Moultonborough Town Meeting

[Susie Cougar]

Are they still using the Lions Club building?

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by Susie Cougar

Are they still using the Lions Club building?

Yes, and it needs a facelift....actually more than a facelift, but $3 million is a lot more palatable than $6.7 with no real plans, other than knowing it would be more than the $6.7.

[Susie Cougar]

Why do you think they voted it down? If the Lions Club is in need of more than just a facelift, what is the objection?

[jbolty]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

Yes, and it needs a facelift....actually more than a facelift, but $3 million is a lot more palatable than $6.7 with no real plans, other than knowing it would be more than the $6.7.

how does it cost $3m to renovate a 50x100 building?

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by jbolty

how does it cost $3m to renovate a 50x100 building?

That price might be a tear down...this has been hashed and rehashed and regurgitated so many times that it’s hard to keep track. The location is preferable to the seniors because traffic is not a problem there as it would be abutting the school.

[DesertDweller]

As I recall, a big part of the issues with that building are septic related.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by DesertDweller

As I recall, a bit part of the issues with that building are septic related.

I had forgotten that, but my husband reminded me about the wetlands on that property. Years ago, when the rec. dept. wanted a new building there,
Joanne Coppinger, a civil engineer, was able to design a septic system that would work on that site.
Also, any new building or renovations would require ADA compliant bathrooms, which the current building lacks.

[phoenix]

I suspect the big 7m article scares off people so vote no across the board. I blame selectmen . Only offer a well thought out 2-3m senior center and i bet it will pass

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by phoenix

I suspect the big 7m article scares off people so vote no across the board. I blame selectmen . Only offer a well thought out 2-3m senior center and i bet it will pass

I have to disagree about the fault being with the Selectboard. They have tried several times to put something reasonable together, but it always gets shot down because the very vocal group of parents of school aged children want something much more grandiose with a huge ticket price. They will settle for nothing less.....and this goes on without fail every year! I haven’t kept score, but I would say this saga goes back 10-12 years. Exhausting stuff!

[Susie Cougar]

Yes, I can remember many years ago this being discussed. I’m not sure why they can’t come up with a plan that can be voted through.

[tis]

Doesn't the school have a gym? Why do they need a big rec hall?

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by tis

Doesn't the school have a gym? Why do they need a big rec hall?

We don’t think they do, and that’s why the old fogies, a group to which I belong, vote it down year after year. These people don’t care about the cost, and of course the initial cost of construction is just the beginning. This painful issue has torn the town apart...and it’s truly emotionally exhausting. Makes me sad yet disgusted at the same time.

[jbolty]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

We don’t think they do, and that’s why the old fogies, a group to which I belong, vote it down year after year. These people don’t care about the cost, and of course the initial cost of construction is just the beginning. This painful issue has torn the town apart...and it’s truly emotionally exhausting. Makes me sad yet disgusted at the same time.

Me, and everyone I know was able to grow up in moultonboro without a rec center and we didn't even have cell phones, internet or cable tv. I know times change but the population has gone up since then maybe 4 times and the number of town employees has gone up by about 20x. enough.

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by jbolty

Me, and everyone I know was able to grow up in moultonboro without a rec center and we didn't even have cell phones, internet or cable tv. I know times change but the population has gone up since then maybe 4 times and the number of town employees has gone up by about 20x. enough.

My sister has lived in Moultonborough forever. Both of my nieces went through Moultonborough schools and graduated. I never heard anybody complain that they were lacking anything at the school.

[tis]

None of the towns are any different. They are spend crazy. They don't know the difference between need and want.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Oh, by the way, I believe that we are paying around $30k per student attending Moultonborough schools.

[ARV]

It’s been interesting to watch the conversation going on here post town meeting. What I find most interesting is the notion that a community center would be “for the kids”. I will also add that I can definitely see both sides of this coin. The town currently owns both properties. At some point, I’m sure the idea was to do something with them.

Some interesting facts:
Did you know that if we had a community center, there would be more programs for everyone, young and old?

Did you know that most people seeking recreation (walking, exercise, socialization, clubs, kids programs) are currently paying money in other towns to participate in these kinds of activities? (This also has an effect on people moving to other towns because they do offer those programs)

Did you know that because of all the grants and pledged donations, the tax rate would only be impacted by ~ .14/$1000?

Did you know that the town would be able to make revenue from a community center, which would further benefit all of us?

Did you know that there isn’t enough room to hold Rec department Programs because the space is being utilized by the school?

I know the discussion will start to quiet down, now that town meeting is over. I am wholeheartedly interested in knowing the opposition to this. Why not have a community center?

[TiltonBB]

Arv: I have no skin in the game but after you posted that you could see both sides the remaining 95% of your post was to support the idea of a rec center. Interesting that there wasn't one sentence supporting the other sides position that it is not needed. Just an observation.

[ARV]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Arv: I have no skin in the game but after you posted that you could see both sides the remaining 95% of your post was to support the idea of a rec center. Interesting that there wasn't one sentence supporting the other sides position that it is not needed. Just an observation.

I appreciate the comment! I do understand where the oppositional side is coming from, for reasons previously stated although I support the community center. I hope that makes sense!

