The future of the Franklin Grange Hall on Route 26 in Woodstock is on Monday’s annual Town Meeting warrant. The options are removing it or razing it and retaining the property. Woodstock Historical Society photo
WOODSTOCK — Voters at the annual Town Meeting next week will determine the future of the former Franklin Grange Hall on Route 26.
The meeting opens at 7 p.m. Monday at the Woodstock Fire Department station at 26 Monk Ave. in Bryant Pond village.
The 2½-story hall, which was built in 1892, has been empty since about 2017, Town Manager Vern Maxfield said. The town purchased the building, which is next to the Whitman Memorial Library, and formed a seven-person, ad-hoc committee to discuss what to do with the building and the land.
The hall lacks a septic system and does not meet code, Maxfield said.
Article 8 on the warrant asks voters if they want to have the building removed or razed and retain the property. If this article is approved, selectmen and the committee will bring back a plan to be approved by the voters.
The proposed $3.87 million budget is an increase of 3.92% from the 2022 fiscal year that ended Dec. 31, Maxfield said. Much of the increase is due to rising prices for energy, parts and supplies and town employee salaries.
He estimated the property tax rate would increase from $4.15 to $4.78 per $1,000 of assessed property value if all articles pass with no changes.
Maxfield said an addendum to the warrant asks voters to approve buying a new plow truck. Officials want to start the process now because a new truck will be needed in two years and delivery is likely 18 months to two years out, Maxfield said.
Money for the truck would come from reserves over two years at an estimated total of $200,000.
Maxfield said the firetruck the town purchased last year is expected to arrive next month.
The town is asking voters to sell Engine 2, the 2002 International pumper. Money from the sale would be added to the Fire Truck Reserve account.
One article expected to draw much debate is a change to the property maintenance ordinance. It would allow the code enforcement officer to bring unresolved nuisance issues to the Select Board before the issue is taken to court.
The property maintenance ordinance was adopted in 2013.
Residents will elect a selectman to succeed Shawn Coffin, who is retiring after two terms. Robert McQueeney is a candidate.
Voters will also choose two library trustees for three-year terms. Sonja Davis and Edwin Howe’s terms have expired.
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