintendent Thompson forged partnerships with our neighboring school districts to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and the greater community was the driving force in all decision making. It is because of her leadership and advocacy for West Bath that our students remain safe and our school is so well positioned for the 2020-2021 session.

When the decision to shift to remote learning was announced, West Bath had a plan. Students were able to remain connected to classes through structured learning. Our food service team, in partnership with our friends at Bath Bus Service, prepared and delivered thousands of meals. Our teachers and support staff poured their hearts into providing as much normalcy as they could for our students. Our Community Crew made sure our teachers felt appreciated. Our community truly came together. We thank everyone for making the best of this very difficult situation.

Throughout our greater community, we saw West Bath students and West Bath School alumni leading community efforts illustrating perseverance and positivity. For Better World Day, our school community came together to virtually thank our essential workers. For their efforts, many It’s not too late of those essential workers, including members of West Bath’s Fire Department, took a moment out of their day to give back.

The focus for our board is, and continues to be, our effort to build a strong, positive partnership with our Town. I sincerely thank our dedicated Town Office staff, our Board of Selectmen, and our Budget Advisory Committee for all their help navigating our new normal. In keeping with our Expeditionary Learning “we are crew” mantra, it has been wonderful to see this community’s Compost dropoff site located behind West Bath Town Hall resolve.

Climate Change Sam Saltonstall Solutions Work Board President of WindowDressers We again thank the community for their ongoing support. May you all continue to be healthy. and longtime environmental Come Learn about the advocate, will briefly discuss the Best First Step alternative futures we face based on recent science, evolving public Respectfully, Community Discussion opinion, and the important work of nonpartisan, nonprofit Citizens’ Tuesday, November 12 Climate Lobby (CCL). Keith Hinds

6 p.m. Michael Jones Associate Professor of Economics Chair West Bath Fire Hall Emeritus, Bowdoin College, 192 State Road and member of CCL, will discuss the WBSAU Board of Directors West Bath, Maine Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, HR763, and why it is the first, essential step to mitigating climate change.

Hosted by West Bath Recycling Committee

23 Winnegance River Herring Commission ______

The Commission recently found out that there is a serious erosion problem under the concrete fishway. This problem will need to be addressed as soon as possible. We have discussed a repair which involves placing bags under the fishway and pumping concrete into the bags. This repair would take one to two days. The fishway was rebuilt in 2007 so we were not anticipating this problem and the cost to repair is approximately $23,400.00.

At this time we cannot afford to make these repairs so we have applied for grants. Right now we are depending on this potential grant money to complete the repairs. We would welcome any donations to help in paying for the repairs. We have had to stop our study of saltwater intrusion into Winnegance Lake because of the repairs that are needed.

Photo courtesy of NOAA.gov

As for the 2020 harvest, there were 195 bushels of river herring harvested which is down from 336 bushels in 2019. Greg Gilliam is in his second year of a three year contract and is currently paying the Commission $5.00 per bushel that is harvested.

The Winnegance River Herring Commission had $13,404.39 in the savings account and $3,241.08 in the checking account as of January 4, 2021.

The current members of the Winnegance River Herring Commission are as follows:

Bath – Lori Benson and Terry Nordmann Phippsburg – Brett Gilliam and Peter Roberts West Bath – John Travis and David Hennessey

Respectfully submitted, David Hennessey Chairman

24 Animal Control Officer’s Report ______

Another year has passed, and I would like to once again thank all of the responsible pet owners for registering and vaccinating your pets. Note that Maine also requires cats to be vaccinated against rabies.

With the number of rabid animal incidents growing at an alarming rate,

vaccinating your pets against rabies is more important than ever!

COMPLAINTS: Dogs at Large 19 Cat Complaints 0 Animal Trespass Complaints 1 Stray Livestock Complaints 1 Cruelty to Animals 1 Possible Rabid Animals 19 Wildlife Related Calls 23

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Todd Stead Animal Control Officer (207) 319-4715. Photo by Paul Werner, West Bath

In addition to rabies vaccines, State law mandates that all dogs at least 6 months old must be registered by the Town of residence. Licenses are available beginning October 15th for the following year and expire annually December 31st and must be renewed by January 31st. Due to coronavirus, the renewal deadline was extended to June 30th, 2021. Licenses may be purchased at Town Hall or online through www.maine.gov ($11 per dog or $6 for spayed and neutered dogs).

West Bath residents registered 260 dogs in FY2020.

Karly Perry Town Clerk, West Bath

If you or a pet is exposed to a wild animal suspected of having rabies, contact State Police or Warden Service

25 Assessing Agent’s Report ______

Date of FY 2019/20 Tax Commitment: September 10, 2019

TAXABLE PROPERTY VALUATION

Real Estate $ 380,966,840 Personal Property + 4,060,493 Total Taxable Valuation $ 385,027,333

Homestead Exemption and BETE Reimbursement Valuation + 6,642,912 Total Valuation Base $ 391,670,245

APPROPRIATIONS

County Tax $ 676,783 Municipal + 1,405,003 Education + 3,271,480 Total Appropriation $ 5,353,266

REVENUES

Municipal Revenue Sharing $ 93,700 Other Revenues (Excise, MDOT, others) + 1,213,150 Total Revenue $ 1,306,850

ASSESSMENT

Total Taxable Valuation $ 391,670,245 Mil Rate of .0105% (commonly referred to as 10.5) x .0105 Tax Commitment $ 4,112,538

OVERLAY

Tax Commitment $ 4,112,538 Homestead Reimbursement + 63,788 BETE Reimbursement + 6,110 Total $ 4,182,436

Total Appropriation $ 5,353,266 Total Revenue to Reduce Commitment - 1,306,850 Net Raised by Property Tax $ 4,046,416

Total Commitment + Homestead and BETE Reimbursement $ 4,112,538 Net raised by property tax - 4,046,416 Overlay (1.6% of the Net Raised by Property Tax) $ 66,122

Respectfully submitted, Ronald Beal Assessing Agent

26 27 28 29 30 Codes Enforcement Officer’s Report ______Permits issued July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 Total building permits Issued: 56 Demolition permits issued: 3 Total fees: $7933.64

Type of occupancy for which permits were issued District in which permits were issued Dwelling 15 Residential Commercial 6 Commercial 0 Residential 20 Farm or outbuilding (shed) 6 Rural Residential 23 Garage 7 Rural residential shore land 7 New residence created 11 Deck 6 New structure 3 Alterations 17 Demolitions 3 Docks and floats 2

Plumbing Inspector’s Report ______

Plumbing permits issued July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020

Internal plumbing 20 External plumbing 25 Seasonal conversion 1 Total issued 45

Total pending 0

Amount of fees: Total collected $9184.20 Total sent to state $2303.75 Total retained by town $6880.45

Respectfully submitted, Jonathan Beane Code Enforcement Officer Licensed Plumbing Inspector

31 West Bath Fire Chief’s Report ______

Dear Citizens of West Bath,

Like everyone else in our community, the members of the West Bath Fire Department have faced an unprecedented year in the midst of a pandemic. Regardless of the uncertainty that has been happening around us, we have all been dedicated to maintaining the level of service that our community and those that we have mutual aid agreements with have come to expect from our department. Our devoted members kept up with their training schedule and requirements in addition to responding for calls for service, all while encountering scenarios that looked much different with COVID precautions in place.

We have continued to make use of the training facility in Bath that is operated by the Sagadahoc Fire Chief’s Association. We have used the buildings to do engine company drills that include hose line evolutions, pump operation and live fire attacks. The opportunity to make use of this facility remains a valuable resource for our department, and we look forward to maintaining the skills and knowledge that we have developed and improve upon them going forward.

