LIVERMORE FALLS — The Board of Selectmen voted 3-2 Tuesday evening to find out the cost of purchasing, maintaining and insuring the former Livermore Falls Middle School.
The decision was made after Regional School Unit 73 Superintendent Kenneth Healey offered the building back to the town by a quitclaim deed Tuesday night.
The town had previously rejected an offer that included the former high school and the middle school. Healey explained to selectmen Tuesday night that the old high school had since been sold to Area Youth Sports, and a buyer had expressed interest in purchasing the former middle school.
He said RSU 73 is required, by law, to first offer the middle school to the town before accepting any offer from a private buyer. Regardless of what entity purchases the school, RSU 73 will stipulate access to parking around the school and the athletic fields across the street as part of the sale, Healey said.
Board of Selectmen Chairwoman Louise Chabot asked how much it would cost, and Town Manager Kristal Flagg said the town hadn’t budgeted for it. The town has until Oct. 9 to make a decision.
“If someone’s got deep pockets, let them buy it,” resident Tim Fournier said. “In its day, it was a great building.”
“Let’s find out what it’s going to cost us before we turn it down,” Selectman George Cummings said.
In other business, the board:
• Signed a warrant to hold a special town meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 for voters to authorize financing for a new fire station at 29 Park St. It would provide for up to $1.5 million in general obligation bonds or notes, with estimated interest of 2.75 percent over 30 years.
• Voted 5-0 against having the highway crew remove snow from around the superintendent’s office on Cedar Street. Flagg said she contacted Maine Municipal Association about the request and was told the town’s insurance could be negatively impacted. “I don’t think we should compete with a private contractor,” Cummings said.
• Learned from Flagg that Acadia Contractors LLC tested a burned-out structure at 15 Baldwin St. for asbestos, and didn’t find any. Demolition bids have been requested by 4 p.m. Oct. 4. Flagg said the town will pay tipping fees and material from the structure will be taken to ReEnergy in Lewiston.
The next selectmen meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4.
bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net
“Let’s find out what it’s going to cost us before we turn it down.” — Livermore Falls Selectman George Cummings
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