YORK VILLAGE - During a lengthy public hearing at the Board of Selectmen's most recent meeting, residents weighed in on a plan to build a new town hall off of Long Sands Road.
Residents shared a variety of views on the project, though most who spoke indicated they believe that whether or not the site is the perfect one, the time is now to move forward with the plan.
Voters turned down a similar proposal last May, which sent the Municipal Building Committee back to the drawing board to change the design of last year's plan and come forward with a new recommendation for a building to be located on a parcel of land behind the historic Coventry Hall and the former Ice House on Long Sands Road.
Voters had approved purchase of the land in 2006.
Budget Committee member Dave Lincoln spoke against the plan as presented at the selectmen's April 14 meeting, citing concerns about such issues as the financial impact of the project and whether the proposed location is the right one.
"I think that purchasing the Coventry Hall property was a great move. It prevented the possibility of commercial development," Lincoln said of the 2006 vote.
However, he told the selectmen, as Coventry Hall's current owners are interested in purchasing the land back at the price the town paid for it - and keeping it as green space - he said he cannot support the current plan without more study by the town.
With the impact of the $6.5 million budget request translating into about $40 per year on the average tax bill, and the need for a public safety complex still outstanding, Lincoln said there are too many unresolved issues with the current plan.
"Will the new building benefit the average taxpayer? ... I suggest there will not be an increase in services," he said. "... My vote is going to be no on this, and the reason is I think it's the wrong investment."
Local resident Charles Stacy, too, questioned the location, asking about the plan for an access road to the building onto Long Sands Road between the Ice House and Coventry Hall. Although he indicated he may ultimately vote for the project, he questioned why the town is not considering purchasing the Ice House itself.
Former Selectman Jim Bartlett, who was on the board when a renovation to the current Town Hall was considered back in 1994, endorsed the Long Sands Road proposal.
"I think that this is a project that's at the right time, at the right place and for the right price," he said, stating the town's municipal offices should remain in York Village. "If you start to remove certain aspects of the Village ... you're going to start to run the risk that you're going to drastically change the character of this town."
Former Selectman Torbert Macdonald also endorsed the plan, noting he is a resident of the York Heights neighborhood, parts of which are adjacent to the former Coventry Hall property.
"We're perfectly willing, as near as I can tell, to tolerate the comings and goings of the town during business hours and the occasional evening meeting," he said.
As the issue of the need for a public safety complex has come up throughout the town hall plan's review process, Police Chief Doug Bracy also spoke at the hearing.
"We have missed opportunities my whole lifetime in this town," he said of York's municipal needs, adding, "I think we've studied it to death... Is this the best option? Maybe not, but I think it's a good option, and I look forward to discussions on police stations in the future."
Town Clerk Mary-Anne Szeniawski also spoke in favor of the plan, citing issues of safety and accessibility in the current Town Hall.
"It's time for us to invest in our infrastructure," she said, adding, "I'm going to serve you better with a better facility. ... I would love to stay put, but that's not an option anymore."
See the upcoming election preview edition of The York Independent for more on the town hall proposal and other requests to be included on the May warrant.