The new Engine 8 is on order and the assembly process has begun. We have the ability to monitor the progress of the assembly by viewing photos that are uploaded to a website by the factory every week or so. As of now, I have not been informed of any assembly delays that have occurred due to COVID 19. We will not be able to travel to the plant in Florida for a preliminary inspection before the truck heads out for Maine. Unfortunately, this trip just will not be possible due to the COVID 19 restrictions that are in place. However, I do not have any concerns for this portion of the process. There will be a zoom meeting for this preliminary inspection that will include a live video walk around of the entire truck top to bottom. During this meeting, the truck committee will be able to address our concerns should any arise. Our representatives from Greenwood Emergency Vehicles will also be present at this meeting, offering support, and making sure that our order is on track according to the plan. Once the truck is Delivered to Greenwood in Brunswick a complete inspection from their staff will immediately take place. During this time, the truck will get custom West Bath lettering and pump tested. Before the truck is ready for delivery, a final inspection will be performed by our committee before the apparatus is accepted. I am confident that the final steps of the process will go smoothly. The entire staff at Greenwood Emergency Vehicles has been excellent to work with so far. We are looking forward to the arrival in September!

Please remember these important safety tips: install smoke detectors on every level of the home and in all sleeping areas, test your smoke detectors on a monthly basis, change the batteries in your smoke detectors when you change your clocks for daylight savings time, have an escape plan and practice it, choose a meeting place a safe distance away from your home, and never go back inside a burning building. In the wintertime, make sure that all exits are clear on the exterior from snow pile ups and as a year-round reminder, please make sure that your house number is visibly marked so that first responders can locate you as quickly as possible when you are experiencing a medical emergency.

The continued support from the members, our community, and the town administration is very much appreciated by our entire department; as always, the members would like to extend our sincere gratitude.

Sincerely, Jonathan Beane Chief Jonathan Beane West Bath Fire Department

32 Harbor Master’s Report ______Moorings are $10/each for property owners and by ordinance no more than two moorings are allowed per property owner. Remember moorings are to be properly maintained, labeled, and registered annually. Please mind your wake when you are boating, it is common courtesy while on the water.

Total West Bath Moorings: 257 New Moorings in 2020: 18

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Town Office at (207) 443-4342.

Have a safe season, Joseph Vaillancourt

Harbor Master Unpaid Mooring Fees FY2020: ------Glen Ankenbrand Walter Frank Jeff Thompson Charles Rommel Roger Brooks Wayne Havey Harold McInnes Frances Soveral Robert Brown Stephen Hinchman John Morris Warren Swanson Ted Brown Lori Hobart Elizabeth Oliver Greg Vogel Thomas Brown Susan Knowles Maureen Powell Clarke Weidlein Donald Bruce Nelson Marass Michael Quigg Gary Zartarian Timothy Brug Richard McElman Thomas Reno Phillip Zook Robert Clark

Shellfish Warden’s Report ______

Residents of West Bath,

It was a pleasure to serve the citizens of West Bath as your shellfish warden. Your local shellfish harvesters work hard to keep the shoreline clean and the trash picked up. Please call my cell phone: (207) 504-1523 with any questions and/or complaints. For automated information on closures, call the Red Tide Hotline at 1-800-232-4733.

2020 Warden Activity Report:

329 Commercial harvesters checked 703 Hours patrolled 35 Warnings issued 1 Court Appearances 3 Summons Issued 3 Convictions

Respectfully submitted, Doug Alexander

Shellfish Warden

Abandoned boats pollute Mill Pond on Berry’s Mill Road Photo courtesy of Sean W. O’Connell

33 Road Commissioner’s Report ______West Bath Residents,

Here is a list of some projects that were completed during the FY 2019/20 Fiscal Year:

ROADS GRADED:

Fosters Point Road Mountain Road Hennessey Road Hill Road Birch Point Road Rockweed Road Quaker Point Road Arthur J Reno Sr Road

DITCHING COMPLETED:

Bull Rock Road Fosters Point Road

Sabino Road Water along Sabino Road cleared of debris (Photo courtesy of Tracy Renaud)

MISCELLANEOUS WORK COMPLETED:

Culverts - Several culverts were cleaned out, beaver dams removed (culverts replaced on Mountain Road and Hill Road)

Bull Rock Road - Erosion control completed

Fosters Point Road - Shimmed and reclaim placed at driveway ends (beginning at Hill Road)

Sabino Road - Trees and debris removed from water to alleviate flooding

Storm Cleanup/Potholes patched on Town Roads

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have. I can be reached at: (207) 442-0581.

Respectfully submitted, Steve Renaud Road Commissioner

Beavers were the cause of many flooding issues this year (Photo courtesy of Paul Fournier)

34 Treasurer’s Report ______

July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020

YEAR END BALANCE: RESOURCES CASH ON HAND $300.00 ANDROSCOGGIN SCHOOL LUNCH $.19 ANDROSCOGGIN SAVINGS CHECKING $743,302.89 BATH SAVINGS GEN FUND CD's $374,143.36 ANDROSCOGGIN SAVINGS ICS/FIRE CAPT $1,542,498.15 PORTLAND TRUST CO $626,909.38 MDOT ESCROW $50,000.00 Year End Balance: $3,337,153.97

REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY TAX REVENUES REAL ESTATE TAXES 2020 (Prepayments) $11,048.77 REAL ESTATE TAXES 2019 $3,936,782.00 TAX LIENED PROPERTY 2018 AND OLDER $147,146.72 TOTAL TAX REVENUE: $4,094,977.49

GENERAL GOVERNMENT REVENUES AGENT FEES $11,087.25 PLUMBING & SEPTIC PERMITS $6,880.45 BUILDING PERMITS $7,933.64 PORTLAND TRUST INTEREST $9,120.61 SHELLFISH CONSERVATION $4,585.00 TAX AQUIRED PROPERTY GAINS $134,435.46 DEATH, BIRTH, MARRIAGES $1,229.40 MDOT ROAD ASSISTANCE $24,120.00 MOORING FEES $2,440.50 MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE $333,131.28 EXCISE TAX $464,374.91 BOAT EXCISE TAX $8,985.20 FRANCHISE FEE $27,765.26 SNOWMOBILE REFUND $595.80 VETERANS REIMBURSEMENT $1,420.00 INTEREST INCOME $17,303.52 TRANSFER STATION RENT $46,800.00 TRANSFER STATION FEES $70,735.87

SALT SHED RENT $3,300.00 INTEREST ON TAXES $21,096.39 LIEN FEES $2,587.92 STATE REVENUE SHARING $95,108.24 TREE GROWTH & BETE REIMBURSEMENT $11,453.72 HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION $66,975.00 TOTAL GENERAL REVENUES: $1,373,465.42 TOTAL ALL REVENUES: $5,468,442.91

35 Treasurer’s Report ______

GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENSES FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS $58,259.55 FIRE DEPARTMENT INCENTIVE $18,242.00 GENERAL GOVERNMENT SALARIES & BENEFITS $417,761.72 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND MEMBERSHIPS $98,621.68 MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS $109,008.34 PUBLIC WORKS $497,778.25 SALT SHED $1,062.77 COMMUNITY SUPPORT $41,207.00 MISCELLANEOUS $4,068.25 HARBORS AND WATERWAYS/MARINE RESOURCES $21,370.65 SOLID WASTE RECYCLING CENTER/COMMITTEE $13,033.57 CEMETERY MAINTENANCE $0.00 COUNTY TAX $676,783.00 EDUCATION $3,359,691.98 TOTAL GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENSES: $5,399,746.76

CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS Frank J Fowler $284.99 Ruth F Coombs $691.03 Fred D Winter $301.95 Martha D Oliver $220.92 Odie M Rich $517.55 Lee Brothers $568.02 TOTAL CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS: $2,584.46

