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Wolfeboro group proposes 30‑foot recycled‑wood ‘troll’; selectmen ask for written assurances and technical review
Summary
The volunteer Wolf World Troll Keepers proposed a privately funded 30‑foot recycled‑wood sculpture by artist Thomas Dambo on town land to boost year‑round tourism and education. The select board expressed support in principle but directed staff to get written lease/license terms, DPW and Woodard & Curran reviews, and a term sheet before any approval.
Presenters from the Wolf World Troll Keepers outlined a plan to site a roughly 30‑foot sculpture by Danish artist Thomas Dambo on town property, saying the installation would be built from reclaimed local materials, funded by private donations and volunteers, and intended to generate year‑round visitation and educational programming.
"This does not require any town funding," the presenter said, adding the group had formed as a nonprofit and filed for 501(c)(3) status. The presenters asked the Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen to permit placement of the installation on town land and described outreach to schools, service clubs and local businesses.
Board members welcomed the concept but raised several operational and legal questions. Selectmen said they needed written assurances on parking and access, a license or lease agreement clarifying ownership and maintenance, and an assurance that the installation would not interfere with potential future upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. One selectman recommended a short Zoom meeting with the artist to hear his reasons for preferring the proposed site.
The town’s immediate requests of the group were specific: a term sheet or draft license that sets the duration and maintenance responsibilities; documentation of who will pay for any required parking, access or road upgrades; a maintenance and stewardship plan showing volunteer and funding commitments; and written confirmation from the public works director and from Woodard & Curran (the town’s wastewater consultant) that the site would not impede essential operations or future plant improvements.
Presenters emphasized the project’s local partnerships and volunteer stewardship program and said they had already secured planning‑department signoff for preliminary siting. They also warned that the artist’s schedule is busy and that delays could push the project out of the 2027 window they are pursuing.
The board did not vote to permit the project at the meeting. Instead members said they were "open in principle" and instructed staff to obtain the written responses and technical reviews requested, to review proposed license terms with town counsel, and to return to the board with a term sheet and any necessary contractual language. The selectmen emphasized that any access, parking or infrastructure costs identified by DPW or consultants must be borne by the project sponsors, not the town.
Next steps: staff will request the DPW and Woodard & Curran review the proposed location and return written findings; the town attorney will review any draft license; and the select board will schedule further consideration only after those materials are filed.
