TURNER – The fate of a signed contract with SAD 52 for leased space at the town-owned Leavitt Institute Building will be the first issue decided by voters at the annual town meeting Saturday.

Appearing as articles 3 and 4 on the 55-article warrant, citizens will be asked to approve a selectmen’s request for authorization to enter into contracts for the renting or leasing of town-owned buildings.

They will also be asked in an article submitted by citizen petition, to authorize selectmen to lease space specifically at the Institute building only after having the fair market value determined by a licensed appraiser at a maximum of $9 per square foot. Four out of five selectmen have already signed a lease contract with SAD 52 for the space at $3 per foot.

The issue has been contentious for more than a year. One side says the Institute, which is located in the middle of the Turner Center campus that encompasses three schools, playing fields and playgrounds, should be used for school administrative offices or other school purposes.

The other side contends that the school will not be paying enough, so they do not want the school leasing the building. Rather, the town should make use of the space for some other purpose.

When the town purchased the building from SAD 52 in order to preserve it, the sale came with a long list of use regulations. Those regulations severely limit what businesses or uses could be put in place.

Student safety issues have also been at the forefront of the disagreement since the building sits adjacent to the Turner Elementary School, Tripp Middle School, elementary playground and in a location where student pedestrian traffic is high.

Town officials contend the issue is not as clear cut as just the $3 per foot. They point out that the school district maintains the sewer system for the building, does the plowing and ground maintenance since they own the land the building sits on, pays the utility bills, is reconstructing the parking lot and adding 20 spaces specifically for town uses and does the regular maintenance inside the building.

The lease contract as agreed upon will generate approximately $131,000 over 10 years. The price, however, can be renegotiated after five years.

The Turner Public Library has space in the building and the town’s history rooms and Historical Society will be moving into another floor in 2005.

In other business, voters will be asked to approve the comprehensive plan. Whether the plan will cause extended debate remains to be seen but a change made to the plan at a poorly attended public hearing last week has locals talking.

A part of the plan stated that access to commercial properties should not be allowed through residential neighborhoods. That statement was removed with only five committee members voting on a three-two count.

The town manager, upon citizen request, is checking with the Maine Municipal Association on proper procedure should citizens wish to put the restriction back into the plan before voting on its approval.

There are several large requests on the warrant including $350,000 for paving roads, $100,000 for the highway equipment reserve fund, $50,000 for the town office building reserve fund and $20,600 for a Jaws of Life rescue tool for the fire department.