MECHANIC FALLS — The council heard an appeal for help from the Historical Society on Monday.

The Historical Society’s headquarters, the old Congregational Church on Elm Street, has a problem — peeling lead-based paint — and the town’s insurance company has issued an ultimatum: Fix it or we’ll drop coverage.

Historical Society’s President Eriks Petersons acknowledged that when the society was given use of the building, which is owned by the town, the agreement was that the society would maintain the building without relying on the town to provide anything beyond insuring the property.

The reason for this was that the town could insure the building, which dates from 1848, for a whole lot less by covering it under the umbrella policy that covers all town-owned property.

Thus when Petersons approached the council, he made it clear that he wasn’t asking for money. He requested technical assistance.

“We’re all working folk,” Petersons said. “None of us have the time to go after grants.”

Town Manager John Hawley noted that the building doesn’t qualify for Community Development grants.

“It’s being used by the whole town, and it’s the income of the whole town that’s considered in determining eligibility,” Hawley explained.

Matt Gary, who accompanied Petersons, said that he had determined that the paint indeed contained lead and that a contractor who handles such cases had estimated — sight unseen — that the cost to remove the loose paint and cover the remainder properly would be anywhere from $18,000 to $25,000.

Petersons noted that there are foundations around that might help in situations like this and asked if the town could find a grant writer.

The council agreed to see what it could do.

In other business, the council amended the town’s employment policy so that beginning July 1, town employees will be responsible for 5 percent of their health insurance premiums. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, depending upon the town’s financial situation at the time, the council would evaluate whether to increase the amount of employee contribution to 10 percent.

The council also approved an amendment to the town’s policy for dealing with tax-acquired properties to include an allowance for installment contracts, whereby the the property owner who had forfeited their property could buy it back.

Hawley also reminded council members that the meeting with department heads and the town Budget Committee to go over the first draft of next year’s budget is scheduled for March 20.

Hawley noted that, as matters now stand, the budget is $78,000 lower than this year’s budget, but it appears that revenues to support the budget are down by about $300,000.

“We’ve really been forced into a corner,” Hawley said. “We’re going to have to make some hard choices.” 

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