OXFORD – Selectmen on Thursday approved allowing the Fire Department to train on a house that the community needs removed.
The small white building is near the entrance to the town highway garage on Route 26, Fire Chief Fred Knightly said Thursday night. It is known as the Brine house.
During a previous board meeting, Town Manager Michael Chammings informed selectmen that the tenant moved out.
He recommended taking the building down because it needs numerous repairs, including a new roof; septic system, electrical and wall repairs; and new stairs to the basement.
“It’s in really bad shape,” Chammings said.
When board members said they wanted to view the building before determining the fate of it, Chammings agreed. They all had the opportunity to walk through the building the next day.
During the board meeting Thursday night, Chammings informed selectmen the house is closed and winterized. A hole needs to be cut in a floor to drain the oil tank, and the heating system needs to be removed, he added.
Chammings suggested the building be used for fire training. The board voted to allow that as a means of getting rid of it.
In other business, Chammings told selectmen they would see a significant savings by printing the town report in newsprint. The report is usually in a booklet form.
Chammings noted 1,300 reports were printed last year for a cost of $2,795. He received a newsprint cost estimate from the Oxford Group in Norway to print 1,500 copies for $541. The board told Chammings to continue researching the newsprint option.
The board noted that the community is still short three budget committee members.
The first meeting of the budget committee is Monday, Feb. 14. Anyone interested in a position on the committee should contact the town office.
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