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Selectmen to advertise public hearing on donated 'Welcome to Alton' sign; board to accept maintenance funds if raised
Summary
Residents led by Ruth raised funds to build a granite 'Welcome to Alton' sign. Town staff said state law requires a public hearing before the board may accept the donation; staff also said the town may accept any excess money into a maintenance escrow earmarked for the sign.
Resident Ruth told the board she raised thousands of dollars quickly to fund a new 'Welcome to Alton' sign and asked the board to accept the donation. Town staff said engineering and construction costs had already been expended for sign materials and post installation and that state law requires the board to hold a public hearing before formally accepting a gift to the town.
Town staff advised the board that town counsel had confirmed the board has authority to accept residual funds and place them into a maintenance escrow or trust specifically earmarked for sign maintenance. "Town council has said that the town does have the authority to accept any of the residual funds that are raised for the sign and put them into a maintenance trust," staff said.
The board agreed, by consensus, to advertise a public hearing for the next meeting so residents may comment and the board may take a recorded vote to accept the donated sign and establish the maintenance earmark for any excess funds. Ruth said some additional small donations may still be forthcoming and that donors were amenable to having leftover funds used for maintenance.
Staff said the board will place a recorded vote on the next meeting agenda to accept the donation and to document the purpose of any residual funds. No formal acceptance vote occurred June 10; the board only agreed to schedule the required public hearing.
