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Moultonborough Selectmen hold public hearing on plan to acquire 81 Whittier Highway
Summary
The Moultonborough Board of Selectmen held a Jan. 13 public hearing on acquiring 81 Whittier Highway. Town officials said the purchase would consolidate three town buildings and carry no tax impact; residents raised traffic, retrofit-cost and needs-assessment concerns. The proposal will go to voters at the March 14 Town Meeting.
The Moultonborough Board of Selectmen on Jan. 13 held a public hearing on a proposed acquisition of 81 Whittier Highway, with Town Administrator Angela Bovill presenting the town's case and residents pressing for more study of traffic and retrofit costs.
Town Administrator Angela Bovill told the board that acquiring 81 Whittier Highway would consolidate three existing facilities — Town Hall, Recreation and the Moultonborough Function Hall — and, she said, address space and operational needs without increasing local taxes. Bovill said the proposal will be placed on the ballot for voters at the March 14 Town Meeting.
The presentation was followed by a period of public comment. Several residents listed by name in the hearing record, including Tom Donnelly and Manuel Papagolos, expressed concerns about the building's location, potential traffic congestion on Whittier Highway, and whether the town has completed a comprehensive needs assessment. Commenters also asked about the future use of the current town buildings and the likely cost to retrofit the Whittier Highway property for municipal functions; the transcript does not specify retrofit-cost estimates.
Officials noted two forthcoming opportunities for more public input and technical review. An NHDOT meeting about potential road improvements is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Moultonborough Public Library (doors at 5:30 p.m., meeting at 6:00 p.m.). Bovill also announced that the town will hold an open house and tour of 81 Whittier Highway before the March 14 Town Meeting; dates and times will be posted on the town website.
The hearing record also lists several written submissions received in advance from residents and local boards, including the Conservation Commission, Heritage Commission, Planning Board and Library Trustees. The public hearing was adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
Next steps: the Selectmen will place the acquisition question on the March 14 Town Meeting warrant for voter approval and officials indicated further study of traffic and retrofit costs is expected to continue before that vote.