TRUST FUND Marietta T Atwood Memorial $1,662.80 TOTAL TRUST FUNDS: $4,247.26

Respectfully submitted, Julia M. House Treasurer/Tax Collector

36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Schedule A-8 TOWN OF WEST BATH CURRENT YEAR TAXES RECEIVABLE JUNE 30, 2020 2019 Real Estate Ambrose, Marion* $ 2,849.70 ASAJA, LLC* 2,177.70 Belanger, Linda M. 1,363.95 Bonzagni, LLC* 4,123.35 Bouchard, Thomas S. 2,405.55 Broomhead, Edmund* 4,575.90 Burnette, Kenneth* 509.25 Cantrell, Scott C.* 547.48 Carter, Michael, Jr.* 2,967.30 Common Area Open Space* 30.93 Connor Lewis & Associates LLC* 548.10 Cousins, Sherry L* . 1,095.52 Doyle Custom Construction, Inc. 1,018.50 E Akar Family Trust 4,780.65 Estes, Yushin* 679.35 Formerly Bradford Belanger Jr. * 2,691.15 Gardner, David A. 548.10 Gilliam, Joseph D. * 1,944.60 Green, Susan* 903.21 Greenleaf, Gay D.* 507.15 Harris, Michelle 786.45 Hasenfus, Curt R. * 3,333.75 Holt, Kevin D. * 1,502.55 Howard, Greg* 1,856.40 J&V Property LLC* 5,368.65 Keating, Angela G. 586.95 Lathan, Arlene M. * 227.85 Little Brothers LLC* 2,534.70 Little Brothers LLC* 712.95 Lozier, Michael L* 1,053.15 Lozier, Michael L* 2,505.30 Martin LLC* 490.35 McNeill, Gregory L.* 647.85 Mosse (Bailey), Joanne* 35.70 RA Cummings, Inc.* 1,912.05 RA Cummings, Inc. - d/b/a Auburn Concrete* 1,226.40 Rand, Scott C. * 2,608.20 Ring, Herbert W. * 1,264.20 Sanford, Donald* 4,654.65 Sanford, Donald A.* 854.11 Szczepanski, John E.* 2,381.40 Thompson, Penni* 374.85 Thompson, Penni* 873.60 Tibbetts, Sueanne* 314.16 Vigue, Beth D.* 992.00 Wallace, Deborah* 1,327.20 Wallace, Kevin E.* 1,753.50 Weinert, Frederick W.* 1,646.00 White, Christopher A.* 43 453.60 Schedule A-8 (Cont’d) TOWN OF WEST BATH CURRENT YEAR TAXES RECEIVABLE JUNE 30, 2020 2019 Real Estate (Cont'd) Whitmore, Gregory* $ 4,361.70 Whitmore, Gregory D. * 799.05 Willoughby, Heather L. 1,790.51 Wilson, James E.* 2,271.93 Yorke, Michael* 2,800.35 $ 92,569.50

2019 Personal Property Ad Wear* $ 41.54 Ambrose, Merle 30.32 Auburn Concrete* 1,109.73 Bath Electrical* 47.16 Conopco* 51.15 CTE, Inc. 164.54 M.T.M. Acquisition, Inc. 251.39 New Meadows Auto Sales 96.04 Pepsico* 30.88 Ray Rouke 40.82 RC Rogers & Sons* 57.25 Shawn Schutt* 52.70 Szczepanski, John* 12.02 West Bath Auto Parts* 108.11 White Pines Landscaping, Inc.* 336.69 2,430.34 $ 94.999.84

Schedule A-9

TAX LIENS JUNE 30, 2020 2018 ASAJA LLC $ 265.18 Belanger, Linda M. * 1,441.89 Gilliam, Joseph D.* 2,055.72 Harris, Michelle* 831.39 Little Brothers LLC* 2,679.54 Little Brothers LLC* 753.69 Lozier, Michael L.* 1,113.33 Lozier, Michael L.* 2,648.46 Mosse (Bailey), Joanne 37.74 RA Cummings, Inc. - d/b/a/ Auburn Concrete* 1,296.48 Ring, Herbert W.* 1,336.44 Thompson, Penni* 396.27 Thompson, Penni* 923.52 White, Christopher Alan* 479.52 Whitmore, Gregory D.* 844.71 $ 17,103.88

44 45 46 47 48 49 50 Registrar of Voters’ Report ______

A quiet referendum election in November yielded a low turnout for Municipal races, but with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, voters began to familiarize themselves with absentee voting. Maine allows any voter to opt for absentee voting either by mail or in person at Town Hall up to 5 days before the election. Registered voters may request a ballot online, by phone or in person at Town Hall.

Election dates and voter participation for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2020 is as follows:

Referendum 120 Voters 11/08/2019 & Municipal Election (7%) Presidential Primary 379 Voters 3/03/2020 & Referendum Election (44%) State Primary 487 Voters 7/03/2020 & Referendum Election (29%) FY2020/21 28 Voters 9/03/2020 Budget Town Meeting (2%)

Registered voters as of June 30, 2020: 1679

(increase of 66 voters from previous year)

Interested in volunteering at the polls? Please email [email protected] for information

Town Clerk’s Report

Fishing Licenses: 76 Hunting Licenses: 65

ATV Registrations: 68 Boat Registrations: 321 Snowmobile Registrations: 62

Dog Registrations: 260

Dear Residents,

It is my goal to keep residents as educated and informed to what is happening in our area as possible by maintaining the West Bath website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel, in addition to newspaper advertisements and postings at the West Bath Fire Hall. Emergency notifications such as snow closures are advertised on all three major news networks. Please email [email protected] if you would like to receive weekly email updates on upcoming meetings and events.

If you have a local event you would like to share with the public, please reach out to me!

Respectfully submitted, Karly Perry Town Clerk, Registrar of Voters

51 Vital Statistics July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 ______

Births: 3 Girls and 5 Boys 8 Births

Marriages: 17 Marriages ------Brae Barret to Scott Harley July 6, 2019 Sheri Ramsey to Mark Nelson July 20, 2019 Kayla Sheaffer to Bryan Rattleff July 20, 2019 Judith Bean to Kevin Twine August 25, 2019 Emily Powers to Jason Barriault August 30, 2019 Shannon Plourde to Benjamin Parks August 12, 2019 Katherine Tagulaid to Benkei O’Sullivan September 21, 2019 Lisa Pandolfo to Steven Driever October 12, 2019 Mary Hynes to Daren Lemont October 31, 2019 Xin Yang to Lawrence Scott Jr. November 29, 2019 Ashley Hartford to Zachary Van Der Werf December 14, 2019 Dianna Morse to Mark Jorgensen January 1, 2020 Kylie McIntire to Mathieu Coffin January 22, 2020 Courtney Guth to Christopher Mixon January 24, 2020 Carey Moore to Demond Echols February 14, 2020 Rylee Vigue to Edward Gilmore May 10, 2020 Staci Delmastro to Ty Travis June 27, 2020

Deaths: 17 Deaths ------Sandra L. Whorff July 11, 2019 Robert W. MacKinnon August 13, 2019 Diane Reno September 26, 2019 David F. Snow November 23, 2019 Florence G. Weitzell December 8, 2019 Larry M. Barrington January 16, 2020 Mearlene L. Brown January 27, 2020 Beverly J. Harris January 27, 2020 Marion S. Ambrose February 29, 2020 Violette S. Murphy March 8, 2020 Gary D. Roberts March 19, 2020 Ann M. Vellella March 21, 2020 Naomi R. Alexander April 11, 2020 Ramsay Fifield April 11, 2020 Bonnie L. Engle April 15, 2020 Leo J. Walsh Jr. May 7, 2020 Everett J. McNelly June 17, 2020

TOWN OF WEST BATH ANNUAL BUDGET TOWN MEETING WARRANT September 3, 2020 Note Location: Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Road, Bath, Maine

To: Jonathan Beane, a Constable of the Town of West Bath in the County of Sagadahoc and the State of Maine

Greetings: In the name of the State of Maine, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of West Bath, in said County and State, qualified by law to vote in Town affairs, to meet at the Bath Middle School, 6 Old Brunswick Road, Bath, Maine, on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 6:00 pm, then and there to act upon the following Articles, to wit:

Art. 1 To choose a Moderator by written ballot to preside at said meeting.

