A primary focus of the meeting was the maintenance of the town’s museum building. Pauline, representing the Historical Commission, presented a $5,830 quote from D Ro Brothers for painting and sanding the back of the museum, which had been left unfinished by a previous work crew from the sheriff’s department. The committee expressed concerns about potential additional costs if rot or other damage were uncovered during the work. Despite these concerns, the committee agreed to advance the funding request, acknowledging the necessity of addressing any repairs as they arise.

The committee also deliberated on the removal of the Russell Memorial in front of the old library, a project complicated by the absence of a town-owned crane and the difficulty in securing contractors. Earlier estimates for the relocation work exceeded $30,000, and there was a consensus on the need for comprehensive documentation to support any funding request, especially one as substantial as $60,000. The urgency of the project was emphasized due to the deteriorating condition of the library, with James Kelley noting that further damage could render the building unsalvageable. The committee resolved to revisit the funding request once more quotes and plans were secured.

Attention then turned to the building housing various monuments, which has a deteriorating roof. Concerns were raised about the financial implications for the town if the building were to collapse, including increased demolition costs or ongoing insurance expenses for a vacant structure. The committee reached a consensus on prioritizing maintenance to preserve the building, opting to fix the roof and keep the monuments in place rather than selling the property with the monuments still there. This decision necessitates multiple approvals, including from the finance committee, select board, and town meeting, to allocate the necessary funds.

The committee also addressed its administrative budget, a recurring line item essential for managing its activities, which passed without objection. In addition, the park and recreation budget was discussed, with a particular focus on repairing the basketball courts. Previous maintenance inadvertently sealed the court lines, rendering them unusable. A $10,000 request was made for painting the courts and other necessary repairs, including replacing deteriorating steps and moldings in park buildings. Safety concerns were highlighted, and the committee prioritized repainting the basketball lines before addressing other repairs.

Further discussions included updates on the Community Preservation Committee plan, with proposals from DB Land Use Planning and Platinum Partners. The committee expressed concerns about the high hourly rate quoted by Platinum Partners and the lack of a comprehensive estimate for the project’s total hours. A more definitive quote from DB Land Use Planning was sought to better understand the project’s time commitment and costs. The plan’s importance was emphasized, with an estimated draft completion timeline of 12 months and multiple stakeholder meetings planned.