LIVERMORE FALLS — Directors of the Livermore Falls Downtown Betterment Group voted Tuesday night, May 12, to disband and ask other organizations to take over their activities.

“It is with a heavy heart that I had to do this,” President Bob Berry said. “Nothing could have been done differently.”

The decision came after selectmen voted not to include an article in this year’s town meeting warrant asking for $1,000 for the group.

It was discovered that the group is not covered under town insurance policies and coverage for the group and its activities would have doubled or tripled annual expenses.

“We can’t afford that,” Berry said.

Directors discussed three options for the group: raising the needed funds themselves; petitioning selectmen to create a municipal betterment committee, appointing the Betterment Group as its members and funding it; or disbanding and distributing the remaining funds.

“Put a fork in it, it’s done,” Roger Kay said.

“It’s hard enough to get funds as it is now,” Treasurer Wendy Hall said.

Member-at-large Alison Hagerstrom spoke of a possible Tax Increment Financing Committee that could make suggestions on development projects such as beautification, sidewalks or lighting that would use TIF funds to benefit the town.

“TIF money can’t stay there forever,” she said.

Hall said if the group became a committee it would lose its autonomy and wouldn’t be able to make decisions.

Kathleen Szostek saw great potential in the group and the importance of the group’s Facebook page. “There’s a season for everything and I’ve personally run the course,” she said. 

“Who’s going to continue the work and pick up the slack?” asked Crystal Smith, co-founder of Rooted Youth. She said she remembers how poor the downtown once looked and appreciates the work the group did to help change that. 

Berry said the issue is now a mathematical one.

Asked about the similarities between the Betterment Group and the chamber of commerce, he said there are many similarities but two major differences: the Betterment Group is concerned with the infrastructure and beautification of the downtown and it focuses specifically on the downtown.

The Betterment Group has about $3,200 in its treasury that must be allocated to charities in Livermore Falls. The directors agreed to ask the Pulp and Paper Museum to take over History Night next year. If it does, it will be given $500 to help get it started.

The chamber will be asked about taking on the Spruce Mountain Sled-In.

Wrapping presents at Santa’s Workshop and nominations for the Spirit of America Award are town functions, as are general beautification efforts. Santa’s Workshop was carried on after the Rotary Club folded. 

Directors voted to give the chamber $500 to help with History Night this year.

After some discussion, directors voted to split all remaining money between Rooted Youth and the American Legion effort to purchase new flags for Livermore Falls and Jay. A sum of $800 has been raised of the approximately $2,500 cost.

Hagerstrom urged board members to pat themselves on the back. “You’ve done a lot of good work,” she said.

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