Hubbardston preservation committee adopts mission statement, debates operations and point of contact

The First Meeting House Preservation Committee of the Town of Hubbardston voted to adopt a draft mission statement after members debated its scope and operational implications.

The draft, introduced as Rick’s mission statement and described in discussion as proposed by “Mister Green,” was moved for adoption by a committee member and seconded. After extended discussion about implementation — including who should serve as the single point of contact for event hosting, the need for a town-run master calendar, and policies for overlapping uses — the committee approved the motion by voice vote with one abstention recorded.

Committee members emphasized that adopting the mission statement is only the first step; implementing it will require procedures. Several members said the operational responsibilities should be assigned to a town employee rather than a committee volunteer, and advocated a priority list for conflicting requests. Members also discussed access controls, the need for clear user rules (trash, keys/codes, and security checks), and possible fees when extra staff time is required.

The committee discussed specific event types the mission is intended to enable — small indoor markets, concerts, Memorial Day accommodations (bathrooms and chairs) and other community uses — and noted that funds recently allocated for special events may determine timing. Chair and committee members asked staff to follow up on how responsibilities would be assigned and recorded for future meetings.

Next steps: committee members asked staff to draft a short operations plan that specifies whether the point of contact will be a committee member or a town employee, to outline a priority system for overlapping events, and to return with a proposed calendar-management approach at the next meeting.