[phoenix]

Sue if i remember the select board voted 5-0 for the 7 million article

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Originally Posted by phoenix

Sue if i remember the select board voted 5-0 for the 7 million article

I think they were split on the initial vote. However, when the pandemic hit and businesses had to close down, most re-evaluated spending. As an aside, at Monday night’s meeting, several items in the town budget were amended to much lower figures, and these amendments were put up by various members of the Selectboard.

As for ARV’s questions about a community center, most of the seniors who attended are for it...that was art. 5, but it was defeated. Many of us are perfectly fine with a community center at a reasonable cost ($3 million). The younger set won’t accept that.

[jbolty]

not everything that's a good idea has to be done at government expense.

[loonguy]

I agree with ARV that the Rec Center is a good idea and the minimal incremental tax cost is justified, but it appears that this might never be approved by the voters. Has the Town explored funding the center with charitable contributions, perhaps with naming rights to the center, gym, food kitchen, etc. tied to major contributions? I am not personally into naming rights or the related major contributions, but would be willing to make a charitable contribution otherwise. This could be an opportunity for Sue Doe-Nym to use her real name!

[Shipfitter]

The way I see it is one side of the community wants a senior center with room for meals on wheels. This could also be used as a function hall. This side of the community has also stated that the preferred location is the old lions club property. A walking track for winter use and pickle ball courts Is also on their wish list and I don’t believe that has to be at the lions club. The others side of the community wants a recreation complex that has to be walking distance to the school. So why don’t we do both. 3.5 million apiece.

[Shipfitter]

The way I see it is one side of the community wants a senior center with room for meals on wheels. This could also be used as a function hall. This side of the community has also stated that the preferred location is the old lions club property. A walking track for winter use and pickle ball courts Is also on their wish list and I don’t believe that has to be at the lions club. The others side of the community wants a recreation complex that has to be walking distance to the school. So why don’t we do both. 3.5 million apiece.

[Susie Cougar]

If I remember correctly, hasn’t there been a lot of disagreement over the $6.7 million price tag? Didn’t someone mention that Fryeburg Maine was building a rec center very similar to the one that Moultonborough had proposed but at a much lower cost? Did anyone look into this further? It seems to me there are many issues as to why the town is not able to move forward.

[Susie Cougar]

Originally Posted by loonguy

I agree with ARV that the Rec Center is a good idea and the minimal incremental tax cost is justified, but it appears that this might never be approved by the voters. Has the Town explored funding the center with charitable contributions, perhaps with naming rights to the center, gym, food kitchen, etc. tied to major contributions? I am not personally into naming rights or the related major contributions, but would be willing to make a charitable contribution otherwise. This could be an opportunity for Sue Doe-Nym to use her real name!

It’s funny to me that I don’t know the real identities of most everyone on the forum. I keep waiting to be surprised to learn that one of you is someone that I have known in the past.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Susie Cougar

It’s funny to me that I don’t know the real identities of most everyone on the forum. I keep waiting to be surprised to learn that one of you is someone that I have known in the past.

Ah the days of you're. Eight years ago, and longer, we had a Forum Fest each year at a particular location, pot luck meals usually, and lasted for most of an afternoon, usually on a Saturday afternoon. It was a chance to meet the face behind the User Name, and in some cases form a friendship that it lasted the Forum Fests.

Some of the years there were raffles, like a penny sale, with the money going to a local charity or non-profit (Loon Society one year).

Unfortunate that as with many good endeavors, the planning and work fell on only a few shoulders, and with no one else willing to step up to help, the gathering fell by the wayside.

Look at the index of forums on this site, on a full site view, and near the bottom of this list is "Forum Fests". Take the time to view, interesting read.

Back to the town meeting.

Dave

[Susie Cougar]

Thanks, Dave.

[tis]

Originally Posted by Susie Cougar

It’s funny to me that I don’t know the real identities of most everyone on the forum. I keep waiting to be surprised to learn that one of you is someone that I have known in the past.

I was very surprised to discover that up had signed my yearbook.

As far as the Forum Fests, I never made it to one but I followed them. I think they got to be too much work. At first it was a simple drop by and say hi and bring a pot luck or something if you feel like it. Then it got complicated and somebody had to do an awful lot of work to organize them.

[tummyman]

While this has been just recently brought up to the BOS, there is a VERY FINE building currently available at 130 Whittier Highway...the old Keepsake Quilting headquarters. Go to Roche Realty Commercial properties and see the pictures. Link is below....

https://rocherealty.com//mls-4796817...-NH-03254.html

All for $1.65M plus some renovation costs. Bet for a small $2.0M we could be in the building by next April if Town Meeting would approve. There will need to be a little more parking added to the approx. 65 spaces currently there, but this building is really ready to go. Even has high bays that could handle sports activities. But then again, nobody here has any creativity. Town could work on a short term lease with option to buy if TM approves. And with some $$$ donations, costs would be less than $2M for a top notch facility. Nobody here can compromise on anything !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why????? I am sure you will all hear about the folks that say why it cannot happen, but we need to move forward. Are there no reasonable people left???? Time for folks to buck up, as we have not made any headway on prior ideas.