WOODSTOCK — Town Manager Vern Maxfield told the Board of Selectmen at its meeting Tuesday night that the Union Church Committee has recommended the building be removed and the land used for parking and a memorial.
“A couple of people were pretty sad that the building will be gone, but everyone agreed that this was the best way to go,” Maxfield said. “They realize that no one wants to restore the building because of how much it will cost. They want to give people a chance to remove the building whether that means completely moving the building or tearing it down.”
Selectman Stephen Bies said it was “really hard to imagine anyone wanting to move that.”
Discussion on what to do with the vacant church began during the annual town meeting March 24. Voters were asked whether to raise and appropriate up to $4,500 to make repairs to the granite foundation. Several residents said they wished to see the church repaired; some said they believed it should be sold or torn down.
Residents voted against raising the money for the foundation and voted to form a committee to figure out what the most prudent course would be.
The small, one-room church was built in 1856 and has not been used for decades. The original contents have been removed. It sits on six-tenths of an acre.
Maxfield said the granite will stay at the property along with the church signs.
“I think the committee is in agreement that we should do some sort of memorial site at the property,” Maxfield said. “They also said that they thought it would be a good idea to have a grass parking lot instead of a gravel-paved one. That way, there won’t be a lot of dust and dirt floating around.”
The Union Church Committee will make an official presentation to the selectmen, Maxfield said. The board will vote whether to accept the recommendation.
In other business, Maxfield told selectmen that the Woodstock Fire Department received a $2,000 Safety Enhancement Grant through the Maine Municipal Association.
“From what I’ve heard, they’re going to use the grant money to buy a dozen helmets,” Maxfield said.
Selectman Ron Deegan lauded the Fire Department for “taking the initiative to go out there and bring in grant money.”
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- Woodstock Selectman Ron Deegan and Town Manager Vern Maxfield discuss the recommendation of the Union Church Committee at Tuesday’s board meeting at the Town Office.
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