Woodstock voters unanimously approve restoration of The Grange Hall on Route 26. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen

WOODSTOCK — Holding small American flags in the air, 75 residents at Woodstock’s Town Meeting, voted unanimously to retain and restore the Route 26 Grange Hall.

At the March 31 annual meeting, Walt Staples said he and the rest of the Grange committee recommended the Town keep the building. He said it was very expensive to tear it down and selling the building meant they would lose control. “It has been  community asset for 132 years now and we’d like to see it continue that way,” said Staples who added that recognition from the National Register of Historic Places should be coming any day now.

Monica Mann asked if a sprinkler system was needed in The Grange. Fire Chief Kyle Hopps said it would depend on usage, with more restrictions for second-floor usage and larger occupancies.

Woodstock Town Manager Vern Maxfield, at the podium, is stepping down after 37 years as Town Manager. Rose Lincoln

Maxfield’s last meeting

Select Board Chair Ronald Deegan introduced new Town Manager Tonya Lewis and said goodbye to outgoing Manager Vern Maxfield. “For me its a double-edged sword … ”

Later, with his voice cracking, Maxfield said, “I will take this opportunity to say thank you. It’s been my pleasure, my honor and I have enjoyed 98% of it … I will not be far away. Thank you all very much” Nine members of Maxfield’s family, including wife, Brenda, sat in the audience.

Other business

With no opposition, Ron Deegan was unanimously re-elected for another three-year term on the Select Board. Ruth Feeney and Sue Staples were also re-elected as Library Trustees.

Nine Woodstock election workers accepted The Spirit of America Award, Dorene Wilbur, Pat Whitman, Jane Chandler, Diane York, Jen Chase, Alice Deegan, Linda Stowell, Janice Marks, and Ruth Feeney. A few others were absent.

The 2025 proposed budget will rise 14% from last year, bringing the total budget to approximately $4.613M, up from $3.987M in 2024. This estimate is subject to change, as the SAD-44 school district has not yet finalized its budget.

Most appropriations within the warrant jumped slightly or remained the same.

Resident Emily Ecker inquired about the $17,500 increase in the Town Manager’s salary, from $75,000 to $92,500. Maxfield explained that the increase accounts for an eight-week overlap between his departure and Lewis’s arrival. He added that extra office help might also be needed. “We may not spend it, but we just want to be prepared,” said Maxfield.

A Maine Family Leave Tax adds $2,500 to the tax rolls. Equipment maintenance costs jumped $20,000. ($80,000 in 2024 to $100,000 in 2025) Health insurance rose from $85,000 in 2024 to $105,000 this year.

A resident who said she had been tangled in a non-resident’s fishing line. asked if the maintenance of the town beach was part of the $12,000 recreation department’s operation and ballfield maintenance. Officials said there was no recreation committee currently but they would keep an eye on the beach.

Capital projects

Town officials have worked with the Maine Department of Transportation to slow traffic and make other improvements to Route 26 through the Village Partnership Initiative. Townspeople approved $20,000 for final road work upgrades in the last phase of the project.

The state is covering most of the 80/20 split, which likely won’t include speed bumps but will feature traffic calming measures on the state highway.

A resident remarked that the changes have improved pedestrian safety and helped build community.

A $5,000 upgrade for the Disabled Persons’ Accessible ramp at the library was also approved.

Two reserve accounts – one for major storm damage and another for the sand shed wall – received approval.