POLAND — Selectmen on Tuesday gave their blessing for members of the Poland Historical Society to proceed with the phased development of a proposed Memorabilia Barn.

“We are real disappointed we didn’t get the Maine Futures’ Grant, but this spring we’re going ahead, anyway,” Barbara Strout said.

Bud Jordan told the board the society would use a $15,000 Davis grant, plus some money it had saved up, to put in a frost wall and slab. That’s the first phase of construction of a 26- by 40-something-foot barn behind the Town Office.

Strout noted that the society had received a quote for the work and had asked, as the building would eventually become town property, whether they should be getting competitive bids.

Selectman Lester Stevens pointed out that because no town money is being used, there was no requirement to follow the sort of regulations the town must follow, but that a double-check might be advisable.

Strout told the board that Chris Hanson, the town’s code enforcement officer, was already involved and it was the society’s intention to keep selectmen advised of what was going on.

The society currently meets in the Old School House next to the Town Office. The Memorabilia Barn will attach to the rear corner of the schoolhouse.

Strout noted that the added space the barn will provide is not only necessary for the more storage it will offer, but it will also be of use when the society is hosting a larger than normal crowd.

“We’ve had events that probably drew more people than fire codes would allow in the Old School House,” Strout said.

Selectmen, noting that the board and the town meeting had supported the society’s past efforts to secure grants, wished the society well in its fundraising efforts.

In other business, selectmen authorized:

* Town Manager Rosemary Kulow to send a letter in the town’s name supporting the Inland Port of Auburn Free Trade Zone and economic development project.

* Appointed Kulow to serve as the town road commissioner.

* Approved a $14,500 change order for the South Village water and sewer project.

* Approved five property tax abatements for a total of $6,453.

* Approved two supplemental tax bills totaling $2,168.

Selectmen also honored Mary Groves of Poland Mining Camps as the recipient of Poland’s Autumn 2011 Business Award.