The Wentworth Town Council took a series of operational and enforcement actions during its Jan. 6 meeting, approving code-enforcement orders, equipment purchases and facility-use rules for the renovated Wentworth Consolidated School.

Demolition and nuisance enforcement

Eric Clem, the town’s code enforcement representative, presented the next-step enforcement packet for 104 West Matthews, telling the council owners had been served, given 90 days to repair or demolish and had not completed required work. Clem noted safety and possible asbestos concerns associated with burning the structure for fire training. Councilman Shelton moved to approve the demolition ordinance for 104 West Matthews; the motion carried by voice vote.

Clem also described a nuisance violation at 300 Lee Street and presented a contractor bid from Spencer’s Environmental of $850 to clear debris and hazardous clutter; council voted to proceed with the cleanup (motion carries).

Purchases, appointments and contracts

Council approved a recommendation from Fire Chief Joel Freeman to contract with the vendor familiar with the department’s emergency vehicle for a front winch/mount on the fire truck (motion carried). The council also approved purchase of a reach‑in refrigerator and freezer for the consolidated school at a combined price cited by staff as $7,200 and approved purchase of new office computers (quote: $3,698.34). The council voted to enter a monthly IT service agreement with Noxum Solutions at $313.60 per month. A budget amendment transferring $12,500 to capital outlay (for the appliances and computers) and $2,000 to computer software support passed by voice vote.

The council appointed Joe Rose as an alternate member to the planning board and board of adjustment by voice vote.

Facility rules and rentals for Wentworth Consolidated School

Council members reviewed and amended a proposed facilities-use agreement for the restored school. Notable changes adopted included: a prohibition on baseball/softball practice inside the gym; a requirement that only appropriate tennis shoes be worn on the gym floor; a ban on dunking; a $150 security deposit for large event-room rentals; resident 4‑hour event pricing set to $400 (reduced from $450) and nonresident 4‑hour pricing to $500 (reduced from $800); an optional $10 fee to permit kitchen/refrigerator/freezer use for small-event renters; a prohibition on tobacco use on premises; and a requirement that events with more than 30 attendees using alcohol engage a state‑approved bartender. Council removed a requirement that clients hire off‑duty Rockingham County deputies as standard language, leaving security requirements to be evaluated case by case.

Why it matters: The enforcement votes clear the way for the town to abate unsafe properties and protect the public. The equipment purchases and IT contract update critical town operations and support use of the restored school as a community event center. The facility rules create a framework the town expects to use when opening rentals to the public.

What council approved (at-a-glance): Demolition ordinance for 104 West Matthews (motion carried); cleanup at 300 Lee Street using Spencer’s Environmental, bid $850 (motion carried); approval of front winch vendor for fire truck (motion carried); purchase of refrigerator/freezer for consolidated school (combined price $7,200, motion carried); purchase of new office computers (~$3,698.34, motion carried); Noxum Solutions IT service contract ($313.60/month, motion carried); budget amendment #3 transferring funds to capital outlay/software support (motion carried); appointment of Joe Rose as planning board alternate (motion carried); adoption of facility-use agreement and amended rules for Wentworth Consolidated School (motion carried).