WOODSTOCK – Meeting with the selectmen Tuesday, summer resident Phil Goot registered concern that work on the recreation and community center in the old fire station on Railroad Street has come to a sudden halt.

“It seems like a viable thing to do,” said Goot, “and I’d like to see people be able to use it.”

Town Manager Vern Maxfield explained that the delay is due to problems within the membership of the town’s recreation committee, which has seen several recent resignations.

“To a degree we’re at the mercy of who’s willing to serve. We are in need of a new infusion of energy in our group,” Maxfield said.

Selectman Leon Poland added, “It seems to me it is all a matter of personnel problems within the committee, but the board will do whatever it can to get the project going again.”

Poland explained that work is continuing on the new septic system, including a new septic tank and pump unit.

“The old tank has been uncovered and pumped out. Now the cover needs to be removed and the tank filled with sand and a new tank put in. Then the inside work can go ahead if we get volunteers to keep the project going,” he said.

Work on the center began last winter with new windows and doors installed and renovations in the second floor kitchen and meeting room area.

The selectmen have decided to take charge of the project until they can find new members to fill the vacancy on the recreation committee.

“They dropped the ball and we have picked it up,” Maxfield said, “and we will do what we can to get the project moving ahead again and see it completed.”

As a next step, selectmen decided to hold a special selectmen’s meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, in the meeting room at the town office. They plan to ask former members of the recreation committee to attend and discuss what they see as problems.