JAY – The Building Committee voted Tuesday night to recommend selectmen withdraw from purchase of the former Jay Family Restaurant building, which was to become the new town office/police station.

The decision came after some of the committee members toured the vacant restaurant with Town Manager Ruth Marden, highway foreman John Johnson and Sewer Department Superintendent Mark Holt Tuesday morning prior to Tuesday night’s committee meeting.

Committee members made their decision after extensive discussion, Marden said Wednesday.

“The committee appreciates Janet Diaz’s offer of the building but don’t feel it fulfills all the needs of the municipality,” Marden said.

Selectmen will discuss the committee’s recommendation at their meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 12, at Jay-Niles Memorial Library in North Jay.

Voters authorized selectmen by a 92-to-72 vote on Jan. 29 to buy the building for $270,000 and to spend the remainder of the $729,000 reserve account, after deducting the purchase prices and other legal and survey expenses, to renovate the building for a new town office/police station.

Initially, the Building Committee recommended to selectmen that the town buy the building.