Public works facilities, parking and a recreational center were the focus of a public hearing May 4 on the town’s upcoming building needs assessment. 

One issue discussed was the public works department, which was cited for having uncovered piles of sand and salt. The board of selectmen floated the long-term idea of moving it to another town lot due to the current site’s close proximity to Haley Pond. Residents were concerned that dissolved salt runoff could end up in the pond. 

“It seems to me that should be the first thing we ought to look at and how much it’s going to cost, and start planning for that,” said Mark Beauregard, a member of the town budget committee. 

Board members and residents said more parking for municipal buildings is needed, as is a recreation center. Nearby rec centers such as Carrabassett Valley’s Anti-Gravity Rec Center could be used as an example of what could be done.

In considering the town’s spaces, the lot behind the town office was discussed as possibly being used in the future.

Selectman Keith Savage said one thing he wants kept in mind during the building needs assessment is unforeseen fixes to town infrastructure, such as sewers and the transfer station.

“That can be more of an immediate need than some of these things,” Savage said. “Especially if you start looking at development and how it can happen, and understand our capacities, where we are right now.”

The board will seek to form a building needs committee to further research the needs of the town. It was added as an agenda item to the next board meeting scheduled for May 18.

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