Thursday, March 12, 2026

Old Lee property site evaluation and site walk

No formal vote. The committee agreed by consensus to assign the site walk and records check.

The committee agreed the Old Lee property should be looked at more closely, since there were no updates on other properties. Two members will ask engineer Christian Smith of Beals Associates to do a site walk, after the snow melts and before the next meeting, and will report back. Members said the engineer gave early cost estimates for a survey and soil testing. Members also debated whether the three Old Lee lots have conservation restrictions and agreed to check town and county records. One member will follow up with a guest from a prior meeting about other property options. Meetings are set for April 16 and April 30 at 5:30 PM at the town hall, plus one already planned for the 26th.

Committee voting membership clarification

No decision. The group agreed to wait for the town attorney's confirmation.

The select board representative asked whether non-resident members and police and fire department representatives can vote, and asked to confirm with the town attorney. A member said the committee was meant to have five voting members, with the others serving in advisory or representative roles. The group agreed to wait for legal confirmation. The select board representative also asked for a point of contact on money matters with the select board. One member volunteered, pending committee agreement.

Warrant article outcome and fund usage plan

At the March 12, 2026 meeting, the committee's warrant article (a question put to voters) passed with a strong majority, so funds are now available. The committee talked about making a plan for how to use the funds. The select board is the agent for the funds and must approve any proposed actions. The committee will present its plan to the select board.

Stormwater, wetlands, and permitting constraints

Members said the Old Lee property has wetlands and a brook. They said strict stormwater rules apply because of the EPA MS-4 permit (a federal stormwater permit for towns). Fixes could include retention ponds, which hold runoff water. Permits for similar projects include an alteration of terrain filing (a state permit for large soil-moving jobs) and rules about being near protected waterways. A member estimated engineering costs could be around $20,000, depending on the work needed. The committee agreed the engineer's site review would show whether building there is feasible and what it would likely cost.

Architectural planning and comparable project costs

A member shared a list of recent public safety building projects in other communities. Costs ranged from $195 to over $700 per square foot, depending on design and materials. Another member is contacting architects to speak at a future meeting. He will check whether an architect can come to the meeting on the 26th. He also said other towns are buying land first, and spending a large part of their budgets on it.

Sale of Old Lee lots as a house lot

A member suggested combining the three Old Lee lots into one house lot and selling it. The money could help buy a better site for the public safety building. Members talked about the idea of a 'lot of record' (a lot that is legally recognized as existing) and building code rules. The select board representative also suggested selling the current fire station lot once the project is finished. No action was taken.