JAY — A $2,000 donation has been received for a town gazebo, selectmen were told Monday night.

Last month, Dorothy White approached selectmen with the idea of erecting a gazebo on the north side of the municipal building. Several other towns have gazebos where summer concerts are held, she said.

The board liked the idea.

White said that during the Jay Historical Society open house last weekend, a $2,000 donation was made for a gazebo. White, who is president of the society, said the society is not involved in the project and she was coming to the board as an interested resident.

She said she intends to start an account for the project at Otis Credit Union but thinks  there should be a committee to help decide what the town would like to have and how to raise money for it.

Police Chief Larry White volunteered to serve, along with Dorothy White, leaving three more seats to be filled.

An estimate from a Pennsylvania woodworking firm, Country Lane Gazebos, for a 20-foot by 40-foot oval gazebo kit with a cupola, white vinyl and blue shingles was distributed by Mary Howes. The estimate, including freight charges was almost $24,000. It was used as an example of what could be done.

White had previously expressed plans to ask local contractors for possible donations of time and/or materials to help build it.

A grassroots effort is often more respected with less potential for vandalism, suggested Selectman Thomas Goding. He and the board agreed that if the a committee could work on funding and then decide what they want, the project could go out to bid by next year.

Anyone interested in serving on the gazebo committee or supporting it may contact White at 897-4876 or by e-mail dbwhite@roadrunner.com

In other business, selectmen agreed to hold a meeting at 7 a.m. Aug. 25 to set the annual tax rate. It will give taxpayers about a month to pay property taxes before interest is charged, Town Manager Ruth Cushman said. abryant@sunjournal.com

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