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Town manager proposes RFQ for 508 Main and Wallins Hill after developer interest; selectmen debate timing
Summary
Town Manager told the board there is developer interest in 508 Main Street and Wallins Hill and suggested issuing a request for qualifications; selectmen debated whether to proceed while other property listings remain unresolved and residents expressed concern about the condition of 508 Main.
The Town Manager told the Board of Selectmen Monday that the town has received developer interest in two prominent properties—508 Main Street and Wallins Hill—and recommended issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) to collect developers’ backgrounds and capabilities before formal proposals.
"I could create an RFQ for both those particular properties, show it to you all at the next meeting on the nineteenth and see where we go from there," the Town Manager said, describing an RFQ as a cautious first step to gather qualifications and prior work from interested developers.
Some selectmen urged caution, noting unresolved listings of other town properties and prior requests-for-proposal (RFP) work. One selectman expressed opposition at the comment stage, citing an existing real-estate-agent process and outstanding listings that have not yet produced offers. Several members said an RFQ would not commit the town to sell property but would help identify qualified parties to engage further.
A selectman and other speakers described 508 Main Street as deteriorating but retaining historic character and urged careful consideration of its future. "The outside of the building...is absolutely gorgeous...If restored, it could be a real gem on our Main Street," a selectman said.
The board did not adopt a formal RFQ at the meeting; the Town Manager said he would prepare a draft RFQ for board review at a future meeting.
