To the Editor:
This letter is to help with mistruths and incorrect information that have been circulating about the Newry Community Church and a vote by the citizens present at Town Meeting May 15, 2023, to sell the church.
The structure needs upgrades to be used as a public (assembly use) building, either privately owned or rented and managed by the Town. All the work was professionally estimated to be approximately $200,000.00. There is also a driveway entrance permit required from the Maine Dept. of Transportation. The building must comply with Town Ordinances and/or State Rules and laws for private use or Town
rental, for public use:
• This building will need to go through a Change of Use at the Planning Board per UDRO section 1.C.2.b new uses of existing buildings, structures, and land. It has not operated as a Church for over 6 years. Public Buildings for Assembly Use (private or public) will need to meet UDRO Section 3.D.2. public drinking water, 3. Subsurface wastewater disposal system & 5. ME-DOT driveway permit. Maine Internal Plumbing Code requires 1 male lavatory and 2 female lavatories for a 40-person occupancy. The subsurface wastewater disposal plan is designed for 40-person occupancy, dated July 2022.
Maine Building Codes will have to be met and a possible ADA handicap-accessible ramp built and added to the building, per State Fire Marshal review. All this information had previously been stated at several public Select-Board meetings in the late winter/spring of 2022. The Newry Community Church committee had multiple meetings, and their findings were to sell the building to a faith-based organization. No faith-based organizations have inquired about the building.
• Remember, the voters cast the votes that made this decision. That vote is how democracy is carried out. Because the vote did not go the way a few people wanted, they cry foul. It’s also not about how much money Newry has; it’s about saving taxpayer money on a building that gets very little use and is not on any historic register. Being responsible to all the taxpayers, even those who do not attend the Town Meeting, is the responsibility of the Town Select-board, the Town Administrator, and the Town staff.
If you have questions or concerns, or want to be more involved and informed about the community you live in, please call, email, or even better, stop in and talk to us. We do not govern this Town by social media posts.
Joelle Corey
Code enforcement officer
Loretta Powers
Town Administrator
The Newry Select Board
Newry
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