WOOLWICH

Town officials have a survey indicating support for an addition and renovation to the Municipal Building.

Wednesday night, the public will weigh in on the issue in a different manner. Beginning at 7, at Woolwich Central School, selectmen will conduct a public hearing on competing plans for the project.

Dana Lindsey, chairman of the Building Committee, will make a Power Point presentation, and the committee will have charts available for viewing.

Of the more than 320 people who took the written survey — mostly on Nov. 6 — two thirds supported either the Plan A or Plan B enlargement. And of the 75 percent, 75 percent favor the $1 million Plan A. A total of 29 percent opposes either expansion plan, and 5 percent were unsure.

Lynette Eastman, town administrator, said Tuesday that the Building Committee will weigh tonight’s meeting along with the survey results, and make a recommendation to the Selectboard in January.

Space is cramped in the town office area of the building, and there is a community need for a large meeting space, town officials say. Both plans call for an additional bay to the adjoining fire station.

“We were pleased and pleasantly surprised with the survey results, I’ve got to say,” Eastman said. “The cost differential was $50,000 or in that neighborhood.”

Plan A, at a cost of $850,000, would provide for a meeting space of 50 to 75 people adequate for meetings.

Plan B would accommodate 200 to 250 people, for $1 million. Such a space would accommodate gatherings such as the annual town meeting, elections and community events.

Eastman said she expects a good crowd tonight.

“They’re getting the word out there,” she said. “I hope there’s a lot of questions asked.”

In other town news, town officials learned late last month that there are options for an improved public swimming area along Nequasset Stream that meet the state’s approval.

Eastman said that a state Department of Environmental Protection official informed the town  that it probably can install a temporary float and pier next to the boat launch. The town had considered clearing some vegetation from the area to allow for a larger swimming space, so that children do not use the boat launch.

The DEP official said that temporary floats and piers would not violate the National Resources Protection Act, Eastman said.

“That was the least expensive way to go, to start with,” she said. “This way we can put in the float, put in the pier and see if that entices them to stay away from the boat launch.”

The Selectboard on Monday night voted to close the town office for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.