Councilor Nick Konstantoulakis said the society has about $1,400 banked.

 

 

“How much money do we want to put into the building?” he asked.

 

Town Manager Koriene Low said she got proposals from two firms offering to evaluate the building: one for $5,000 from Woodbury Hill Professionals of Auburn to evaluate the framework and one for $12,500 from Gale Inc. of Weymouth, Massachusetts, to address operating systems.

 

No action was taken on the proposals.

 

Councilor Wayne Hackett said he wouldn’t be surprised if it took $200,000 or $250,000 to do all that was necessary.

 

Councilor Lou Annance said that ultimately voters would have to approve spending, and he suggested polling their opinions during the Nov. 8 general election.

 

The council also discussed the importance of keeping the society’s collection of records and artifacts, and whether an alternative to the old church existed.

 

Konstantoulakis said he would contact society members about where matters stood.

 

“I’d hate to see this fall on our watch,” Konstantoulakis said.

 

In other business, Finance Director Lisa Prevost reported that a preliminary look at the year-end balance showed about $71,000 more in revenue than anticipated. She said it appeared accounts for the year would have about a $171,000 balance, thanks mainly to a mild winter and lower-than-expected fuel prices.

 

Low also said an inspection of the Head Start building revealed the roof is in poor shape and the overhang was so bad it had to be removed. Also, the insulation was inadequate.

 

Low said work on the 5 Corners intersection began Tuesday and accommodations would be made for swift passage of school buses.

 

The council added Town Clerk Miranda Hinckley’s name to the Christmas and Community Day account; appointed Gregory Seamans of Oxford as town forester, replacing Fred Huntress who retired after having served in that capacity for many years; and accepted Catherine Griffiths resignation from the Budget Committee.