Art. 2 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for General Government Wages.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: $ 270,927.00 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 3 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Insurance & Benefits.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Payroll Taxes 24,000.00 Retirement 26,300.00 Health Insurance 81,600.00 Workers Compensation 6,000.00 Property & Casualty Insurance 19,500.00 Volunteer Firefighter Insurance 1,000.00 Total: $ 158,400.00

Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 4 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Town Administration.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Office Expense 39,700.00 Computer/Technology 39,000.00 Assessing 3,250.00 Selectmen’s Contingency 10,000.00 Code Enforcement Expense 0.00 Voting 3,300.00 Cleaning 5,000.00

Town Hall Exterior Trim Replacement 30,000.00 Building Maintenance 6,720.00 Total: $ 136,970.00

Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 5 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Legal.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: $ 10,000.00 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 6 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Protection.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Ambulance 75,000.00 Hydrants 27,544.00 Fire Department Operation 68,636.00 Fire Department Incentive 20,315.00 Animal Control 5,057.00 Total: $ 196,552.00

Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 7 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate all dog licensing fees and penalties collected during FY 2020-2021, with the exception of the recording fee that must be retained by the municipal clerk pursuant to State law, as additional payment to the Animal Control Officer for services rendered to the Town.

Selectmen recommend: Approval

Art. 8 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Harbor and Water.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Shellfish Warden 20,400.00 Boat 800.00 Harbor Master 1,800.00 Total: $ 23,000.00

Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 9 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate up to $3,973 from the Boat Excise/Mooring Fee/Marine Resources Joint Revenue Account for the Harbor Master’s stipend and reimbursements/expenses.

Selectmen recommend: Approval

Art. 10 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate up to $18,648 from the Boat Excise/Mooring Fee/Marine Resources Joint Revenue Account for the Shellfish Warden’s wages and expenses and Town boat expenses.

Selectmen recommend: Approval

Art. 11 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Sanitation.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Solid Waste 11,750.00 Recycling Committee 1,000.00 Total: $ 12,750.00

Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 12 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the Garbage to Garden Composting program.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: $ 1,800.00 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 13 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate up to $130,150 and to appropriate FY 2020- 2021 motor vehicle excise tax revenue for Public Works, for a total appropriation of $610,150 as detailed below.

General Roads 373,800.00 Salt Shed 700.00 Streetlights 2,000.00 Snow Removal 233,650.00 Total: $ 610,150.00

Selectmen recommend: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 14 To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $219,000 for the Roads Capital Improvement Fund reserve account.

Selectmen recommend: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 15 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Cemeteries.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: $ 300.00 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 16 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Community Agencies.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Bath Area Food Bank 3,000.00 Bath Area Seniors Activity Center 900.00 Sweetser 2,252.00 Midcoast Maine Community Action 1,500.00 New Hope for Women 500.00 Spectrum Generations 1,400.00 Total: $ 9,552.00

Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 17 To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for Patten Free Library.

Selectmen recommend 2-1: $ 34,725.00 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Art. 18 To see if the Town will vote to carry forward all remaining appropriated but unexpended funds at the end of FY 2019-2020 from the General Assistance, Ambulance, General Roads, MDOT Local Road Assistance, and Marine Resources/Harbor and Waterways accounts, provided that the funds are used for the same purpose as originally designated.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval

Art. 19 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate an amount not to exceed $600,000 from unassigned fund balance (surplus) to purchase a new fire truck and related apparatus.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 20 To see if the Town will vote to transfer $50,000 from unassigned fund balance (surplus) to be deposited in the Long-Term Capital Improvement Fund reserve account.

Selectmen recommend 3-0: Approval Budget Committee recommends: Approval

Art. 21 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to apply any anticipated revenues, not otherwise dedicated for specific purposes, to reduce the FY 2020-2021 Tax Commitment.

Art. 22 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to apply unassigned fund balance (surplus) in excess of 12% of the total non-capital expenditures for FY 2019-2020, and not otherwise appropriated herein, to reduce the FY 2020-2021 Tax Commitment.

Art. 23 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the payment of tax abatements approved by the Selectmen/Assessors from the property tax overlay or, if necessary, from unassigned fund balance (surplus).

Art. 24 To see if the Town will vote to fix the date of October 15, 2020 as the date when FY 2020-2021 taxes shall become due and payable and to charge 8.00% on unpaid taxes after that date.

Art. 25 To see if the Town will vote to set the interest rate to be paid by the Town on abated taxes at 4.00% for FY 2020-2021.

Art. 26 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Tax Collector to accept prepayment of taxes. No interest shall be payable on any prepayment.

Art. 27 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to direct the Treasurer to waive foreclosure of a real property tax lien mortgage if they determine such course of action to be in the best interests of the Town.

Art. 28 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to dispose of Town-owned personal property with a value of over $500 and deemed by the Selectmen to be surplus on such terms as they deem advisable.

Art. 29 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell and dispose of all tax acquired property held by the Town on such terms as they deem advisable and to execute quitclaim deeds for such property, except that the Selectmen shall use the special sale process required by 36 M.R.S. § 943-C for qualifying homestead property if they choose to sell it to anyone other than the former owner(s).

Art. 30 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to apply for and accept state, federal or other grants, on behalf of the Town for municipal purposes, including when necessary, the authority to sign grant contracts, documents and or other paperwork and accept the conditions that accompany grant funds, and to appropriate and expend such funds for authorized purposes, as the Selectmen deem in the best interests of the Town during the upcoming fiscal year.

Art. 31 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to accept conditional or unconditional gifts of real property provided that no single gift will obligate the Town to incur liabilities that total $1,000 or more per year, as determined by the Selectmen.

Art. 32 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to accept or reject donations of personal property and/or to accept or reject gifts of money to the various accounts of the Town for the ensuing fiscal year and to appropriate those moneys donated for specific purposes.

Art. 33 To see if the Town will vote to maintain, and exercise if appropriate, its right to take river herring from the New Meadows Lake consistent with the terms and conditions specified at the March 1977 Town Meeting.

Art. 34 To see if the Town will vote to maintain a fishway on Winnegance Lake and to exercise its right to take river herring in accordance with the terms and conditions specified at the June 1988 Town Meeting and an agreement with the City of Bath and the Town of Phippsburg.

Art. 35 Shall an ordinance entitled “2020 Amendments to the Land Use Ordinance Regarding the Official Land Use Ordinance District and Overlay Zone Map and Related Text” be enacted?

(The proposed ordinance amendments are available for review and inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office and will be available at the Town Meeting.)

Art. 36 Shall an ordinance entitled “2020 Amendments to the Land Use Ordinance and the Development Review Ordinance to Make Miscellaneous Numbering, Formatting and Typographical Error Corrections” be enacted?

(The proposed ordinance amendments are available for review and inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office and will be available at the Town Meeting.)

Art. 37 (Written ballot required by statute) To see if the Town will vote to increase the property tax levy limit established for the Town of West Bath by State law in the event that the municipal budget approved under the preceding articles will result in a tax commitment that is greater than that property tax levy limit.

West Bath School - Expenses

Art. 38 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for Regular Instruction.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 2,313,991.32 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: This article covers salaries and benefits for regular education teachers and support personnel, as well as classroom supplies, equipment, books, and repairs for grades K-5. This article also includes the contracted services for pre-kindergarten students and tuition costs for students in grades 6- 12.

Art. 39 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for Special Education.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 652,734.72 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: This article provides salaries and benefits for special education teachers and support personnel, K-12 program tuition, staffing, out of district placement, and professional services.

Art. 40 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for Career and Technical Education.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 0.00 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: Career and Technical Education will be provided through RSU 1 and is included in tuition rates.

