The Buckfield Select Board discussed the town‑owned property known locally as the “Old Church on the Hill” and agreed to invite community input before advancing marketing, sale or lease options.
A Select Board member said the town had received an email offer from Maine Preservation (via a resident’s forwarding) offering to help market or communicate opportunities for the property. The board discussed whether to market the building for sale, seek lease proposals, or issue a request for proposals (RFP) describing preservation requirements.
Several board members and residents said the town should prioritize preservation over revenue. One select member summarized possible stipulations: maintaining the building’s exterior appearance while allowing code‑driven interior updates for fire and accessibility requirements, and defining which exterior elements (for example, windows or the steeple) could be altered.
Judy, a resident, noted the building lacks water service and that its steeple had shown signs of deterioration in past inspections; she expressed concern about public safety in the event of severe weather. Board members agreed to make the Old Church an agenda item at the next meeting and to advertise a public meeting so residents can weigh in.
The board discussed practical next steps: drafting an RFP or lease parameters that would ask prospective buyers/lessees to describe proposed uses and preservation approaches, consulting the town attorney about sale versus lease options and any required stipulations, and using open‑ended outreach so residents can suggest uses. No decision to sell, lease or place conditions was made; the board emphasized the next meeting would solicit public direction and that any sale or lease terms would reflect the community’s preferences.
Why this matters: the property is town‑owned and visible to neighbors; residents expressed interest in preserving its historic appearance and preventing structural hazards. The board’s approach—public outreach followed by possible attorney review and an RFP—keeps decisions open but moves the process toward a community‑informed outcome.