PERU – Several representatives from Families in Crisis Task Force led by Peggy Turner attended the Monday night selectmen’s meeting to voice their concerns over communications.

Former Selectman Pat Garbarini opened the public participation part of the meeting with a lengthy statement. She said the application for the grant to the town for the Rockemeka Hall stated the building would be a used as a community gathering place. A ramp was erected and an elevator installed with part of the money to make the hall handicap accessible.

She claimed that though volunteers have worked to make the community gathering place a reality, there has been a constant undercurrent and fighting about who should have what rights to the building and when. The town owns the hall, not the selectmen, she said.

She said the second floor could not legally be used exclusively for the Historical Society and not be open to the general public to use. The stage is on the second floor and could be used for music, plays, public speakers or dance recitals. This cannot happen, she said, if the second floor is locked up.

Turner said she felt the task force had been singled out because it was the only group that used the building that had been asked to produce proof of insurance.

She said the task force has gotten liability insurance.

Selectman Andy St. Pierre said the issue came up when Maine Municipal Association would only insure the hall for a fraction of replacement cost. This was resolved and MMA now has agreed to insure the building for $185,000 if repairs are done and the building painted.

Turner said the task force was only allowed to use the building twice a week instead of the promised three times a week.

Selectman Norman DeRoche said selectmen had never denied the task force access but had wanted to meet a compromise because of the use of heat and electricity and because the task force serves communities other than Peru.

Garbarini challenged the selectmen to reread the provisions of the grant money.

Chairman DeRoche said they would do so and meet with the task force in a few weeks to present a plan where they could all work together and try to get things in the hall in order.

In other business Monday night, Shelley Winchenbach, a representative from Adelphia cable television, discussed contract renewal. Even though Adelphia is in under Chapter 11 protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the company is hopeful that by June 2004 they will be out of bankruptcy under their new management.

At selectmen’s request, Winchenbach will prepare a five-year contract rather than the 15-year one she proposed.

Building permits were granted to John Grant, Corey Jacques, Ken Noyes and Joan Desroches.

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