Select Board to advertise historic Town Hall piano and weigh added parking costs for Roger’s Field paving

Windham officials on June 1 agreed to offer the historic Town Hall piano to the public for two weeks and to dispose of an overhead projector and dividers as they see fit if unclaimed, after residents questioned the piano’s provenance and whether voters previously authorized its purchase.

Mr. Bob Coole reminded the Board that the town purchased a piano in 1912 and that it was replaced in the 1950s, and asked how the Board could remove an item that had been purchased by voters. General Services Director Dennis Senibaldi said he has no objection to putting the piano out to the public to see if anyone will claim it. The Board voted 5–0 to advertise the piano for two weeks; if the piano is not removed from Town Hall within a month, it may be disposed of.

Separately, Mr. Senibaldi reported a measurement issue increased the projected cost to repave Roger’s Field parking lot beyond the donation from Windham Baseball & Softball. The Board discussed potential impacts to pond runoff and the drainage system; Senibaldi noted an inlet near the new cemetery and said he will return with a proposed plan and coordinate with the Conservation Commission. The Board indicated it may need to reconsider any prior motion that contained the full project expenditure amount.

What happens next: Senibaldi will publish the piano offer to the public, prepare a paving plan with cost breakdowns, and meet with the Conservation Commission to resolve drainage/parking concerns before the Board moves ahead with additional funding.