Art. 41 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for Other Instruction.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 4,500.00 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: This article includes costs to provide students with learning experiences not included under other programs (i.e. co-curricular, extra-curricular activities).

Art. 42 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for Student and Staff Support.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 259,574.27 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: This article covers salaries and benefits for Guidance, Health, Technology, Improvement of Instruction, Staff Development, Library, and Student Assessment.

Art. 43 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for System Administration.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 94,458.30 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: This article provides salaries and benefits for the Office of the Superintendent. It also covers expenses for the School Board of Directors, financial software, insurance, advertising, dues and fees, legal fees, and auditing expenses.

Art. 44 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for School Administration.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 207,980.97 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: This article includes salaries and benefits for the Principal and support staff. It includes equipment, supplies, dues and fees, and contracted services.

Art. 45 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for Transportation.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 156,022.80 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: This article covers expenses for transporting students in grades K-12 to and from school.

Art. 46 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for Facilities Maintenance.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 178,412.40 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: This article covers expenses for facilities operations and contracted services for the West Bath School and grounds.

Art. 47 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for Debt Service and Other Commitments.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 0.00 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: There is no current outstanding indebtedness relating to the West Bath School.

Art. 48 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for Other Expenditures, including Food Service.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 35,000.00 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: This article covers expenses related to the food service program.

West Bath School – Revenues

Art. 49 To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate for the total cost of funding public education from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 as described in the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act and to see what sum the Town will raise and assess as the municipality’s contribution to the total cost of funding public education from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 as described in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15688.

School Board of Directors recommends Total Appropriated: $ 2,359,132.88 School Board of Directors recommends Total Raised: $ 2,112,184.25

State-Mandated Explanation: The Town’s contribution to the total cost of funding public education from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 as described in the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act is the amount of money determined by state law to be the minimum amount that the Town must raise and assess in order to receive the full amount of state dollars.

Art. 50 (written ballot required) To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and appropriate in additional local funds, (the School Board of Directors recommends $1,177,479.40), which exceeds the State’s Essential Programs and Services allocation model by (the School Board of Directors recommends $ 1,142,479.40) as required to fund the budget recommended by the School Board of Directors.

The School Board of Directors recommends $ 1,177,479.40 for additional local funds and gives the following reasons for exceeding the State’s Essential Programs and Services funding model by $ 1,142,479.40: the additional local funds represent local costs to support school budget programs and services that are not included in the State’s funding model, including costs for transportation and special education services.

State-Mandated Explanation: The additional local funds are those locally raised funds over and above the Town’s local contribution to the total cost of funding public education from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 as described in the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act that will help to achieve the budget for educational programs.

Summary Total Operating Budget

Art. 51 To see what sum the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to expend for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 from the municipal school administrative unit’s contribution to the total cost of funding public education from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 as described in the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act, non-state-funded school construction projects, additional local funds for school purposes under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15690, undesignated fund balances, tuition receipts, state subsidy and other receipts for the support of schools.

School Board of Directors recommends: $ 3,902,674.78 Budget Committee recommends: Same

Explanation: This article is a summary article and approves expenditures of the proposed budget of $ 3,902,674.78. This article authorizes the School Board of Directors to spend revenues on the amounts appropriated in the previous articles. This article does not raise any additional money. The estimated revenue sources are: Local Contribution $ 2,112,184.25 Additional Local Contribution 1,177,479.40 EPS State Subsidy 246,948.63 Tuition Credit (from RSU 1) 0.00 Carryover from FY 19-20 180,228.73 Carryover from FY 18-19 Undesignated Funds 185,833.77

Total: $ 3,902,674.78

Cost Center Transfers

Art. 52 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to transfer amounts exceeding 5% of the total appropriation for any cost center to another cost center or among other cost centers for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, provided that transfers shall not be permitted to increase the authorized total school budget.

School Board of Directors recommends: Yes Budget Committee recommends: Yes

Art. 53 In addition to the amount in Article 51, to see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to accept and expend any state, federal, and other grants, aid, and receipts during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021, for school purposes, provided that such grants, aid, and receipts do not require the expenditure of other local funds not previously appropriated.

School Board of Directors recommends: Yes Budget Committee recommends: Yes

Contingency Reserve Fund

Art. 54 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to establish a non-lapsing School Contingency Reserve Fund under the authority of Title 20-A, sections 2307 and 1491 of the Maine statutes; to transfer up to $60,000 from the existing special education reserve fund to that new contingency reserve fund; and to expend amounts in the contingency reserve fund for COVID 19-related or other emergency, unanticipated, or legally required cost center expenditures not included in the operating budget but identified by the School Board of Directors as necessary or advisable.

School Board of Directors recommends: Yes Budget Committee recommends: Yes

Explanation: State law now allows a broader purpose reserve fund to be used for any cost center expenditure, including but not limited to, special education, that was not anticipated or included in the school budget.

Additional State Subsidy

Article 55 In the event that the Town receives more state education subsidy than the amount included in its budget, to see if the Town will vote to authorize the School Board of Directors to use all or part of the additional state subsidy to increase expenditures for school purposes in cost center categories approved by the School Board of Directors, increase the allocation of finances in a reserve fund

approved by the School Board of Directors, and/or decrease the local cost share expectation, as defined in Title 20-A, section 15671-A (1) (B), for local property taxpayers for funding public education as approved by the School Board of Directors.

School Board of Directors recommends: Yes Budget Committee recommends: Yes

The Registrar of Voters will be available at the West Bath Town Hall until 4:00 pm and at the Bath Middle School from 5:30 pm until closing for the purpose of correcting the voter list and to accept new enrollments.

Given under our hands this 20th day of August, 2020.

______Madelyn Hennessey

______Kathleen Lavallee

______Suzanne Andresen

RETURN

Sagadahoc County, State of Maine

To the Board of Selectmen: I certify that I have notified the voters of the Town of West Bath of the time and place of the Annual Town Meeting by posting an attested copy of the within described Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting at the New Meadows service station, the West Bath Fire Station and the West Bath Town Hall, being public and conspicuous places in said Town, prior to the 26th day of August, 2020, being at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

Dated:

______Jonathan Beane Constable of the Town of West Bath

64 MINUTES FOR THE TOWN OF WEST BATH ANNUAL TOWN MEETING NOVEMBER 5, 2019

A legal Town MeetingMIN wasUTES held at FOR the West THE Bath TOWN Fire Hall OF inWEST the Town BATH of West Bath, Maine on the 5th of NovemberANNU 2019AL. The TOWN meeting MEETING was called NOVEMBERto order November 5, 2019 5, 201 9 at 8:00 am by Karly Perry, Town Clerk for the Town of West Bath, who subsequently read the warrant.

Art.A legal 1. TownKathleen Meeting Dudzic was nominated held at the Kathr Westy Bathn Mc FireLean Hall as Moderatorin the Town & of Warden, West Bath, seconded Maine on by Dianethe 5th Delano. of November By way 201 of9 .written The meeting ballot, wasKathr calledyn Mc toL oeanrder was November voted as 5 ,Moderator 2019 at 8:00 (3- 0)am and by swoKarlyrn Perryin by, KarlyTown PerryClerk a fort 8:0 the0 am.Town (At of 12 West pm KathrBath, ywhon Mc subsequentlyLean appointed read Peter the warrant. Lamarre as her Deputy Moderator/Warden. In the name of the State of Maine.) Art. 1. Kathleen Dudzic nominated Kathryn McLean as Moderator & Warden, seconded by Art.Diane 2 . Delano. The polls By opened way of at written 8:00 am ballot, at the KathrWesty Bathn Mc FireLean Hall was for voted the townspeopleas Moderator to (cast3-0) th andeir balswolotsrn infor by: KarlyOne (1) Perry Selectman, at 8:00 am. who (At shall 12 pmalso Kathr be any nAssessor McLean and appointed Overseer Peter of Lamarrethe Poor, as for her a threeDeputy-year Moderator/Warden. term; and one (1) InWest the Bathname S ofchool the StateBoard of member Maine.,) for a three-year term.

