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Select Board prioritizes Colonel Town repairs to secure occupancy permit
Summary
Town Manager Jessica Cyr told the Select Board that bringing Colonel Town up to code — including adding a sprinkler system and a larger water line — is a top priority; officials discussed drainage, a possible title search, funding options and moving March 2027 town meeting out of the building.
Town Manager Jessica Cyr told the Select Board on June 1 that the town’s immediate priority is to bring the Colonel Town building into a condition that will allow it to obtain an occupancy permit. Officials said the work likely will require installing a sprinkler system and running a larger water main to the building.
Fire Chief Randy Flynn recommended repairing a drainage problem on the same side of the building while the new water line is installed to avoid repeated excavation. Transfer Station Supervisor Rusty Scott outlined the drainage work and said preparatory tasks — including a 6-inch water-line run and tree removal — should proceed where possible before contractors arrive.
Land Use Coordinator Robin Irving flagged a possible ownership complication and recommended a title search after town records suggested the municipality may not clearly own the property; Select Board member Leon Rideout volunteered to review available documents but noted he is not a licensed abstractor. The board agreed the building should be prioritized over the town hall for repairs.
Board members discussed potential funding sources. Robin Irving said an emergency Block Grant could be a fit but probably would require roughly a 20% local match. Leon Rideout suggested checking the Tillotson Fund; Shane Beattie proposed the Lou Leaver Fund and also asked staff to explore bond options. A member of the public suggested asking neighboring towns that use the facility for donations.
Select Board members also raised fire-safety maintenance concerns: the board noted only an annual inspection by Impact Fire is in place for extinguishers and that no formal monthly check system was reported.
Because of the expected building restrictions while repairs proceed, Town Clerk Charity Baker asked whether the town should move the March 2027 town meeting; the board agreed it would be in the town’s best interest to look for an alternate location and asked Baker to begin exploring options. The election can remain at town hall, the board said.
The board requested staff continue to refine cost estimates, coordinate drainage and water-line work, pursue funding options, and report back at a future work session.
