LIVERMORE FALLS – About 25 percent of the 35 to 40 members of the New Norlands Grange voted Saturday to wait until next year to make a decision, if any is necessary, to keep the Grange open.

They plan to invite a state Grange leader to the April meeting to explain the process of closing the Grange, if members agree that’s what they want to do, according to Emily Pike, a New Norlands Grange lecturer.

Last year, members agreed to have some standing timber cut to help meet expenses.

District Grange Deputy Bill Hatch of Auburn and his wife, Junior Deputy Shirley Hatch, had read about the New Norlands Grange’s problems, including an aging membership, and its meeting Saturday and attended, Pike said Tuesday.

Hatch explained to members what would need to be done if they decided to vote whether to stay open or close the chapter, she said.

New Norlands Grange Master Bob Jones said there may not be a vote at all.

“It’s not a sure thing,” Jones said. “It’s up for further review.”

If leaders decide they want to proceed with the vote, they need to give members a 30-day notice prior to the voting date.

The Grange will hold one more meeting in December at the hall on River Road, located off Route 133, then shut the Grange Hall for winter and start meeting at the homes of members. Meetings resume at the hall in April.

The decision about closing the Grange would be made at the hall and not at a member’s home, Jones said.

The Grange has started renting out the hall between April and November, he said. There have been a couple of country western dances, a graduation party, and tool sales held there.