ElectionArt. 2. The Results polls areopened as follows: at 8:00 am at the West Bath Fire Hall for the townspeople to cast their ballots for: One (1) Selectman, who shall also be an Assessor and Overseer of the Poor, for a BOARDthree-year OF term SELECTMEN; and one ( 1) West Bath School Board memberWEST BATH, for a threeSCHOOL-year BOARD term. Suza nne Andresen 210 Ashleigh Randall 320 MarcElection Travis: Results are as146 follows: Write-Ins 4 Write-Ins 0 Blanks 52 BOARDBlanks: OF SELECTMEN20 WEST BATH SCHOOL BOARD Suzanne Andresen 210 Ashleigh Randall 320 Marc Travis: 146 ADJOURNMENTWrite -Ins 4 Write-Ins 0 Blanks 52 DeputyBlanks: Moderator/Warden20 closed the polls at 8pm concluding the Annual Town Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT Town of West Bath Board of Selectmen Deputy Moderator/Warden closed the polls at 8pm concludingM theadelyn Annual Hennessey Town, MeetingChairman. Kathleen Lavallee Peter Oceretko Town of West Bath Board of Selectmen Madelyn Hennessey, Chairman Kathleen Lavallee Peter Oceretko

I attest that this is a true copy of the Minutes of the Town of West Bath’s Annual Meeting of November 5, 2019.

AI attestTTESTED that this BY: is a true______copy of the Minutes of the Town of West Bath’sKarly Annual A. MeetingPerry, Town of November Clerk 5, 2019. Town of West Bath, Maine

ATTESTED BY: ______Karly A. Perry, Town Cler65k Town of West Bath, Maine Sagadahoc County Communications Center Report

Requests for Police Response 1,023 Requests for Fire Response 106 Requests for Ambulance Response 234

2018-2019 Comparison EMS

Fire

Law

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 2019-2020

Our center is nationally certified in Emergency Medical Dispatch and Fire Dispatch for the call processing of each type of call. What does this mean to you as a resident?

• The best standard of care • Pre-arrival instructions so that the emergency can be addressed as the fire or rescue responds • Scene safety for you and the first responders are addressed right away • More pertinent information is passed onto the first responders • Knowing that when you call 9-1-1 that you are in perfect hands from our center What to expect when calling 9-1-1 First question you will be asked, “what is the address of the emergency?” This is the most vital information we can gather, because if this is the only piece of information we can get before the phone is disconnected for any reason, we know where to send help.

Second question will be, “what is the phone number you are calling from?” This, just like the first question is vital because if the call disconnected, we can send help to the address provided and then attempt a call back to gather more information for the responders and/or provide medical instructions to help the patient before the responders arrive. *Instructions we can provide over the phone range from but aren’t limited too, control bleeding from a minor cut to full CPR instructions and now include Covid-19 questions* Tammy Shiers, Director 207-386-5801 Mike Carter, Deputy Director 207-386-5800

Any questions or for more information feel free to contact above personnel at the email or phone number provided.Thank You!

66 SAGADAHOC COUNTY Emergency Management Agency Board of Health Office: 207-443-8210 | Fax: 207-443-8212 752 High Street, Bath, Maine 04530

Sarah J. Bennett, Director ______Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency FY2020 Annual Report

The Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency (SCEMA) is responsible for policy development, planning, agency coordination, education and training surrounding the health and safety of those who live, work and play within the ten municipalities of Sagadahoc County. SCEMA is charged with creating the framework for which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. SCEMA protects communities by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, acts of terrorism or other man-made disasters. Existing partnerships were enhanced and new partnerships with government, non-profit and industry were established over the course of Fiscal Year 2020 (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020).

During FY20, SCEMA Deputy Director, Matthew Fournier, accepted a position with the Maine Emergency Management Agency, leaving an opening to be filled. Grainne Shaw (formerly Grainne Dougherty) was selected to serve as the new Deputy Director. Prior to transitioning to SCEMA, Grainne had served three years in the Sagadahoc County Communications Center as a public safety dispatcher and as such brought a great deal of knowledge and community-level expertise to the position.

SCEMA continued to fund county-wide and municipal specific projects with the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) from the FY2017, FY2018, and FY2019 federal grants during the 2020 fiscal year. The grants run concurrently and each has a three-year performance period. The total of the FY17, FY18 and FY19 awards totals approximately $203,000 combined and have funded projects which otherwise might not have been possible. These funds have or will translate into a number of projects across the County: first responder ballistics equipment, upgrading law enforcement mobile data terminals, purchase and installation of vehicle repeaters, purchasing AED’s for municipal police and fire departments, public safety communication tower upgrades and, in response to COVID-19, purchasing reusable N95 masks for first response agencies, along with many other projects. SCEMA has begun planning for the upcoming FY2020 Homeland Security Grant Program.

During the first half of FY2020 (Prior to COVID-19), SCEMA provided in-person public education and outreach to the communities within Sagadahoc County. Since and during COVID-19, SCEMA maintained the commitment of providing the same level of public education, although in virtual and electronic formats. SCEMA also continues to maintain a consistent public presence on social media to interact with the community during times of disaster, weather events, or simply to share important information, training announcements or local advisories.

During FY2020, SCEMA and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) increased engagement with Tier II reporting facilities. Together, we have reviewed several facility Emergency Response Plans and have invited facility managers to attend quarterly meetings. The LEPC funded Hazardous Materials Operations Refresher courses for the municipal fire department staff, which is a state requirement allowing for the department to maintain their HazMat level qualifications. SCEMA continues to maintain the Sagadahoc Count LEPC Facebook page and continues to boost its community outreach program. It is our goal to engage with the communities surrounding each EHS facility in Sagadahoc County to provide education and awareness.

SCEMA has worked very closely with the Sagadahoc County Board of Health, where county partners and stakeholders, neighboring jurisdictions and subject matter experts target and address public health topics impacting the communities within the county. During FY2020 the Board largely focused its attention to COVID-19 and the impacts to our communities, businesses and citizens.

FY2020 has proven to be a very challenging, yet successful year, and together, we will continue to look toward the future, committing to the protection of life and property safety for all who live, work or play in West Bath, Maine. We look forward to another successful year of service. For more information, visit us at www.sagadahoccountyme.gov. Sign-up to receive critical CodeRED public emergency notifications and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SagadahocCountyEMA.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah J. Bennett, SCEMA Director SAGADAHOC COUNTY Arrowsic • Bath • Bowdoin • Bowdoinham • Georgetown • Phippsburg • Richmond • Topsham • West Bath • Woolwich 67 68 69 GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES FOR WEST BATH

Commissioner Carol Grose County of Sagadahoc: District 3 (Arrowsic, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Richmond, West Bath, Woolwich) 752 High Street, Bath, ME 04530 · (207) 443-8202

Governor Janet Mills State of Maine 1 State House Station, Augusta ME 04333 · (207) 287-3531

Joyce “Jay” McCreight, State Representative House of Representatives: District 51 (Brunswick, Harpswell, West Bath) 2 State House Station, Augusta ME · (207) 287-1400 TTY (207) 287-4469

Chellie Pingree, Member of Congress Congress of the United States 1st District, Maine 1 Silver Street, Waterville, ME 04902 · (207) 873-5713

Senator Angus King United States Senate 133 Hart Building Washington, D.C. 20510 · (202) 224-5344

Senator Eloise Vitelli Senate District 23 (Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Dresden, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Woolwich) 3 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 · (207) 287-1515

Senator Susan Collins United States Senate 413 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 · (202) 224-2623

COUNTY OF SAGADAHOC COMMISSIONER CAROL A. GROSE District 3 – Arrowsic, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Richmond, West Bath, Woolwich

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It is my honor to continue to serve the citizens of West Bath as a Sagadahoc County Commissioner. As I continue my tenure, I remain totally committed to ensuring that the services provided by the County are delivered in the most cost effective and professional way possible.

