LIVERMORE — Selectpersons on Tuesday, Feb. 27, gave approval to tear down a house at Spruce Mountain Ski Area in Jay, pending review by the town’s attorney.

The ski area and buildings are owned by Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls. Spruce Mountain Ski Club owns the equipment and operates the slope.

Ben Guild of Livermore is on the club’s board, has an excavator and can do the demolition part, according to information provided on the selectpersons’ agenda. Leftover fill from town projects is being asked for along with approval from all three towns “to go ahead with the demolition project because there isn’t a lot of time to get the house emptied and the contents stored,” the information noted.

“The house is in terrible condition and currently has no water, no heat and is in need of a roof [the kitchen ceiling is caving in]. It is a liability and is costing the towns for insurance each year,” Administrative Assistant Carrie Judd read from an email Jay Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere received from club board member Michele Coates.

“Do we as a board have authority to tell them to tear it down,” Selectperson Scott Richmond asked.

“I think we do,” Chair Mark Chretien replied.

Judd said she could check with the town’s attorney, that LaFreniere was taking the matter to Jay’s Select Board.

That board approved the demolition Feb. 26.

In other business, contributing to insurance costs for the Memorial Day Parade by consensus was favored even though it was not included in the current budget which ends June 30.

Chretien thought Livermore had paid $300 towards it in the past, it could go up to $400 this year. He suggested getting a quote so the actual amount would be known.

“I am for it, Memorial Day is important,” Richmond said. “We need to figure out how to pay for it.”

COVID-19 is done, let us get back to community stuff, Selectperson Joshua Perkins stated.

Selectperson Jeremy Emerson offered to give $25. If each board member did so, it could cover the anticipated increase, he noted.

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