West Bath approves town and school budgets; voters preserve Patent Free Library

Joel Mary was sworn in as moderator at West Bath's May 22, 2025 annual budget town meeting, then presided over a lengthy series of budget articles and local business.

Voters approved the town's operating articles, including Article 16, which set wages and stipends at $315,857, and a public-works appropriation of $859,000. Moderator Mary reported a proposed overall town budget of $7,613,358.13, with an associated mill rate of about 8.6 based on current valuations.

The meeting included contentious written ballots for library and school funding. Article 28 (library funding) and Article 29 (choice between two library options) were handled by written ballot. On Article 29 voters chose Option A — continued town support for the Patent Free Library — by 99 to 10. The meeting also approved the school summary article (Article 48) totaling $4,891,458.73 and, by written ballot on Article 47, approved $1,869,727.28 in additional local funds required by the school board's recommended budget (reported vote: yays 93, nays 10).

The school budget discussion drew sustained public comment about state funding. Paul Kums, a town resident involved in fiscal oversight, criticized the state subsidy model's effect on local taxes, saying the formula "is broken" and that it left West Bath with a disproportionately large local share. Robert Weir, a member of the school board, urged continued local advocacy and noted the district's strong performance. Superintendent Emily Thompson explained the mechanics of the state's Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding model and how the town's required local contributions are calculated, saying the proposed school budget represented a roughly 4.8% increase overall and a 4.89% increase in the local contribution over last year.

The meeting also approved routine appropriations for insurance and benefits, town administration, legal fees, sanitation, fire-department operations and capital transfers, community donations, harbor and shellfish programs, and other line items. Several motions were taken as slates (articles 2–15 and 35–45 in groups) to expedite discussion; most voice votes carried after limited comment.

Select Board Chair Kathy Lally, who had presented the 2025 Spirit of America Foundation award to the West Bath Fire Department earlier in the meeting, announced her resignation after seven-and-a-half years and said a special election for her seat will be held June 17 at the West Bath Fire Department (polls open 2–7 p.m.).

Votes at a glance: Article 16 (wages/stipends) — passed; Article 22 (public works $859,000) — passed; Article 28 (library funding $44,517) — written ballot, passed; Article 29 (library option) — Patent Free Library chosen, 99–10; Article 32 (Marine Resource Conservation Ordinance amendment) — passed; Article 33 (transfer $50,000 to long-term capital fund) — passed; Article 34 (snowmobile registration receipts to Over the Hill ATV Club) — passed; Article 48 (school summary $4,891,458.73) — passed; Article 47 (additional local school funds) — written ballot passed, yays 93, nays 10.

The town will proceed with implementation steps identified in the warrant items; the select board vacancy will be decided at the June 17 special election and the school board retains authorization to accept grants and adjust cost centers as allowed by the approved articles.