As we move forward in a climate which continues to be accentuated by the uncertainty of COVID-19, the Commissioners remain acutely aware of the impact the County tax assessment has on Sagadahoc municipalities. In FY 2020-21 the overall budget increased by 2.9%, due in large part to a reduction in the amount of available surplus funds. While it is unknown if we will show a reduction in FY 2021-22, we remain firmly committed to minimizing increases and controlling non-essential expenditures.

During FY 2019-20 the County’s many activities and accomplishments included the following: • Administration continued to oversee the self-funded health insurance program. Over the past five years, our premiums have gone up ~7% less than those of our previous insurer. Planning continued on a number of significant capital projects that are scheduled for in the current fiscal year, including extensive repairs to the Courthouse roof. • Probate Court was busy processing petitions for guardianship, conservatorship, change of name, adoption, and estates. They also continued to back-scan records into an electronic database. New legislation required a revision of almost all probate forms, which added greatly to their workload. • Deeds completed its efforts to make all documents available for viewing at sagadahocdeedsme.com. In spite of COVID 19, they stayed busy handling the many recordings generated by a more robust housing market. • The Emergency Management Agency staff continued to plan and implement regional training; assist local EMA Directors and community officials to meet federal emergency preparedness requirements; facilitate the disbursement of PPE to localities and agencies; coordinate numerous other COVID-19 related programs and services; and collaborate with area emergency responders and public health agencies. • The Communications Center continued making equipment upgrades as well as undertaking long term planning for improvements to the E-911 system and coverage. • The District Attorney’s Office handled a high volume of court cases until the onset of COVID. Although Superior Court has not as yet resumed sessions, the District Court has been fully operational and keeping staff quite busy. • For the period of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 5,346 calls, compared to 5,217 calls the previous year, which is an increase of 2.5% The Transport Division handled 409 transports last year and continued to monitor inmates on home release. The Civil Division continues to serve orders and writs in a consistently professional manner.

In order that I may represent you effectively, it is important that I am aware of your questions and concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 319-5290. And I encourage interested persons to attend Board of Commissioners’ meetings, which are held at 3:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the County Courthouse, 752 High Street, Bath, Me. (For details, call 443-8202 or check our web site: www.sagadahoccountyme.gov.)

Respectfully, Carol A. Grose

71 72 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333-0002 (207) 287-1400 Joyce McCreight TTY: Maine Relay 711 155 Gun Point Road Harpswell, ME 04079 Residence: (207) 449-3293 [email protected]

Dear West Bath Residents,

Thank you for the opportunity to continue to represent you in the 129th Legislature. It is truly an honor to serve our community.

This legislative session took an unusual turn as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the second session of the Legislature generally runs through mid-April, the Presiding Officers made the decision to end our session on March 17 in order to keep staff, constituents and our communities safe. Since then, I have kept in close contact with the administration and am working to provide relief for our community.

Before adjourning, my colleagues and I passed emergency legislation to help Mainers through the evolving COVID-19 crisis. We included provisions to temporarily expand unemployment insurance benefits; empower the state Department of Education to waive certain school-day requirements and ensure students continue to receive needed meals; allow remote participation in municipal meetings; establish a program to help eligible Mainers access low- or no-interest loans; and authorize the Governor to prohibit utilities from terminating residential electric and water service during this period. We also designated at least $11 million in state funding to further respond to COVID-19.

In addition, the Legislature passed a supplemental budget that raised rates for direct health care providers, increased the state’s pre-k-12 education contribution by $38 million and more, all while adding another $17.4 million to the “Rainy Day Fund.” We also passed bonds in the amount of $105 million for transportation needs and $15 million for broadband access, which earned final approval from voters in July.

On top of these critical actions, we achieved some big successes this session. We passed an affordable housing tax credit that will help us build 1,000 more affordable housing units. We put new safeguards in place to prevent tragedies like last year’s devastating explosion in Farmington. And we passed a package of health care bills aimed at driving down costs and increasing accessibility for all Mainers.

Please contact me with your questions, concerns and ideas at [email protected] or by phone at 449-3293. I also send out regular email updates. Please let me know if you would like to receive them.

Respectfully,

Joyce “Jay” McCreight State Representative District 51 Brunswick (part), Harpswell and West Bath 73 Dear Friends,

2020 has been a year of unconscionable loss and hardship. The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged our nation, magnifying long-unaddressed inequities. I hear daily from constituents whose lives have been upended by the pandemic. As we navigate these ongoing challenges, my top priority in Congress has been to advocate for the resources Maine residents, businesses, and institutions need to weather this crisis.

In March, the CARES Act was signed into law, providing much-needed relief to Mainers, including expanded unemployment benefits, stimulus checks, grants and loans for small businesses and nonprofits, and funding for health care providers on the front lines of this crisis. As this crisis wore on, I saw increased need; that’s why I voted for the Heroes Act in May and again in October to provide further support. I’m relieved we passed another relief package at the end of December, but I know another round of support is still much needed in the coming year.

The pandemic isn’t the only crisis we face. Climate change threatens Maine’s environment and industries. This summer, the Gulf of Maine recorded its hottest day, and we experienced the longest, most severe drought in 20 years. Maine farms continue to be stymied by climate change, but they can also play a crucial role in combatting it. In February, I introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act to ensure American agriculture is net-zero by 2045. The release of Maine’s Climate Action Plan is a major step in the fight against climate change. I will continue to work with state leaders to ensure they have federal support to achieve this agenda.

2021 will offer different challenges. We must distribute a vaccine to millions, restore jobs, uplift the economy, and repair the divisions that undermine our ability to make meaningful change. I look forward to working with the incoming presidential administration to meet these challenges and emerge as a stronger, more resilient nation.

As always, the needs of Mainers guide my work as we recover from this crisis. If there is anything my office can do to help, please reach out.

Sincerely,

Chellie Pingree Member of Congress

74 Dear Friends,

As 2019 ends and 2020 begins, I am pleased to report that Congress made progress on a number of issues important to Maine families despite the polarization in our country.

In a major win for surviving military and retiree spouses to whom we are deeply indebted, I was proud to co-lead the repeal of what is often referred to as the “Military Widow’s Tax,” an unfair offset of survivor benefits that has prevented as many as 67,000 surviving spouses—including more than 260 from Maine—from receiving the full benefits they deserve.

The high cost of health care and prescription drugs continues to be a top issue for families and seniors. To provide continued relief for more lower- and middle-income individuals, I led the charge to extend for another two years the medical expense tax deduction that I included in the 2017 tax law. Without this extension, nearly 20,000 Mainers and millions of Americans with high medical expenses, including many with preexisting conditions, would have faced an increased tax burden. In other good news, the CREATES Act I cosponsored became law. It will prevent pharmaceutical companies from blocking access to a sufficient supply of brand-name drugs needed for the studies that allow less expensive alternatives to enter the marketplace.

Improving people’s health and wellbeing remains my priority. On a per capita basis, Maine has the highest incidence of Lyme disease in the country. In August, I held a Senate hearing at the University of Maine’s Tick Lab on this growing public health crisis. A comprehensive public health strategy to combat this epidemic is needed, and the new law I authored will do just that.

In addition, I helped champion another $2.6 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health, our nation’s premiere biomedical research institution, including significant boosts for Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes research. Last year, NIH funded more than $111 million for research at 14 Maine institutions.

To help prepare the graduates of Maine Maritime Academy, I secured $300 million for a new training ship, which will ensure rigorous instruction for MMA students for decades to come.

