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Residents urge consideration of schoolhouse reuse and defend library services at Hinsdale meeting
Summary
Public commenters proposed exploring sale or long‑term lease options for the old Plain Road schoolhouse to raise revenue or housing options and emphasized the library's role as a community resource, while a resident noted plans to contact the NH Housing Authority.
During public comment at the Jan. 27 meeting, residents raised competing proposals for the town's underused schoolhouse and urged the board to weigh revenue and community needs.
Josh Green presented printed plans and ideas for revenue, suggested the town consider long‑term leases or sealed bid sale of the schoolhouse on Plain Road (minutes record an assessed value of $180,000), and said he would consult the New Hampshire Housing Authority about possible affordable‑housing uses. He also questioned the library's cost—citing a budget figure of about $62,000 per year—and suggested exploring alternative uses for the property.
Several residents pushed back on cuts that would reduce library services. Lesley Parkinson outlined services the library provides: public computers and Wi‑Fi (including parking‑lot access), photocopying, lending of audio books and DVDs, space for homeschooling families, and a safe space for middle‑schoolers. Chuck Hildreth, representing local scouts, described current scouting activity and the need for meeting space; he offered to provide updated insurance information.
Other commenters asked about meeting procedures and the budget committee schedule: Gary Sibley asked whether a joint meeting with the Budget Committee would allow the Select Board chair to manage public comment; Chair Diorio confirmed the chair would control questions if it is a joint meeting. Bethany Marx noted that 11.2% of Hinsdale's population are veterans, in the context of exemption approvals.
