LIVERMORE — Hundreds of children passed through the doors of the 1915, two-room elementary school located on Church Street until it closed in the 1960s.
And some of the time since then, it has been used for town elections, wedding receptions, and meetings by various community groups.
But now, the Brettuns Community Building is in need of major maintenance so that it can continue to serve the community. Right now, just the local all-terrain vehicle club uses it.
Town Manager Kurt Schaub said a straw poll question of some kind, still to be determined, will appear on the municipal ballot in June.
“It’s not Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. It needs heavy maintenance,” he said.
He said the building became the town’s “new” school when the current library, located across the street, closed and became the library. A few years ago, an architectural class from the University of Maine at Augusta was assigned to design a restoration plan. However, because of the cost, the town never pursued the project.
Some have suggested that it be torn down, but others believe much life still remains in nearly century-old former schoolhouse.
One of those people is Tim Cox.
He and a few others, are beginning to get organized so steps can be taken to preserve and maintain the building.
“We’d like to get it restored so it can be used in the winter,” he said.
“I’ve already talked to a couple of organizations.”
Schaub said the town spends less than $1,000 annually on the building and some have asked why the town continues to provide that funding. He said if Cox and others get together to support the building, some grants could be available to help pay for repair and maintenance.
The town hasn’t charged rental fees for town-associated events. Cox suggested that fees for private use could help fund regular maintenance.
Selectmen have frequently discussed the building and what should be done with it. The town’s highway garage is located in a rear lot behind the building.
Cox, a long-time resident of Livermore and retiree from the National
Guard, said he hopes to eventually get a long-term lease on the building from the town.
“Everything has started in just the last three or four weeks,” he said, “when they (selectmen) said they wanted to tear it down or sell it. I want to get it preserved.”
Cox wants to get input and opinions from townspeople on how to go about saving the building. He welcomes calls at 320-2194.
Schaub said the building is structurally sound and square.
“The future of the building is in the hands of the citizens,” he said.
Livermore residents will decide the fate of the former two-room elementary school, now known as the Brettuns Community Building, in June. Steps are being taken to try to preserve the nearly century-old building.
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