Significant federal funding was approved for work at Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Funding appropriated by Congress will pay for three new destroyers, make a down payment on an additional ship, and finance infrastructure improvements at PNSY.

As Chairman of the Transportation and Housing Appropriations Subcommittee, I have led efforts to improve our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and ensure that Maine’s housing needs are addressed. For Maine’s roads, bridges, airports, and seaports, tens of millions in federal funding will help make urgently needed upgrades and improve safety. Funding will also support housing assistance to low-income families and seniors and aid communities in reducing homelessness among our youth. The Community Development Block Grant program will assist numerous towns and cities in our State.

The Aging Committee I chair has continued its focus on financial security for our seniors. A new law I authored will make it easier for small businesses to offer retirement plans to their employees. Our Aging Committee’s Fraud Hotline fielded more than 1,200 calls this year. Congress passed a new law to crack down on robocallers who are often the perpetrators of these scams. And a new law I authored will expand the IRS’ Identity Protection PIN program nationwide to prevent identity theft tax refund fraud.

At the end of 2019, I cast my 7,262nd consecutive vote. In the New Year, I will keep working to deliver bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing Maine and the nation. If ever I can be of assistance to you, please contact one of my state offices or visit my website at www.collins.senate.gov. May 2020 be a good year for you, your family, your community, and our state.

Sincerely,

Susan M. Collins United States Senator 75 76

129th Legislature Senator Eloise Vitelli Assistant Majority Leader 3 State House Station Senate of Augusta, ME 04333-0003 (207) 287-1515 Maine Senate District 23

Dear Residents of West Bath, It is an honor to serve as your State Senator. I know 2020 has been challenging, but in these difficult times, we have seen our communities come together to help each other get through. Prior to the pandemic, my colleagues and I were busy in Augusta, with a focus on supporting working people, investing in small businesses, laying the groundwork for the success of our children, and helping Maine’s aging population. Specifically, we made progress on fighting the climate crisis, including passing my bill to increase investment in local clean energy projects and jobs into law. We passed a budget that provided $130 million in property tax relief without raising taxes. The bipartisan budget also included $111 million in new funding for K-12 education. We fought to make health care more affordable and accessible, and delivered on our promise to enact prescription drug pricing reform, including passing my bill that requires drug companies to share information on costs related to drug production, marketing, advertising and consumer price. We moved forward on connecting more Mainers to quality, high-speed internet, including $4 million in the budget to fund broadband and related rural development projects. When the virus first emerged in March, the Legislature adjourned early to do our part in preventing further spread of the virus. I believe this was an essential decision, and was in the best interest of the public health. Before we adjourned, we passed a number of crucial measures in order to respond to the crisis, including expanding unemployment eligibility, prohibiting utilities from cutting off electric and water service, establishing a low to no interest loan program for affected employees, and more. Since that time, lawmakers and legislative staff have been working remotely and are available to answer questions and concerns you may have. I know there is still much left to do – and the pandemic has made that all too clear – but I will keep fighting for these priorities on your behalf. If I can ever be of assistance to you, your family or your community, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. You can reach me through email at [email protected] or at my office at (207) 287-1515. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Kind regards,

Senator Eloise Vitelli

[email protected] Fax: (207) 287-1585 * TTY (207) 287-1583 * Message Service 1-800-423-6900 * Website: legislature.maine.gov/senate

77 West Bath Historical Society

Heritage Days Open Houses were held at the Littlefield School and Old West Bath Meeting House in celebration of July 4. Local residents and summer visitors turned out in great numbers and enjoyed tours and docent lore about the historic buildings.

The West Bath Historical Society (WBHS) organized the always popular, non- sectarian, traditional candlelight Annual Community Christmas Service & Carol Sing. The Service, organized by Leah Zartarian, coordinated more than fifty volunteers and participants included musically talented students from the West

Bath School, was unfortunately cancelled due to the weather forecast.

WBHS participated in the annual Town History Series offered by The Sagadahoc History & Genealogy Room and sponsored by the Patten Free Library. Donald (Don) Bruce III presented, “What’s in a name? A historical perspective on place names in West Bath” based on his research and assisted by WBHS Archivist Kerry Nelson. Please contact the History Room for recordings of presentations.

Highlights of volunteer time and talent: • The Fall 2020 Middle Ground newsletter was mailed free of charge to all homeowners in West Bath as a holiday gift from WBHS. • Jay Pappas donated his stunning photograph of the Old West Bath Meeting House in winter. Color notecards of the image are available for sale at Bath Printing and through any WBHS board member. • Judy Stallworth and Joan Drake were among the many volunteers helping prepare for the Annual Community Christmas Service & Carol Sing. • WBHS Archivist Kerry Nelson assisted in all WBHS presentations and publications, assisted Patten Free Library History Room staff with research, and provided support to The Town of West Bath with photographs and documents. • Kerry Nelson gathered the vital records information for West Bath, assisted several people researching their West Bath connections, provided background history for a family in the naming their new road, and accepted donations for the archives and databases. Highlights were gifts from Paolo Isnardi who donated two framed news articles, one of which included a photo of Charlie Bates, a Sabino founder, and a notebook dated 1878 handwritten by Hattie Mitchell which included her history lesson at the Littlefield School. Linda Moyer donated a book titled, A New Meadows Romance, written in 1899 by Emma Frances Harmon Raymond of East Livermore Falls. • Pete Guild raised the American flag for 2020 season at the Littlefield School. • Thank you to The Town for great plowing and mowing!

78 We thank The Town and its citizens for the continued support of our efforts. We encourage you to become involved with the West Bath Historical Society by:

• Joining us as a WBHS Member or volunteer (application link below or pick up a form at the Town Offices)

• Making a donation • Researching or writing for The Middle Ground, or with an oral history project (by interviewing, transcribing, or being interviewed), or helping design and present a program • Joining building restoration and preservation (cleaning, painting, carpentry, etc.) • Guiding visitors or contributing refreshments at Open Houses • Helping with outreach for educational programs

Join the West Bath Historical Society and receive our publication, The Middle Ground

West Bath Historical Society Board of Directors 2019-2020

Amy Wesson, President Avery Hunt, Vice President/President Emeritus/Editor: The Middle Ground Sally Graves, Recording Secretary Pam Mayo, Secretary/Treasurer Leah Zartarian, Membership Chair Bob Bittner • Raisa Bittner Kerry Nelson, Archivist W. N. “Pete” Guild, Emeritus Betty Fitzjarrald, Littlefield School Chair

Publications available online and in paper at the Town Offices:

- West Bath Historical Society Membership Application - The Middle Ground - Short History of West Bath - Old West Bath Meeting House Brochure & Application - Littlefield School Brochure & Application for Use

79 Residents of West Bath,

During the pandemic, many things have changed in the way we serve the communities of Arrowsic, Bath, Georgetown, West Bath, and Woolwich. What has not changed is our commitment to our mission to transform lives, inspire lifelong learning, preserve local history, and build community through joyful, creative exploration and dialogue.

Staff have energetically and creatively adapted ways to continue to provide first-rate library service. We have stayed connected to our communities through virtual programming, in-person visits (when safe), and curbside pickup. We have expanded our Wi-Fi to include better coverage in the parking lot and Library Park.

Highlights from the beginning of the pandemic to the end of our fiscal year in June 2020:

Virtual Programming: History Room Live Virtual Summer Reading Program for all ages Children – Dial-a-Story, Storytime, Tween Library Club, Creative Connections Club Teens - Open Mic, Teen Art Show, Harry Potter Escape Room, Murder Mystery, 15 Minute Read-Alouds

Enhanced Digital Collections: eBook and online audiobook titles for all ages Online video streaming Digital magazines

Grab n Go: Creative and stem-based activities for children to do at home

Curbside Pick-Up: Contactless way to borrow physical library materials, including materials from other libraries through Interlibrary Loan

Sincerely yours, Lesley Dolinger, Director

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